[MrKyoo]

Thanks for the review.

Am I the only one that dislikes the choice of case color? I would probably like the 8300 if it was in black.

[Stinsonddog]

Originally Posted by nike30

I've not seen either beta tester acknowledge that Curve having a2dp functionality.

No need for me to invest funds in this phone. 8800 will hold me over until either an a2dp or 3G Berry hits the pavement. New Telenav has me hooked.

I agree that a2dp would be the best addition.

[kasperapd]

Straight from the Press Release

The Bluetooth stereo audio profile (A2DP/AVRCP) is supported, and dedicated volume controls are conveniently located on the side of the handset.

[paulbblc]

Nice review BBAdmin. Can't wait for this. MrKyoo, I agree, would prefer this in black however silver will be fine for now.

[rivviepop]

Originally Posted by takeshi

It's only really "consumer" in that it has a camera (and some corporate/government environments don't allow them).

*ahem* 3.5mm jack is another major consumer appeal; if you're a heavy music phone user, you already know the pain that is all these stupid-arse 2.5mm, Nokia POP port, Samsung port, minUSB-jack, blah-blah connectors are; having a 3.5mm jack is like getting the handcuffs taken off your device and making it usable.

[mortys11]

look at this from press release

''The media player on the BlackBerry Curve has been refined, allowing users to search for music by simply typing the title, genre, artist or album name. Videos can also be played in full screen mode.''

FULL SCREEN

pretty sweet

[greggebhardt]

Originally Posted by MrKyoo

Thanks for the review.

Am I the only one that dislikes the choice of case color? I would probably like the 8300 if it was in black.

Color?

I think "most" will be happy to get their hands on this device if it was any other color than pink!

[rivviepop]

Originally Posted by greggebhardt

Color?

I think "most" will be happy to get their hands on this device if it was any other color than pink!

For the whiners.

[BBAdmin]

excellent!!!!

[snowskier79]

Originally Posted by rivviepop

For the whiners.

Nice!

[Srwilliams]

BB Admin:

Best review to date. And thank you.

I really need your help on this, as you have worked with the 8300 prototype it appears.

I have been looking at other phones that are non BB, phones that have a dedicated dial pad and a qwerty keyboard. I have been using my 8700 for a year and I love everything about it, except when I am ready to dial a phone number I have to be ever so careful and basically use my fingertip. It is not as bad as the Treo 650 I had but it does get on my nerves. Is the dial pad or keys a little better on the 8300 so that dialing a number is a little better than on the 8700. It does not have to be much better, just a little better in terms of spacing and shape of keys and I will stay with the BB. Please help me with this because I desperatly want tp stay with the BB and not go to a nokia or HTC

[RochesterBBUser]

Hi:

Started with the BB 7290 (talk about keyboard real estate) and then moved to the 8700C. Not to get too personal, but I defintely have to keep my nails trimmed to be able to actually use my fingers on this thing. Have been waiting for the 8300 - like most othere here.

The 8700C has worked pretty well for me in regard to corporate email, calendar, and basic web browsing. After doing very cursory research on the Curve, I am not seeing an overwhelming reason to upgrade.

I know this is a personal likes/dislikes thing. for me there are not enough features that I can see that would lead me to switch. Yes, there are some good improvements - like the spell checker and the improved keyboard. But, I was hoping for built-in GPS and wi-fi. To me, those would be strong enough reasons to move.

So, I am hoping that there will be follow-on versions for AT&T users. There might not be, and I will wait it out to see what the next version brings.

[archer6]

Originally Posted by Srwilliams

I have been using my 8700 for a year and I love everything about it, except when I am ready to dial a phone number I have to be ever so careful and basically use my fingertip.

Is the dial pad or keys a little better on the 8300 so that dialing a number is a little better than on the 8700. It does not have to be much better, just a little better in terms of spacing and shape of keys and I will stay with the BB.

I also have an 8700c and I cannot stand the keys. They are the worst of any smart phone I've used, absolutely dreadful. For me it's all about the key shape, looking closely, you will notice they are tapered towards the center of the keyboard and the top surface that your finger touches is much smaller than the key at the base. This along with rather vertical orientation, as opposed to square or horizontally shaped keys makes this very difficult to use. As a result my 8700 just sits as a spare. I'm using a 7130c which has great keys and I love SureType. I also have an 8800 and it's got a much better keyboard than the 8700.

Regarding the 8300 Curve, I find by scrutinizing the large pictures recently released of the keyboard, it has very nice keys. They look ideally shaped and they have a bit of separation between them. This along with the reports that I read today that commented on a superior typing experience are very encouraging.

Another nice feature of the Curve is the shape, I find it appears to be much nicer to hold than the rather thin & flat 8800. Also the way the case is designed it appears that it may be less prone to creaks when holding it.

The moment this model is released by at&t I'm purchasing one.

[Perfect Storm]

<---- Close up of the keys.

[rugmankc]

I am not experienced with smartphone media players. So, why can free or $20 cells have the ability to download to the phone music and video, while the 8300 must have the files downloaded to desktop manager first? Where can I download music from on the web? ITunes? The only exception I see, if true, is downloading short video clips from sites like Foxnews or ESPN. Is this even an issue for most people? I would have liked to have seen a video recorder on the phone, since most cells have this feature also. GPS and WIFI are not important to me. Can I send video and pictures from this phone to my wife's Nokia 6126? We have the same carrier. I understand there are charges involved. I have an 8700c and love it. All I wanted extra was VAD. But, now that my wife has the Nokia, I like the camera and video recording. Would like 3G since my carrier Cincinatti Bell will have this 1st Qtr 08. May wait for the 9xxx. There are some sites that don't render well on the 8700c. I don't know if this is HTML or JAVA issues. Like I said, not a smartphone expert. Maybe the new OS5 for the 9xxx will address this.

[MrKyoo]

Originally Posted by greggebhardt

Color?

I think "most" will be happy to get their hands on this device if it was any other color than pink!

I didn’t say that it was a bad device just not liking the case color.

To each his own.

[jaxberry]

Originally Posted by greggebhardt

Color?

I think "most" will be happy to get their hands on this device if it was any other color than pink!

I'd even take it in pink!

[Srwilliams]

archer6:

Thanks so much. That is the most insightful response to my concerns about the 8700 keyboard and dial pad. I thought I was the only one who found it difficult to use the keyboard. But you explained the problem well.

You looked at pictures to surmise that the 8300 keys are shaped better and have more real estate to make typing and dialing perhaps better than the 8700. I was hoping that the Administrator who has actually used the phone would speak to this

[Perfect Storm]

I personally like the 8700g/v keys, not so much the 8700c/r though. The 8300 keys are well designed and have a good feel.

[Stinsonddog]

Originally Posted by kasperapd

A2DP Stereo to the BT headset - Straight from the Press Release

Now that is nice. Hope OS upgrades push that to the 8100 and 8800.