The Bold series has been one of RIM's most popular, and the company made few changes in the basic design in this new version, even though a touchscreen was added. The device sports a 2.8-inch, VGA (640 x 480) 287 dpi capacitive display set above a small thumb-keyboard and optical trackpad. The latest in the BlackBerry lineup, the BlackBerry Bold 9900 has a 2.8-inch, 640 x 480 pixel display. It is among the newer BlackBerry devices with quad-band GSM support with tri-band HSPA+ capabilities. Running on the latest BlackBerry OS7, the BlackBerry Bold 9900 has a 1.2GHz single-core processor with 768MB of RAM. Other features include 8GB of internal memory, a 5-megapixel camera with 720p HD video recording, as well as NFC. The BlackBerry Bold 9900 and BlackBerry Torch 9810 are two business-centric devices with impressive hardware to boot. Which of the two should you go for?
In terms of design, the two BlackBerries are relatively similar in dimensions, although the BlackBerry Torch 9810 is slightly thicker due to its slide-out QWERTY keyboard. However, they will fit firmly in your hands regardless. Due to its design, the BlackBerry Torch 9810 is fitted with a larger 3.2-inch screen, as opposed to the BlackBerry Bold 9900’s 2.8-inch display. Size difference aside, they both offer the same screen resolution of 480 x 640 pixels.
BLACKBERRY THEMES APPLICATIoNS has the BlackBerry Bold 9900—RIM's newest and best smartphone—for sale. The inability to buy up-to-date, top-end devices from the upstart wireless carriers has been crippling thus far, as users want the latest and greatest when it comes to mobile technology.
As part of the newer lineup, these two devices will have a 1.2GHz processor running under the hood, which puts them on par in terms of performance. Moreover, they will run on the latest BlackBerry OS 7.
Both BlackBerries come with a generous 8GB of internal storage, which can be easily expanded via MicroSD cards of up to 32GB.
The BlackBerry Bold 9900 and BlackBerry Torch 9810 are fitted with identical 5.0-megapixel cameras with nifty features such as image stabilisation and LED flash to aid your photo-taking tasks.
Given that both devices are virtually the same in terms of hardware, the design is the only thing that sets them apart. That said, you will have to pay a premium if you want the Bold’s more traditional look, whereas the Torch’s slider design will set you back a lot less.
BlackBerry OS 7 isn't a dramatic improvement over the previous version, but it includes a significantly improved web browser, support for 720p HD video recording, and an augmented reality app. The Bold 9900 also has a new version of BlackBerry Messenger and an updated Social Feeds app.
This is now available and still the best looking BlackBerry to-date, until those new BBX BlackBerry smartphones come out. MTS has priced the 9900 lower than some carriers at a reasonable $99.99 on a 3-year and ranges to $579.99 no-term. Quick reminder of its specs: BlackBerry 7 OS, a 2.8-inch touchscreen withe a full QWERTY keyboard, 1.2 GHz processor, Wi-Fi, 5 megapixel camera that shoots 720p HD videos.
Research in Motion today announced the official launch of the BlackBerry Bold 9900 in New Zealand. Vodafone is the first New Zealand operator to offer the new BlackBerry smartphone, available through Vodafone retail, online and other sales channels from today. Telecom New Zealand is expected to launch the BlackBerry Bold 9900 in the coming months.
“Consumers should get really excited about the launch of the BlackBerry Bold 9900. It features some great enhancements, entertainment features and apps which combine with trusted BlackBerry security and best-in-class email to create the perfect smartphone for work and play,” said Adele Beachley, Managing Director New Zealand, Research In Motion.
The evolution of the BlackBerry Bold is a sleeker, slimmer take of the iconic design, paired with the BlackBerry standard of best-in-class security, communications and business applications. Retaining the market-leading keyboard, the BlackBerry Bold 9900 also includes a high resolution touch screen that gives users the ideal medium for both typing emails and browsing the internet. A modern brushed-steel frame encases a toughened-glass body, which slims the Bold 9900 down to just 10.5mm, keeps up in the fashion stakes while maintaining a compact size for on-the-go use.
The new devices come with BlackBerry Messenger 6 (BBM 6) which provides support for ‘BBM connected’ apps to integrate the popular functionality of the BBM service and offer users the ability to interact with their friends from within the apps themselves. For example, with a BBM connected game app, users can invite their BBM friends to join them in a game and chat with one another in the middle of the game – without ever leaving the game app, all in real time.
Built on the BlackBerry 7 Operating System (OS) and driven by a powerful 1.2 GHz processor, the new smartphone delivers a fast user experience, as content comes to life through a smooth interface powered by Liquid Graphics.
Vodafone New Zealand recently announced that BlackBerry smartphones are now available on Vodafone Smart plans, giving customers access to BlackBerry Internet Service (BIS) without any additional bolt-on fee.
The design of the new BlackBerry Bold 9900 sees it pick up pieces from previous Bold handsets. It’s larger than the previous 9700 family returning more to the form of the original 9000. It’s broader in the hand and neatly bordered by a classy metal band. It measures 115 x 66 x 10.5mm; it’s only the thickness that really differs from the original, RIM shaving an impressive 4mm off previous handsets.
QWERTY devices tend to be thicker than touchscreen rivals and we’re not about to get into a fuss over mere millimetres, as the Bold 9900 feels right in the hand. The thickness and the balance present that BlackBerry keyboard naturally, so as you’d expect, it feels comfortable to type on with one hand or two. The 130g weight is average and nothing to complain about.
The metal band encircling the Bold 9900 also helps give it a premium feel as well as highlighting the various buttons and connections. It is certainly smarter than the previous Bold family which now look very plasticy by comparison. The screen lock button sits on the top, slightly recessed, so as not to be unlocked when you slip it into your pocket; the volume controls sit on the right-hand side, with a shortcut “convenience” key moving from the middle towards the bottom.
On the opposing side you’ll find the Micro-USB and 3.5mm headphone connections towards the top, both conveniently out of the way so you can charge the device, listen to music and still get to the keyboard with your left hand. The same can’t be said for the “convenience” key on the right-hand side. Set to launch the camera by default, we can’t count the number of times we’ve launched the camera whilst gripping the device. It’s awkwardly placed at best, and doubly frustrating as the camera sometimes seems frustratingly slow to launch.
Around the back, the leatherette finish is out and a carbonfibre effect is in. It’s neat and tidy and looks the part, even if the back cover is difficult to prise out of its case. Some might see that as a positive given how easily the back cover would come off the previous Bold and indeed the Torch.
NFC finds its way into the Bold 9900, but with no infrastructure in place to use NFC at the moment, it’s more of a case in futureproofing than anything else as far as we’re concerned.
