Essentially, the 8320 is very similar to the BlackBerry Curve 8300 AT&T Wireless currently offers. However, the 8320, like AT&T's most recent BlackBerry, the 8820, includes Wi-Fi. But unlike with AT&T's Wi-Fi BlackBerry, you can make the most out of 8320's Wi-Fi feature.

Setting up Wi-Fi is simple. Just click on the Set Up W-Fi icon and search for a network. Pick yours from the list. If you need a security code, it will ask for it. As long as you save the network, the 8320 will connect to it on its own when you come back into range.


              BlackBerry 8320's Mobile Settings

Unlike AT&T's 8820, the 8320 doesn't just support data service over a Wi-Fi connection. You can also make phone calls, with or without T-Mobile's dual-mode HotSpot@Home service.

HotSpot@Home is a $20 per month service that seamlessly switches voice and data calls between a Wi-Fi and cellular connection, depending on which is available and most cost effective at a particular moment.

For example, a user can be on a cellular-call, using the minutes from their mobile plan, but when they walk into their home or in range of a T-Mobile hotspot, the call is automatically moved over to Wi-Fi without interruption, saving those and possibly improving reception. The same would happen while streaming audio over T-Mobile's EDGE network on the data side, for instance.

It also allows you to use your mobile phone or smartphone indoors even if there's a poor cell phone signal.


              BlackBerry 8320's Home Screen

There wasn't any trouble with the dual-mode hand off from a Wi-Fi network to the wireless and back again. I tried using the T-Mobile Linksys router as well as my own Linksys router. I did not notice a difference between the two, but we have heard of issues with certain brands of routers, including Belkin.


  Pearl 8100           8300                  8820                    8320

Also, we did not notice a difference in call quality on the Wi-Fi network. Matter of fact, we did not realize our first Wi-Fi call was over the Wi-Fi network until after we got off the call.

One downside is with custom themes made in Theme Builder. It doesn't include the Wi-Fi icon or UMA bars in the application. So when using a custom theme often the Wi-Fi icon is on the same real estate as something else. You also lose the UMA signal strength icon.

You can also surf the Web, send emails, and message over Wi-Fi, of course. We found sending a large email, with a picture attached to be much faster over Wi-Fi than it was over the normal mobile network. Pages loaded faster over Wi-Fi than over T-Mobile's EDGE cellular-data network.

We haven't had any issues with applications not working on the 8320 that did on the 8300. However, we recommend you make sure you do not use the Switch Device Wizard to do a full device swap, as this will remove the feature needed to make Wi-Fi calls.

Instead, you can back up your old BlackBerry and then use the advanced restore to only restore the information you want. Also, make sure you download and install the OS on your PC. Until this is done you cannot install any programs using Desktop Manager.


       BlackBerry 8320's Home Screen Theme

You could use a 4GB microSD card in the 8320, the maximum currently available. We also had no trouble watching clips from cnn.com on the 8320 or playing my music.

We wish there was an easier way to switch between the Wi-Fi and Internet Browser on the 8320. RIM should enhance this down the line through a software upgrade.

Overall, the 8320 is the best BlackBerry for T-Mobile customers now available. The only thing missing is GPS, which can be found in AT&T 8820. The 8320 worked fine with a Bluetooth Global Sat GPS receiver, however.

Like the Pearl, you can take pictures with the 8320's 2 megapixel camera. You can also listen to music and watch videos.

T-Mobile sells the 8320 for $249.99 with a two-year contract. Otherwise, it'll set you back $450.