BlackBerry Curve 8900 Phone, Black (AT&T)
This post might surprise you coming from a guy who purposefully traveled the world sans cell phone, however I’m starting to experience a change of heart.
My curiosity was irrevocably piqued when I met Jim on the Nile River cruise last year. Whether it was tracking us on Google Maps as we motored toward the next temple complex, or adding us to Facebook without missing a beat in the conversation, he was using modern technology to enhance his travel experience. I realize some may say such constant connectivity is what we try to escape by taking on a vagabonding journey, however I think it is safe to say the pro’s are beginning to outweigh the con’s in the equation.
I had every intention of buying a $10 phone upon my return home, but when it arrived in the mail and I went to activate it, I learned despite the intent to use my parent’s minutes on their plan, I would still be signing up for a 2-year commitment. So I went to the nearest AT&T phone and paid extra to buy the BlackBerry Curve 8900. Jim’s enthusiastic reference for how well it worked on his trip around the world sealed the deal for me.
Here are a few key features which might seal it for you too:
Snapping photos with my BlackBerry in NYC
1. World Phone Coverage – The technical details are beyond my comprehension, but the quad-band GSM coverage for voice and GPRS/EDGE connectivity for receiving data mean you can operate your phone in the vast majority of countries in the world. Whether you’re headed for Turkmenistan or the Turks & Caicos Islands, this phone with AT&T service will cover you. In Jim’s year-long RTW trip, he said there were only two countries where he couldn’t use his data access, South Korea and another Asian country. Otherwise, he said connectivity was dependable everywhere else! See the full list of countries on the BlackBerry site.
2. Wi-Fi Access – Currently, some countries are better than others when it comes to wi-fi hotspots, however just as internet cafes have sprung up everywhere a traveler might go, it is only a matter of time before wi-fi access is adopted to the same extent. If all you want to do is check your e-mail at the ice cream shop on a Thai beach beaming out free wi-fi to draw in new customers, there’s no need to carry a laptop down from your bungalow. With the Curve, searching for and setting up wireless networks is extremely simple. You’ll be checking your email, tracking your location by GPS, and twittering faster than you can say “2 scoops of chocolate ice cream, please.”
3. GPS and BlackBerry Maps – Built in GPS allows you to follow maps – either helping you reach a destination more easily or allowing you to feel a little more comfortable getting lost in the back alleys of Cairo. Of all the smartphone’s capabilities, this is the one that sold me (as a world traveler) on making the investment. BlackBerry Maps currently cover North America, much of Europe, and quite a few countries in Asia, Africa, and The Middle East.
4. Camera and Video Recording – A 3.2-megapixel camera with auto flash, auto focus, and image stabilization offers the opportunity to take print-quality photos and geotag them too. I tested out the camera in a variety of settings during my recent visit to New York City, and I was seriously impressed. Specifically, the flash is powerful enough to ensure you get good close-up photos in low-light places such as bars. In order to store more than 20 or so photos plus video, the Curve requires a microSD card (up to 16 GB).
5. Media Player – A built-in media player allows you to listen to music in stereo and watch videos on the 2.4-inch, high resolution 480 x 360-pixel LCD screen.
I’ve only scratched the surface of all the features jam-packed into this slender, lightweight device. It fits comfortably in the front pocket of my jeans, and is quickly on the road to displacing my HP laptop as my favorite gadget.
The BlackBerry Curve 8900 is available on Amazon for $0.01 with an AT&T service plan.
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Dave is the author of 1573 posts on Go Backpacking.
Dave (Editor-in-Chief) blogged his way around the world from 2007-2009, and then started Travel Blog Success to teach others how to do the same. When not writing, he can be found salsa dancing in Medellin. Follow him on Twitter @rtwdave or look for him on Google+
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Categories: Gear & Gadgets, Planning
Post tags: att, blackberry, camera, cell, geotag, gps, mobile, phone, wireless, world phone
32 Comments
I’ve looked at the Blackberry’s as a replacement for my current phone for local as well as international use. I think the Iphone gets my final vote though with the number of apps available and it’s media capabilities.
I’ve looked at the Blackberry’s as a replacement for my current phone for local as well as international use. I think the Iphone gets my final vote though with the number of apps available and it’s media capabilities.
Blackberry’s are indeed super handy, good choice. Point #1 should have the caveat that international data access can be very expensive.
Ross, the iPhone has loads of apps, but is very fickle. A friend who works for a cell phone company answered a bunch of questions for me on this topic. When traveling for a long time you are likely to find the iphone does not like many networks nor will it accept just any old gsm sim card. Say if you purchase some minutes to use in a particular country. I settled on the G1 (HTC Dream) because it has loads of apps, a big screen, nice keyboard, and will work on any GSM network. Blackberry is also good for network compatibility. It’s just that the iPhone is such a control freak over what you do that you may run into problems.
My plan is to set up my G1 using google voice and some apps to get free international calling from anywhere in the world :)
Blackberry’s are indeed super handy, good choice. Point #1 should have the caveat that international data access can be very expensive.
