Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)I've owned my Blackberry Curve 8530 for 2 months with service through Sprint, I'm 90% thrilled with this all in one phone. I previously was with Verizon on an LG Envy 2 and loved that. This blackberry was an upgrade for me and I'll highlight the pro's and con's that I've found with my personal experience.
Pro's- The touch pad/button is a HUGE upgrade from older "roller ball" models, it's sensitivity is adjustable and doesn't have the "lock up" issues it's earlier model had. It has a full 35 key QUERTY pad, which means you type as though you would on a regular computer keyboard. The keys are ergonomically positioned in a curve to help fit your fingers as you type. It has programmable shortcut keys on the side of the phone, set as default, the right hot key is the camera feature. The phone takes GOOD photos with the 2 Meg camera, DECENT video w/zoom features, and both have nicely built in easy to email, FaceBook and MMS (text)shortcuts. I use the memory card as I tend to keep alot of pictures and video for personal review. The phone comes with a load of useable apps already on your phone, including Sprint Nagivation, one of my favorites! This navigation program is very impressive with built in turn by turn directions, zoomable maps indicating your exact remote location, and points of interests. I cannot comment on the music features, I never use this. The games that come loaded on the phone are awesome, Brick Breaker, Texas Hold Em Up King 2, Sudoku, Klondike, and my personal favorite is Word Mole. The built in Blackberry Apps button is very handy, there are lots of add on's here for specific users including Ticketmaster, Worldmate Travel, WWF Earth Hour APp, Scoremobile for Sprint,Rock Star Theme w Guitar Riff Tone, Snaptu Moblica, Poynt (SUPER AWESOME!), Navita Translator...many more. I downloaded the enhanced Facebook application which allows me to see a fuller version while on Facebook than I'd normally see without out it(ALTHOUGH YOU CANNOT PLAY GAMES ON YOUR FACEBOOK ACCOUNT, so don't think you're going to be harvesting your crops or milking cows, it doesn't work). On Facebook, you can, however, perform friend requests, view friend walls and photo albums, receive messages and notifications, and obviously make comments back and forth in your wall postings. The alarm function (see below, not too thrilled with the alarm) does have one nice feature I've not had before, it's the "Bedside" mode, which screen incoming texts, calls, and emails from alerts until AFTER the set alarm has triggered, and then when you turn off your ringer, you select "EXIT BEDSIDE MODE." I have 4 email accounts streamed into my email, the unit can handle up to 10 according to the literature. While surfing the internet, scrolling and zooming is easy and accurate, the zoom takes you right to the links and the 3G network is a plus, takes maybe 5-10 seconds to load pages. Lastly, and vainly, I love the purple color of the phone! I purchased the Body Glove snap together case and it's a good protection for the phone as it has to live in harmony with all the hazards found in my purse on a given day. The built in speaker phone is very good, easy to use, good positioning on the bottom right side of the phone for quick finding while you're driving. I cannot comment on the blue tooth as I've not tried this yet.
Con's~
The BlackBerry Curve 8530 is larger than my previous Envy 2 phone, it doesn't fit too well in a jean pocket. Also, although very picky...the Blackberry alarm clock functions only allows you to have one alarm setting, the only convenience is the function that allows you to choose "weekdays" which you can just leave on all the time if you want and each morning just resets itself for the next weekday alarm for the same time. My old phone, I was able to have multiple alarms set at the same time for different times of the day and weekend. This is a huge thing to me, but I like this phone enough that I'm willing to let this slide. Honestly, switching service providers was a pretty huge change, and yes, there is a compromise on the coverage, however, it's mainly in large industrial buildings, buildings with alot of brick or metal. Signal boosters are available for purchase either from Sprint or Walmart, they do help quite a bit. Because we live in a brick home, our Sprint representative recommended a booster. Because I don't do much more than check my Facebook online and check my email, there is not a significant drop in coverage.
Over all~ I'm thrilled with this phone, it provides everything in an all in one package that I was looking for in a phone.
