Blackberry 8700c

I have recently acquired a RIM Blackberry 8700 from work. This is the current latest model (which should reign about 1 month) My previous organizer was a Palm V which is old old old. As you can imagine, I was flabbergasted at the leaps in technology.

When I am mobile (in a meeting, in the car, in the airport, at the store) I am connected. I have access to my outlook calendar, email, notes, tasks, address book and am connected to the internet as well as a phone. No more hot syncs no more cables. Whatever changes I make from either my Blackberry or computer, the changes are synced immediately.

This device packs a punch with respect to functionality in a small package. With a weight of approximately 4 ounces, and only 4 inches long. The battery life is long and I only charge once per week. I have set my Blackberry to turn on at 6AM and off at 6PM.

Here are the major details of the Blackberry 8700

Phone - good reception and clarity. I use CINGULAR and have excellent coverage. The phone is the face of the device. You would not know it is a phone by looking at it. The phone service is outstanding, very crisp and minimal dropped calls.

Email - personal and work capability - can handle multiple accounts (outlook, Blackberry email, etc...)

Web browser - Blackberry Browser, Explorer - in color!

Integrated address book, calendar, memo pad, task list. This is my favorite feature, I can call someone from my calendar or memo pad. I set reminders to beep discreetly to keep me where I am supposed to be.

Speakerphone - used sparingly - good speaker and clarity. It is easy to boost the speaker by turning the wheel on the upper right hand corner.

Smart dialing, conference calling, speed dial and call forwarding - never used

Full QWERTY keyboard - learning curve on this one - small keyboard. Typing with both of your thumbs requires some practice.

Bluetooth capability for hands-free dialogue via headsets and car kits - never used but nice to know it is there.

Compatibility with popular Personal Information Management (PIM) software - imports from Lotus Notes, Microsoft Scheduler. I was able to upload my calendar, notes, memos etc... in about ten minutes. I used Outlook Scheduler.

Ring tones for personalizing your device - there are many and most are relatively discreet. I know by the ring tone who is calling. I have urgent messages coded so I know to answer at once.

Light sensing screen, which adjusts lighting levels automatically for ideal indoor and outdoor viewing.
It is fun and easy to use my Blackberry at night.

Intel XScale® processor - 64 MB of memory - plenty to handle typical scheduling and web tasks.

The layout of the screen is wide enough (about 2 inches) and in full color which is nice. The screen can be configured to a few themes but basically there are messages (Email), Browswer, Address Book Calendar, Applications, and the rest are settings and security options.

New email messages are indicated by blinking red light located at the top of the device. I am able to open attachements as long as they are compatible with the Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Access, Excel, powerpoint). I am able to open pictures sent with e mail.

As with all other incoming messages, phone calls, scheduling, you can set up to ring, vibrate, chirp or alert you in some way. Personally, I just leave it to blink red.

Here are some of my favorite fun aspects!

I enjoy checking my emails from bed before I go to sleep.

I like the fact that my address book is with me at all times and I can make phone calls from my address book, or schedule.

There are 2 hot buttons on the front and the side of the device. Set them to open your most used programs. For example, mine are set to my calendar and my address book.

Here are some of the things I wish were better:

The QWERTY typewriter is very small. You have to learn how to type with your thumbs. QWERTY is a style of keyboard that most keypads use. The first 6 letters of your keyboard use the letters QWERTY. There are no stylus's with Blackberry. It's straight input typing.

Instead of a mouse, there is a wheel at the upper right which you roll similar to your mouse. You can click it, to highlight text, etc... Again, this takes a little time to get used to it to use it proficiently.

The internet browser is slow. Also it is not much fun to try to read anything from the Internet on a screen that is 2 inches wide. It is just not feasible with the exception of perhaps scrolling text. Thus, I don't use the web much but I like the fact that it is there if I need to use it in a pinch.

I wish it could handle more than 1 calendar. For example, I have several work calendars, my personal calendar, my family calendar. Currently, I can only view one calendar which I designate as my most important.

This Blackberry is fun to use, efficient and integrated. It is cleverly designed to maximize usage from such a small device.

An overall good product (not perfect). I am really glad my work purchased this for me, due to the price I would not have purchased this myself.

UPDATED - 9/20/2006

Those smarties at Google have come up with a program specifically for mobile devices (phones, PDA's) Real Time Maps of freeway systems in major US cities. This provides me with handheld instant traffic reports so I can avoid congested roads and pick ones that are actually moving. Another great feature is step by step directions to anywhere! This great service can be downloaded onto your Blackberry at http://www.google.com/gmm/index.html
As if I needed another reason to love my Blackberry!