This will be a quick review, because I don't see the need to say much, for it is just a new model. Rim (research in motion) does a great job in keeping a familiar standard across their phones;however, I will be touching on just the key features. I may add more details at later time. For reference, I reviewed the earlier model in greater length...for those new comers.

Welcome/ A little History

Hello devoted readers. It has been just about a year since my last review and that is right! it took RIM a whole year to release another buzz-worthy device. It is both a sexy and hot phone. It is jamming all by itself; this is the first elegant blackberry to achieve so much in its class. One of the elements I like about blackberries, is that they do not overly boast as the others do, while getting the job done well; other manufacturers seem to tag on a name unto their devices, a name which get passed onto more desiring products.

Here is a little Circumstance….
There are plenty of reasons to get excited with this one device. So you may start your victory dance as I explain the rest of it. For starters, everything is simply updated and not just an update but an over haul as everything is not just better but several times better; which just a few issues which they still carried over from previous. Let see if the enhancement out ways the much needed improvement. This device get a ticket for reaching and slightly passing the 300 mhz mark. Your radar gun might miss this one if it was set to catch the previous rim device. Everything looks better and feels better. My only problem with the device is that I feel like the newfound power was not put to enough work. You know though the size has been reformed, they are certain things, which it would do that might justify its new size. Well it lacks a few of that. It sure could use camera, it sure could use a memory card slot and most definitely could use OBEX (object exchange via bluetooth; well who all need that anyway, I just need it for my emails. Well the timing was not so right because of the turbulences, which RIM experienced with their earlier lawsuit. The thing was that they never experienced any competition, as most people bet the conveniences of their work lives on it; but with the threat other options came to knowledge. For those who never looked beyond blackberry you should be fine; and for others blackberry has no choice but to try to match is out there. That’s is best description I can give for the life span of this device.

Moving on...
They all do it; that is reverting to the original. The auto industries often tries to recreate the classic ancestral look, like in the sixty nine Mustang and Camaro; bringing them back faster and stronger. Now, what does that have to do with blackberry? Well last year we had the 7100 series, which was one of their most innovative design so far. I was looking forward to some improvements on that; but they seem to have over done it slightly, by taking it to old school; built upon the classic look. Just the looks is enough to make one want to grab it on the next pay day. This is due to the cosmetics touch up, a lighting effects and appearance. The keys (pad) do not just light up, they beam up with style, which is eye catching indeed. The contrast is sharp, the screen brighter, in addition it is readable in direct sunlight, as well as making it scratch resistant. (just like was done in the 7105 model). Do you see what I mean by it taking on many names (sharp, jamming, compact...etcetera). Well majority voted for the classic Full QWERTY keyboard, which had worked well for ages and that is why it is back. Although the 7100 was a good phone, previous users where a little reluctant in picking 7100 up. The crammed keys worried those who felt they had to learn to use it. They where many returns on the earlier model. Some though found a better use and passed it onto their spouses or girl friends, i noticed that . Yeah change is hard. So Blackberry carried over the improvement over to the 8700 series, while they where at it they went ahead and beefed up what was under the hood to a whopping 300 MHz. So yeah you may say The Blackberry Returns. It worked out well for Rim. There were no objections this time, as Blackberry went back to due popular demand, only this time it is a much faster device with less lockup. It still appears to be bulky, until one takes a closer look or holds it in the palm. It is just hard to capture the actual dimension in a photo. IMHO it is not a bad size. I say it is a good size for now. It is slightly shorter though than the regular blackberry and probably could not look any better. Its size has its own advantage, one being that if one plans on holding a phone a long period of time, one needs something one can grip. There are many pluses, it has a jog dial for one hand operation, but it still suffers from lack of software; however, but it carried all previous capabilities and in some cases enhanced it, as with the ability to view your office documents/attachments better, and more. So your word documents and excel sheets can be viewed much better than all previous blackberries could. RIM puts everyone back on the same page with this one. So get to work! oh wait... Wish me luck on this review. I will try to give a good one. My intention is not to give all the specs; you will find that at the back of the box or at any website which offers one; I'll cover the foremost features.

