BlackBerry Bold unboxing and hands-on
We've been waiting to get our smudgy digits on RIM's BlackBerry Bold seemingly since before the Earth's crust finished cooling, and finally, Canada's Rogers Wireless lent us a hand. In a few words, the screen is striking, size is actually pretty comfy to hang on to, the keys are fairly easy to use, and we're kinda digging it. As a quick refresher, the Bold has tri-band HSDPA, quad-band EDGE, WiFi, Bluetooth, GPS, 1GB of onboard memory, and a 2-megapixel cam that can take advantage of the GPS for a bit of geotagging tomfoolery. The integrated media player seems to get the job done with a pile of supported formats -- including DivX, some support for XviD, H.264, MP3, WMA, and a bunch more -- the OS 4.6 looks slick, and have we mentioned the frickin' screen? We'll be back right quick with a deeper dive into the Bold's capabilities, but for now, enjoy the pics.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Bassir @ Aug 26th 2008 5:57PM
There's nothing like an unboxing video for that long-anticipated gadget. So, what do you say?
Matt @ Aug 26th 2008 6:32PM
Ummm... I would HOPE so!
Chris @ Aug 26th 2008 6:59PM
so the Iphone's must be bigger, I take it...
3.5in penis FTL!!
bingo @ Aug 27th 2008 12:18AM
hahahahaha what a stupid comment! hahahaha
of course it should be smaller, but maybe your penis is just a little bit bigger, so you felt the need to point that out! hahahahha
Flashpoint @ Aug 26th 2008 5:58PM
looks fantastic. This should give BB users a device to be proud of in lieu of iphone.
jabber @ Aug 26th 2008 8:05PM
Who are you, and what have you done with Flashpoint?
Anonymoose @ Aug 26th 2008 7:11PM
too right. because prior to this, boy, those blackberry owners were just hanging their heads in shame with their still peerless emailing capabilities and stability.
haX0r @ Aug 27th 2008 2:22PM
@ Anonymoose LMAO!
jonhimself @ Aug 26th 2008 6:01PM
I don't want to speak for ALL Canadians, but.... please try not to use 'Rogers' and 'helped' in the same sentence... unless of course the sentence is something like, "Rogers is helped by the Canadian government in over-charging its customers". Thanks! :)
Dahk @ Aug 27th 2008 3:35AM
You pretty much speak for all Canadians, except for one Ted Rogers.
sonnyali @ Aug 26th 2008 6:08PM
anybody know what iphone theme that is...?
Bill Jobs @ Aug 26th 2008 8:51PM
Same - I know it isn't relevant, but I wanna know. I like it......
And in more related news......wow. That looks purty.
Zro @ Aug 27th 2008 8:42AM
That's not an iPhone theme, that's the new Precision theme...
King Rex @ Sep 2nd 2008 12:23PM
So where does one get the new Precision theme for an iPod? It does look slick.
Oh and I played around with a Bold at WES earlier this year and the screen is amazing. I watched a movie and I was blown away by how crisp it was. The faux leather back did make it a lot easier to hold as well. Just need a CDMA version and I'm buying.
GDEP @ Aug 26th 2008 6:09PM
yo I need the bold or thunder right now!!!!!!! Yah hear me NOW verizon.
this badboy looks hot its definetly the next chick magnet...
t-pain @ Aug 26th 2008 6:23PM
you are definitely one of those losers that thinks a cell phone is going to help them pick up girls. sorry buddy, the Bold nor any other shiny cellphone is going to distract girls from your face.
Tejas @ Aug 26th 2008 6:44PM
I was in a Starbucks once... late in the evening... downtown... and I was checking my mail on an N95... a chick walks up to me and says, "that's a cool phone... what is it?"
I knew then, that she wasn't worth it..........
rob @ Aug 26th 2008 9:17PM
reminds me of one of my favorite quotes: "i would never date a woman uncool enough to be interested in me"
Ran @ Aug 26th 2008 6:10PM
Same size as iPhone....perfect for purse, too big for pants pocket w/wallet
OziD @ Aug 26th 2008 6:35PM
You keep your phone in your back pocket/wallet in front pocket?
or do you just wear pants that are too tight?
Sarig @ Aug 26th 2008 6:12PM
Has Engagdet developed an allergy against long articles? ;) We want MOAR!
Very Evil Dentist @ Aug 26th 2008 6:30PM
Jeez - was about to buy an iphone here in Oz and flick the BB 8300. Might have to hold off.... As per sonnyali question - Any one know the iphone theme you boys have used? Showed my wife and now she is on my back to try and track it down for her...... Thanks
lilcoop2 @ Aug 26th 2008 6:31PM
Hey! If Rogers can have 3G on their Bold, I sure hope that makes its way down here in the states through T-Mobile as well. When are the BlackBerry's supposed to support HTML email again???
tristanblock @ Aug 26th 2008 6:33PM
I too am wondering what theme that is on the iPhone...
