Using A Blackberry For The First Time

A lot of my friends consider me a techie. It’s probably because I have such a love for computers and gadgets and if I ever come across any tech problem, I try to troubleshoot everything by myself. I guess I really want to understand how these gadgets work.

So when I found out I was going to be able to review a Blackberry Curve 9310, I was thrilled!

This is my first time to use a Blackberry and I’m excited to learn about it and experience it for myself.

Features include:

  • 3.2 Megapixel camera: Face Detection, Flash, Image Stabilization, Scene Modes, Geo–tagging, Digital Zoom
  • Video: VGA Video recording (640×480)
  • Music: BlackBerry Media Player
  • Bluetooth v2.1: Stereo (A2DP), Headset (HSP), Hands–free (HFP), Serial Port (SPP)
  • BlackBerry® Device Software v7.1 Integrated Email, Phone, SMS, Browser, Calendar, Address Book
  • English, French and Spanish language support
  • BlackBerry Internet Service (BIS), BlackBerry Enterprise Solution (BES)
  • Text, Picture and Video Messaging (MMS)
  • Instant Messaging applications for BlackBerry
  • Social networking for BlackBerry Smartphone’s
  • Wi–Fi 802.11 b/g/n enabled, BlackBerry App World Support, Visual Voice Mail capable, Back Up Assistant Plus capable, Assisted, standalone and simultaneous GPS
  • Dimensions: 4.29″ (H) x 2.36″ (W) x 0.5″ (D), Weight: 3.66 oz.
  • Operating System: BlackBerry® 7.1 OS, Processor: 800MHz
  • Network: Dual–band: 800 / 1900 MHz CDMA/EVDO Rev 0
  • Display: 2.44″ (measured diagonally), 320×240 pixel QVGA display, Proximity Sensor
  • Up to 8 hours Talk time and up to 432 hours Standby time
  • Memory: 512 MB Onboard Flash Memory, 512 MB RAM, Supports up to 32GB microSD card (sold separately)

Blackberry Curve 9310 Review

As you can see in the photos above, the Blackberry Curve 9310 I used is on Verizon.

You may also purchase this unit under Boost Mobile. Since the choice of carrier usually depends on a lot of factors including your location and plan features, I will not focus on the performance of the network. Though I can say that Verizon has good coverage in our apartment.

The Blackberry Curve 9310 is smaller than the phones I’m used to so the weight is one of the first few things I noticed. It was really light compared to the phones I’ve used before. As with most phones, there are volume up and down keys on the right side of the phone. And for someone like me that has friends that are always on BBM, there is a dedicated button for BBM on the left side of the phone so we can easily access the app.

The QWERTY keyboard isn’t so much of a big change for me since my smartphone uses a virtual QWERTY keyboard when I type anyway. But since these are physical keys that I press when typing, it took me a few days to get used to typing on it. I noticed though that the keys were a little angled. I think this slight angle helped me transition from virtual keys to physical keys because it helps my fingers (and my brain) detect which keys I pressed.

Blackberry Curve 9310 Review

The photos above show how it looks when the screen is on. The first one is just on standby. The middle one is when you scroll down and the app icons appear so you can go to the specific one you wish to use. The last photo is my favorite app — BBM. I just love that I can easily text or send messages to my family from outside the US for free because they have Blackberry phones too! I cannot tell you how much this app has helped me communicate with my sister so easily as we plan her family’s visit to California this Christmas.

Another thing I really like about this phone is the camera. Last month, I attended a dinner meeting with a company and a group of bloggers from the Bay Area. The dinner was at a posh resto in Downtown San Jose and the lights were really dim. I wanted to take a photo of the people I was with during the meeting so I took out my smartphone (not this Blackberry). I didn’t want to use the flash because I didn’t want to distract the speakers. When I took the picture, well it was just black. Good thing I brought this Blackberry. I took the photo and though it was still dark, it was able to capture the images in the room. I knew I just need to adjust the brightness of the photo and I’d be able to clearly see the images.

Original photo taken. Though it was still dark, you can see that it was able to capture the images.

Edited photo. Increased brightness to clearly see images.

My experience during the dinner actually made me realize I needed a newer phone with a better camera. My phone is about to go anyway since my current phone contract ends by December 31st. Imagine if I didn’t have the Blackberry Curve with me that night. I wouldn’t have been able to take photos of the dinner at all!

Overall I can say it’s a great phone that can do a lot of things. If you’ve been on a touchscreen smartphone, it may take a few days to get used to it. But once you get the hang of it, you’ll realize that it has so much to offer for a gadget so small!

BUY IT! The Blackberry Curve 9310 is available on Verizon Wireless and Boost mobile for less than $50 with a plan.

Bay Area Mommy's Holiday Gift Guide

* I was sent a Blackberry Curve 9310 temporary unit to test and review. I was not compensated in any form. Thoughts are my own.

 

Comments

Using A Blackberry For The First Time — 33 Comments

  1. this sounds great – Ive heard blackberry was not making such great phones but this sounds like a smartphone competitor to me! Thanks for the info for holiday shopping 🙂

  2. im like you i love figuring out things for myself when it comes to tech. things i am usually the one everyone calls when they have a problem with their computers i dont have one of these phones but would love to get one some day

  3. I am searching for a new phone for my son, and it is all so overwhelming for me. That being said, I was glad to read your thoughts.

  4. That’s a very cool feature, my phone always takes dark photos and it doesn’t have a flash that I could use :[

  5. I also have Blackberry phone. I love its simple interface yet functional. One thing though, I just don’t like the touchscreen addition to its bold and curve units. It makes it complicated and hard to use.

  6. I really miss my Blackberry Curve!! I have a smartphone now and the battery life is SO short!!!

  7. I’ve never had a smart phone, most of my older kids and my husband does. One thing I don’t like is the bigger size and weight. I always figured if I needed a COMPUTER, well, I’d just take a COMPUTER everywhere. I have issues with being too small to be able to text out, and too large with bulkiness and weight. This Blackberry looks to be JUST RIGHT! Honestly, these phones were so in the forefront with smart phone that I never heard too many complaints about them. Thanks for the ups on this. I always listen to my husband about all the tech stuff out there, but now I am listening more and more to bloggers;) He’s smart, but when it comes to PHONES, I know what I’m “talking about”. LOL! (Thanks to you guys)

  8. Thanks so much for the great review on the Blackberry. I dont have a Blackberry but if I could afford one this is one I would pick to have. Takes pictures in the dark – I dont know of any other phone that can do that. The only thing is I would have to see it first to make sure the keyboard wasnt to small for me to read. Okay Santa – hint hint

  9. Thanks for this – I still have a flip phone and am trying to decide what to replace it with!

  10. this sounds like a wonderful phone to have, i don’t have a cell yet but am looking into one for next year, i hope heheh thanks for the review

  11. Thanks for the review. I heard there’s a new Blackberry in town, I think it’s called Blackberry 10… but I still love the iPhone. 🙂

  12. Awesome phone, i have always been a fan of BlackBerry’s style, looks so elegant and classy. Never really owned one thou, maybe someday, for now, im still happy with my water resistant phone 🙂

  13. Before I upgraded to my Galaxy S3, I had a Blackberry Curve. I loved it. Sadly Blackberry doesn’t seem to be doing too well these days.

  14. Given all that has gone on with Blackberry lately, I wonder if you are still using your Blackberry?

  15. I never used one of these phones but I know a lot of people loved these phones, thank you for your review.

  16. I have never used a blackberry before so this information was interesting. I wouldn’t mind having one of these for myself. Thank you for sharing