readhttp's Full Review: RIM BlackBerry® 8700c Smartphone
The newly introduced BlackBerry 8700c Wireless Handheld has taken the myriad of benefits that Research In Motion (RIM) has built into their devices and made improvements to the design.
Those of you, like myself that have monitored the all in one device known as the BlackBerry and looked upon others using them with their bulging holster and awkward stance when using the phone, can now join this club with the advancements made on the 8700c. For myself, I will admit to being a little jealous of those persons, but with hesitation to move towards these devices, primarily due to the somewhat poor performance of the phone and overall look of the device. At the same time, I appreciated the fact that these persons were able to have their PDA and Phone all in one little box while I had my little flip phone tucked in my pocket, and my PDA in my hand. So let the world know, I now have the BlackBerry 8700c to make users around me just a little jealous.
The BlackBerry 8700c
Size 4.3 x 2.7 x 0.8 inches (slightly lighter than prior models and much thinner)
Weight 4.7 oz
Keyboard Full QWERTY Keyboard
Display High resolution 320x240 LCD supporting over 65,000 colors
Memory 64mb Flash and 16mb SDRAM
Battery Blackberry C-S2 Lithium
Notifications Polyphonic, MP3, Vibrate and LED
Network Quad band 850/900/1800/1900 MHz GSM,GPRS and EDGE
Provider Exclusive to Cingular (others to follow)
Features Bluetooth enabled, wireless Internet, email, organizer, calendar, PUSH technology for up to ten (10) email addresses
Yes, it’s a phone….
As I stated above, I have never been impressed with the call clarity and usage of prior devices,but the improvements on the 8700c have, in my opinion corrected those shortfalls. My current phone log reflects 72 calls overall, and so far each have been crisp, clear and none have dropped. I will first say, that I have been very pleased with Cingular throughout the Chicagoland area and
usage throughout the US. Prior devices required you to push the trackwheel to answer or disconnect when using the phone, the 8700c has added dedicated answer and disconnect buttons just below the screen, which is a huge improvement. Upon notification of an incoming call, the large and bright screen displays the caller ID of which you simply tap the answer key to receive the call. It should be noted that you could set the profile to answer upon removal from the holster, should you choose this option. Making a call requires a depression of the trackwheel to highlight your address book, choose your selected entry, and then push once again to call that person. You can also simply type a phone number directly from the keyboard to call a new number or a number that is not in your address book. OK, while this unit is better looking than prior models, you will still have a funny stance when using the phone for an extended period, so adding a headset of your choice is highly recommended. I use a Motorola HS-850 headset connecting the device and headset through Bluetooth connection, which has been found to be clear and vibrant. It should also be noted that the address book allows for you to enter several phone numbers, address, email address, street address, work address, web address, etc. Your personal choice of ringers or tones will be found to be loud and clear, and the vibrate feature is strong enough so that you recognize an incoming call. Lastly, the holster designed for this unit, which is included, defines actions that are set up in your profile versus out of holster profiles. For me, all my in holster profiles use vibrate features, and out of the holster use my personal ringtones, in both cases each work perfectly.
Quick Tour….of the device
This device has a full 35 key QWERTY keyboard which the keys are quite small, and tightly spaced on the face of this device, but todate I have not had any issues finding and using the keyboard. I will say that I believe I have normal male sized fingers so I would suggest that you look at your digits and test the keyboard in person to ensure that you find the keyboard as easy as I do. If your not sure what a QWERTY keyboard is, well look at your PC keyboard which emulates our ancestors typewriter keyboard and if you look at the top row you will find that the first row to the left is QWERTY. In order to type numbers or symbols, you simply tap the required key on the keyboard and you switch to numbers or symbols, or capitals. The keyboard also contains a “enter” key and space bar. You also have two (2) convenience keys, one on the side and one located in the middle of the keyboard that you can set to any selected program or action that you use most. I use one key to open my address book and the other to lock my device, but the options are endless. The device trackwheel is your main access point to control and review many of the functions throughout usage of the device. On top of the device you will find a mute button and the on/off power switch, on the right an escape button to end programs, and on the left you will find the USB port and headset jack.
Internet and Wireless Connection…
I strongly suggest that you purchase the unlimited data package as you will find this device to be a very powerful (when needed) browser and connection to your email addresses. This is the first device that uses Cingular’s EDGE network making the surfing experience just under a high speed connection on your PC. Using BlackBerry’s PUSH technology, your assigned emails are sent directly to your handset in virtually real time, which then allows you to open both the email and any applicable attachments, obviously you can reply and/or save the email. Once again, I am very impressed with the compactness of the pages when loaded and the overall speed in bringing in the images.
It keeps me together…
Yes, this device contains a very powerful organizer, calendar and task list which not only allows you to input your daily grind, but also syncs to your desktop software allowing you to import/export data from your PC. As a long time Palm user, I was thrilled to see that this device was the first to be able to connect to my Palm operating system and import my entire agenda which has dedicated items through 2008!! With the good, just a little bad…it is important for you to know that you can IMPORT your Palm items, but you can not EXPORT back to your Palm desktop. Myself, I have decided to continue to use my Palm desktop software and simply import the data to my handset on a daily basis. And if you wondered, yes this device also contains reminders and alarms for all your required tasks and appointments. For you gamers…the device comes preloaded with BrickBreaker, which is entertaining at best. One really nice item that is often overlooked is a Password Keeper which of course is locked with a password. If your like me, I have currently sixteen (16) different passwords for the myriad of applications I use and often forget or mix them up. This little application allows me to keep all passwords sorted including what they are for, and really a nice benefit.
Whats in the box….
Well of course you get the 8700c along with the desktop software including the intellisync software, the special designed hard plastic holster, battery charger, USB cable, and handsfree headset (not the HS-950), Getting started guide, and instruction manual.
How is it doing for ME…
Over the past week I have found this unit to live up to all I had hoped for including the a very robust handheld PDA with a very good phone attached to it. Battery life has really been very good overall including both phone usage and browser/email usage. In my first week or so of usage including the “getting used to it phase”, importing all my data, testing the browser and making everyone jealous, I have only had to charge the unit twice to full load. I also enjoy the USB connection which allows me to charge the device while at my office direct from my PC which is the same PC I use to import my agenda. The included holster not only protects the device but locks and secures this device in perfectly, and I currently have no plans to change from this holster. The screen is bright and clear and adjusts perfectly in changing light conditions including outdoors in bright sun light.
Yes it was time…
I am thrilled that I waited for the 8700c to be released as it is living up to everything I needed in a device. I now have a very good phone, and no matter where I am…I know where I am supposed to be. If you need to be connected to either your personal or corporate emails, have your calendar and agenda at your fingertips, and be able to check out that needed web page, the BlackBerry 8700c is the unit you may wish to checkout.
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