vB Easy Archive - Curve: Lack of 3G a big deal?

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Curve: Lack of 3G a big deal?
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Posted by: Nick94

I am considering getting the 8310 to replace my non-qwerty Nokia smartphone, and wonder if anyone has any thoughts on whether or not the lack of 3G matters that much. I have been playing around with my wife's Curve and noticed that her EDGE connection is pretty fast--noticeably faster than the EDGE on my Nokia E50. So if your focus is email and more text-based internet use (e.g. no mobile YouTube), do you miss 3G?

I know that a 3G blackberry probably will come out this year, but given AT&T's record it probably won't be out until next Christmas, and I cannot wait that long (besides, I want to take advantage of the current sale).

Thanks.

Posted by: DubDub

3G doesn't do much for me. Email arrives as advertised. 3G speed won't make that any faster. Browsing on any PDA is painful at best as the devices and websites are not optimized for a decent browsing experience. Not enough horsepower either.

About the only place I see where 3G would make a difference is if you tether. I don't so for me, I can live without it.

The speed one gets depends on the connection, the carrier, distance to the tower, tower congestion, device processor and device memory, plus a few others. It is not very reasonable to compare different devices, going to different sites on different carriers.

Posted by: mush10

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry8300/4.2.2 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/102)

I can post more on this tomorrow from my computer. I recently tried out a blackberry with evdo and noticed a difference while browsing on the phone as well. Fro what you describe in terms of your browsing you shouldn't notice a difference. Anyway check out the rim forum and the 8xxx thread. It appears as though an hsdpa blackberry is in the works and should hpefully be available around may.

Posted by: Nick94

Thanks for both the responses. I actually picked up the 8310 (AT&T) this afternoon and so far it is pretty nice. Actually, the lack of HTML email is more of a downer than no 3G.

Posted by: kilofox

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick94

Thanks for both the responses. I actually picked up the 8310 (AT&T) this afternoon and so far it is pretty nice. Actually, the lack of HTML email is more of a downer than no 3G.

Try BBSmart HTML Email Viewer

http://www.blackberrysmart.com/

Its not free ($24.99)... but it is nice! Quite often it is on-sale or a coupon code is out and you can get it cheaper. I think I paid $19.99

Posted by: briareus

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick94

I am considering getting the 8310 to replace my non-qwerty Nokia smartphone, and wonder if anyone has any thoughts on whether or not the lack of 3G matters that much.

Maybe if you're used to 3G browsing on another device...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick94

I know that a 3G blackberry probably will come out this year, but given AT&T's record it probably won't be out until next Christmas, and I cannot wait that long (besides, I want to take advantage of the current sale).

Huh? At&t has adopted new BB models faster than any other domestic GSM carrier.

Posted by: Nick94

Quote:

Originally Posted by briareus

Huh? At&t has adopted new BB models faster than any other domestic GSM carrier.

While this is true, I was referring to the overall time lag between a product's announcement and AT&T's introduction of the same product--a lag which is often quite considerable (consider, for example, the cases of the Nokia N75, SE K850, and so on). I wasn't making a comparison of AT&T compared to other carriers.

Posted by: mush10

Quote:

Not really an issue with Blackberry's. Because of the nature with what they are used and what is put on them, they tend to hold release dates pretty well.

Posted by: phaijai

Everytime 3G is mentioned, the discussion primarily focuses on speed of browsing and receiving data. I am more curious as concurrent voice and data. With the Treo 750, I could be logged into IM+ (AOL and MSN) and not have to worry about whether I will receive any incoming phone calls. Is this the same with the BBs without 3G or is it one or the other?

Posted by: Nick94

Quote:

Originally Posted by phaijai

Everytime 3G is mentioned, the discussion primarily focuses on speed of browsing and receiving data. I am more curious as concurrent voice and data. With the Treo 750, I could be logged into IM+ (AOL and MSN) and not have to worry about whether I will receive any incoming phone calls. Is this the same with the BBs without 3G or is it one or the other?

While I haven't had a chance to test this exhaustively, I have figured out that I can be logged into Google Talk and receive calls on my Curve (not sure about the other way). I don't think you can browse the internet while talking, however, but I have never tried that so I could be wrong.

