Sadly enough, this is pretty much par for the course with RIM. We talk about a BlackBerry for months on end, and after everyone grows acquainted with its features via less-than-official sources, the company finally confesses. At any rate, the long-awaited BlackBerry Curve 8520 (which may or may not go by Gemini on T-Mobile) has finally found a dedicated landing page on its maker's website, and while the list of specifications aren't a surprise, there is one thing that caught our eye. Alongside the 2 megapixel camera, video recording mode, WiFi radio, 1,150mAh battery (which is good for 4.5 hours of talk time or 17 days in standby), a fairly robust multimedia player and a 320 x 240 resolution display, RIM also promises "out of the box Mac compatibility." Specifically, we're told that users will be able to "sync contacts, calendars and notes" by using BlackBerry Desktop Software on Apple computers. Of course, when clicking for more information, we're simply ported over to a page informing us that the Mac-specific version of the aforesaid platform won't arrive until September. So, is the 8520 special, or is that August 5th ship date around 30 days off?
Update: RIM just confirmed the T-Mobile USA release date: it's August 5th for $48.88 (from Walmart, anyway) on a two-year agreement. Guess we'll see just how legitimate that Mac claim is here soon, huh?
This is not even news. Why the hell would business people care about Mac support a feeble pathetic company with 5% market share... Remember guys Mac owners dont become businessmen with Blackberry's there the artsy fags type with colored tattoos down their arms or on their feet with big touch screen phones to use for calling people and showing off with..... and nothing else, this is why the lackluster Iphone is doing so bloody well.
BB is taking the fight to Apple's home territory. The reasoning behind adding Mac support is not rocket science, people.
Apple has shown, with the iPhone, that business people are willing to give up their "enterprise" mobile phone for a "consumer" phone. BB has no choice but to introduce more "consumer-oriented features" into their "business" phones in order to keep their current customers and get new ones. Adding Mac support is a sign that BB is taking the fight to the consumer space.
2MP camera? And it's designed to appeal to Mac fans? The Sony Ericsson K800i - from 2006 a) Syncs with the Mac - perfectly, contacts, calendar, (contact) notes. b) One can Bluetooth the excellent 3MP (with Xenon flash) auto focused photos to a Mac in a jiffy. c) It has an excellent Stereo RDS FM Radio. d) The games are actually quite good. e) And most importantly, one can send and receive email on it - even gmail! No, it's not push, but it works. The point here is it is now 2009, and RIM (whose email ease of use for people in suits is to be commended) appear to be appealing to the 2007 pre-iPhone and iPhone V1 market.
The Nokia E72 (E71 replacement) has a way better spec (5MP auto focus camera, VGA video, WiFi & fast 3G, great QWERTY keyboard, push email - I believe, radio and a lot more.
Not everybody wants a top of the line smartphone. This is perfectly acceptible for teens, soccer moms, and small time business men who want a cheap blackberry.
Sure some other mobile can do some functions just the same except for what a BB user actually gets his BB for, the push mail. So sure you figured out that as others point out as well this is just a low-end mobile but its actually pretty often used. We got the people outside at the construction site walking around with these and caus they are so cheap it doesn´t matter if one actually gets dumped into the concrete. What I don´t understand where the MAC support comes from, the mayority of the companys don´t use Apple´s so supporting this minority is imo an odd choice. The only benefit i can see is that you coud sync your music catalog with iTunes though the RIM desktop software > iTunes.
"So, is the 8520 special, or is that August 5th ship date around 30 days off?"
Or, Option #3, is that the left-hand doesn't know what the right-hand is doing. In other words, this could simply be the result of a communications/coordination cock-up at RIM that means that the Curve won't ship with Mac compatibility "out of the box" because the software isn't ready yet. Such situations aren't exactly unusual and Marketing may have pulled the trigger a bit too early.
So people are not understanding the point that this is meant to be a low end smartphone. It's a little bit better than the Curve 8300 series, and that's it. RIM is trying to cater to every market now, and that includes people who can't afford their high end phones but want a piece of the action, or people who want a cool second phone. Comparing this to other high end phones is silly.
What do you want from RIM? I don't think there's anything wrong with the current design... And actually, this Curve looks pretty different from the other phones they're pumping out right now. It has the rubberized media keys, the TRACKBALL (completely new), and a combo of the Curve 8900 and current Curve styling.
