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Torch: New Blackberry retains peculiar quirksSep 01, 2010 (Detroit Free Press - McClatchy-Tribune News Service via COMTEX) -- With the new Torch, fans of the long-dominant Blackberry line have a lot to be excited about. With Android phones taking the largest market share, Blackberry needs a blockbuster to retake its throne. Unfortunately, the Torch isn't it. We'll start with some good. The Torch feels great in your hand _ a welcome bit shorter than most popular smartphones. The slide mechanism to reveal the physical keyboard is smooth and sturdy. And, consistent with Blackberry's lineage, the keyboard is incredible. With this and an all-new touchscreen interface, navigating the phone is a breeze. The most welcome addition is a more full-featured Web browser _ a critical omission in Blackberrys of years past. There's still no support for Flash, though, and overall Web browsing felt sluggish compared to other leading smartphones. The Torch also has a universal message center that pools all your updates from e-mail, Blackberry Messenger, Facebook, etc. That sounds convenient, but it's nearly impossible to acknowledge the update without being forced into reading the entire e-mail or Facebook message. Even as e-mail messages are acknowledged, read and deleted on the Web _ using a service like Google's Gmail _ the notifications remain in the message center just as if they were never read on the phone. It's a strange flaw coming from Blackberry maker Research in Motion, which revolutionized the idea of push e-mail and notifications. On Android smartphones, clearing the entire list of notifications takes one click. To be sure, though, the Torch will serve as a welcome upgrade for existing Blackberry users. For those who love the quirks _ OK, limitations _ of the platform, there are a lot of long-needed advances here to be thrilled about. But those who want more than Blackberry phones have offered will have to keep looking. ___ BLACKBERRY TORCH Carrier: AT&T Wireless Operating system: Blackberry 6 Size: 4.37-inches-by-2.44 inches-by-.57 inches Weight: 5.68 ounces Key features: New operating system, touch screen and physical keyboard, new Web browser Price: $99.99 with two-year contract at Amazon.com; $199.99 elsewhere ___ (c) 2010, Detroit Free Press. Visit the Freep, the World Wide Web site of the Detroit Free Press, at http://www.freep.com. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. _____ TO SUBSCRIBE TO PLUGGED IN Items in the PLUGGED IN package are not included in your MCT News Service subscription. You can subscribe to the PLUGGED IN package or purchase the items a la carte on MCT Direct at www.mctdirect.com. To subscribe, please call Rick DeChantal at Tribune Media Services at (800) 245-6536 or [email protected]. Outside the United States, call Tribune Media Services International at +1-312-222-4444 or e-mail [email protected]. For reprints, email [email protected], call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA. |