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The slim, affordable BlackBerry Curve 8530 for Sprint is perfect for those who need to be connected to work, friends and family while on the go. It provides easy mobile access to e-mail, messaging (IM, SMS, MMS) and popular social networking sites (including Facebook and MySpace), as well as features a highly tactile full-QWERTY keyboard for comfortable, accurate typing. You'll be able to access BlackBerry App World to download applications from a broad and growing catalog of third-party mobile applications developed specifically for BlackBerry smartphones, including games, entertainment, social networking and sharing, news and weather, productivity and more.
You'll enjoy high-speed connectivity via Sprint's dependable 3G network (EV-DO Rev. 0.) as well as such optional services as Sprint Navigation for GPS turn-by-turn directions and Sprint TV's video-on-demand with full-motion video and vivid sound (see more details on optional services below). Other features include Wi-Fi networking (802.11b/g), a 2-megapixel camera/camcorder, Bluetooth for hands-free devices and stereo music streaming, 256 MB internal memory, microSD expansion up to 16 GB, and up to 5.4 hours of talk time.
Key Features
Fast 3G connectivity thanks to Sprint's EV–DO, Rev 0 network
GPS using Sprint Navigation for turn by turn directions, and points of interest searches
BlackBerry OS 5.0 includes typing accuracy and selection improvements, as well as usability and visual enhancements such as inertial scrolling, spin boxes that make it easier to set dates and times, gradient shading on buttons, and more use of animation.
Support for BlackBerry App World featuring a broad and growing catalog of third-party mobile applications developed specifically for BlackBerry smartphones. Categories include travel, productivity, entertainment, games, social networking and sharing, news and weather, and more.
BlackBerry Internet Service offers easy access to up to 10 supported personal and work e-mail accounts and one BlackBerry e-mail account. (Learn more)
Compatible with BlackBerry Enterprise Server for advanced security and IT administration features within IBM Lotus Domino, Microsoft Exchange and Novell GroupWise environments. Customers running BlackBerry Enterprise Server 5.0 will gain the ability to set follow-up flags, manage e-mail folders, access remote files (Windows Shares), forward appointments, view calendar attachments, and more.
View attachments including JPEG, Adobe PDF, and Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
Mac compatibility with BlackBerry Desktop Software for Mac enabling you to sync contacts, calendars, and notes with applications you use most.
Brightly colorful 2.6-inch LCD screen with 320 x 240-pixel resolution and 65K color depth
35-key backlit full QWERTY keyboard
Innovative touch-sensitive optical trackpad that makes scrolling and selection smooth and easy for a great navigation experience. Like a laptop, the trackpad lets you scroll through menus, icons and info by gliding your finger over it. Press and click to select an item and navigate to where you want to go.
2-megapixel camera with 5x digital zoom, built-in flash, self-portrait mirror and full screen viewfinder
Video capture capabilities in two resolutions (320 x 240 pixels for saving; 176 x 144 pixels for sending via messaging).
Advanced media player for music, pictures and videos
Dedicated media keys smoothly integrated along the top of the handset
BlackBerry Media Sync is built right into your BlackBerry Desktop Software and lets you sync your desktop iTunes or Windows Media Player music files with your BlackBerry smartphone. If you're a Mac user, just choose the "media" option and you're ready to sync your iTunes music collection from your BlackBerry smartphone onto your Mac.
Bluetooth 2.1 connectivity with stereo music streaming (A2DP) capabilities as well as compatibility with hands-free devices (headsets and car kits) and dial-up networking.
Wi-Fi networking (802.11b/g) for accessing home and corporate networks as well as hotspots while on the go.
Memory expansion via microSD card slot with support for optional cards up to 16 GB. A 2 GB microSD card is included.
Full messaging capabilities including SMS text, MMS picture and IM instant messaging (via popular services).
Improved BlackBerry Browser with faster JavaScript and CSS processing as well as support for Gears and BlackBerry Widgets.
Airplane mode allows you to listen to music while the cellular connectivity is turned off.
Voice dialing capabilities
Vital Statistics The BlackBerry Curve 8530 weighs 3.9 ounces and measures 4.3 x 2.4 x 0.5 inches. Its 1150 mAh lithium-ion battery is rated at up to 5.4 hours of talk time. It runs on the 800/1900 CDMA/EV-DO Rev. 0 frequencies.