Look at Lenovo with the ThinkPad line - they all look exactly the same. Why? Because the design works and business users are used to it. There's no need to go changing the entire look every time a new computer or phone is released - especially in the business world.
mmm no trackballl i dont know ...is a blackberry the trackball is one of the things that make it a blackberry is like talking the touchscreen out of the iphone
Blackberries have only had a trackball for three years. They had scroll wheels for years before that. All the way back to their two-way pager days. It took me weeks to adjust to the trackball on my 8800 after upgrading from my 8700.
how about business people who own Macs at home? I know plenty of them where I work. At the office they use Windows - sync everything with their Exchange/BES Servers.. And at home they want to sync their contacts and such with their Macs.
You need to read some blogs. There are Mac only enterprises everywhere. From doctors, lawyers to financial firms.
I happen to work as a lawyer/developer with financial software [on Windows], 25% of my colleagues have now converted to Macs just in the last year. We develop software using Microsoft Visual Studio [running under VMWare]. The Mac users in my company have the least problems, all our new Lenovos have been returned several times for all kinds of issues.
When we started looking around we found a lot of people in the business were using Macs as well.
If you take the time to investigate a little, you'll discover that this is a low end smartphone and is not intended to have 3G. Some people just don't give a shit about 3G. Plus, they have the Bold to fit in that category.
The Blackberry line is a great set of smartphones within their limited function. The check email through Push. Only the corporate elite NEED push email. Everyone else can just as easily use the more battery conservative Fetch. Or hey, iPhone supports Push Exchange email, so all of you out there who say that Blackberry is better for businesses, that's 100% bull. The iPhone does all that, has an App Store that has actually decent apps, 3G, a fantastic interface that a 2 year old could use, unlike BB OS and WinMo, which takes a rocket scientist to use. Get over it. iPhone is better for everyone, Blackberries are dead fanboys. Only a matter of time until Blackberries are for the corporate elite and teens. Anyone in the middle has a mediocre clamshell or an iPhone.
If RIM can support Mac users without an increase in prices then what the hell is the big deal guys? They just want to increase their potential market. It's a smart business move, unfortunately most of you don't grasp that simple concept.
you're kidding right? cuz the nerds on here are getting very very nervous that the millions and millions of Mac users, iPod owners, iPhone users, iTunes store customers might... *gasp* not be relegated to Creative Artists and/or Homosexuals.
In other words, what sane people knew like 10 years ago.
Why is it sad that you guys (i.e., tech blogs in general) easily leak BB phones months before it's officially announced? Would it be less 'sad' if BB followed Apple and Foxconn's path of secrecy and intimidation? I know it's your job to report these things, but don't act bored because the official announcements reveal nothing new. You guys have already ruined the Apple keynotes, which has turned into a game of checking off the list of products already reported by blogs.
$129.99 on a 2 year contract? I thought this was supposed to be launched for under $80 at Wal-Mart. With the iPhone 3G at $99 on a 2 year contract, RIM should have priced the 8520 under $100. Just looking at what you get with both phones the iPhone is an easy choice if your a teen or first time/basic smartphone user which this phone is targeting. This BlabkBerry lacks 3G, flash, only has a 2.0 MP camera, and has a low res screen, RIM should have priced it at $49.99 on a 2 year contract.
These so called "subsidy" for locked phones are getting ridiculous. You call that subsidy? $129 for a locked phone under 2 year contract, with no 3G, only 2MP camera without auto focus? I'm sorry, but this is 2009 for God's sake. RIM, instead of rehashing old hardware, why can't you just build stuff on top of the Bold? Simply add an auto-focus camera on the Bold, and might take one. If not, put more aggressive subsidy (make it free).
This phone is inferior in resolution, uma support, camara, and build quality to the 8900. why on earth would you save $20 to buy this phone over the 8900. only way i see this phone being a good deal is on prepaid with bundled service. Seriously RIM its time to do 3g phones WITH wifi and update your OS it looks more antiquated than windows 95!
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posted Jul 27th 2009 6:05AM
thats pretty cool :D
This is not even news. Why the hell would business people care about Mac support a feeble pathetic company with 5% market share... Remember guys Mac owners dont become businessmen with Blackberry's there the artsy fags type with colored tattoos down their arms or on their feet with big touch screen phones to use for calling people and showing off with..... and nothing else, this is why the lackluster Iphone is doing so bloody well.