Posted by: ivwshane

All that happens is that your data session is interrupted and the call or sms comes through, once the call is over the data session resumes.

I'd only be interested in a 3G bb if the bb also supported more streaming media capabilities.

Posted by: didefresh2006

Maybe when it comes to when it's time for me to get an upgrade, i'll consider getting one with 3g (that'll be a year from now). Since i'm on Premier, I will get one of the red 8310's as a backup refurb though (since they are coming out--they have them on the main site).

Posted by: lew2

I will get one of the red 8310's as a backup refurb though (since they are coming out--they have them on the main site

Thanks for the heads up -- but strange how the net price is the same for the refurb or the new 8310's.

I have a refurb 8300 and it's fine; 3G isn't a big deal as I don't do much data intensive. Mostly any delays I see are just plain lag times. No problems getting calls when doing data stuff, it's just that data will be interrupted. Again not anything that's caused annoyance.

Also be sure to check out Opera Mini

Posted by: jon341427

3g is a huge deal if you have gotten use to it. 3g is great for browsing. It makes wifi practically useless. But I guess it all comes down to if you browse on the phone a lot or tether. If its not too big of a project for you get a Verizon pearl for 2 weeks and return it. Then you will really see what you are missing.

Posted by: rebelins6

is the 8310 able to stream internet radio such as the streams on http://www.thestreamcenter.com/pda/ ?

Posted by: Zap2

Well since AT&T network is so-so with 3G it depends where you live....if you'll even get it!

Personal, I haven't missed 3G on my iPhone....EDGE works fine, Wi-Fi is always my ideal set up.....plus battery drain isn't bad either

Posted by: mrmaster

Quote:

Originally Posted by rebelins6

is the 8310 able to stream internet radio such as the streams on http://www.thestreamcenter.com/pda/ ?

Doubtful and not from a technical POV but from a speed POV. Edge wouldnt' be fast enough to have clarity on an audio stream.

Posted by: Really_Annoyed

Quote:

Originally Posted by phaijai

That's the reason I'm looking forward to 3G BB. EDGE is plenty fast for sending/receiving emails. But I'd like to be able to be on the phone and look up something on the internet at the same time.

OT: Does EVDO Rev. A offer this? I know Rev 0 doesn't.

Posted by: davistld01

My 8310 not being a 3G phone, and my new HK-model V9 only having the Euro/Asian 2100 3G band functionality doesn't bother me in the least. I don't live in an area that has been blessed with AT&T 3G towers yet...and may not be for a year or more.

I'd rather have EDGE speeds, and a battery that lasts more than a few hours than a pure marketing "toy" like 3G.

Posted by: Quake97

Quote:

Originally Posted by Really_Annoyed

Yes, rev. A offers voice and data at the same time.

Joe

Posted by: fakename

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quake97

Yes, rev. A offers voice and data at the same time.

Joe

No, it does not!

Posted by: Quake97

Quote:

Originally Posted by fakename

No, it does not!

I apologize, you're correct. I was confusing EVDV and EVDO Rev A.

Joe

Posted by: NoLimitz80

According to RIM: The BB Browser on EDGE is faster then 3G on most websites!
Why? Our BIS SERVER

And honestly I have to agree with this statement.

Posted by: mush10

Quote:

Originally Posted by NoLimitz80

According to RIM: The BB Browser on EDGE is faster then 3G on most websites!
Why? Our BIS SERVER

And honestly I have to agree with this statement.

I don't see that.

And it certainly isn't the case for tethering.

Posted by: solo118

Quote:

Originally Posted by NoLimitz80

According to RIM: The BB Browser on EDGE is faster then 3G on most websites!
Why? Our BIS SERVER

And honestly I have to agree with this statement.

Hard to believe, but with my BJ2 the IE is a bit slow so it could be about the same. I used to have a curve and it really was not too bad to browse with (using opera)

Posted by: panasummer

It's not a big deal to me. Everything loads really fast on my Curve. I'm sure if I tethered with my Curve, 3G would be important.

Posted by: itsmabus

3g radio is just a drain on battery life, for blackberries.
Especially given your described usage habits.