What's in the Box BlackBerry Curve 8530 handset, rechargeable battery, charger, 2 GB microSD card, USB cable, quick start guide, user manual
Sprint Services
Broadband-like 3G network: Supporting the EV-DO Rev. A high-speed data standard, this phone enables you to download and stream high-quality video, straight onto your phone. Where coverage is available, EV-DO Rev. A connectivity provides average download speeds ranging from 400 to 700 Kbps, with peak rates up to 2 Mbps.
Sprint TV enabled: With Sprint TV, you can make your cell phone your always-on source for news, weather, sports and more. This comprehensive video service combines high-quality streaming audio and video from channels including ABC, The Weather Channel, Fox Sports, E!, CNN, The Discovery Channel, and more.
Sprint Music Store enabled: The Sprint Music Store enables you to buy, download, and then jam out wherever you are with new songs or old favorites. Offering a growing selection of more than 1.6 million songs, the store provides you two copies of each song--one for the phone and another for the PC, as well as the ability to burn songs to a CD using Windows Media Player. Save your songs to a memory card with a capacity that's right for you.
GPS capable with Sprint Navigation: This GPS-enabled phone provides optional access to Sprint Navigation for driving directions on your mobile phone--by voice and onscreen. Along the way, turn-by-turn directions will be announced in a clear voice and displayed on your phone. For example, Sprint Navigation will say, "Go 1.2 miles and turn right on Elm Street." As you approach the turn, you will hear, "Turn right on Elm Street." Sprint Navigation also provides proactive traffic alerts with one click re-routing. And it's easy to find restaurants, banks, cafes, hotels and more from over 10 million points of interest across the U.S.
Stay Sporty with Sprint: With NASCAR Sprint Cup Mobile, instantly connect to the NASCAR information you want, when you want it. Follow NASCAR action from practice to race day with real-time leaderboard and alerts. Get exclusive access to your favorite NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver with real-time driver stats, breaking news and more. Live in-car audio, race radio, NASCAR on SPEED and other audio/video only available on select phones. Visit sprint.com/speed for details.
To access, just text "NASCAR" to 7777 on your Sprint phone or visit the Sprint Digital Lounge to download NASCAR Sprint Cup Mobile (standard text messaging and data rates apply).
This phone also provides access to Sprint Football Live--free for any phone with a data plan. You'll be able to follow all the live play-by-play action with the Live Game Center for both pro and college football games, as well as stay on top of the pro football draft with a Live Draft Tracker and in-depth analysis and bios on nearly 500 top prospects. Access by texting "FOOTBALL" to 7777 on the handset to download Sprint Football Live from Sprint Digital Lounge (standard text messaging and data rates apply).
Learn More
Staying Connected With BlackBerry's push e-mail technology, your e-mail will find you without having to initiate a connection. BlackBerry devices are designed to remain on and continuously connected to the wireless network, notifying you as new e-mail arrives. In addition to the text, you can also receive and view attachments in a wide range of popular file formats, including Microsoft Office, Corel WordPerfect, and Adobe PDF.
Browse the web with the integrated, full-featured browser, which quickly and efficiently displays HTML pages as well as enables you to set up RSS feeds to stay connected to up-to-the-minute news and blog posts. And keep up with your contacts using a variety of instant message (IM) networks, including the integrated Blackberry Messenger as well as downloadable clients for Google Talk, Yahoo! Messenger, and Lotus Sametime.
For corporate users, the Curve delivers all the enterprise e-mail and messaging capabilities you've come to expect. It's supported on BlackBerry Internet Service, giving you access to up to 10 work or personal e-mail accounts (including most popular ISP e-mail accounts--including Yahoo!, Windows Live Hotmail, AOL and Gmail) plus one BlackBerry e-mail account, as well as BlackBerry Enterprise Server, enabling advanced security and IT administration within IBM Lotus Domino, Microsoft Exchange and Novell GroupWise environments.
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