RIM Blackberry Line (2005-2009)

RIM Blackberry 7250 

The BlackBerry 7250, released in early 2005, was a landmark device that solidified Research In Motion's (RIM) dominance in the corporate world by bringing high-speed EV-DO data connectivity to the "Blueberry" family. Distinguishable by its vibrant 65,000-color backlit LCD and the classic "qwerty" keyboard that allowed for rapid-fire emailing, the 7250 was the first CDWA-based BlackBerry to feature integrated Bluetooth support, enabling professionals to use wireless headsets for the first time. It abandoned the clunky external "swivel" antennas of previous generations for a sleek, internal antenna design, and it introduced a dedicated "Mute" button on the top of the handset for easier conference call management. Running on BlackBerry OS 4.0, the device featured 32 MB of flash memory and relied on the iconic side-mounted trackwheel for navigation, a tactile interface that many power users still prefer over modern touchscreens. While it lacked a camera and a media player—features then considered distractions for the "enterprise" user—its "always-on" push email and secure BlackBerry Enterprise Server (BES) integration made it an indispensable tool for government officials and Wall Street executives alike. 

Donated by: Jake Glaser

RIM Blackberry Curve 8900

The BlackBerry Curve 8900, released in early 2009 and codenamed "Javelin," was widely considered the most refined "Edge-only" smartphone Research In Motion ever produced, bridging the gap between the consumer-friendly Curve line and the high-end Bold series. Despite its lack of 3G connectivity, the 8900 was prized for its stunningly crisp 480x360 HVGA+ display, which offered the highest pixel density of any BlackBerry at the time, making text and images appear exceptionally sharp. It featured a sleek, chrome-rimmed chassis that was significantly slimmer than its predecessor, the 8300, and replaced the aging trackball with a more durable, illuminated trackball (before the transition to optical pads). Equipped with a 3.2-megapixel camera with autofocus and flash, built-in Wi-Fi, and a dedicated GPS chip, the 8900 ran on BlackBerry OS 4.6.1, providing a smooth multimedia experience for a generation of users who relied on the legendary tactile QWERTY keyboard for BBM (BlackBerry Messenger). Its 512MHz processor and expandable microSD slot made it a powerhouse for mobile productivity, even as the industry began its irreversible shift toward all-touchscreen devices.

Donated by: Chris K.