Verizon Blackberry "Curve" 8330 - Don't Waste Your Time

[King Solomon]

Problems are numerous:

- The Blackberry Version 4.3 Browsers are the same crappy versions from four years ago dating back to Version 4.0. I need to access my work E-mail using Outlook Web Access on Exchange 2003 which requires IE 5.0 or Netscape 4.8 or higher. I tried all five of the Blackberry browsers with all options checked and received server errors with all five. I tried to use the Outlook Web Access connector provided at the Blackberry website with the same result - error message. I tried loading Opera Mini (suggested on some forums/websites) and it does not even support https. Bottom line - I cannot access my work E-mail using Outlook Web Acccess - and no workarounds exist. Verizon Tech support refused to help - they only promise to support synchronization with the Blackberry Server - BES.

- As in previous version of Blackberry 4 software, there is no video support in the browsers is provided. You cannot watch videos; CNN, youtube...etc..

- Loaded latest version of VZ Navigator - Version 2.99, and tried to enter an address for directions. Numerical keys e.g. ALT-whatever are all remapped wrong and screwed up. Entering "9725" yields "7@14." The "H" key does not work at all. The keyboard works fine with everything else. Tech support had me reboot, cold reboot, remove and reinstall application, but nothing worked. I tried to use "where am I now?" function and thew GPS would search and search and time out. This is in the Northern VA metro area. No excuse for this.

- Phone quality is terrible. Speaker phone is scratchy and breaks up.

- MP3 player is primitive. Skipping songs is tedious. Controls are limited. Only MPEG4 is supported even though they claim to support WMV. Videos do not convert correctly and cannot be stored on the MicroSD Card.

- Worst of all is the "trackball" which replaced the old trackwheel. This is the most pathetic piece of hardware I have ever encountered. The trackwheel is inaccurate. It jumps all over the place. I can barely select icons. Playing Brickbreaker is out of the question. It simply doesn't work right.

I am going back to the old 8703e for the remainder of my contract. When my contract expires in November, I think I'll ditch Verizon and Blackberry altogether and get an AT&T I-Phone after they upgrade the speed to 3GL - 400-700 KBPS.

Worst thing is I spent hours on the phone with Verizon sales and technical support, configuring, reconfiguring and testing this piece of garbage, only to have to abandon the phone alltogether.

[Thatzmister2u]

Originally Posted by King Solomon

Problems are numerous:

- The Blackberry Version 4.3 Browsers are the same crappy versions from four years ago dating back to Version 4.0. I need to access my work E-mail using Outlook Web Access on Exchange 2003 which requires IE 5.0 or Netscape 4.8 or higher. I tried all five of the Blackberry browsers with all options checked and received server errors with all five. I tried to use the Outlook Web Access connector provided at the Blackberry website with the same result - error message. I tried loading Opera Mini (suggested on some forums/websites) and it does not even support https. Bottom line - I cannot access my work E-mail using Outlook Web Acccess - and no workarounds exist. Verizon Tech support refused to help - they only promise to support synchronization with the Blackberry Server - BES.

- As in previous version of Blackberry 4 softweare, no video support in the browsers is provided. You cannot watch videos.

- Loaded latest version of VZ Navigator - Version 2.99, and tried to enter an address for directions. Numerical keys e.g. ALT-whatever are all remapped wrong and screwed up. Entering "9725" yields "7@14." The "H" key does not work at all. The keyboard works fine with everything else. Tech support had me reboot, cold reboot, remove and reinstall application, but nothing worked. I tried to use "where am I now?" function and thew GPS would search and search and time out. This is in the Northern VA metro area. No excuse for this.

- Phone quality is terrible. Speaker phone is scratchy and breaks up.

- MP3 player is primitive. Skipping songs is tedious. Controls are limited. Videos do not convert and cannot be stored on the MicroSD Card.

- Worst of all is the "trackball" which replaced the old trackwheel. This is the most pathetic piece of hardware I have ever encountered. The trackwheel is inaccurate. It jumps all over the place. I can barely select icons. Playing Brickbreaker is out of the question. It simply doesn't work right.

I am going back to the old 8703e for the remainder of my contract. When my contract expires nin November, I think I'll ditch Verizon and Blackberry altogether and get an AT&T I-Phone after they upgrade the speed to 3GL - 400-700 KBPS.

Worst thing is I spent hours on the phone with Verizon sales and technical support, configuring, reconfiguring and testing this piece of garbage, only to have to abandon the phone alltogether.

Well I am sorry for your issues and it sounds like you are doing the right thing in your case. I just want to ask though.... did you try setting up your work email via BIS? I am not sure why you are trying to access it via the browser.

E-

[King Solomon]

Originally Posted by Thatzmister2u

Well I am sorry for your issues and it sounds like you are doing the right thing in your case. I just want to ask though.... did you try setting up your work email via BIS? I am not sure why you are trying to access it via the browser.

E-

I cannot used BES. They have security protocols that are unacceptable. For example, I cannot load software on my phone and am forced to use complex passwords.

[ezrunner]

Wirelessly posted (et tu brute'?)

What about BIS different from BES.