BB is taking the fight to Apple's home territory. The reasoning behind adding Mac support is not rocket science, people.
Apple has shown, with the iPhone, that business people are willing to give up their "enterprise" mobile phone for a "consumer" phone. BB has no choice but to introduce more "consumer-oriented features" into their "business" phones in order to keep their current customers and get new ones. Adding Mac support is a sign that BB is taking the fight to the consumer space.
Thats awesome!
it should be illegal in this day and age to produce phones with 320x240 resolution.
Oh shut up.
YES!
480*640 MINIMUM PLZ.
On a 2.6" screen, it's really not all that bad. But yeah, it is kind of annoying that the best phones out seem to suffer from resolution anemia.
17 days in stand-by.. seriously?
2MP camera? And it's designed to appeal to Mac fans? The Sony Ericsson K800i - from 2006 a) Syncs with the Mac - perfectly, contacts, calendar, (contact) notes. b) One can Bluetooth the excellent 3MP (with Xenon flash) auto focused photos to a Mac in a jiffy. c) It has an excellent Stereo RDS FM Radio. d) The games are actually quite good. e) And most importantly, one can send and receive email on it - even gmail! No, it's not push, but it works. The point here is it is now 2009, and RIM (whose email ease of use for people in suits is to be commended) appear to be appealing to the 2007 pre-iPhone and iPhone V1 market.
The Nokia E72 (E71 replacement) has a way better spec (5MP auto focus camera, VGA video, WiFi & fast 3G, great QWERTY keyboard, push email - I believe, radio and a lot more.
So why are RIM headed backwards?
Not everybody wants a top of the line smartphone. This is perfectly acceptible for teens, soccer moms, and small time business men who want a cheap blackberry.
Sure some other mobile can do some functions just the same except for what a BB user actually gets his BB for, the push mail. So sure you figured out that as others point out as well this is just a low-end mobile but its actually pretty often used. We got the people outside at the construction site walking around with these and caus they are so cheap it doesn´t matter if one actually gets dumped into the concrete.
What I don´t understand where the MAC support comes from, the mayority of the companys don´t use Apple´s so supporting this minority is imo an odd choice. The only benefit i can see is that you coud sync your music catalog with iTunes though the RIM desktop software > iTunes.
"So, is the 8520 special, or is that August 5th ship date around 30 days off?"
Or, Option #3, is that the left-hand doesn't know what the right-hand is doing. In other words, this could simply be the result of a communications/coordination cock-up at RIM that means that the Curve won't ship with Mac compatibility "out of the box" because the software isn't ready yet. Such situations aren't exactly unusual and Marketing may have pulled the trigger a bit too early.
So people are not understanding the point that this is meant to be a low end smartphone. It's a little bit better than the Curve 8300 series, and that's it. RIM is trying to cater to every market now, and that includes people who can't afford their high end phones but want a piece of the action, or people who want a cool second phone. Comparing this to other high end phones is silly.
.
Another Blackberry that looks exactly the same as the last one, and the one before that, and the one before that.
A very conseravative design group.
What do you want, a spherical necklace phone with a roll-out seven-inch flexible OLED and dual-sliding keyboard?
hey look atleast they took out the track ball thats a change ....lol yeah right i agree with u man they all look the same
Another iPhone that looks exactly the same as the last one, and the one before that, and the one before that.
What do you want from RIM? I don't think there's anything wrong with the current design... And actually, this Curve looks pretty different from the other phones they're pumping out right now. It has the rubberized media keys, the TRACKBALL (completely new), and a combo of the Curve 8900 and current Curve styling.
Look at Lenovo with the ThinkPad line - they all look exactly the same. Why? Because the design works and business users are used to it. There's no need to go changing the entire look every time a new computer or phone is released - especially in the business world.
The company that doesn't inovate, stagnates.
I agree with you mate. Dull and uninteresting handsets.
MAC support? Why bother...
People that utilize BB's are doing real work.
I suspect that RIM knows something that you don't, which probably doesn't come as a surprise to anyone.
And no 3G? Are they kidding?
mmm no trackballl i dont know ...is a blackberry the trackball is one of the things that make it a blackberry is like talking the touchscreen out of the iphone
People said the same thing about the wheels Blackberries used to have.. Get used to it
Blackberries have only had a trackball for three years. They had scroll wheels for years before that. All the way back to their two-way pager days. It took me weeks to adjust to the trackball on my 8800 after upgrading from my 8700.
