That new
BlackBerry Curve 8520 for T-Mobile is in the house, sucking down EDGE data like it's going out of style (oh, right, it is). For a device that can be scored for $50 at Walmart as of tomorrow ($130 at T-Mobile stores), this is a surprisingly solid handset. The keyboard is classic BlackBerry goodness, and the overall heft gives us at least a little bit of assurance that the phone can hold up to wear and tear better than its predecessors. Most of the changes are for the better, like a trio of media keys up top and the rubberized sides, but we're not completely sold on the touchpad. It works great when it works, but if it's too clean or our thumb is at the exact wrong moisture level, we found that we kind of "stuck" to the pad instead of gliding across it. A bit of texturing could go a long way. We also found the QVGA screen to be pretty dim, which is particularly unfortunate in light of RIM's higher-end, high-res wonders, but it's certainly passable. We're planning on spending some more time with the handset, testing that EDGE network to the limit, giving UMA time to handle some of legendary conversational stylings, and seeing how many Engadget Podcast episodes we can narcissistically cram onto the bundled 1GB microSD card.
In speaking with RIM, it's quite clear that the decision to go EDGE was primarily based on price, along with the fact that T-Mobile's 3G rollout is still lacking -- it's still a head scratcher to us, though. The spokesperson also seemed pretty confident that the new touchpad interface is the way of the future, and we get the feeling the BlackBerry's legendary trackball isn't long for this world. Check out a quick video hands-on after the break, or you could opt for some fine unboxing shots below.
posted Aug 4th 2009 3:13PM
RIP trackball.
The trackballs always break, a trackpad is a welcome change. My dad is on his third Bold because of broken trackballs.
And the cramp plastic keyboard is a thing of the past! :)
Trackball SUCKS for brickbreaker.. SUCKS.. It's not accurate for small movements at all.
Shawn, a broken trackball can be easily replaced! Unless it created some catastrophic failure of the phone...
Use of the word legendary twice in a single post. Priceless.
I have a feeling some people are going to be really upset about the loss of the trackball.
I have a blackberry and I love the trackball, mainly because I love the tactile feedback.
Nice review.
Paul you are lyke my fave writer on engadget.
1) Paul
2) Darren
3) Everyone Else
Engadget writers are good, especially given that they have to churn out articles pretty fast.
I have a huge crush on Josh.
This is a great device to bring blackberry to the masses and not just power users.
I was really looking forward this one, until I remembered that the Nokia e72 is coming this quarter - what means getting the e72 for premium or an e71 at a discounted price ;)
I'd rather the e72. I mean you may as well be happy with your purchase even it costs a bit more, and you know in the back of your head you'll always being eyeing the e72 =)
So true. Good thing that I'll need to wait a bit, cause if I would need to choose now I would go crazy.
I don't believe for a second 3G was left off to keep the price low. There's no excuse anymore...why does the 8900 on AT&T not have 3G? Why is it so hard for RIM to put 3G and WiFi in the same device? I know that there are upcoming blackberry devices with both, but there's no excuse as to why it will have taken them so long.
Just because they don't want to predate on their on line up. They have premium devices that have both or 3G only, that must generate much more profit per unit to them. Why give the same functionalities to the entry version?
If this one had a Bold-quality screen, GPS and 3G, it would be the perfect Blackberry. But it can be said of every Blackberry released so far (maybe except the Bold).
I know what you're saying, it's just that the Curve 8900 is 200 bucks on AT&T. It should have 3G and WiFi in it at that price, especially since you can get those features in competing devices for the same price (or less.) But I have to admit it is a great way for RIM to bring in the cash.
As a BlackBerry afficianado, this thing looks like crap. Pay attention to how well the optical trackpad works when he tries to scroll through the words in that email.
Looks very Dashy.
I love the idea of the trackpad, bummer to hear it doesn't work as well as hoped.
I'd like something like this for my G1. My trackball only works 100% in 3 directions. My first G1 did the same thing and I finally had to give it up for warranty. I don't understand why, either. I baby my phones. Neither has ever been dropped, neither have a single scratch anywhere, and neither have played in a sandbox before.
That has to be the silliest navigation I've seen. Sooo damn stupid. You have to run your finger across it like ten times just to get to the bottom of the screen.
Trackball needs to die. Hopefully this is the right solution.
No 3G and no GPS.......... Blackberry needs to stop it with model after model that omits 1 or 2 key features.
I'm gonna wait for the Onyx.
its new and very useful gadget, i hope so.. but i don't like , i like iphone very much
ooooh, so an edge phone that the carrier will still make you purchase the data plan. what's the point again? I can see blackberry's angle (cheap initial cost) but then tmobile requiring the expensive data plan defeats the purpose, does it not?
Apple's award winning multi-touch is the future~
Reply to The "i"'s douchey post here.
KEyboards, tactile feedback>touchscreen.
I had the iPhone 3G for a while but it didnt get service where is was so i had to take it back. I realy liked the touchscreen but the keyboard was a tad to cramped for me. Anyways i ended up getting the Blackberry Storm which is my first blackberry. I like it for the most part but typing on it is a bit of a pain. I like this one to bad T-Mobile doesnt get service where i live and to bad that the rubber side buttons are UGLY!!!
I wonder what a Pre-like gesture area would be like on a Blackberry...keep just the launch bar touch sensitive, for sake of the smaller icons across the top being unusable, but keep the QWERTY keyboard.
A Curve and Storm in one. A Blackberry "Tornado"? "Cyclone"? "Hurricane"? etc.
i wish it could be $48.88 at tmobile stores :(
Ok, the main pic, is that a giant holding that thing? The phone looks tiny. It looks like whoever that giant is would press like 6 buttons at a time with their thumb!!!!
i think the onyx looks better.
im soo glad the track ball has been replaced..
Hey, I still miss the trackwheel.. The trackball just isn't nearly as good for Brickbreaker...
There's some kinda of problem with UMA and 3g ... Tmobile has yet to release a phone with UMA and 3g ... I don't know if it's a handoff issue or they think somehow the phones will be hacked to keep people form making phone calls with their unlimited data plan instead of their normal minutes. UMA is a great feature ... heck, whenever I travel overseas I just need a wifi hotspot and no international roaming! I don't care if you "improved" the G1 by removing the keyboard. Give me something I can use! I need UMA for my house but you keep release poopy blackberries with crap data connections.
Give me a real smartphone with UMA and 3G and I'd be happy to remain your customer ...