[Thatzmister2u]

Originally Posted by King Solomon

I cannot used BES. They have security protocols that are unacceptable. For example, I cannot load software on my phone and am forced to use complex passwords.

I said BIS...works like BES but it runs outside the company. It can access your email via your OWA account. You would just have to synch your contacts and calendar via the USB cord.

[customshopkv1]

Originally Posted by King Solomon

Problems are numerous:
Worst thing is I spent hours on the phone with Verizon sales and technical support, configuring, reconfiguring and testing this piece of garbage, only to have to abandon the phone alltogether.

I have nothing but good dealings with Verizon Support. I had an XV6800 for 5 months and called and complained about the bluetooth issues and they gave me a new 8830 without any issue (30 minutes on the phone). I just ask for their manager after explaining the issues I am having.

[zerog46]

Same here I couldn't ask for a better BB or company.

[JGBerry]

Originally Posted by King Solomon

Problems are numerous:

- The Blackberry Version 4.3 Browsers are the same crappy versions from four years ago dating back to Version 4.0. I need to access my work E-mail using Outlook Web Access on Exchange 2003 which requires IE 5.0 or Netscape 4.8 or higher. I tried all five of the Blackberry browsers with all options checked and received server errors with all five. I tried to use the Outlook Web Access connector provided at the Blackberry website with the same result - error message. I tried loading Opera Mini (suggested on some forums/websites) and it does not even support https. Bottom line - I cannot access my work E-mail using Outlook Web Acccess - and no workarounds exist. Verizon Tech support refused to help - they only promise to support synchronization with the Blackberry Server - BES.

- As in previous version of Blackberry 4 software, there is no video support in the browsers is provided. You cannot watch videos; CNN, youtube...etc..

- Loaded latest version of VZ Navigator - Version 2.99, and tried to enter an address for directions. Numerical keys e.g. ALT-whatever are all remapped wrong and screwed up. Entering "9725" yields "7@14." The "H" key does not work at all. The keyboard works fine with everything else. Tech support had me reboot, cold reboot, remove and reinstall application, but nothing worked. I tried to use "where am I now?" function and thew GPS would search and search and time out. This is in the Northern VA metro area. No excuse for this.

- Phone quality is terrible. Speaker phone is scratchy and breaks up.

- MP3 player is primitive. Skipping songs is tedious. Controls are limited. Only MPEG4 is supported even though they claim to support WMV. Videos do not convert correctly and cannot be stored on the MicroSD Card.

- Worst of all is the "trackball" which replaced the old trackwheel. This is the most pathetic piece of hardware I have ever encountered. The trackwheel is inaccurate. It jumps all over the place. I can barely select icons. Playing Brickbreaker is out of the question. It simply doesn't work right.

I am going back to the old 8703e for the remainder of my contract. When my contract expires in November, I think I'll ditch Verizon and Blackberry altogether and get an AT&T I-Phone after they upgrade the speed to 3GL - 400-700 KBPS.

Worst thing is I spent hours on the phone with Verizon sales and technical support, configuring, reconfiguring and testing this piece of garbage, only to have to abandon the phone alltogether.

1) there is video support...you can watch YouTube videos very easily and FAST b/c it's 3G. i don't know where you came up with the assumption that you can't watch videos online. i've watched several since i got it last week

2) cannot comment on the VZ Navigator...i rely on my TomTom and it has never failed me...

3) speaker phone is not scratchy for me and does not break up. call quality is excellent and you can adjust the treble and bass of the speaker. the speaker phone and speaker are louder and clearer than my 8700

4) i would never use the blackberry for mp3's...that's why i have an ipod. granted it has the ability to listen to tunes...but am i really going to load on 4GB of music? HECK no. do you really expect navigating mp3 tracks with a blackberry is going to be as easy as the click wheel on an ipod? use your head dude. ALSO...videos can be stored on the microSD card...you just need to go to "options" and configure it....way to read the manual

5) track ball is NOT all over the place. you need to set your sensitivity settings. if your thumb is too jittery...then turn down the sensitivity settings (vertical and horizontal) so that you have more control of the movements.

6) if you go with the iphone...it won't solve most of these problems. chances are you will just find new things to complain about...such as how the screen is not sensitive enough...or how the buttons on the screen to text are too small...or not enough advanced email support...etc.


if i were you, i would have posted a few threads on here, gotten some answers from knowledgable people such as John Clark and JSanders...read some of the FAQ...read the manual...then go to verizon for additional questions. if you are still having difficulties with the track ball and the speaker is cracking too much...you should have taken in the phone to a verizon store and swapped it out on the spot. then, make them test it right there. talking to them on the phone definitely wouldn't have solved most of your problems.


that is just my take on your situation...

[LunkHead]

Loving my Alltel 8330.....

I get my City mail, personal mail ect... I can watch youtube vids and have no trackball issues...

My .02

Kris

[Tritan]

Originally Posted by JGBerry

1) there is video support...you can watch YouTube videos very easily and FAST b/c it's 3G. i don't know where you came up with the assumption that you can't watch videos online. i've watched several since i got it last week

2) cannot comment on the VZ Navigator...i rely on my TomTom and it has never failed me...

