Finding Mu

Aint technology great? The first BlackBerrys to come out of RIM almost a decade ago were tiny pager-like devices that did pretty much one function, and did that function really, really well. Wireless email was the killer application that started the BrackBerry craze and eventually led to the term "CrackBerry" to describe their addictive nature.

Today there is a BlackBerry to suit everyone's needs. I've recently had a chance to check out my friends' shiny new BlackBerrys- specifically, the BlackBerry 8820 and BlackBerry "Curve" 8300- and wow, am I impressed. Email? That's just the start- these things do everything but make you a sandwich (though I've never really tried issuing the speech command "make me a sandwich", so I can't tell, but I'm sure RIM is working on this one.)

What struck me, besides the incredibly wide range of features on both, was the one key difference between the two (at least, on the surface): the BlackBerry Curve 8300 has a built-in digital camera, and the BlackBerry 8820 has a built-in GPS locator. But you can't get both! Why not? I can only assume that this came down to a matter of price and real estate on the device, and RIM is almost certainly planning to combine the two in the next version of the device.

For now, you'll have to decide which capability you want: Camera or GPS? Looks like the 8300 is positioned as the ultimate consumer wireless device, for people in constant touch with friends and family, always looking for a photo-op. The GPS-equipped 8820, on the other hand, seems positioned well for the world traveler or on-the-move business person who on occasion needs to get from point A to point B at all costs, and taking pictures along the way is just a nice bonus.

So what to choose? 8820 or 8300? Well, I'd skip the Apple iPhone- for now RIM still has the coolest wireless offerings around, with an actual keyboard for those who need to type at warp-speed. As for Camera or GPS? In my case, I'd go with the Curve 8300 with the built-in camera. I can ask for directions when I can't find point B, but those picture-perfect moments are one-time opportunities I just don't want to miss.