Originally Posted by underskybb

1. GPS works flawlessly, with some reservations:

I downloaded the BlackBerry map from the link provided in another thread, installed it, and I was able to get satellite signal and navigated on it. It was not very responsive however, as when I was driving, the compass did not update to the correct bearing fast enough. It is probably only good as an emergency back up or you are walking and have gotten lost.

Not sure why it is slow - what is the app version?


3. Form factor is mixed.


Aside form that, the screen looks nice (same as 8700c), overall design is superb. I think the screen might be slightly smaller but with same pixels making it look sharper.


4. Typing

I think I hate the most about 8800 is its keyboard. It's simply does not have the tactile feedback as 8700.
As with all new models, give it a few days.

5. Battery life.
So far it is above average. BB always has great battery life, and I believe 8800 comes with a much higher capacity battery (larger). Yes true, larger battery and you will need it for GPS.

12. What is missing?

I wrote about how shortcuts from home screen were missing...

Edit: Apparently I was told that this function (shortcuts from home screen) is still available. I just need to turn off the "dial from home screen" setting. I am looking into it.

Edit 2: Apparently I disabled the "dial from home screen" by pressing the "BalckBerry" button when I am in the "Phone" application. There you can change many settings such as call forwarding, etc. After doing so I was able to reach to my applications by pressing their shortcut hotkeys. AWESOME!



THIS IS A KEY FEATURE OF FULL QWERTY AND REASON TO UPGRADE FROM THE PEARL. DON'T FORGET THE "R" KEY IS REFRESH KEY IN THE BROWSER.
13. Customizable key/buttons.

There is only ONE (on the left) and it is useless.

First of all, on 8700c there were only two, but I used the middle one for address book, and since there is no need for an address book key on 8800, one is theoretically enough. However, since 8800 doesn't have keyboard shortcuts anymore, I found myself in dire needs of more customized keys.

But I was given with this left key that is useless because you frequently press it accidentally. For example, when I set it on "voice dialing." When I am in the middle of a call, I raised the volume by clicking on the volume key on the right, but since I held the phone with my right hand, my finger on the left side of the phone touched that voice dialing hot-key, it brought up the voice dialing program and terminated my call....

I also kept hitting it when I put the phone in my pocket. Therefore I disabled the key and made it "none."

Give it a chance. I use BBWeather on mine. Harmless if pushed. Not a concern if its in a case.

14. Voice Dialing.

Voice Dialing is really fancy, but I personally don't use it because it is simply not very consistent.

You don't need to record each voice tag for each address entry. The phone simply recognize your voice and match the name automatically. You can even say command such as "check battery" or "check coverage" in term the phone will tell you, "Battery High" (which in my opinion was useless).

You can set the sensitivity and I think you will find that once dialed in you will love this.

15. Bluetooth.

You cannot transfer files from computer to phone. Access the phone as a "storage device" was an option from my computer, but it said it was not available. But you can transfer file from phone to other people though. For example, in media folder, you can send each song or video via bluetooth.

As people should know, BT stereo headsets are not supported. There are some interesting new Jabra products coming out that I posed in another thread.

THANKS FOR THE GREAT REVIEW

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