This compact messaging dynamo promises instant e-mail delivery and EV-DO speeds to boot -- but how will your fingers deal with that pseudo-QUERTY thumbboard? We take the 7130e for a test drive.
Review summary of the RIM BlackBerry 7130e:
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 The BlackBerry 7130e makes for a compact and speedy messaging companion, and you can't beat the handset's push e-mail and PIM synching abilities. Unfortunately, it's hobbled by its tricky SureType keypad, which can't quite measure up to a true QWERTY thumbboard, and we wish voice commands were included in the feature set. Release: November 2005. Price: $100.
Pros: Excellent messaging options, including push e-mail; easy PIM synching with corporate servers and desktop PCs; works as a USB 3G modem; good battery life
Cons: Hybrid-QWERTY thumbboard entails a steep learning curve; not much in the way of online content; no voice dialing
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Full RIM BlackBerry 7130e Review:
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Messaging - Very good
Messaging options on the BlackBerry handsets we've seen have always been superb, and the 7130e doesn't disappoint. You can access up to 10 personal or business accounts through the BlackBerry Internet service, back-end BlackBerry servers or a downloadable desktop redirect application. Messaging junkies will appreciate the 7130e's standard (for RIM users, anyway) push e-mail capabilities, and the generous screen displays more than 200 characters at a time. However, we still have a bone to pick with the SureType keys, which play havoc on fingertips accustomed to true QWERTY keypads. While we eventually grew used to the odd setup, we'd switch back to the old RIM thumbboard in a second.
Scheduling - Good
The 7130e's calendar app looks similar to one you'd find on a standard phone, with basic daily, weekly, and monthly views, plus an agenda. RIM aficionados will have little trouble dialing and clicking though the myriad options, but the jumbled, text-only menus will be pretty daunting for newbies. Still, you can't argue with the 7130e's well-nigh unmatched abilities to sync your PIM info instantly with Outlook, Lotus Notes and Domino servers, as well as your local PC info via the included Intellisync desktop application.
Laptop sidekick - Excellent
On the road and need to get online with your laptop? Just connect the 7130e to your portable using the included USB cable and fire up the Sprint Connection Manager App to access the BlackBerry's EV-DO connection. The USB cable charges the 7130e while it's connected, which is always a plus. Unfortunately, Bluetooth dial-up networking isn't supported.
Calling - Very good
We got excellent call quality out of the 7130e; our buddies sounded loud and clear, even over our Bluetooth headset and the speakerphone, and we wrung four hours of talk time from the BlackBerry -- not bad. That said, we were disappointed by the lack of voice dialing.
Keying our contacts into the 7130e was another matter. While it's easy enough to sync your PC or server-based contacts or add them after voice calls, the hybrid SureType keypad once again gave us headaches.
Multimedia - Mediocre
As usual with BlackBerry phones, the pickings are slim on the content front. While the 7130e is an EV-DO phone, you won't find any mobile TV or downloadable music, although there are plenty of productivity apps and games to choose from. The RIM browser lacks desktop-rendering modes, but it had no trouble with the Google home page and it pulled down the lengthy New York Times Web site with ease.
Price and availability
The RIM BlackBerry 7130e will start selling for $100 to $300 ((Verizon Wireless, Sprint)) in November 2005.
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