Mobile Phone Reviews

 The exterior of the new BlackBerry 8820 may look familiar. After all, the device has the same sleek black design as the BlackBerry 8800, which was launched earlier this year. The new phone has one important upgrade under the hood, however: Wi-Fi.

The new smart phone switches “seamlessly” between EDGE, GPRS and GSM networks and 802.11a/b/g Wi-Fi, according to RIM. It can operate with the BlackBerry Internet Service, allowing a user to manage up to 10 personal and corporate e-mail accounts, or with BlackBerry Enterprise Server installed inside a user’s business, which provides IT administration ability for Lotus Domino, Microsoft Exchange and Novell Groupwise systems.

Just as with the 8800, the 8820 also includes an integrated GPS antenna and a Maps application. Used in conjunction these will get you a GPS fix and give you travel directions, but just like Wil in his review of the 8800 I found it less satisfactory to use than a standalone sat-nav system or than CoPilot on a mobile device. RIM may have the bases covered here on paper but more work needs to be done on execution. Also, maps are downloaded over the air, which depending on your tariff could prove costly.

RIM Blackberry 8820 Review from gizmotech “Instead, the 8820 supports UMA (Unlicensed Mobile Access), which means you can’t just sign up for any old VoIP service. Essentially, the phone sees your home Wi-Fi connection as a basestation and an extension of the mobile network. It does mean that you should be able to get cheaper calls, but that depends on your network. On the plus side, it allows for seamless handover between GSM and Wi-Fi - so if you’re talking to someone as you get home, the call will automatically switch to your wireless network.

RIM Blackberry 8820 Review taken from pcmag “The Smartphone comes with 64 Mbytes of Flash memory included & the user can expand their phones memory by adding a MicroSD™ memory card to suit the user’s storage needs. This phone supports Bluetooth® technology which allows the user to enjoy a wireless connection between the BlackBerry 8820 & the users Bluetooth® headset or Bluetooth® compatible car kit. The Bluetooth® technology provides the user with a wireless connectivity option on their Smartphone. The 8820 is full of the latest technologies which include Wi-Fi wireless connectivity & EDGE high speed data transfer technology. The user can enjoy accessing the Internet with a wireless connection & enjoy high speed connectivity from their BlackBerry Smartphone. The 8820 is a true business phone which works like a mobile office for its user.