The Global Reach of BlackBerry 8830 GADGETS OF THE WEEK / Products on the Cutting Edge

By John Biggs

While there are some export provisions on precious gems, users of the BlackBerry 8830 – with its shining, pearl-like trackball – will have no problem getting through customs, let alone making calls from foreign lands.

The 8830, available May 28 from Verizon Wireless, works on CDMA wireless networks, which Verizon uses in the United States, and on international GSM networks, allowing you to receive calls and e- mail almost anywhere in the world.

The device has a full keyboard and comes in a fetching silver color scheme.

To beef up the 8830′s globe-trotting abilities, Verizon is introducing Global BlackBerry service, allowing BlackBerry 8830 users to make calls in 150 countries and receive e-mail in 60 countries.

The 8830 also has Bluetooth short-range wireless capabilities and can accept microSD cards for memory expansion.

It supports instant messaging services like AIM and Yahoo Messenger.

The phone costs $300 with a two-year contract, and the Global BlackBerry service costs $65 a month on top of a standard voice plan, or $70 without a voice plan.

The terminally BlackBerry-addicted may find that a small price to pay for global connectedness.

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[accompanied by photo of the BlackBerry 8830]

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