Internet

Using the T-Mobile mobile network or a Wi-Fi connection, Bold users can connect to the Internet and send and receive emails, although they may not be able to do both at the same time depending on their network source.

3G/HSDPA, the best connection with high-speed capabilities for the Bold, can allow email exchange and Internet browsing simultaneously, while the GPRS and occasional EDGE connections only allow for one function or the other at any time.

Some Bold owners have complained they have trouble connecting to Wi-Fi networks that require login and passwords, but deleting the profile and trying again can solve this. Connecting to Wi-Fi can save money and since the Bold accepts EDGE, HSDPA, GSM, UMTS, and GSM/GPRS wireless networks ranging from 850 MHz to 2,100 MHz, there are lots of networks that can work with the phone.

Internet capabilities for the Bold include sending and receiving emails and text, multimedia and PIN messages, surfing the Web, corporate data access, using the Bold's Internet access through a connection to a laptop, shop on-line, and buy music or fun applications.

The phone comes with two browsers: the MEdia Net Browser and an Internet browser. MEdia Net is personalized to get information on your favorite subjects, from news to weather to sports, and can be used to download ringtones or other items.

Shopping can also be accessed through the AT&T Mall application, which offers access to ringtone, game, graphic, multimedia, application and theme purchases. The phone's Internet browser is for general Web access. The browser has bookmark and history options.

Like a growing number of phones, the Bold also includes a built-in GPS system. Through AT&T Navigator, users can find voice-guided driving directions on speakerphone with real time traffic updates to help alter the route if necessary. The application also uses 3D maps.

The Bold has a wide variety of Internet options and accepts a range of networks to stay connected. The price of staying connected can be high, though, as Internet access isn't free with a BlackBerry plan.

It works on one of the fastest networks available -- 3G/HSDPA, but not EV-DO, which some PC users have found success with. Email messaging is a snap with several options, from priority levels to spell check. But users have to set up a BlackBerry email account, which people devoted to their current email account may not enjoy (although personal e-mail can be managed through the Internet browser).

Storage

The Bold comes with 860MB of memory, but with so many features, standard applications hog 857.8 MB of storage before so much as one picture, video, song, ringtone, game or other application can be added to the phone.

Although it's convenient the phone comes with so much built-in, having just 32 MB free for camera usage and song downloads means the purchase of a SIM media card is just about necessary.

The phone allows for 4.5 hours of talk time and can remain on standby for a scant 13.5 days.

Sure, nearly 860 MB of storage is huge and a great benefit to all the Bold can do. But do any more, and your storage options are slim.

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