Latest Handset News

Latest Handset News

BlackBerry manufacturer Research in Motion (RIM) has a loyal following and the new Bold 9790 is launching to prove that there is still life in a form factor which does not rely on touchscreen interfaces alone.

The Bold 9790 runs the BB OS 7 operating system, which is seen as something of a stopgap platform which will tide people over until the arrival of the next-gen BBX software later in the year. However, it is still a very well equipped platform that should meet all of your needs, whether you are concerned about constant communication, productivity, gaming, social networking or web browsing.

RIM has stuck with the traditional layout of a full physical QWERTY keypad topped off with a square display for the Bold 9790. However, as with other recent launches the screen is also touch sensitive, so you can choose to use either your finger or the physical keys when you are searching through menus or examining a website.

The screen is small at 2.45 inches across the diagonal, which compared to large displays like the 4.7 inch one found on the HTC Titan definitely feels a little dinky. However, the small size is not mirrored by underwhelming tech elsewhere on the phone and for long time fans of the Bold range this should feel like a perfectly natural progression.

A 1GHz single core processor is housed within the Bold 9790 and you also get 8GB of storage space as well as a five megapixel camera on the rear, compete with its own LED flash. Connectivity is provided by Wi-Fi, 3G, GPS and even NFC (Near Field Communication), the latter of which will allow you to make contactless payments at various shops and outlets across the world, eliminating the need to carry a wallet when you are only buying a small number of products.

The original BlackBerry Bold 9000 is chunkier and heavier than the newer 9790, although it does come with a slightly nippier processor. This means people who want a slimmer, sleeker design should invest in RIM`s more recent Bold handset, as in other areas the differences are relatively minor.

With plenty of icons and applications to use the homescreen system on the Bold 9790 is easy to get to grips with. You can also see your latest social networking updates alongside your messaging notifications, so you will know when someone has got in touch via Facebook, Twitter or good old fashioned email. Since this is a BlackBerry handset you can be certain that the email support is as comprehensive as ever, in addition to the typing speed being much higher thanks to the physical keypad.

The conundrum facing the BlackBerry 9790 and RIM`s range in general is that it is unlikely to attract any new fans over from rival manufacturers, but it might be enough to keep those who remain loyal to the brand onboard until its future releases update the software and hardware to make BlackBerry Bold contracts a hot topic once more.