El Cartel @ Aug 26th 2008 6:40PM
I've seen the Bold and its a lil on the CHUNKY side.
manny @ Aug 26th 2008 6:40PM
"2-megapixel cam that can take advantage of the GPS for a bit of geotagging tomfoolery"
How do you Geo Tagg pictures on Bold?
Ran @ Aug 26th 2008 6:42PM
OziD, I don't like wallets, keys, or phone in back pockets. Uncomfortable when sitting down. I like real thin phones that I can keep in same pocket with wallet. Just my preference.
cardboardbox @ Aug 26th 2008 6:48PM
My cousin (he's the Tech here) spoke with some T-Mobile reps a few weeks ago (we're looking for a new provider) and asked if they were getting the Bold, much to my dismay, they said no.
When he met up with them again today, they said that they will be getting the Bold, BUT it might not come with GPS :( They said that some providers won't have all the features. I don't know if this is news to anyone, but it is to me!
LuÇah76 @ Aug 26th 2008 6:56PM
T-Mo is probably getting what's called the Javelin...an upgrade of the Curve, but downgrad from the Bold. Supposedly the Jav will be a pretty nice device though. Google will give you some sites with a lot of info.
Brandon @ Sep 12th 2008 2:00AM
From what I've heard at T-Mobile, they're getting the Bold in January. AT&T paid an arm's worth to get early dibs on it.
tubsdouglas @ Aug 26th 2008 6:57PM
Blackberry for messaging...iphone for media. Take your pick.
snowenloe @ Aug 27th 2008 1:47PM
Ya, someone really needs to combine the two.
Ian @ Aug 26th 2008 6:58PM
Am I seeing something, or do the icons on the iPhone look see-through? It's just the way the light is hitting the screen correct? And if they are, how do I get my iPhone to do that?
I do like the Bold by the way, and I agree, too short an article.
john @ Aug 26th 2008 6:59PM
Biggest Bold Accessories zone including the unlocked Bold ready to ship today...
http://www.fommy.com/blackberry-9000-bold.htm
zephead @ Aug 26th 2008 7:06PM
This might be a bit off-topic, but I'm just curious. How is it that the BlackBerry it's its modern form has been around since 2002 and hasn't gotten 3G until just now?
Anonymoose @ Aug 26th 2008 7:12PM
hey man, don't worry, you're not off topic. just misinformed.
Paul Johnson @ Aug 26th 2008 7:20PM
That's the thing...any modern CDMA blackberry is 3G. If you mean the GSM 3G no one knows...there was one, but that was in Europe and didn't work in the states.
Anonymoose @ Aug 26th 2008 7:21PM
does anyone know how big the screen is? maybe a shade over 2 inches? or since this is in canada, maybe a shade over...uhh....52 centimeters...?
phanbouy @ Aug 26th 2008 7:48PM
that's what she said, eh?
Anonymoose @ Aug 26th 2008 7:56PM
i was in the pool! i was in the pooooool!
phanbouy fan @ Aug 27th 2008 12:31PM
i don't get it, why would she say that about a screen?
Ian Hassard @ Aug 26th 2008 7:26PM
Research In Motion’s primary market is North America. That said, there has been no real driving force behind developing 3G devices until more carriers roll it out. RIM has adopted WIFI for faster network speeds in lieu of going 3G on other models. I’m in the industry, and you see most devices are usually modeled and tested for the “Back Yard” market requirements.
My Ipod beats your computer @ Aug 26th 2008 7:41PM
yawn* another phone rthat cant match up to iphone.
anyway, i dont mean to bash this phone, im sure both is its 2 users will enjoy it.. well not really
My Ipod beats your computer @ Aug 26th 2008 7:43PM
P.S.
anyone wanna post that speed test again please? :D
i love seeing blackberries crappy internet on video lmao.
http://www.learnucd.com/kevlar/why-is-the-iphone-popular
http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/15/iphone-report-most-owners-left-treos-sidekicks-behind/
http://www.apple.com/ipodtouch/appstore/
phanbouy @ Aug 26th 2008 7:58PM
www.littledipshitsmustdie.com
simon @ Aug 26th 2008 8:08PM
Damn rights. They'd have to rip too many features out of the Bold to make it match your iPhone
dagney @ Aug 26th 2008 8:18PM
How about I copy/paste one of the video's I recorded on my Bold and MMS it to you? No? How about a file transfer over bluetooth? No? Can't do that either?
What was the big upgrade on the iPhone again? 3G? Wow! Welcome to last generation!
Patrick @ Aug 27th 2008 8:12AM
Ooooo it's gonna be good. *goes to get popcorn*
snowenloe @ Aug 27th 2008 1:48PM
Nice non-existant 3G signal on that iPhone.
Myke @ Aug 26th 2008 8:14PM
Hmmm what would your say is best E71 or this Bold?