gopguyca
01-26-2009, 01:28 AM
After years of reliability and no noticable screen scratches my 8700 Blackberry's trackwheel no longer works. I can easily scroll but can no longer access context menus whiches leaves half of the phones functions unavailable (If anyone knows a way a get into the context menu without tapping the trackwheel please do tell).
So now I'm looking at a new Blackberry through T-Mobile and have either the 8820 or 8900 Curve to choose from and have a few questions I cannot seem to find any answers to:
1) How is that trackball?
Unfortunately, every T-Mobile stand/store I've been to with the 8820 on display is missing the trackball except for on the Curves and I must say, I'm not impressed. The trackball alone makes me already more inclined to the 8820 in hopes the trackball on there might be a bit more useful as on the Curve it's not too responsive. Also, is the 8900 trackball the same as all the other Curves?
2) Am I able to customize the layout?
On my current Blackberry I have everything displayed as a list as opposed to them little icons, I've seen a few demos of the 8820 with that same list but on the left side as opposed to the right... Can someone confirm if I can or can't switch the side of the list as I'm used to viewing it on the Left side of the screen, the same question for the 8900.
3) The Media Player
- What formats are supported?
- Can I stream? (Specifically from my computer using Orb or some other software I may be unaware of)
- Does the player not go full screen?
From every source I've looked at I cannot seem to get an absolute response of what formats are supported, most particuarly WMV, DIVX/Xvid, AVI, etc... Can the 8820 play these files, if not which ones can it, and can it stream those that can be played? Same question for mp3 files, I know it plays mp3s but can it stream mp3s as well? I've seen online that the 8900 Curve supports the formats listed above and if anyone knows if it can stream those as well it would be much appreciated.
Also, on the Curve I was able to use in the store and on the 8800 series demo online the media player doesn't seem able to go full screen, can anyone confirm this or if there is a button to hide the interface.
4) What all changes am I looking at from the 8700 to 8820 (or even 8900 Curve)?
The only real benefit I'm seeing is the ability to possibly stream music/video files (Once confirmed) and I guess play videos (Though considering the size of the screen and inabiltiy to go full screen, as I assume right now, this is seeming less and less important).
5) HTML?
I believe I've read that the 8820 does not support HTML email, can anyone confirm or deny the 8900 having such an ability? Also, the browser... How is the browser on the 8820 as again I wasn't able to access it in the store and from what I'm seeing in the demo it looks to be exactly the same thing which I guess is what Opera Mini was made for. Can anyone comment on the 8900 and if there is any difference?
6) GPS
On the Blackberry site it doesn't list Blackberry Maps as being a feature on the 8820 though it is listed on T-Mobiles site, I'm getting conflicting information... Can anyone confirm whether or not this phone has GPS and the usefullness of it? My friend has a Helio and his GPS is realtime and very useful, am I to expect the same thing from the 8900 and 8820 as if so, that too is a useful feature.
7) Screen size?
I'm reading that the resolution is better on the 8820 and 8900 than what I currently have but also it appears that the screen is much smaller... Does anyone have those specs so I know what the difference is as I can't find that either anywhere. And really, why the smaller screen size period? =/
To whoever replies with answers: Thank you. I've been looking all over the place since last night at different sites and comparing the different models but am not finding the most important information which is laid out above. I've also tried calling T-Mobile where I was read the useless information from their site and of course, the retail store proved absolutely useless and of course the Blackberry site itself is just as useful as T-Mobiles.
Right now I'm really having a difficult time between deciding if I want the 8820 or the 8900 and beyond that, I'm having trouble determining if I even want to upgrade as from what I've used so far, I really dislike that trackball and the smaller screen sizes and even the slimmer look, I can't help but feel RIM sold out the entire product line to appease the masses, I still don't understand what the "Curve" is suppose to be, reminds me of Curves if anything. I just can't see paying the same price as I would for the 8820 for the several year old phone I have now and have been looking forward to a GPS and media streaming if such streaming capabilities exist (Hopefully at full screen).
