Merry Christmas everyone!
Last December 24, I gave you my impressions on Blackberry Curve 8520 with special focus on its form and aesthetics. Today, I will give you my thoughts about its operating system.
IMPRESSIONS (Part 2)
OPERATING SYSTEM
Blackberry Curve 8520 uses OS v.4.6.1.314. Like other Blackberries, the OS installed in this variant is built specially to put its signature input keys such as the trackball and the optical trackpad into maximum reliability. Amazingly, although its OS has its minimalistic theme, it certainly never fails to provide the necessary features its end users need.
The OS performs quite fast with this phone. However, when I tried opening several applications like messaging, calendar, Mobipocket Reader and web and to my dismay, it failed to respond until I had to remove the battery to put it off. I realized then that I was using a low-end Blackberry variant.
Let me give you a rundown of my experience on this phone’s key features:
DASHBOARD: Every simple thing you need is in the dashboard at default. Boot the phone and quickly see your 6 most important applications, profiles, time, date, connection, signal bar and battery level. Press the blackberry key, then you will see several more applications in all glory.
MESSAGING (application and its full qwerty keyboard): I am not fond of texting but with Curve 8520’s full qwerty keyboard, I became nostalgic over the maiden days of texting. Yes, the keys are cramped but after 2 or 3 days of using it, you wouldn’t mind typing ‘Mississippi’ in a matter of 2 to 3 seconds.
As usual, messaging is Blackberry’s forte. SMS, Email, Blackberry Instant Messaging (PIN) and MMS can be composed easily. If you wish to compose a message, simply go to a dedicated icon for Messaging or SMS, then compose any type of message.
Like other Blackberries, this one has Blackberry Instant Messaging. All you need is a data plan to be able to use it though. Once you start using it, you will never send SMS again. The downside is, if you wish to send an instant message, the recipient of your message should also have a Blackberry. Too bad, I was not able to test this feature myself because I do not have a data plan. If you’re going to buy this phone, be sure to buy something for your partner too, get a data plan, acquire his/her PIN number then start messaging.
Of course, you can also user your work email account through Blackberry Enterprise Server. However, you need to coordinate with your company IT to have it set up (you workaholic!).
That’s all for now. Next time, I’ll give you my impressions on web and 3rd party application usage. Also, don’t miss my final verdict on this phone.
Giancarlo Viterbo is a Filipino Technology Journalist, blogger and Editor of gadgetpilipinas.net, He is also a Geek, Dad and a Husband. He knows a lot about washing the dishes, doing some errands and following instructions from his boss on his day job. Follow him on twitter: @gianviterbo and @gadgetpilipinas.
