Blackberry Curve 8420 is the latest model to hit the market, luring a younger user by keeping the price way below its contemporaries. The Guide gives its verdict after week-long use

We love to punch, rather than touch. Editors, who have made sitting on front row at fashion weeks their
calling, have volunteered for labour over luxury, picked functionality over form, picked Blackberry mobile phones as their tool of communication over other fancy counterparts available in the market.

What started out as weapon of choice for the jet setting swish class, has now turned into an accessible indulgence, with the launch of Blackberry Curve 8520. Having been spoilt crazy by the "sleekest, smallest and lightest" Blackberry 8320 model (my ex-phone succumbed to Mumbai's humidity), there were obvious apprehensions about trying out an entry-level version, even if it were for a gizmo review.

Blackberry's Memo Pad feature allowed me to file and shoot reviews of designer shows in a jiffy, while reporting from Fashion Week. While there's news about how international pop singer Lady Ga-Ga's twitters helped British fashion designer Alexander McQueen's Spring show in Paris garner a huge response, I did my bit with my bitter-sweet tweets. How RIM technology has made laptops ridiculously obsolete!u00a0 Illustration by Satish Acharya

Overview

With Blackberry Curve 8520, Canadian-based telecom giant Blackberry tries cracking the Indian mentality if it's cheap, looks and functions must've been compromised. Besides, you don't have to re-learn how to use the new model because in-built features, including the main menu layout, interaction, media player, are all similar to contemporaries.

The loaded collegian, corporate honcho and the socialite, everyone's got one. But don't put your cash down just because you crave to fit in. BB is an acquired taste.u00a0

Physical Aspects

It feels light in the hand, actually lighter than my ex, and the overall easy-on-the-eye design manifested on 3.4' screen displays bright and crisp images. Those who are used to the real deal will find this model a bit plastic-y, with chrome benefits replaced by a rubber edge. But after punching in a fair amount of text, the rubber edge actually comes handy when you are laden with sweaty fingers.

A responsive optical track pad (replacing track ball) and dedicated media controls (the middle control on at the head of the phone doubles as a mute button. The top left has a headphone jack and microUSB data/charging port) take attention away from the crammed keyboard.

Inner beauty

The champion character of any BB device is the comfort alternatives it offers. For instance, you can opt to collate your emails, instant messenger messages, text messages and even Facebook alerts/messages all in one folder, or store them individually. I've never bothered figuring out the importance of WiFi on cellphones (you're paying a set amount to your network user anyway), so this one's for those who care yes, it allows the application.

The calendar is a godsend, almost like an man-Friday. It not only reminds you of meetings and appointments, but since it incorporates Facebook features, birthday wishes are rarely forgotten. Crazy about Scrabble? Word Mole in Games section is perhaps the reason why the phrase "addiction" was conceptualised.u00a0u00a0

Fringe benefits

In the business of fashion, where vanity serves sanity, the picture quality of the 2-megapixel camera was a let down. The MIA flash takes away the sharpness of images, giving them a hazy, reddish texture. But the video recorder is WOW-worthy with a vivid display and audible playback. The music player, even on loudspeaker, keeps the acoustics intact, just like John Mayer would arrange it.

At:u00a0BlackBerry Curve 8520 is available for Rs 15,990 with an Airtel connection. With a monthly rate of Rs 299, BB services will also be available to prepaid users.

Launch of BlackBerry Tour Smartphone in India
Taking a cue from the upcoming festive season, Blackberry has collaborated with Reliance Mobile to launch a phone that's 3G enabled smart phone packed with 3.2 megapixel camera, 3G, and multimedia features apart from the usual suspects.u00a0u00a0u00a0

While the phone is available on the CDMA platform in India, users can effortlessly switch between CDMA and GSM networks while travelling abroad. Popularly known as a World Phone, the phone has international roaming support to help users stay in touch whether they travel around the corner, or around the world.

Customers can pre-book it via promotional offer that's valid till October 31. Priced at Rs 27,990, the phone will be officially launched on October 12.