3) speaker phone is not scratchy for me and does not break up. call quality is excellent and you can adjust the treble and bass of the speaker. the speaker phone and speaker are louder and clearer than my 8700

4) i would never use the blackberry for mp3's...that's why i have an ipod. granted it has the ability to listen to tunes...but am i really going to load on 4GB of music? HECK no. do you really expect navigating mp3 tracks with a blackberry is going to be as easy as the click wheel on an ipod? use your head dude. ALSO...videos can be stored on the microSD card...you just need to go to "options" and configure it....way to read the manual

5) track ball is NOT all over the place. you need to set your sensitivity settings. if your thumb is too jittery...then turn down the sensitivity settings (vertical and horizontal) so that you have more control of the movements.

6) if you go with the iphone...it won't solve most of these problems. chances are you will just find new things to complain about...such as how the screen is not sensitive enough...or how the buttons on the screen to text are too small...or not enough advanced email support...etc.


if i were you, i would have posted a few threads on here, gotten some answers from knowledgable people such as John Clark and JSanders...read some of the FAQ...read the manual...then go to verizon for additional questions. if you are still having difficulties with the track ball and the speaker is cracking too much...you should have taken in the phone to a verizon store and swapped it out on the spot. then, make them test it right there. talking to them on the phone definitely wouldn't have solved most of your problems.


that is just my take on your situation...

Nice reply, i hate complainers for any phone company , phone or feature.

[LunkHead]

Originally Posted by Tritan

i hate complainers

What did I dew??????????

[Darker Blitz]

Originally Posted by JGBerry

1) there is video support...you can watch YouTube videos very easily and FAST b/c it's 3G. i don't know where you came up with the assumption that you can't watch videos online. i've watched several since i got it last week

2) cannot comment on the VZ Navigator...i rely on my TomTom and it has never failed me...

3) speaker phone is not scratchy for me and does not break up. call quality is excellent and you can adjust the treble and bass of the speaker. the speaker phone and speaker are louder and clearer than my 8700

4) i would never use the blackberry for mp3's...that's why i have an ipod. granted it has the ability to listen to tunes...but am i really going to load on 4GB of music? HECK no. do you really expect navigating mp3 tracks with a blackberry is going to be as easy as the click wheel on an ipod? use your head dude. ALSO...videos can be stored on the microSD card...you just need to go to "options" and configure it....way to read the manual

5) track ball is NOT all over the place. you need to set your sensitivity settings. if your thumb is too jittery...then turn down the sensitivity settings (vertical and horizontal) so that you have more control of the movements.

6) if you go with the iphone...it won't solve most of these problems. chances are you will just find new things to complain about...such as how the screen is not sensitive enough...or how the buttons on the screen to text are too small...or not enough advanced email support...etc.


if i were you, i would have posted a few threads on here, gotten some answers from knowledgable people such as John Clark and JSanders...read some of the FAQ...read the manual...then go to verizon for additional questions. if you are still having difficulties with the track ball and the speaker is cracking too much...you should have taken in the phone to a verizon store and swapped it out on the spot. then, make them test it right there. talking to them on the phone definitely wouldn't have solved most of your problems.


that is just my take on your situation...

Also, there is a volume control for the speaker phone. sometimes if it's all the way it, it will crack. just lower it a little bit. it's still loud. loud enough for me to have it on my lap while i'm in my car with the windows open and talk.

[JGBerry]

Originally Posted by LunkHead

What did I dew??????????

he was talking about the guy who wrote the thread haha
dohhh.

i love the curve...i just need to get used to the scrunched keyboard! lol.

[JGBerry]

Originally Posted by Darker Blitz

Also, there is a volume control for the speaker phone. sometimes if it's all the way it, it will crack. just lower it a little bit. it's still loud. loud enough for me to have it on my lap while i'm in my car with the windows open and talk.

agreed. just lower the speaker a little, and it's still plenty loud and still WAY louder than the 8700.

[LunkHead]

Originally Posted by JGBerry

he was talking about the guy who wrote the thread haha
dohhh.

I know... I was just being a dork

Kris

[JGBerry]

Originally Posted by LunkHead

I know... I was just being a dork

Kris

haha k

[jtdarden]

Wirelessly posted (8330)

m.youtube.com

If your company has an oma server you can goto http://mis.<Yourcompanydomain>.com/oma to access your email via the blackberry browser. Although it is substantially silly when it sounds like you can use a BES but you choose not to because of some IT policies. That is the equivalent of not driving a car because you are not happy with the speed limit.

If you have a bluetooth A2DP compatible headset, it is very simple to skip a song, you just push the skip song button on the headset.

As for the navigator app not working properly, have you tried any of the numerous alternative nav apps (some are even free) - although VZ may have GPS locked down.

There are also half a dozen excellent video converters you can find links to on this site. Many of us have dozens of videos stored on our SD Cards.

As for your use of the rollerball, I have two words for you: keyboad shrtcuts.

Sorry you've had such a lousy experience, but 90% of the stuff you are complaining about is fixable and a bit user generated.

Good luck with your iPhone, I hear typing an email on one of those is a pure joy.