New BlackBerry keyboard 'as good as usual'

Posted: 30 July 2009

The keyboard on the latest BlackBerry is as good as usual, a new review said.

Pocket Lint took a look at the Curve 8520, which is due out in the UK next month and could give would-be users an idea of what these handsets are like.

Duncan Geere evaluated the phone for the technology website and said input felt accurate and comfortable thanks to the qwerty keyboard, which lends itself excellently to emails.

Instead of the usual tracking ball, it has a touchpad. Mr Geere said this was a good feature as after five seconds he forgot he was using it.

The screen is bright, but as the handset is aimed at the lower end of the market, it has been downgraded to 320 x 240 pixels.

However, one of the potential drawbacks for consumers is the lack of 3G connectivity, he added.

"As the BlackBerry is principally a data-loving device, this might be a stumbling block for some."

Research in Motion - the manufacturer of BlackBerrys - described the Curve 8520 as "approachable" when it unveiled the handset earlier this week.

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