Blackberry = Business
Mac Business
The audiences for each device are completely different. Why even bother?
how about business people who own Macs at home? I know plenty of them where I work. At the office they use Windows - sync everything with their Exchange/BES Servers.. And at home they want to sync their contacts and such with their Macs.
or maybe they are attempting to appeal to the entire creative advertising industry, which is probably run on 90% apple hardware...
isn't the mac support software side anyway? it's not just this phone that will get it
You need to read some blogs. There are Mac only enterprises everywhere. From doctors, lawyers to financial firms.
I happen to work as a lawyer/developer with financial software [on Windows], 25% of my colleagues have now converted to Macs just in the last year. We develop software using Microsoft Visual Studio [running under VMWare]. The Mac users in my company have the least problems, all our new Lenovos have been returned several times for all kinds of issues.
When we started looking around we found a lot of people in the business were using Macs as well.
Here's one example I remember reading about: http://www.apple.com/business/profiles/chapman_cutler/
no 3G==FAIL
If you take the time to investigate a little, you'll discover that this is a low end smartphone and is not intended to have 3G. Some people just don't give a shit about 3G. Plus, they have the Bold to fit in that category.
wait, the phone is meant for tmobile. does tmobile have 3G???
The Blackberry line is a great set of smartphones within their limited function. The check email through Push. Only the corporate elite NEED push email. Everyone else can just as easily use the more battery conservative Fetch. Or hey, iPhone supports Push Exchange email, so all of you out there who say that Blackberry is better for businesses, that's 100% bull. The iPhone does all that, has an App Store that has actually decent apps, 3G, a fantastic interface that a 2 year old could use, unlike BB OS and WinMo, which takes a rocket scientist to use. Get over it. iPhone is better for everyone, Blackberries are dead fanboys. Only a matter of time until Blackberries are for the corporate elite and teens. Anyone in the middle has a mediocre clamshell or an iPhone.
If RIM can support Mac users without an increase in prices then what the hell is the big deal guys? They just want to increase their potential market. It's a smart business move, unfortunately most of you don't grasp that simple concept.
you're kidding right? cuz the nerds on here are getting very very nervous that the millions and millions of Mac users, iPod owners, iPhone users, iTunes store customers might... *gasp* not be relegated to Creative Artists and/or Homosexuals.
In other words, what sane people knew like 10 years ago.
Give them time.
Why is it sad that you guys (i.e., tech blogs in general) easily leak BB phones months before it's officially announced? Would it be less 'sad' if BB followed Apple and Foxconn's path of secrecy and intimidation? I know it's your job to report these things, but don't act bored because the official announcements reveal nothing new. You guys have already ruined the Apple keynotes, which has turned into a game of checking off the list of products already reported by blogs.
$129.99 on a 2 year contract? I thought this was supposed to be launched for under $80 at Wal-Mart. With the iPhone 3G at $99 on a 2 year contract, RIM should have priced the 8520 under $100. Just looking at what you get with both phones the iPhone is an easy choice if your a teen or first time/basic smartphone user which this phone is targeting. This BlabkBerry lacks 3G, flash, only has a 2.0 MP camera, and has a low res screen, RIM should have priced it at $49.99 on a 2 year contract.
i'll wait for the onyx, looks over 9000x better anyways + 3G + 480x360 res
Agreed. Mehopes that this surprise announcement leads to the release of the Onyx soon, as well.
These so called "subsidy" for locked phones are getting ridiculous. You call that subsidy? $129 for a locked phone under 2 year contract, with no 3G, only 2MP camera without auto focus? I'm sorry, but this is 2009 for God's sake. RIM, instead of rehashing old hardware, why can't you just build stuff on top of the Bold? Simply add an auto-focus camera on the Bold, and might take one. If not, put more aggressive subsidy (make it free).
too late, pocketmac was so frustrating that i already craigslisted my blackberry and went back to my old LG.
Do people realize that there's the best smartphone on the planet, the iPhone 3G, that can be had for less?
This phone is inferior in resolution, uma support, camara, and build quality to the 8900. why on earth would you save $20 to buy this phone over the 8900. only way i see this phone being a good deal is on prepaid with bundled service. Seriously RIM its time to do 3g phones WITH wifi and update your OS it looks more antiquated than windows 95!