BlackBerry hit home run with 7130e
Written: May 03 '06
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Pros: solid phone features, good email support, awesome Internet capability, reasonable price
Cons: smaller screen and keyboard
The Bottom Line: Very trustworthy, capable and sleek. Highly recommended for business people and gadget lovers.
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| bwrichard's Full Review: Blackberry 7130e |
BlackBerry is the undisputed leader in the wireless email arena. However BlackBerry devices haven't been fabulous when used as phones. The new 7130e has improved significantly in that department.
The shape of 7130e, at first sight, looks like a phone finally! I've always thought without abandoning its signature shape in the past, BlackBerry wouldn't be able to attract users as a phone. It seems RIM finally accepted that view too as the demand for converged communication devices keeps increasing.
The shape is just the start. The rings are loud and clear - low ring volume has often been a complaint for older BlackBerry models. The side exit button no longer hangs up calls so you won't be embarrassed by accidental call cutoff. Best of all, it has a built-in speaker phone which has solid sound quality. Of course your favorite Bluetooth headset still works with this model.
On the email side there's a little bit trade off. Since it on longer has a full qwerty keyboard, typing emails may seem awkward at first. But 7130e's SureType technology works fairly well for interpreting what you're typing so very little correction is needed as you type along.
7130e has a bright and crisp screen, compared to older models. That makes reading emails and display pictures enjoyable, even the screen is a tad smaller. Your beloved games like Brickbreaker and Rooster look awesome on the new screen.
All these pretty look and ease of use is also backed up by BlackBerry's enterprise software platform, as always. There are tons of Java-based BlackBerry applications out there so you can make it a full-function PDA if you like.
Last but not least (may well be the most important for many), 7130e has the true EV-DO support, which brings high-speed Internet to your phone. That makes Web browsing on the device a snap. The even cooler part is Verizon also has a "tethered modem" option that allows you to use 7130e as a high-speed modem with just a USB cable hookup and their included software. Imagining bringing your home DSL connection with your laptop on the road... With ever-expanding coverage of Verizon's EV-DO network, fast lane to Internet everywhere is no longer a dream. I tested the setup with some bandwidth measuring sites. It's a pure joy to see a 2Mbps speed using just your cell phone!
If you want a solid integrated communication device with high speed Internet support, 7130e is the way to go.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 210
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Epinions.com ID:
bwrichard
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Reviews written: 25
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