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Review: BlackBerry Torch 9850

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Apps

The Torch 9850 ships with about the same amount of software as any other Sprint smartphone. It's loaded with Sprint-branded applications, such as the aforementioned Sprint Music Plus, NASCAR, TV & Movies, Football Live, and Radio. BlackBerry App World, which was just updated to version 3.0 today, offers thousands of applications that are available for free and for sale. The selection isn't as vast as what's available to the Android and iOS platforms, but developers have been diligent enough to cover the essentials, such as Weather apps, tip calculator apps, and farting apps. One warning, however: a frustrating number of apps require a device reboot to install, which takes ages. Save your reboots up and do them all at once.

Bluetooth

The Bluetooth functions of the 9850 worked well. Pairing with headsets, speakers, other phones and PCs was a snap. Call quality through my car's Bluetooth connection was excellent. Quality of music through stereo Bluetooth speakers was acceptable, but not great. I had no problems using the Bluetooth radio nor its functions.

Clock

The 9850's clock application is the same as on the 9930/9900. Press the screen lock button, and the time is visible in digital form at the top of the display. It's not very large. I wish the lock screen had a bigger clock available to it. Alternately, you can set the 9850 in "bedside mode" which show a large clock and lets you interact with the alarm. Bedside mode can also be activated when the 9850 is charging, which means the clock is visible any time the 9850 is plugged in.

GPS

The 9850's GPS radio performed well, and was able to locate the device in about a minute. That's not as fast as some other devices, but was fast enough for most navigation purposes. Accuracy was as good as about 25 feet.

The Torch 9850 is the first among the newer BlackBerrys to ship with TeleNav's navigation software, which Sprint offers for free. I took it for a quick spin, and the app works just as well on the 9850 as it does on other handsets for mapping routes and directions.

Neither BlackBerry Maps nor Google Maps is on board, but each can be downloaded separately from App World.

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Related

Video Tour: BlackBerry Torch 9850

Here is a quick look at the Research In Motion BlackBerry Torch 9850 for Sprint. It offers the latest system software from RIM in addition to svelte good looks.

RIM Dinged with Bluetooth-Related Patent Suit

Dec 11, 2012
Wi-LAN has filed a lawsuit against Research In Motion alleging that the BlackBerry maker is infringing on a single patent related to Bluetooth technology. Wi-LAN says a number of RIM's smartphones, such as the Bold, Pearl, Storm, and Torch, infringe on the patent.

NXP Sues RIM Over Patents, Wants Triple Damages

Apr 3, 2012
Research In Motion was hit with a lawsuit by NXP, which alleges that RIM's BlackBerry Torch, Curve, and Bold smartphones infringe on six of its patents. NXP wants sales of the devices halted, and compensatory and triple damages.

Apple, HTC, LG, RIM, Samsung Targeted by Patent Suit

Mar 28, 2012
A company called Graphics Properties Holdings recently filed a lawsuit against Apple, HTC, LG, RIM, Samsung, and Sony, alleging that the companies' products violate its intellectual property. Specifically, the lawsuit covers a patent pertaining to how mobile devices process data and text into pixels on a display.

Verizon Updates BlackBerry 9930 Bold, 9850 Torch

Oct 19, 2011
Verizon Wireless has made operating system updates available to both the Research In Motion BlackBerry 9930 Bold and 9850 Torch. Both are being updated to OS version 7.0.0.374 and include extensive change logs.

BlackBerry Torch 9850

3.7" display 480 x 800 pixels
Snapdragon S2 MSM8655 processor
1,230 mAh battery
Memory Card Slot, Headphone Jack (3.5mm)

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