| | |  | HOWARD'S PICKS | Home » » BlackBerry Curve 8310 Phone, Titanium (AT&T) | | | | | | | Description: | | Swelling the Blackberry Curve's already formidable arsenal of telephonic and connectivity tools, the titanium Blackberry 8310 Curve now adds an internal GPS receiver with support for AT&T Navigator turn-by-turn direction service and push-to-talk (PTT) capability--an AT&T exclusive. An amalgam of the svelte BlackBerry Pearl and the more business-oriented 8800, the 8310 Curve is the smallest, lightest BlackBerry phone that includes a full QWERTY keyboard. And it combines RIM's long-valued push email and messaging platform with a host of advanced multimedia features, including a 2-megapixel camera and stereo Bluetooth (for listening to music via wireless headphones). This quadband phone operates on GSM 850/900/1800/1900 networks and can handle high-speed data connectivity via AT&T's EDGE network, with availability in more than 13,000 US cities and along some 40,000 miles of major highways. It also offers global voice roaming in over 190 and data roaming in over 130 countries. Staying Connected
The svelte, titanium BlackBerry 8310 Curve offers a full QWERTY keyboard, innovative trackball navigation system (placed above the keyboard) and large 2.5-inch screen. | The Blackberry 8310 Curve delivers the legendary BlackBerry email experience. With BlackBerry service plans from AT&T, you can receive emails instantaneously from up to 10 email accounts (personal and enterprise). With BlackBerry push technology, you don't need to retrieve your email. BlackBerry devices are designed to remain on and continuously connected to the wireless network, allowing you to be discreetly notified as new email arrives. Support is also built-in for viewing email attachments (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, WordPerfect, and PDF formats). If your company has a BlackBerry Enterprise Server installed, you can also take advantage of the power of wireless calendar synchronization. Your calendar events are exchanged wirelessly and automatically so that your desktop calendar and BlackBerry handheld calendar are synchronized. All your Outlook meeting requests, changes, and updates are instantaneously synchronized instantaneously with your desktop. Make meeting requests, invite new attendees and more, all on your Blackberry 8310 Curve. Users without BlackBerry Enterprise Server support can manually sync with their desktop calendars and contacts via Bluetooth or USB using the included BlackBerry Desktop Software. BlackBerry Internet Service (BIS) is complimentary with the activation of a AT&T BlackBerry service plan (additional charges apply) and provides customers with the ability to have their personal or work email pushed automatically to their BlackBerry phone from multiple Internet Service Provider (ISP) email accounts. BIS provides automatic wireless synchronization of read, deleted, and sent email from the your BlackBerry phone to their desktop email account. Users with multiple accounts can choose from multiple "sent from" addresses when sending an email. You can also download ringtones and other content via AT&T's popular MEdia Net service or browse the Web using the BlackBerry HTML Browser. Wireless text messaging and multimedia messaging (MMS) are also supported by the BlackBerry 8310. AT&T Exclusive Features
Among the unique features of the Blackberry 8310 Curve are AT&T's Push-to-Talk (PTT) service and TeleNav GPS Navigator. AT&T Push-to-Talk boasts the largest push to talk coverage area in America. PTT features on the BlackBerry 8310 include "availability" icons, quick group calling, and the ability to easily convert a PTT session to a regular wireless voice call. You can use your 8310 Curve to Push-to-Talk to communicate with individual colleagues or friends, or set up groups for broader communication. The PTT button, on the left side of the device (noted by three raised dots), easily facilitates each PTT call (simply press and hold to talk after the chirp and release when finished). In addition, the AT&T service offers such standard PTT features as call waiting, contact alerts, as well as text, picture, and voice messaging to anyone in their contact list. You can take advantage of the AT&T Navigator GPS software and service, a full-featured premium navigation application that includes audible turn-by-turn directions, real-time traffic updates and re-routing options, and 3D moving maps (additional charges applicable). AT&T Navigator offers several other features to make your commute more enjoyable and reliable, including mobile access to Yellowpages.com. Additionally, AT&T Navigator is the only mobile phone-based GPS service that provides integrated speech recognition for address entry and points of interest search. You'll also be able to access the AT&T Mobile Music service, which enables you access to the Napster and eMusic subscription music services. Phone Design & Features
