Review: Motorola Droid Pro

By Ray Nicolini

Via www.TheBlackBerryZone.com

When I heard about the Droid Pro with its keyboard combo with touch screen, I knew immediately that I wanted to play with this device. Therefore, after talking to Verizon, they sent me a demo to play with and by far, it is one of my favorite devices out. After saying that though, a few things did stand out on the device that I had problems with. Hit the break for the full review.

Most of you know I am a major BlackBerry advocator, so moving to an Android 1 GHz phone for two weeks was interesting. Obviously, the biggest change is the operating system. Moving from a 9650 with BlackBerry 6 running semi-smooth to Android 2.2 running extremely smooth, proved most of my friends with Android friends right, it is a better performing phone. Saying that, though, I was very thankful to move back to my 9650 after two weeks, it just felt right for me.

First thing you will notice when you unbox your brand new Droid Pro, is how solid the device feels. Being a BlackBerry addict, I know all too well about size and weight of a Smartphone. Having said that, I never got the feeling the phone was bringing down my pants due to its weight or that it looked like I was squeezing a tablet into my pocket due to its size. In comparison, it is smaller than the Bold 9650 but longer by about a third of an inch. In addition, it feels (though I do not have the exact weight) lighter than my 9650, which was good and bad at the same time for me.

As I said earlier, the main attraction for me on this phone was having a physical keyboard. Whether it is the size of my thumbs or my just overall coordination, I have the worst luck with touch-screen keyboards. Lucky for me, the keyboard on the Pro is exactly like the BlackBerry’s signature keyboard as far as looks and feel (they have the curved keys from the Bold for easier typing). Although it has the same looks and feel esthetically, once you begin to type on it you really feel the difference. I, full out, was not a fan of the typing on it. The buttons did not react as well when typing and sometimes (often) you would push a key and nothing would happen, very disappointed. In addition, the cramped area designated for the keyboard really takes getting used to.

Battery life seemed to do very well on the Droid Pro actually, and that was a major win in my eyes. Not having the extended battery I know have in my 9650, I was used to mediocre at best battery life. I was able to run a full day and a half after a full charge without it dying, and that is with more than decent use.

A big con for me was the screen size. Yes, it is touch-screen and multi-touch, but whenever I used an app or browsed the web on it, it really felt like too much was being squeezed onto the 3.1-inch screen. Although I could live with apps being squeezed, the web browsing experience was horrible to say the least for me. The speed, fantastic; the pinch-and-zoon capabilities, flawless; being able to see what in the world you are looking at, a bogie. I would rather put up with the slow speeds of BlackBerry 6’s Webkit browser and be able to see with good ability what the site is suppose to look like, than to do a good amount of googling on the Droid Pro.

When running benchmarks on the device, it ranked higher than any other Android Smartphone, which was a good sign, but I did have trouble with occasional lag (though that is to be expected).

Overall, I liked the device for its looks and OS, once I dove deeper into the device and its keyboard I almost resented it. I told a few friends that I might have been sold on the whole Android is better than BlackBerry thing, but after living solely on the Droid Pro for three weeks and then returning to my trusty 9650 with BB6, I have to say I was glad to be back. I think Android runs better on other devices and I think it is a fantastic OS (beats the heck out of iOS for sure), but the size of the screen and the keyboard blew it for me. I tried to get used to it thinking it is just because I have been on BlackBerry for so long, but I never could and I do not think I ever will. I hope that the next Android device I review will present its OS in a better light, because I believe it definitely has one.

BestBuy’s inventory shows Rogers getting the BB Bold 9000 in White

You gotta love a good leak from BestBuy’s inventory system. One of the ninjas over at BGR sent in some screenshot’s showing that Rogers Wireless will be getting the Blackberry Bold 9000 in White. You might also want to notice the Bold 9700 listed in there for both Rogers as well. No word on launch dates or pricing, but stay tuned.

(Via BGR)

BlackBerry 9700 launching on Rogers October 26th?

BlackBerry 9700 launching on Rogers October 26th?

Uh oh. We’re slowly moving across the board here… First with a rumored T-Mobile launch date, now we have a Rogers one for you guys. One of our Northern connects just let us know that Rogers’ BlackBerry 9700 launch is currently pegged for October 26th. We don’t have pricing information, but imagine it will run around $299 with a three-year agreement. Not confirmed, of course, but hey, besides Christmas not much is.

(Via BoyGeniusreport.com)

Llama v1.0.0 – New Application of BlackBerry

Llama v1.0.0 – New Application of BlackBerry


Do you often lose your way down the lanes of the city searching for malls? Do you feel that a guide would help you sort roads and directions with ease? Then there’s just the news you are waiting for. Llama is just the thing you are in need of-llama v1.0.0, another wonderful and innovative application used by BlackBerry users.
Developed by the developers of llama curve, llama v1.0.0 is BlackBerry compatible software. It is a guide to the various malls in US. It has a directory of a number of malls in the US, which include the current deals and also a shop finder application for the malls featured in the directory.
The key features of llama v 1.0.0 are:
Provides maps of a number of malls in the USIt searches for all the maps of the malls in the United States. There is no need now to frantically search for directions to reach the mall of your choice. All you need to do is to go to the applications menu and look through llama and et voilá! There’s your mall.
Provides color maps of the malls The maps of the malls are very colorful with different colors representing every feature in the malls. The maps even show the location of each and every store in the malls.
Equipped with store finder for the malls An excellent innovation, this application allows the user not only to locate the various malls across the country, but in finding the various stores in the malls as well. You do not need to skirt through the mall to get to the Shoppe of your choice. All you need to do is turn to your friendly llama and you are just where you want to be.
Provides information about the malls Another wonderful feature of this software is that it provides accurate information on the current deals and offers going on in the malls that are there in its directory. So, you can sit at home and get to know what’s going on and what’s for sale in which mall just by switching on your phone. What can be better for people, who like to “Shop till they drop”?

Minimum requirements of Llama v1.0.0 Helpful as it is, there are few factors, which are to be kept in mind when you want to get the maximum benefit of this application. The devices compatible with this software are BlackBerry 9500 (Storm) and BlackBerry9530/9530T (Storm). A standard BlackBerry Storm is compatible with this software. It requires a display dimension of 480×360. The operating system required is 4.7 Touch screen. So don’t wait anymore and grab your piece today.

Website: Llama download