BlackBerry Torch 9800 Review: Keeping RIM's Flame Alive
by Brian Klug on September 1, 2010 7:00 AM EST- Posted in
- Smartphones
- Torch
- BlackBerry
- Mobile
Messaging and BBM
RIM has also changed the messaging architecture, adopting an iOS- and Android- like approach by masking the distinction between SMS and MMS. Instead, both are found under text messages and treated like the same thing.
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SMS - Sending Location and Virtual Keyboard Frustration
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The messaging application is threaded and what you’d expect it to be from a modern messaging application. RIM did a nice job adding a send location feature which locates you, brings up a map, takes an image, and lets you MMS the whole thing off. This is so much better than the send location functionality on iOS (which sends a vCard with your address) or Android. Generally I wind up taking a screenshot and MMSing that off - RIM basically does just that. It’s pretty handy.
BBM looks essentially how it did with the latest revision in BB OS 5, though again tweaked subtly to accommodate for a touchscreen.
I found myself switching between BBM and the browser constantly (holding down menu pops up the application switcher) and experienced very little lag.
Torch as a Phone
The Torch brings a touchscreen dialer that’s different from the one on the Storm. With the keyboard out, you can’t start typing someone’s name and find their contact. Instead, input is taken from the numeric dialer pad on the keyboard. For contacts, you have to tap the symbol and then type.
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BlackBerry 6 - Dialer
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The dialer works, it’s there, but feels just a tad spartan.
In a call, you have options to mute, hold, add calls, and go to speaker. Just like every phone. You’re also always shown the current handset volume level in the top right. What’s tricky here is that pressing the hangup button is often my way of getting out of applications and back to the launcher. In a call, when I wanted to look something up, I hit this and was disconnected - like what is supposed to happen.
What RIM wants you to do is tap on the buttons at the bottom which are shortcuts to things like the dialer, contacts, notes, and calendar.
One thing I noticed about the Torch is that I can actually see the IR LED for the proximity sensor strobing with the naked eye while calls are in progress. I’ve never seen that on any other smartphone. It doesn’t really bother, but thought I’d note it.
How loud is the Torch’s speakerphone? It’s not bad, but nothing stellar, just average. Frankly, I was expecting a bit more loudness from the brand that has such a stellar pedigree for loudest in class speakerphones. Alas, it doesn't quite measure up on paper. Ambient noise level is 52 dBA, and we measure exactly 6" above the phone.
On the Torch, the speakerphone is up top just behind the large standby lock and mute button. There’s a narrow separation you can get your thumb in - that’s the speaker.
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s44 - Wednesday, September 1, 2010 - link
RIM's release of this at price parity with the much more advanced Samsung phone indicates that they're more interested in gouging their captive user base than advancing their platform.Sivan - Wednesday, September 1, 2010 - link
I don't full agree with the dichotomy of business vs. consumer mapping onto keyboard vs. touch form factors.Even Brian notes how easy it is to use the keyboard and trackpad instead of the touchscreen. A lot of users value this ease of use especially for messaging or interacting with the device efficiently. Those are not necessarily business users. A touchscreen is not a requirement for a fun BlackBerry, I'd argue that just making BlackBerry 6 available on the venerable Bold line would make most BlackBerry users very happy.
That form factor is also much more battery efficient, the smaller screen (no need for touch) as well as more internal space for a battery, and the immediately availability of the keyboard the trackpad are the small details that make the traditional BlackBerry appealing regardless of whether one is a business user or not.
jah1subs - Wednesday, September 1, 2010 - link
What are the other devices promised for BB OS 6 upgrades?deputc26 - Wednesday, September 1, 2010 - link
I believe the OS version should read 2.2 not 2.1King Krapp - Thursday, September 2, 2010 - link
I spy Hyperbole and a Half in the background... nice.7Enigma - Thursday, September 2, 2010 - link
Suck it Trebek!Makaveli - Thursday, September 2, 2010 - link
Anand,Why didn't you install the Youtube player off the app world.
i'm on a 9700 Bold And I never open youtube links directly in the browser its all done by the app.
Also it would be cool if you could do a browser test with Opera Mini since most people use this over the default browser.
ibex333 - Thursday, September 2, 2010 - link
This new blackberry phone really doesnt sound like much of an improvement over older BB phones...With phones avaialble like the Droid G1 or the Droid X I dont understand why anyone would want to own a Blackberry unless security is the main concern. I got my Bold 9000 because back then, it was one of the very few phones that had such a nice keyboard and looked so professional and pleasing.
Now, Droid phones are so much better in just about every way IMHO. The #1 reason for this, is hacks.... What can possibly beat playing GBA, SEGA, SNES and other older console games on your phone with perfect speed, sound and great controls via a full featured keyboard and WASD buttons? And if that's not enough, you can install thousand of other nifty apps, where the number of these apps will only increase becuase developing for Droid will in the near future be as easy as developing for Linux if it isnt that way already!
Android is every geeks dream, and I cant see Apple or Blackberry RIM even touching this wonderful platform when it comes to sheer fun factor and the multitude of possiblities. Yes, I am an Android fanboy, and iPhone and Blackberry should just go in a quiet dark corner, curl up in a fetal position and just.....die....
wolrah - Thursday, September 2, 2010 - link
You had a complaint about a lack of easy 2G/3G switch on the CDMA Android devices. I don't think this is a real issue due to how CDMA 3G works. It's the same radio in a similar operation mode, so it's not like GSM where there's an entire different radio being fired up when you use 3G. The battery savings are not likely to be notable.strikeback03 - Friday, September 3, 2010 - link
In looking for ways to improve the battery life of my HTC Diamond, I found lots of people saying that the constant switching between 3G and 1x is what caused the excessive battery usage. Though in admittedly limited testing I didn't see a difference.I would imagine you can get a widget for Android to lock the device in 2G mode, should you need that functionality.