This 8310 Curve is fashioned in a titanium finish and subtly curving corners. Measuring 4.2 x 2.4 inches, the Curve is just as slim as the Pearl (0.6 inches) and weighs in at 3.9 ounces--just 0.7 ounces heavier than its predecessor. It features a bright 2.5-inch color TFT screen that provides 65,000 colors and a 320 x 240-pixel resolution, and it includes a light-sensing feature that automatically adjusts backlighting for indoor, outdoor and dark environments. Like the BlackBerry 8800, the Curve includes a trackball navigation system located on the top of the QWERTY keypad, and it also features an integrated spell checker with a customizable dictionary to help maintain accuracy while on the go. It has 64 MB of internal ROM memory, and is expandable using MicroSD memory cards (up to 4 GB in size). The battery provides up to 4 hours (240 minutes) of talk time and up to 17 days (408 hours) of standby time. You can snap vivid photos (though no video) using the 2-megapixel camera on the back of the Curve, which also features a 5x digital zoom, built-in flash, self-portrait mirror and full screen viewfinder. It can capture images in up to three picture quality and size resolutions that can be shared instantly by email, MMS or BlackBerry Messenger, or even uploaded to your Flickr account with the Yahoo! Go service. Photos can also be immediately set as a unique caller ID or Home Screen image. You can edit photos and create albums within the Curve using the PhotoSuite application. Pictures can be cropped, rotated and straightened, and flaws can be fixed by removing redeye or changing the brightness, contrast, and saturation levels. Listen to your favorite music and watch downloaded videos using the included stereo headset, or use an optional wireless headphone thanks to the Curve's support for the Bluetooth stereo audio profile (A2DP/AVRCP). The Curve is compatible with a wide variety of file formats, including MP3, WMA and AAC/AAC+/eAAC+ audio and WMV, MPEG4 and H.263 video. Dedicated volume controls are conveniently located on the side of the handset. You can also subscribe to the AT&T Music service, which includes access to online subscription music content from eMusic, XM Satellite Radio and more. With the Voice-Activated Dialing (VAD) feature, you can initiate a call just by telling the Curve who to call from your contact list--either via the integrated speakerphone or using an optional Bluetooth wireless headset. Other advanced phone features include advanced sound technology that cancels out background noise and echo, dedicated volume and mute keys, and the ability to customize the Curve with polyphonic and MP3 ringtones. Vital Statistics
The BlackBerry 8310 Curve weighs 3.9 ounces and measures 4.2 x 2.4 x 0.6 inches. Its 1100 mAh lithium-ion battery is rated at up to 4 hours of talk time, and up to 408 hours (17 days) of digital standby time. It runs on the 850/900/1800/1900 GSM/GPRS/EDGE frequencies. | | | Features: | |
• Smallest, lightest BlackBerry with full QWERTY keyboard--weighs just 3.9 ounces
• Compatible with AT&T Navigator GPS and Mobile Music services; AT&T exclusive push-to-talk (PTT) walkie talkie-style communication
• 2-megapixel camera with flash and 5x digital zoom; Bluetooth stereo music; MicroSD memory expansion to 4 GB
• Up to 4 hours of talk time, up to 408 hours (17 days) of standby time
• What's in the Box: handset, battery, charger, wired handsfree headset, USB cable, user manual, quick start guide
| | | Product Details: | | | Product Length:
| 4.21 inches | | Product Width:
| 2.36 inches | | Product Height:
| 0.61 inches | | Product Weight:
| 111.89 grams | | Package Length:
| 7.3 inches | | Package Width:
| 5.5 inches | | Package Height:
| 3.1 inches | | Package Weight:
| 0.95 pounds | | Average Customer Rating:
|  based on 50 reviews |
| | | | Customer Reviews: | |
Average Customer Review:
Write an online review and share your thoughts with other customers.
 Unlock code for BlackberrysJul 25, 2010
I unlocked my blackberry using [...] and it worked great. It was fast, cheap and easy. I give [...] 5 stars for fast service. IF you need you blackberry or any phone for that matter unlokced go to [...]
- Arthur Shapiro
 Solid MediocreMay 13, 2010
I have had the Blackberry Curve 8310 via two-year contract with AT&T for two years now (contract expiring soon). I had it the entire two years so all these fancy touch-screen based phones have completely passed me by along with the much talking about "3G network" of which this phone is not apart. In other words I am not affected by the universally complained about AT&T 3G network nor do I know what I am missing, good or bad, with the touch screen phones.
So all I can go by is how much I enjoyed this phone myself. This was my first smart phone and it was generally a very positive experience. My favorite feature is setting up all my email accounts on it and having it notify me. I also really like the AT&T navigator feature that gives me turn-by-turn directions (though I fear I may have become dependent on it so I'll probably be lost without it, literally).
I should note I never signed up for an SMS plan as I only do that kind of thing very rarely. I also disabled the bluetooth feature to hopefully save some battery life. Which is the first positive I mention specifically: for me at least the thing lasts a really, really long time. I only have to recharge it once every two or three days so it's okay if I forget one night. In fact I'm still on the original battery that came with the phone (I'm impressed by this).
The camera produces rather poor quality images but is still better than nothing. RIM released an updated version of the OS so the camera can be used for video as well, albeit also in poor quality. Still, it's better than nothing when you really need a still or video camera.
The only apps I went out of my way to download were Opera Mini (because the default blackberry one is HORRIBLE) and some Google mobile apps. One thing I never did find, including in the new OS version, is any sort of feature to make the phone make an audible chime or sound at a specific time for an appointment or whatever. Seems like a really basic feature for a PDA-like device. Maybe I'm looking right at it and not seeing it (or maybe I should browse available apps) but this is a big over sight by my definition.
