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If you're looking for fantastic mapping software, you can breathe a sigh of relief here. Don't panic, everybody, because the BlackBerry Bold 9900 comes preloaded with BlackBerry Maps.
We are, of course, joking. This is a dreadful piece of software. It's been shocking since the days of the BlackBerry Curve 8300 range, when we first encountered it, and it is still dreadful now. In fact, all that seems to have changed is the icon.
We're genuinely perplexed as to what RIM sees in this programme. It's not as if it's ever been improved or gets better. It's been consistently bad. Why not divert resources to solving some of the other issues we've mentioned in this review and drop this rubbish? Anybody with any sense will immediately download Google Maps and be done with it.
The good news is that when you do install some good mapping software, it can get a GPS fix very quickly. Still not as fast as the Samsung Galaxy S2 – which we have never been able to match – but it's definitely respectable. Even indoors without a view of the sky, the Bold 9900 knew where we were within 15 seconds and that was from a cold start.
In terms of other apps, there are a few new bits in there such as a new 'Smart Tags' programme, which is related to the in-built NFC technology and allows you to track all the tags your phone reads using the new tech.
There's also BlackBerry Protect to help keep your data secure – remember, security has always been one of RIM's biggest selling points, so there's no surprise it is cashing in on this.
The usual suspects are in there too such as Tasks, Calculator, Password Keeper and a premium version of Documents To Go is present also, for which the corporate types will be grateful.
We do wish BlackBerry would update things at the other end of the scale, though: the games section comes with BrickBreaker and Word Mole.
While the latter has only been with us a few years, BrickBreaker has been present for so long that you have to compete against Moses for a highscore and what's more, apart from a very minor lick of paint, it still looks exactly the same.
How about a couple of new games? Even the most hard-nosed of businesspeople like to have some brain dead time now and again.
Thankfully, you can download extra apps and games from App World, which is getting better. It may lack the oomph of Apple's App Store or Android's Market, but it is making some headway - although we doubt it will ever have the large numbers of the others' stores.
Apps are, we think, still hideously overpriced, but at least the choice is improving. There are also third parties, such as Handmark, who've offered BlackBerry downloads for years and continue to do so.