So anyone who can help me through this confusion and perhaps comfort my concerns of this possible upgrade will be much appreciated. Thanks.
So now I'm looking at a new Blackberry through T-Mobile and have either the 8820 or 8900 Curve to choose from and have a few questions I cannot seem to find any answers to:
1) How is that trackball?
Unfortunately, every T-Mobile stand/store I've been to with the 8820 on display is missing the trackball except for on the Curves and I must say, I'm not impressed. The trackball alone makes me already more inclined to the 8820 in hopes the trackball on there might be a bit more useful as on the Curve it's not too responsive. Also, is the 8900 trackball the same as all the other Curves?
2) Am I able to customize the layout?
On my current Blackberry I have everything displayed as a list as opposed to them little icons, I've seen a few demos of the 8820 with that same list but on the left side as opposed to the right... Can someone confirm if I can or can't switch the side of the list as I'm used to viewing it on the Left side of the screen, the same question for the 8900.
3) The Media Player
- What formats are supported?
- Can I stream? (Specifically from my computer using Orb or some other software I may be unaware of)
- Does the player not go full screen?
From every source I've looked at I cannot seem to get an absolute response of what formats are supported, most particuarly WMV, DIVX/Xvid, AVI, etc... Can the 8820 play these files, if not which ones can it, and can it stream those that can be played? Same question for mp3 files, I know it plays mp3s but can it stream mp3s as well? I've seen online that the 8900 Curve supports the formats listed above and if anyone knows if it can stream those as well it would be much appreciated.
Also, on the Curve I was able to use in the store and on the 8800 series demo online the media player doesn't seem able to go full screen, can anyone confirm this or if there is a button to hide the interface.
4) What all changes am I looking at from the 8700 to 8820 (or even 8900 Curve)?
The only real benefit I'm seeing is the ability to possibly stream music/video files (Once confirmed) and I guess play videos (Though considering the size of the screen and inabiltiy to go full screen, as I assume right now, this is seeming less and less important).
5) HTML?
I believe I've read that the 8820 does not support HTML email, can anyone confirm or deny the 8900 having such an ability? Also, the browser... How is the browser on the 8820 as again I wasn't able to access it in the store and from what I'm seeing in the demo it looks to be exactly the same thing which I guess is what Opera Mini was made for. Can anyone comment on the 8900 and if there is any difference?
6) GPS
On the Blackberry site it doesn't list Blackberry Maps as being a feature on the 8820 though it is listed on T-Mobiles site, I'm getting conflicting information... Can anyone confirm whether or not this phone has GPS and the usefullness of it? My friend has a Helio and his GPS is realtime and very useful, am I to expect the same thing from the 8900 and 8820 as if so, that too is a useful feature.
7) Screen size?
I'm reading that the resolution is better on the 8820 and 8900 than what I currently have but also it appears that the screen is much smaller... Does anyone have those specs so I know what the difference is as I can't find that either anywhere. And really, why the smaller screen size period? =/
To whoever replies with answers: Thank you. I've been looking all over the place since last night at different sites and comparing the different models but am not finding the most important information which is laid out above. I've also tried calling T-Mobile where I was read the useless information from their site and of course, the retail store proved absolutely useless and of course the Blackberry site itself is just as useful as T-Mobiles.
Right now I'm really having a difficult time between deciding if I want the 8820 or the 8900 and beyond that, I'm having trouble determining if I even want to upgrade as from what I've used so far, I really dislike that trackball and the smaller screen sizes and even the slimmer look, I can't help but feel RIM sold out the entire product line to appease the masses, I still don't understand what the "Curve" is suppose to be, reminds me of Curves if anything. I just can't see paying the same price as I would for the 8820 for the several year old phone I have now and have been looking forward to a GPS and media streaming if such streaming capabilities exist (Hopefully at full screen).
So anyone who can help me through this confusion and perhaps comfort my concerns of this possible upgrade will be much appreciated. Thanks.