I tried using to play MP3s and videos once or twice but it seemed to drain the battery rather quickly and then it's more of paper weight than a phone, which it seems like should be the device's main function. So I played with that very little.
This phone was already capable of things like multi-tasking and copy/paste when I bought it two years ago, I never knew a phone without that feature. Though there's no equivalent of a task bar always showing so it is possible to having something running in the background for days on end without realizing it.
Before I upgraded to the newest blackberry OS the phone was acting like an old Windows installation: very slow, some times unresponsive and I think I was removing and replacing the battery almost every day. Then I upgraded using the back berry software and it has been running like new (much like a new Windows install, actually). One thing I will note: when you upgrade a full OS version with the blackberry software it won't warn you but it will in fact be wiping all your data and address book off the device. Would have been nice if it popped up a warning and insisted I do a sync to save my contacts at least but it didn't.
I think the roller ball, I suppose an antique idea by now, actually works pretty well. In fact I never had to have someone lubricate it in the whole two years I've had it (though after two years it obviously needs lubrication).
The physical keyboard is nice although with my big hands I'm a little slow on it. Still faster than a phone with just 1 - 9 would be for me.
I think I've decided I don't want to get another blackberry after all this. In fact I'm pretty sure I want to give the Android-based phones a chance (which means switching two another provider). I have a feeling no phone handles a stream of email quite the same way as a blackberry but that's just a sacrifice I'll have to make. I don't want to switch so much because I dislike the blackberry experience so much as I look at the up and comer Android with all the apps and coming soon innovations (like Google's free turn-by-burn directions) and it just makes Blackberry seem outdated some how.
I gave it four stars instead of five because of the degradation of the OS over a relatively short period with relatively light use: I wasn't constantly adding and removing applications or abusing it, I was using it basically ONLY for phone calls and occasionally for browsing with opera mini. That's it. That was my experience, perhaps that is fixed with the new OS version. Also, though I suppose I can't blame this "directly" on the phone itself but just the nature of smart phones, the 9O dollars a month I've been paying seems rather steep for how little I used it. Maybe it's worth that just to have email wherever I go and a google map wherever I am, and maybe it isn't.
Positives: physically tough (I dropped it a couple times, still works), long battery life/using same battery after two years, email handling is extremely good, at&t navigator is definitely "killer app".
Cons: Possible unreliability of OS, default browser quite horrible, no audible alarm that can be set to go off at a particular time (that I have found), and although I'm paying it the required monthly fee seems rather steep.
 Clunky, annoying to useMar 11, 2010
If you've never used anything but a Blackberry, I'm sure this is a nice device. But, I hate it. I really, really hate it. I use an iPhone for my personal phone and recently got a Blackberry for work. I thought that I would save the firm a little money and get the Blackberry, which was relatively cheaper. I expected it to still be pretty decent. But, it's like going back into time. It's like something the Amish might make.
The bad: The email interface is terrible. It just looks bad. You can only see small amounts of a message at a time. On the initial email screen showing a list of messages, everything is crammed in together. Large names get lopped off. Some email messages with bullets or other formatting turn into a big mess. The browser is a joke. You can only view websites with mobile pages specifically made for them, and they also look terrible. The formatting is always jumbled up and it makes things difficult to read. The calendar function isn't much better. I can see what's on my calendar but it suffers from the same issues as the browser and email regarding the look and readability. That is, things get busy and crammed into the little screen, which makes for headaches while reading.
The good: It fits well, ergonomically, in my hands. I can type fairly well with the keyboard, despite it's small size. It has a surprisingly good tactile feel. The camera is also pretty good and comes with a flash and the ability to zoom.
All in all, the world has passed this baby by. It's now a fossil in the smartphone world. I'm really regretting my decision to get this now.
0 of 2 found the following review helpful:
 Sad! Very, very sad.Aug 27, 2009
I've had my phone 3 days, today it 8/27/09.I've had problems every single day. It will not stay on, it re-cycles by itself. I have been unable to talk for more than 30 seconds without it re-cycling. I'm very disappointed and plan to return it tomorrow. Tech help? No tech help! Take out the battery. Did that goob! Doesn't help! Turn it off for a minute... Nothing helps. I've never had a problem with a phone before this. I THOUGHT I was getting a dependable phone. I now know it's just a piece of JUNK!
Excellent Product - couple glitchesJul 10, 2009
I like the Blackberry Curve 8310, switched from touchscreen Treo, which I REALLY liked.
Blackberry Curve 8310
-good keypad that is actually useful - able to type on
-size and weight is good
-applications work really well with this phone - twitter, fbook, google
-screen is very good for applications and viewing web
-like the rollerball, but think it wears out to quickly
-battery seems to die the older the phone gets
-exceptionally durable - I'm a phone "destroyer"
-photo capability is hopeful for next version, but not quite as good as Treo (Treo had video)
-photo applications tend to become inoperable with other apps.
-Use for work email and personal email - both
| | |
|
