However, we found the audio player inflexible to use. After being transferred to the device, the music shows up in folders -- you navigate to the folder and select the first song to play. The playback quality was good, but there are on-screen controls only to play and stop the music. To perform such basic tasks as playing the next or previous song, you must go into the menu system.

The device has a MicroSD slot for additional storage that is inconveniently hidden behind the battery. One notable missing capability is support for the A2DP Bluetooth profile for stereo headphones, although the device does support mono Bluetooth headphones for use with the phone. RIM says support for A2DP will be added in a future software update. Until that happens, to get the most out of your music, you'll need wired headphones with a relatively uncommon 2.5-mm headphone jack or to use an adapter with your regular wired headphones. All in all, the media capabilities feel like a half-hearted add-on to this device.

Missing in action

As mentioned earlier, the BlackBerry 8800 is missing support for Wi-Fi and 3G. The device supports only AT&T's older enhanced date rates for GSM evolution (EDGE) cellular data network. The latter omission is particularly frustrating for a device that brags about the ability to browse the Web, since EDGE speeds are typically between four and five times slower than Cingular's faster High-Speed Downlink Packet Access network.

If you are a Cingular user, the BlackJack supports the faster network and costs $100 less than the 8800. If you are not a Cingular user, the BlackBerry 8700-series supports Evolution Data Optimized (EV-DO) networks offered by Cingular's competitors. For instance, Verizon Wireless offers the BlackBerry 8703e, which supports that carrier's 3G EV-DO network, for $50 less than AT&T is charging for the 8800.