The new GSM/GPRS/EDGE BlackBerry Curve (aka 8300) has been available on the carrier formerly known as Cingular (AT&T) for some time now. How does it stack up for a deaf or hard of hearing user?
The Curve (thank goodness for that name, it’d be confusing to try to remember if it’s a 8830 or 8300!) brings us a full QWERTY keyboard BlackBerry that also has a built in camera like the Pearl. Reviews on the internet describe the Curve as being a cross between a 8800/8830 and the Pearl, size wise. It’s the smallest QWERTY BlackBerry yet, and comes with a nice rubberized coating on the sides for a better grip. It also obviously incorporates the new trackball that is found on the Pearl and 8800.
Click below to see a photo of the Curve, the 8800, and the Pearl
(Photo credit: BoyGeniusReport.com)
Changes in the Curve that impact deaf and hard of hearing users would include the new built-in spell checker, a built-in 2 megapixel camera (but it doesn’t do video!), and a more standard 3.5 mm audio jack (for HATIS or loop devices). Some commenters mentioned that they liked the Curve’s keyboard better, being more like the 8703’s than the 8800’s. This may make a difference for those who are sensitive to keyboard designs, etc. Unfortunately, there is no specific information regarding any sort of HAC (Hearing Aid Compatibility) ratings for the Curve. The last couple of BlackBerry devices had HAC ratings, so it’s possible this one may get rated later on.
It’s rumored that an upgraded version of the Curve, possibly called the 8320, will be available from T-Mobile. It is said that this T-Mobile version of the Curve will have an upgraded 3+ megapixel camera (hopefully it’ll be able to take video too!), and will also incorporate WiFi connectivity, allowing for faster speeds in any location with public WiFi services (like the iPhone does). We shall see if this is true. RIM has already announced a GSM BlackBerry that also uses WiFi (called the 8820), and has GPS built in.
8 responses so far ↓
1 DeafSpook // Jul 24, 2007 at 10:09 am
“Changes in the Curve that impact deaf and hard of hearing users would include the new built-in spell checker”
This is so Alison Polk Kaftan! Look, this change impacts the GENERAL POPULATION!
Other than that it was a run of the mill review.
2 joseph rainmound // Jul 24, 2007 at 1:56 pm
I’m waiting for a blackberry with video… I love, absolutely love, the 8700g; it’s much better than the Sidekick or any other offering out there. The only thing to convince me to upgrade is a major change like adding video and a better camera (the 2mp camera reportedly sucks the root.)
3 Stacy Nalls // Jul 26, 2007 at 11:24 pm
I heard that AT&T will bring other new Blackberry 8820 this summer later like 8800. It will include WiFi and GPS. That is good news…. If the network will be down, I can use WiFi on the BB 8820 at local hotspot. I will not have to worry about BB 8820 with WiFi during network outage when I will call someone via relay services. Does it satisfy to you, you don’t?
Just let you know
4 Dankai // Jul 28, 2007 at 5:40 pm
I bought the Blackberry 8800 well before the iPhone release because there is no ‘data plan only’ for the iPhone…. I’m hearing impaired and currently use just the BIS plan….I do nuff said
5 ABel // Aug 3, 2007 at 9:08 am
Hey I want to know about the deaf and hard of hearing use the phone with blackberry Curve (8300 ) it’ll connect the store at t mobile for card sim ?
6 Blackberry fan // Aug 30, 2007 at 7:31 am
After I switched to AT&T for new Blackberry Curve 8300, I canceled T-Mobile with my Sidekick 2 because of SPAM issue. The customer service representative offered me to stay till T-Mobile releases Blackberry 8320 on September 24, 2007. Darn, it is too late for me because I am with AT&T more than 14 days and I am stuck with its 2 years contract. So the rumor about T-Mobile’s Blackberry 8320 is true.
7 JJ // Sep 15, 2007 at 1:37 pm
To BB Fan,
Ask your AT&T manager to check on website. AT&T policy gives Deaf customers 30 days trial without penalty except AT&T cannot refund for activiation fee.
8 Vanessa // Oct 28, 2007 at 8:17 pm
How much is cost per monthly for deaf for blackberry curve?? I heard that AT&T ripped off. It’s true.
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