Right out of the box
Most users will find themselves waking up to a speaker phone for the very first time; that is if you missed out on the 7100 series or Nextel version (which had the first unoficial speaker function). So yeah, be glad that speaker-phone is now standard on your new RIM (which is actually a carry over from the earlier version). While it still produces clear sound, it is always a better idea to always face the speaker outward to avoid muffling the sound.
Also it used to be a dull black plastic slate to the waste. No more plain looks, the 8700 at least give one something to look at, and that is a speaker. I figured RIM is so proud of it, that the put a little trim around it to highlight its presence (it glitters). So look out for the silver mark. If you can see a visible speaker then you got latest devices. One can spot these devices with a silver eyelet housing the speaker. T-mobile has the vertical bar splitting the speaker, while Cingular has the horizontal bar across the netted speaker. Yes this is the hottest item yet and not enough of them has made it around yet. The sale earlier in the year had hampered due to the law suit mix up. Now for those true blackberians you can continue to stay in motion as that has been resolved. One can rest easy now that RIM went back to the full keyboard as opposed to the discounted keyboard of the 7100 series. I guess a discount is not always a bargain. I do understand the fact that it may be hard to shell out some money to buy the 8700 series for the same price; it is kind of hard to do so all over again; especially those of us who have to go out there and buy one. I think more are whiling to buy this time. If you like to be independent of the windows devices distracting out there, this is a good way to, is addition to getting the job done. I like it because it has a hard menu (stylus free menu), so no more picking; that right you can add also pen/pain free. The problem with windows is the clicking eventually gets you as you have to be precise each time and when you don’t you accidentally close or start programs. So if windows is soft, this one is hard, making it a true road warrior. To those of you on any network besides Cingular; you have to wait until it is available to you either that or you can look for an unlocked version to use with your GSM service. As for CDMA and UVDIO, there is no luck yet to get one yet.

More About Device
This is the new rim on the block and in case you just tuned in, you may have missed the fact that The Blackberry Case, has been settled for a hefty amount. Now the are back in business and have resumed dishing out this road warrior. It was a slow start because of the uncertainty of the company but I am beginning to see them everywhere, now that the confidence has been restored. The is no better place to see this in action than at the airports, my work place; where people are away from their homes and business. It is a very elegant device indeed and I have come across many first time buyers/owner most received through their companies. 80 percent say that they love it and it is the right size and they are so glad that the 7100 series days are over. Well more power to them. They waste no time putting it work; most often in my presence when I am ignored (or shut out) as they teleport into this famous handheld. The funny thing is that there is next to no! learning time, especially those come from previous blackberries. "I use it for phone and e-mail" most travellers report. They often overlook the fact that more power, than they could ever want, was snucked under the elegant looks Of the 8700 series. This review encompasses both the 8700c for cingular wireless as well as the 8700g which just arrived with t-mobile, due to the fact that they are essentially the same phone marketed under different model numbers. Last year with previous model(7100), t-mobile seemed to have got theirs first (7100t), so they picked the better design; while in my opinion I think Cingular got the better design this time around with the 8700c, as they got theirs first, a Smokey grey-brown-black blackberry. Don't sweat it because if you really prefer another model other than the one which came with your service carrier, you can pickup one unlocked from cell phone shops or from e-bay which is what I did. At times like this I definitely go for looks and then I can rest easy. I don't know... you may like the black one, hey? it is original, that way you will not have to struggle with what name to call it, blueberry? greyberry? and what have you.

