RIM BlackBerry Bold 9900
From AT&T
The BlackBerry Bold 9900 is sure to satisfy any BlackBerry fan’s wish list during the holidays, and maybe even convert a few Android and Apple users. Complete with BlackBerry’s new OS 7, among other new features, and with their traditional strong points in email management and its tactile keyboard, the Bold is a big improvement on previous models.
Once you get your hands on the Bold, you’ll realize that its size and setup has not changed much. The design of the phone is very classy and professional. It has a silver metal border that goes all the way around the edge of the phone which adds protection and an expensive look to the phone. It also has several buttons around the phone for a camera shortcut, volume/mute, and locking the phone. There is also a headphone jack, charging port, and micro USB.
The Bold continues the trend of including an optical track pad rather than a trackball to aid in navigation when you don’t want to use the touchscreen. Another thing that has not changed much is BlackBerry’s instantly recognizable keyboard. It is just as easy to type on as previous versions of the Bold and still delivers the quality experience that users have come to expect from the BlackBerry line. The angled buttons let you type fast, accurately, and comfortably. They also provide firm feedback which helps contribute to a satisfying messaging experience.
The phone has a few other new tricks up its sleeve with the biggest addition being the 2.8 inch touch screen. This is what Bold fans have undoubtedly been waiting for. With its new screen, the Bold allows for an added level of tactile input from the user. You can navigate and resize webpages smoothly and with ease which makes browsing feel natural. The screen is also very sharp and clear with its 640 x 480 resolution. This makes a noticeable difference when viewing emails and messages. It’s a lot less straining on your eyes, which is especially good if you are frequently using your Bold to type out emails throughout the day.
I had a very enjoyable experience with the BlackBerry and it would make a great gift for everyone in the family. The only major downside I experienced with the phone was their miniscule app store. This is probably the biggest letdown for users who are used to the Android marketplace or Apple store. However for those who are mostly using the phone for email, messaging, and minor browsing, this won’t be a problem at all and the Bold is still the leader by far in these areas.