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Review: BlackBerry Bold 9930

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BlackBerrys are dedicated messaging devices, and the 9930 covers all the bases and then some.

First up, email. Whether you're a corporate user or a GMail user, the 9930 handles Exchange, POP3 and IMAP4 accounts with ease. Users can add up to 10 different email accounts to the 9930. It can display HTML email with no problem and swiping left or right will take you to the next/previous email. Options abound, and there are simple touch controls to perform actions such as replying, forwarding, and so on.

The SMS/MMS client offers threaded messaging, which are defined in text bubbles that help to visually separate the different sides of the conversation. Adding any sort of media to outgoing messages is a breeze. Content is nicely embedded in the text bubbles.

BlackBerry Messenger 6 is on board, of course, to allow for PIN-based messaging. This new version lets users interact with one another from within select connected applications. With it, users can pull up a BBM contact from within a connected app and share the application they are using with that contact without actually launching BBM. For example, I was able to share URLs with BBM contacts directly from the BlackBerry Browser. Convenient.

As for instant messaging, Google Talk, Windows Live, and Yahoo are supported. AIM isn't. If you add a Gmail account to the 9930, the software automatically sets up Google Talk, which is pretty cool.

On the social networking front, the 9930 comes with official Facebook and Twitter applications pre-installed. Each works well enough of its own accord to keep users in touch with their circles of friends, family and colleagues. The social networking apps are also integrated into the contact app and messaging functions, making it easier to communicate.

There is also a Social Feeds application that streams status updates and posts from Facebook, Twitter, Google Talk, Podcasts, and user-defined RSS feeds. If you'd like to consume all your social networking in one spot, this app lets you do it.

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BlackBerry Bold 9930

2.8" display 640 x 480 pixels
Snapdragon S2 MSM8655 processor
1,230 mAh battery
Memory Card Slot, Hardware Text Keyboard, Headphone Jack (3.5mm), NFC

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