Attention AOL / Yahoo! Instant Messenger Users...
Written: Dec 29 '00 (Updated May 12 '01)
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Pros: Instant Messenger, Email, Calendar, Address Book, To Do List; Excellent User Interface; National Coverage
Cons: Web Browser Sucks! Cannot access major sites out there (i.e. Amazon.com, Yahoo! Yellow Pages)
The Bottom Line: Great for accessing sync'ed Calendar and Address Book. But if you want real time access to Instant Messages, Emails, Calendar, and Address Book, you will be disappointed.
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| techjunkie's Full Review: RIM Blackberry Two Way Pager |
To See My Update on 5/12/2001, scroll to the bottom of the article.
Intro...
There are 2 versions of the Blackberry with Instant Messenger (AOL or Yahoo!). Since I have the Yahoo! version, this article will be more Yahoo! centric. If you want information on Blackberry with AOL Instant Messenger, please scroll to the bottom of this article under section, Pricing.
*NOTE* This is a Special Internet Edition of Blackberry. This edition of Blackberry functions differently than the regular Internet Edition or the Exchange Edition.
Here is what you can do with a Blackberry fortified with Yahoo...
Yahoo! Instant Messenger
1. Instant vibrate/tone alert when receiving IM
2. If you take it out of the holster within 5 seconds of the alert, it displays the IM instantly.
3. More private (much better than IM on PC at work)
4. Less intrusive (compared to a phone call)
5. Saves $$$ by using fewer cell phone minutes
Always connected! IM is my primary reason for the purchase. I exchange IM's with my wife more than using my cell phone now. The most important feature of this device for me is the ability to be instantly alerted when I receive IM's or Emails.
Yahoo! Mail
1. Instant vibrate/tone alert when receiving email
2. If you take it out of the holster within 5 seconds of the alert, it displays the email instantly.
3. This IS your Yahoo! Mail.
a. You instantly receive a copy of your Yahoo! Mail.
b. When you send email from the Blackberry, your FROM: address is your Yahoo! Mail address (instead of a Blackberry email address).
4. Leaves a copy of email in your Yahoo! Mail Inbox.
Yahoo! Address Book
1. Access Yahoo! Address Book by going to http://mobile.yahoo.com/home
2. ... Or Sync with your desktop application (i.e. Outlook)
I do both. I sync My Yahoo! Address Book with Outlook 2000. Then I sync Outlook 2000 to my blackberry. Sorry, you can't directly sync from My Yahoo! to the Blackberry yet. The reason I sync my address book instead of just accessing it on the mobile browser alone is because of email. When you compose an email, you will need to grab the email address from your Blackberry address book.
Yahoo! Calendar / To Do List
1. Access Yahoo! Calendar or To Do List by going to http://mobile.yahoo.com/home
2. ... Or Sync with your desktop application (i.e. Outlook)
I do both. I sync My Yahoo! Address Book / To Do List with Outlook 2000. Then I sync Outlook 2000 to my Blackberry. Sorry, you can't directly sync from My Yahoo! to the Blackberry yet on these features either.
Web Browser
1. Easy access to Yahoo! News, Finance, Address Book, Calendar
2. More limited than other mobile browsers (i.e. Cannot access Amazon.com) I can only access a limited number of WAP sites. I can't even access Amazon.com. This is the most disappointing feature of this device.
Blackberry = RIM 850 / 950 / 857 / 957
Blackberry is the generic name for all these RIM models...
RIM 850 = RIM 950 (except Frequency & Network)
RIM 857 = RIM 957 (except Frequency & Network)
The model that works with Yahoo! Messenger is the RIM 850. Elink told me that they are working on releasing the RIM 857 (BIGGER DISPLAY) model in 2nd Quarter 2001. I simply couldn't wait. BTW, I tried to install Yahoo! IM on RIM 957 and it doesn't work. In other words, don't bother trying to make it work with a larger display. Wait until 2nd quarter 2001.
(I think the RIM 957 (larger display) works with the AOL Messenger version, but don't quote me on it.)
*IMPORTANT NOTE*
There are 2MB & 4MB versions out there. Yahoo! requires 4MB. Be careful when buying elsewhere.
The Good (Cool Features I Actually Use)...
1. Reading IM and Email within the 5 sec alert window.
2. The scroller is an ingenious input device.
3. The keyboard is very usable.
4. Auto On/Off device during Weekdays/Weekends.
5. Rechargeable cradle for the AA Nickel Metal Hydride battery.
6. National Coverage (In Major Metropolitan Areas)
7. Faster learning curve than my old Palm device
8. Different alert settings for in and out of holster.
The Bad (Features/Bugs I Wouldn't Brag About)...
1. The browser cannot access Yahoo! Yellow Pages, News, etc. Even my Nextel i1000 plus can access everything I mentioned above.
2. No games available.
3. Yahoo! IM has a glitch with the Custom Status. When my status is Invisible, I cannot directly change to my Custom Status. I have to change from Invisible to I'm Available to Custom Status.
The Purchase...
I bought my device at Elink. Please let me know if I am wrong, but I believe that CompUSA and BestBuy are selling Yahoo! version of Blackberry as well. I bought my Blackberry and activated it online. After you purchase the Blackberry online from Elink, you have to also activate it online when you receive the Blackberry. It was a snap!
Pricing...
(Yahoo! Instant Messenger)
http://www.elinkhere.com
http://mobile.yahoo.com/elink
Free Service until 1/31/2001
$335.95 (Device)
$34.95 per month (Unlimited without Service Agreement) OR ...
$14.95 per month (includes 100 kilobytes of data $0.15 per additional kilobyte)
Discounts available if you commit to a contract.
(AOL Instant Messenger)
http://news.cnet.com/news/0-1006-200-3929613.html
$329.95 (Blackberry)
$19.95 per month (Unlimited)
With AOL as a competitor, I wouldn't be surprised to see rates for Yahoo! service drop in the coming months.
My Update (5/12/2001)
I am very disappointed with the strength of the signal. I lose about 30% of my Instant Messages. As for real time access on the web, it is extremely slow. Emails come in spurts. In other words, real time access on the net is unreliable. I am planning to discontinue my monthly service. However, I will keep my blackberry. It serves my purpose of accessing my Calendar and Address Book (sync with Outlook & My Yahoo). I changed my rating from Excellent to Average.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 335 + $25.96(tax 7.75%) + $25(shipping) = $385.96
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techjunkie
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Location: San Diego, CA
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About Me:
"Why can't technology and people just get along?"
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