WHAT'S NEW ??
Lets assume that you are saying “ I have black berry and like to know what it really new”, well have the following points.
1.) it simply cool (just my opinion).
2.) It is phast hey that is not how you spell but that’s new. Yeah intel inside?
3.) One application button over to the left side. This is a key you can assign to any of you face fav apps, I have mine set on messages.
4.) Oh better multimedia capabilities. You can crack out some mp3 thank you RIM. I am glad they figured out that amr (audio) does not work and it not free. Mp3 format is more universal. Hey I am ditching my 7100 because of that. Long story…
5.) Simply potential to do more…I would not be surprise to play a movie clip sometime soon with the appropriate software.
6.) Clear menus and contrast which is both pleasing and bright to the eyes.
7.) Automatic light country via a sensor which adjust the back light compensating the environment.
8.) Contact ringtones; so now everyone can have their own ring tones; thank goodness it is about time.

I hope that is good enough reason to run and get one; else just read on and we can see what we find.

For once the blackberry is not just for work; one can have a little fun. So most of you, saying that it is a work-only device, may find yourselves exploring other feature in you down or board time. I pretty sure that it is only a matter of time, before one explores the other extras like its ability to play mp3s or if a buddy finds a really good software out three, they will be no better one to convince you than him/her. Get stuck at the airport or just plane old boredom will prompt one to the fun aspects of the device…hey it just being human. It is too good, just e-mail. if you looking just e-mail you better stick with the one you have now; although not so quickly because this actually does the email better as a result it being able to open your office attachment better; so this is one that actually delivers.

It feels better browses better and works better, but still lacks additional software which could make it worth the while. It is missing voice recorder for personal voice memos

Comparison and a little side track.
This is not your average blackberry.
up until now, one could easily group all their pre existing RIMs into one with the exception of the 7100 series. The 8700* would be the only one on wheels. Everybody who has one that I have spoken say that they like it. That's all they say. I sometime throw questions at them as to why they love it and they could not begin to tell me. So it seem like companies are dishing them out with explaining what it is all about. Hey I guess it is the newest RIM device and newer is better. Well some say they like the screen that is amazing, and I tell them yeah that it is not really new; that the technology came from the previous model 7105. This one adds a little bit more in that it regulates the brightness depending on your environment; which I find cool. Okay other say it’s zippy and I right… absolutely. This is because it sports a 316 MHz Intel processor. It used to be that there was any need for that as it was only used for email; even that that becomes cumbersome for the earlier versions as the inbox nears full. It used to be just for work, which it does better and still has time for some fun as well. Side tracking here… the Palms did not think the would ever need as much speed as the speed as windows but look where they are today. So rim caught on to that and made the move out of the same ball park of minimal ram and processing power. This will definitely give the pocket PCs a competition on the business side. Trio is trying windows over their OS. Thank goodness that it did not take RIM that long to evolve. With the right software there is a possibility to have a jukebox or even a movie play, thanks to it's new acquired power. Plus it is finally stylish. Those who ditched theirs earlier are finally running back to pickup the 8700. It can not get better… I mean the size and form is great that is why blackberry is what it is today, it has been so for a while now right?.. They managed to shrink the size just a tad bit. The only that could be improved is to make it little flatter. I am sure if could be done it would be. Although all that money spent on the law could have done better improving the device. Hey I guess they winsome and the loose some. Right now the pocket pc are searching for the right side size and orientation. Their greatest weakness (other Systems) is their fragility. Drop your pocketpc/palm and it may not work again. But the berries, they keep ticking. The lack of a touch screen makes room for re-enforcement.

My Issues/Problems

A few issues with I seem to have with is that RIM tied down the Bluetooth again. Although it works better in car and with the headsets, it fail sadly again when it come to sharing stuff. On a device like this, I would have thought that they would include the OBEX (object exchange) option and not just for use with the headset..

Things I like to see added/change.
More application buttons just like the pocket pcs have them, so that way less menus options are activated.
Voice recorder…I need to be able to make personal voice memos!
The menus system is there but, but does not give room to modify it or change it. For instance, I like to move my entire favorite and most used application to the top of the menu list. (That would be better than hunting for links). It sure could use a bit of organizing. So customize is the like, I like to make it more personal.

