Has anyone been able to figure out how to SMS from a Nextel Blackberry Curve

[Chonsie]

8350i? They say...? ...it can only MMS.
I recently bought the Nextel 8350i. There is only an option to compose MMS, not compose SMS. It is very frustrating. I've searched the web and folks say they have been able to get Nextel to allow them to send SMS, but everyone I talk to cannot. They say it can't be done. However, if you view the book on that phone it says you can send SMS. I hope someone can help me. I'm considering ditching the phone. If you MMS a non-Nextel user and don't send media with it it's similar to an SMS, but it leaves the subject line or the "re:" in front of every message so you have to remove it first.

 

[Roxie]

I cannot send or receive messages
Try performing the following actions:
• Verify that your BlackBerry? device is connected to the wireless network. If you
are not in a wireless coverage area, your device should send the messages when
you return to a wireless coverage area.

If you created an email address or added an existing email address to your device
using the email setup screen in the setup wizard, verify that you have received
an activation message on your device from the BlackBerry? Internet Service. If
you have not received an activation message (the message might take a short
period of time to arrive), in the setup wizard, open the email setup screen to send
a service book to your device.
• If you have not received a registration message from the wireless network,
register your device. In the device options, click Advanced Options. Click Host
Routing Table. Press the
key. Click Register Now.
• If you switched devices, verify that you have switched email service to your new
device. To switch email service to your new device, in the setup wizard, open the
email setup screen. If you created a user name and password when you set up
email on your device, type your login information. Press the
key. Click
Change Device. If you did not create a user name and password when you set
up email, complete the instructions on the screen.
• If the menu item for sending a message does not appear, verify that you have
added an email address or a PIN for your contact.
• Resend the message. Open the message. Press the
key. Click Resend.
• If you use email message filters, verify that the options for email message filters
are set correctly

 

[quintic]

The good: The RIM BlackBerry Curve 8350i offers Direct Connect push-to-talk capabilities as well as integrated Wi-Fi, GPS, and Bluetooth. The Curve 8350i also brings an updated OS, a full HTML Web browser, and more advanced multimedia capabilities.

The bad: The BlackBerry Curve 8350i can be sluggish at times and we had problems sending e-mails.

The bottom line: Nextel customers looking for a full-featured smartphone with the carrier's famed Direct Connect push-to-talk capabilities will be well-served by the RIM BlackBerry Curve 8350i.

Hide full review

Photo gallery: RIM BlackBerry Curve 8350i
Photo gallery:
RIM BlackBerry Curve 8350i

First introduced at CTIA Fall 2008, the RIM BlackBerry Curve 8350i is finally available through Sprint. This is particularly good news for Nextel Direct Connect users, who haven't seen a new push-to-talk (PTT) BlackBerry model since the RIM BlackBerry 7100i, which was introduced back in June 2006. In addition to supporting the iDEN network for use with Direct Connect and Group Connect PTT services, the BlackBerry Curve 8350i brings a number of much-needed updates, including the addition of Wi-Fi, the latest BlackBerry operating system, an HTML Web, and full GPS. There were a couple of performance hiccups during our test period, including some general lag and e-mail issues, but in the end, the Curve 8350i delivers a full-featured PTT smartphone to Nextel customers. The RIM BlackBerry Curve 8350i is available now for $149.99 with a two-year contract and after rebates and discounts.

Design
The RIM BlackBerry Curve 8350i has the same shape and design as other Curve models, but given all the features packed into the device, it's slightly bigger. The smartphone measures 4.4 inches high by 2.4 inches wide by 0.7 inch thick and weighs 4.7 ounces, compared with the RIM BlackBerry Curve 8330, which measures 4.2 inches high by 2.4 inches wide by 0.6 inch thick and weighs 4.2 ounces. It doesn't quite have the rugged casing of some other Nextel phones, such as the Motorola i365, but the Curve 8350i is a solid handset and features a soft-touch finish along the outer edges to make it easier to grip.


The BlackBerry Curve 8350i's design is similar to the other Curve models, but it's slightly thicker and heavier.

The Curve 8350i features a 2.4-inch, QVGA, nontouch display with a 65,536-color output and 320x240-pixel resolution. It's a sharp-looking screen that's complemented by the updated user interface of BlackBerry OS 4.6. One minor complaint we have is that a lot of the menu icons look similar and though there's a description when you scroll over the icon, it's hard to distinguish on the fly. Like the latest BlackBerrys, the Curve 8350i has a light-sensing technology to adjust the display's backlight depending on your environment and you can customize the home screen with various themes and background images.

Below the display, you'll find a traditional navigation array of Talk and End keys, a Menu shortcut, a back button, and a trackball navigator. The trackball is set a little deeper than previous Curves, so it's not quite as comfortable to scroll side to side, and pressing in to select an item takes a little more effort. It may also take some acclimation for those upgrading from the BlackBerry 7100i, which had a side jog wheel. The full QWERTY keyboard is a welcome addition over the SureType keypad on the 7100i. It features smallish buttons that feel a bit plasticky, but since there's a fair amount of spacing between the keys, most people should find the keyboard easy to use.


The Curve 8350i's QWERTY keyboard makes it easy to compose e-mails and messages.

On the left side is a 2.5mm headset jack, a mini-USB port, and a Direct Connect button, while on the right is a volume rocker and a user-programmable shortcut key (set to camera by default). The top of the unit has a mute button, and the camera, flash, and self-portrait mirror are located on the back. Finally, behind the battery, you'll find the microSD/SDHC expansion slot and SIM card slot.

The RIM BlackBerry Curve 8350i comes packaged with a travel charger, a USB cable, a wired stereo headset, a SIM card, a 1GB microSD card, a swivel belt holster, a software CD, and reference material. For more add-ons, please check our cell phone accessories, ring tones, and help page.

Features
With two years between the RIM BlackBerry 7100i and the RIM BlackBerry Curve 8350i, the Curve finally brings Sprint Nextel customers up to date with a number of improvements and additional features. In fact, it's the first push-to-talk (PTT) BlackBerry to offer built-in Wi-Fi and Nextel Group Connect for instant group conversations.