Pocket-lint - BlackBerry's slowing rolling out GPS across its range of smartphones, but should it bother? We try and get lost with the latest, the BlackBerry Curve. Apart from coming in a metal grey rather than silver, you would be forgiven if at first glance if you didn't notice anything different about the over the The form factor is identical, the feature set the same, and the only new addition a GPS chip under the hood.
For you the user, all that extra work amounts to just one lonely icon added at the bottom of the menu. A quick scan over the spec sheet reveals the same tech as the For your money, this smartphone will give you quad-band connectivity, Bluetooth 2.
Perhaps realising that its mapping solution is shockingly pathetic, BlackBerry has turned to Vodafone who in turn has turned to Telmap for the software. Maps is still there, but the sensible will press the Vodafone Sat Nav icon. Turn it on, you have to be connected to the network for it to work, and your presented with a number of options to get you started.
Here are some of the best. From there you can choose to get driving or walking directions. The "Where am I" seems a bit pointless, unless you are pissed, but does give you a quick link to the map without the rigmarole of typing in an address to go to. CNET editors pick the products and services we write about. When you buy through our links, we may get a commission. Our model was supplied by Vodafone, who has added the Telmap navigation service, which is much more capable than the standard GPS software supplied by RIM.
Strengths Unlike the majority of BlackBerry devices, the Curve is aimed at consumers. This means its designers have had to tread a fine line between making it look slim and stylish enough to appeal to non-business types, while at the same time making sure there was still enough space to accommodate the full Qwerty keyboard and large screen. The good news is that they've managed to pull it off admirably, as the is one of best looking messenger devices around at the moment.
RIM may no longer have a virtual monopoly on push email services, but this model is hard to beat when it comes to messaging. The email application is very straightforward to use and while the small keys on the Qwerty keyboard take a while to get the hang of, once you've had some practice you'll find they're much faster than the usual T9 predictive text found on most mobiles.
We also love the mini trackball carried over from the Pearl phone. It makes scrolling through the main menus a piece of cake. The BlackBerry devices aimed at business users go without cameras, probably because of fears about corporate security, but as this one is aimed at Average Joes, you'll find a 2-megapixel snapper on the rear.
It has a micro mirror for taking self portraits and one of the brightest LED photo lights we've ever used, so you'll be able to take snaps in dimly lit conditions without them looking like they were shot in a coal mine.
Naturally the amount of definition in the images is somewhat limited by the 2-megapixel resolution, but to its credit the shots do have strong, natural-looking colours.
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