Hands on: BlackBerry Curve 8530 Volume & Convenience Keys
by The PocketBerry Team
As the BlackBerry Curve 8530 is allegedly a basic model, it’s got some features that all the new and upcoming devices from RIM have. One of which is the all new rubberized convenience and volume keys. If you ask me, these rubberized keys look a lot sleeker than the cheap chrome buttons that wobble all over the place. As Mac spent the past week using the device, I had to put some input of my own as I have an 8530 myself (was fortunate enough not to have it in purple). The convenience keys don’t make loud noise or make it hard to press at all. As seen in the picture, they are simple oval shaped wedges that pop out of the rubber all on the same surface. The other side gets another convenience key as well. This side seen shows two volume keys along with a convenience key underneath.
Other than the fashion, the keys are really convenient. The volume up and down keys can be used at any time to high and lower the volume for music playing whether it’s in the background or up on the screen. Also, when switching between songs on a playlist, simple hold down one of the volume buttons to go to the next or previous track. As many BlackBerry devices of the past have this too, some of you still aren’t aware of the endless possibilities.
For the convenience keys, there’s not much to say about them other than their fashion. Their functions haven’t changed at all from other BlackBerry devices. Easily set both convenience keys to become a shortcut that launches your frequently used applications or commands. For me, I like to set the left as Application Switcher, and the right remains Camera.
-by Collin Sorp
