RIM has come up latest with an entry-level device – RIM BlackBerry Curve 8520 – to push into the consumer market (earlier known as BlackBerry Gemini). At the outset, it has a good design like its predecessors, average specifications to enable a solid hold and the wonderful QWERTY keyboard for which RIM is famous for.
This smartphone has Wi-Fi network and has one unique feature – instead of the analog “trackball” this has an optical trackpad – which is quite attractive.
For the design and specifications, this handset also follows the traditional layout of BlackBerry. The overall measurements of the handset are 4.25 x 2.3 x 0.5 inches (108 x 58 x 13 mm). Display screen of 3.4” sitting over a full QWERTY keyboard; two convenience keys on either side; a simple looking backside with 2 Megapixel Camera found on the top. The handset measures even smaller than other Curve models and weighs the same.
The drawback we find in RIM BlackBerry Curve 8520 is the screen size – 320 x 240 – which is lower than recent RIM units. But it should be admitted that the display is sharp and the QVGA resolution is also rich. This is an entry level device and so it is more than acceptable.
The soft touch paint finishing of the sides of the smartphone, top, bottom of the back – all of them combine to give the user an undeniable plastic feel and a good grip. The convenience keys provided on both side and the volume rocker key on the right are only bumps, instead of individual keys, since the housing stretches them when pressed, rather than breaking.
The User Interface of Curve 8520 is running a 4.6 OS with beautiful icons, and functions as the same like other BlackBerry models. There have been some tweaks here and there though, to make it customizable, better than Windows Mobile.
The new phone is equipped with phone book, Organizer and other basic RIM functions like Memo Pad, Voice Note Recorder and Calculator etc. to make the phone familiar for use with RIM customers.
Tags: RIM BlackBerry Curve 8520
