kinjutsu11
05-08-2008, 10:30 PM
So I decided to write this up, in case anyone was wondering or hasnt already read about it, but I figured I would try out OS4.5 on my T-Mobile BB Curve to see how everything worked out on, obviously on T-Mobile.
The OS itself feels a bit faster, but nothing amazing here, just a very modest jump.
Phone
The Phone app remains largely the same, nothing really different here. I haven't tested call quality since my BB is data only, but I'll swap a SIM to test it out, though I imagine call quality is still great.
Video Camera
The video camera option is great and records as long as you want it to with a memory card. They record in 3gp format.
Instant Messaging
The Instant Messaging apps and are all updated, with options like setting an Avatar, and seeing others avatars in your Buddy List. AIM was the only one that didnt work, apparently downgrading the AIM app makes it work fine. This may be since T-Mobile hasn't updated their BIS for OS4.5 fully yet...
Media
The Media App is tweaked a bit, again nothing major until you actually play a media file. The controls on the player are refined graphically with your Rewind, Play/Pause, Stop, and Forward controls.
When playing movies, it goes to Full Screen mode much quicker than previously, definitely noticeable.
Voice notes is in the Media app, but I never use it anyways.
Maps
The Maps app now has points of interest, so it will find restaurants, gas stations and such in your area, similar to Google Maps, but I still find that loads better.
Messages
The Message inbox looks a bit different, very mild, but the option to separate messages with stripes is pretty cool (kinda like in iTunes for your songs with every other line being white). Im not sure if this was possible in the current OS for the Curve, but its there now! When opening a message, the header has a different style than previous, but the emails don't come in HTML.
Other
This OS has DataViz's Documents To Go (Only Word and Powerpoint, BTW) which allows opening of those files on your Memory Card, sadly, creating new documents requires upgrading to the Premium version which costs $$. (I didn't check how much since I wasn't really interested...)
Overall, its a good upgrade, with some nice GUI tweaks to refine the interface as well. This isn't as big of an upgrade as OS 4.6 on the BB 9000, but it'll do in the meantime.
I'll be trying out the Address Book and Calendar apps tomorrow or so, I havent had a chance to sync my info yet. I'll post an update later this week.
Oh, and I'm obviously not a pro at reviews or anything, I'll just be typing my thoughts, and these are the very first, and answering any questions you might have, if any.
Hope you all enjoy, :adance2:!!
EDIT: I will try to upload screenshots tomorrow when I'm in front of my Windows machine at the office, I'm on my Mac and don't have a way of doing it at the moment.
The OS itself feels a bit faster, but nothing amazing here, just a very modest jump.
Phone
The Phone app remains largely the same, nothing really different here. I haven't tested call quality since my BB is data only, but I'll swap a SIM to test it out, though I imagine call quality is still great.
Video Camera
The video camera option is great and records as long as you want it to with a memory card. They record in 3gp format.
Instant Messaging
The Instant Messaging apps and are all updated, with options like setting an Avatar, and seeing others avatars in your Buddy List. AIM was the only one that didnt work, apparently downgrading the AIM app makes it work fine. This may be since T-Mobile hasn't updated their BIS for OS4.5 fully yet...
Media
The Media App is tweaked a bit, again nothing major until you actually play a media file. The controls on the player are refined graphically with your Rewind, Play/Pause, Stop, and Forward controls.
When playing movies, it goes to Full Screen mode much quicker than previously, definitely noticeable.
Voice notes is in the Media app, but I never use it anyways.
Maps
The Maps app now has points of interest, so it will find restaurants, gas stations and such in your area, similar to Google Maps, but I still find that loads better.
Messages
The Message inbox looks a bit different, very mild, but the option to separate messages with stripes is pretty cool (kinda like in iTunes for your songs with every other line being white). Im not sure if this was possible in the current OS for the Curve, but its there now! When opening a message, the header has a different style than previous, but the emails don't come in HTML.
Other
This OS has DataViz's Documents To Go (Only Word and Powerpoint, BTW) which allows opening of those files on your Memory Card, sadly, creating new documents requires upgrading to the Premium version which costs $$. (I didn't check how much since I wasn't really interested...)
Overall, its a good upgrade, with some nice GUI tweaks to refine the interface as well. This isn't as big of an upgrade as OS 4.6 on the BB 9000, but it'll do in the meantime.
I'll be trying out the Address Book and Calendar apps tomorrow or so, I havent had a chance to sync my info yet. I'll post an update later this week.
Oh, and I'm obviously not a pro at reviews or anything, I'll just be typing my thoughts, and these are the very first, and answering any questions you might have, if any.
Hope you all enjoy, :adance2:!!
EDIT: I will try to upload screenshots tomorrow when I'm in front of my Windows machine at the office, I'm on my Mac and don't have a way of doing it at the moment.