BlackBerry Curve 8520 (Gemini) Running OS5

Well, my BlackBerry was shipped with 4.6.1 OS in it and I knew that it was kinda a step behind the new one (OS 5). So I immediately search the famous http://blackberry.bosen.net for the OS 5 installer. I downloaded the EastAsia - Telkomsel files and installed it in my PC. Ah don't forget to erase the 'vendor.xml' file if you want to install it.

After that you'll just simply followed the steps in the screen and waiting for the Loader finished the job. The upgrading process is much alike the same with the one in my previous article so I don't want to waste my time typing the same part. Just click and read it for yourself if you're not sure what you are doing here.

Okay, OS5 are having few changes. Here are some of them (please note that I'm using the 5.0.592. The other OS5 might have different changes too):

• The Media files is now not an 'app' but a folder. It contained the Video, Music Player, Ringtones, Voice Recorder, Camera and Video Camera apps in it.
• The SMS is now using BBM style.
• There are changes in the setting menu. Now it's using a bubble-dropdown style.
• No keyboard lock. If you hold the 'a' button, it will bring you to standby mode and to un-standby, you should press the above media button (it's in the middle / the play button). The old lock style could be enabled by using password lock.
• Enhanced Browser

Actually there are more to it but I thought that the ones I listed above is what the users will experience by himself. The other upgraded parts for example the security, memory management, which most likely will never be noticed by me if I haven't read about it. :)

BlackBerry Curve 8520 Review

I just bought TyTN II to replace my previous BlackBerry Pearl because I thought I need a more powerful device at that moment. But apparently my boss didn't agree with that so here I am, back using a BlackBerry which is fortunately is given for free. 

Curve 8520 FrontFace

Okay, this Curve 8520 (code name Gemini) has few improvements compare to the older model like Curve 8320. This are few notable ones that you could take for consideration when buying or upgrading to this 8520 :

• It's thinner than other Curve series
• The body is made from semi rubber material and plastic (very shiny plastic that will become oily in seconds you make a phone call)
• Trackpad! Of course. It's called modernization. :) Say goodbye to trackballs.
• Dedicated music keys which is useful... sometimes.. 
• A 256 MB Application Memory! This is huge and the most useful improvement.
• Theoritically up to 32GB microSD is possible
• A 512 MHz CPU Processor. Almost no hourglass (in my usage)
• A good battery lifetime. 

I have use this phone for almost a month and I felt satisfied using this BlackBerry EXCEPT for the lame qwerty-board that will make an audible sounds like "tik tik tik tik" when you press the keys so you will not be able to use the BlackBerry in the boring meeting. LOL. But seriously, if you don't need a GPS, good camera with auto focus and comvy type-board, go for this one. If not you might want consider the Bold 9700 (Onyx) though.

Back to the serious part again, I have an average of thousands of emails in numbers for a day, not too active in chatting, tweeting, sometimes browsing using the Opera Mini or WLAN and the battery is quite good actually. It will lasted for more than 15 hours a day in my usage. Compare to my old Pearl of course. I've been told and read that Bold 9700 has a longer battery lifetime. Perhaps due to the bigger capacity of the battery.

This Curve also available in CDMA network with code name "Aries" and official name Curve 8530. That's all I can say. :)