Ross, the iPhone has loads of apps, but is very fickle. A friend who works for a cell phone company answered a bunch of questions for me on this topic. When traveling for a long time you are likely to find the iphone does not like many networks nor will it accept just any old gsm sim card. Say if you purchase some minutes to use in a particular country. I settled on the G1 (HTC Dream) because it has loads of apps, a big screen, nice keyboard, and will work on any GSM network. Blackberry is also good for network compatibility. It’s just that the iPhone is such a control freak over what you do that you may run into problems.
My plan is to set up my G1 using google voice and some apps to get free international calling from anywhere in the world :)
A smartphone is a very handy device. I made the choice of getting an iPhone – it’s become my second computer, replacing my laptop. 4 Stars for the iPhone.
Thanks for the interesting blog!
Greg
A smartphone is a very handy device. I made the choice of getting an iPhone – it’s become my second computer, replacing my laptop. 4 Stars for the iPhone.
Thanks for the interesting blog!
Greg
the iphone is the only way to go
the iphone is the only way to go
Hey Shawn, thanks for the info on the networks. I remember my friend Jim said he paid about $30/month for data coverage, which seemed very reasonable to me, especially considering you could then use voice over IP like Skype to make phone calls too.
Hey Shawn, thanks for the info on the networks. I remember my friend Jim said he paid about $30/month for data coverage, which seemed very reasonable to me, especially considering you could then use voice over IP like Skype to make phone calls too.
Good point – I know e-books are becoming more popular, and Amazon has developed the Kindle, but personally, I still prefer to hold a book in my hands and flip the pages, even when I’m traveling!
Good point – I know e-books are becoming more popular, and Amazon has developed the Kindle, but personally, I still prefer to hold a book in my hands and flip the pages, even when I’m traveling!
One more reason, You can download books onto it from mobipocket.
Beth Gray
http://www.bethgray.us
Nepal is one of the tops spots on my list of places to go and climb. Look forward to it one day.
Nepal is one of the tops spots on my list of places to go and climb. Look forward to it one day.
Thanks for the info.i have been looking at a Pharos traveler 137 as the phone that i want.
Thanks for the info.i have been looking at a Pharos traveler 137 as the phone that i want.
Sitting here in Belize drooling over your blackberry post. Was hoping to product test for them but did not hear back. Ambergris Caye with sun – salt air and texting being the cheap option would be perfect testing ground. Like your blog.
Sitting here in Belize drooling over your blackberry post. Was hoping to product test for them but did not hear back. Ambergris Caye with sun – salt air and texting being the cheap option would be perfect testing ground. Like your blog.
200 Javelins ordered to replace all my companies mobile phones (cell phones if outside uk)
Thanks for a great run down!!
Sounds like a good thing? Thanks for stopping by!
Sounds like a good thing? Thanks for stopping by!
Hi Drew –
Yes, I check all the comments that come in, regardless of the post.
Because I didn't take a cell phone on my RTW trip, I haven't done any research on the topic. I can only say the guy who I met with the BB said it was about $30 or 50 per month for data charges, and that's all he used.
Skype is so cheap, if not free, it's the M.O. for most backpackers. Try http://nomadicmatt.com as he's currently abroad with a new iPhone
I had much the same experience traveling with my Nokia smartphone – Wi-Fi and maps were the most useful features on it, but being able to take photos and video was a close second. Smartphones have finally become smart enough to be useful and I think the worldwide coverage is one reason why the Blackberry is such a good buy.
Hi Sharon, thanks for stopping by. It amazes me how much functionality is now packed into the smartphones. I feel like a fuddy-duddy for having spent 20 months traveling the world without one.
On the other hand, I did it on purpose to save money and stay disconnected to some degree.
Hi Sharon, thanks for stopping by. It amazes me how much functionality is now packed into the smartphones. I feel like a fuddy-duddy for having spent 20 months traveling the world without one.
On the other hand, I did it on purpose to save money and stay disconnected to some degree.
I’ve often used BlackBerry phones since I could afford one. They’re just really reliable and also have lots of wonderful features. However when I discovered the brand new BlackBerry PlayBook, I became very psyched. This certainly rivals the Apple ipad tablet with considerably more features. It will perform terrific with my BlackBerry bold for work and school. I cannot wait to get one early next year.
I have both a blackberry curve (from work) and an iphone (which is my own personal phone) and the iphone wins hands down by miles. Not even close for me. The only thing the blackberry does better is handle email (and it is damn good at that). But for everything else, the iphone is way better. Much better web-browsing experience (bigger screen, and faster) whereas the blackberry is slow even when connecting to a wifi network. The picture quality is way better on the iphone, and there are way more apps. I’ve had no trouble with networks anywhere with it either.
Hey Geoff, yea I know sooner or later I”ll switch to the Iphone…but it just seems like texting or writing emails isn’t as easy because you’re using the touch screen.
32 Comments