Tips
I feel it is better to stow the blackberry in the suitcase or in your pocket.

Updates?
CHECK BACK LATER......

Tricks
CHECK BACK LATER.....

Manufacturers Demo
http://www.blackberry.com/products/handhelds/demos/8700c/8700c_demo.html

Specs
okay-okay just for the record lets run down the specs, what it is all about. I know many may be new to this.

My definition of a Blackberry:- is a celular device which allows one to answers phone calls but it is also enhance for data serivices. Which means you can use for emailing while away from home or office. The keys have been carfully crafted to provide easy adaptation while maintaing a small factor. so it is just like a cell with equal access to all your characters and not just numbers.

* The BlackBerry 8700 Series features the following functionality*:
o Phone
o Email * Access up to 10 supported business and/or personal email accounts
o MMS *allows for a combined text and images on a single message.
o SMS * text messging
o Wireless Data Access
o Address book syncable with lotus or outlook
o Internet Browser...yes a phone which can really brow the web.
o Calendar
o Memo Pad...for notes
o Tasks
o ability to view attachments and graphics, browsing the web and running applications.
o high-resolution screen
o Bluetooth®
o 64 MB of memory...this is awesome guys
o Intel XScale® processor...just like what the palms use and the pocket pcs too. so blackberry can can! can!!
o Quad-Band network support on 850/900/1800/1900 MHz GSM/GPRS and EDGE networks (new)
o Media support: * Polyphonic and MP3 ring tones can be assigned to your contacts; Ahh finally a sound of music, muisic served!!

Techinical info from rim
Size 4.3 x 2.7 x 0.77 inches /
11.0 x 6.95 x 1.95 cm (LxWxD)
Weight Approximately 4.7 oz / 134 g (with battery)
Keyboard 35-key QWERTY keyboard
Dedicated send, end, convenience, power and mute keys
Backlit
Navigation Thumb-operated trackwheel and ESC key
Voice Input/Output Integrated earpiece and microphone
Hands-free speakerphone
Hands-free headset capable
Bluetooth® v2.0 hands-free headset and car kit support
Notification Polyphonic and MP3 ringtones, vibrate mode, LED indicator
User Interface Intuitive icons and menus
Display Large, bright high resolution LCD color screen with light sensing technology
320 x 240 pixel color display
Battery BlackBerry C-S2 Battery™ (Removable/rechargeable Lithium cell)
Battery Life** Up to 16 days standby time and 4 hrs talk time†
Memory 64MB flash memory, 16 MB SDRAM
Modem Embedded RIM® wireless modem
Processor Intel XScale® processor
Email Account Compatibility*** Integrates with an existing enterprise email account or up to 10 personal/business email accounts
Includes BlackBerry Desktop Software Supported by version 4.1 or higher
Works with BlackBerry Enterprise Server Supported by:

* Version 2.1 or higher for Microsoft® Exchange
* Version 2.0 with Service Pack 2 or higher for IBM® Lotus® Domino®
* Version 4.0 or higher for Novell® GroupWise®

Handheld Security Password protection and keyboard lock
Accessories Included†† USB cable for charging and PC synchronization
Wall Charger
Holster
Find out about other official accessories
Network Quad-Band: 850/900/1800/1900 MHz GSM/GPRS and EDGE networks
Works In: US (850/1900 MHz)
Canada (850/1900 MHz)
Europe/Asia Pacific (900/1800 MHz)
end of technical


If this makes you happy; this review was written with my 7100 blackberry so that still works.
Although I succeed in writing this review on it, it had slowed down considerably at a few pages, so
good bye 7100 and welcome 8700. I am sure some else who does not do much writing would like it.

what do you think...





Recommended: Yes

Amount Paid (US$): 299