RIM's New Blackberry Ditches Thumboard

Eric Giguere writes "Research In Motion's newest BlackBerry, the 7100t, aka 'Charm,' has a more conventional phone form factor. It does this by ditching the thumb keyboard for an extended keypad with predictive text input. It also adds Bluetooth. The changes are mostly physical, the device is still running the same basic software -- existing Java apps should run with only minor changes. More details at the BlackBerry.com website." xRelisH supplies this link to a review of the device from MSNBC.

Comments

Predictive Text =/= T9

[ARRRLovin]

From the looks of the 20 key keypad, it looks like it's going to use a form of predictive text that would help the "QWERTY" users more than the traditional T9 SMS user. I hope they hit the T-Mo stores soon so I can take it for a test drive.

I hate my Blackberry

[DevilM]

I hate my Blackberry for the following reasons:

• Talking on it without the earpiece sucks
• The natural place where you hold the device is also the button to end a call
• It is too easy to answer a call and put the person on hold
• If I am using any PDA functionality and a call comes in my work is lost
• Sometimes people can't hear me when I answer the phone
• Sometimes the keyboard lock unlocks without my input
• Deleting email on the Blackberry doesn't delete it in my mailbox
• It has trouble telling the difference between the same number with and without a 1 (long distance)
• It thinks all 10 digit calls nees a 1
• The keypad letters are wrong for the number pad, which makes it highly annoying to dial a number by name (1-800-get-a-clue)
• When adding a number to the addressbook it assumes the number is a work number

Give me time, I will think of more.

Re:I hate my Blackberry

[Net0ps]

I'm not completely sold on mine either, but some quick off-the-cuff responses to (some of) your complaints:

# Talking on it without the earpiece sucks
Agreed. A good earpiece makes a big difference with it.

# The natural place where you hold the device is also the button to end a call
True, although you have to hold that button down in order to end the call. I've found a loose grip and/or moving my thumb slightly to grab the housing rather than the button works fine for me, but obviously YM she is much V.

# It is too easy to answer a call and put the person on hold
True. If I have one complaint, it's the "push-to-select" function for the wheel, which invariably causes me to roll one option up or down while pushing in.

# If I am using any PDA functionality and a call comes in my work is lost
Have you tried Alt-Esc to switch functions? Frequently it looks like it lost stuff when in fact it has just switched applications. Alt-Esc works like Alt-Tab, but not so convenient (you then have to hold Esc while scrolling the wheel with your thumb-tip to select another application to open--very annoying).

# Sometimes the keyboard lock unlocks without my input
Setting a password on the device, as annoying as it can be sometimes (employer requires it) solved this--it now won't unlock without the password, which is pretty difficult to enter by random chance.

# Deleting email on the Blackberry doesn't delete it in my mailbox
This is, I think, just a sync setting: change the sync setting on your desktop manager (if you're using a BES) and deletions on one will be reflected on the other, or so I understand. For me, this is a feature--takes me five seconds to delete stuff that I've blown off the BB, and that means when I read it on the BB and don't need it, I can delete it without worry.

Re:I hate my Blackberry

[camusflage]

Talking on it without the earpiece sucks

Fair enough.. It's like talking into a pop-tart.

Sometimes the keyboard lock unlocks without my input

Try a password. This will guarantee it won't unlock itself. "lock on holstering" is also your friend as well.

Deleting email on the Blackberry doesn't delete it in my mailbox

wireless sync, wireless reconcile, delete on handheld and mailbox. This will automatically delete items in both places when deleted in either.

It thinks all 10 digit calls nees a 1

I dial with only ten digits all the time.

The keypad letters are wrong for the number pad, which makes it highly annoying to dial a number by name (1-800-get-a-clue)

Use the crescent/number key and hit the letter. Not only will it send the appropriate tone, but it will display the letter on the screen.

More reviews

[zaxios]

PC Mag and Forbes have reviews and InfoSync has a detailed news article. Forbes provides some perspective to the objective of integrating personal organizer with phone. PC Mag reads a bit like a spec list. I found the MSNBC review provided already more interesting, but you can look for yourself.

Tmobile URL -

[Blimbo]

http://www.getmoreblackberry.com/

From the web site
"Register now and you will be one of the first to know when the new BlackBerry 7100t is available for sale. Plus you'll be entered for a chance to win a Bluetooth wireless headset, the ultimate accessory for your new phone."

Re:The price

[generic-man]

Sorry to interrupt your rant, but the new Blackberry really does cost $199.

If you had bothered to read the article before cursing up a storm, you could have seen the sentences: "Now, the best part of the equation. T-Mobile, the only cellular carrier to sell the 7100t, has priced the device at a mind-boggling $199."

Predictive Text Better then Expected

[Embedded2004]

I had the opportunity to test one of these out, what surprised me was how good the predictive text actually was. I am going to be ditching my current BB for one of these as soon as I can manage.

This is the first one I think that I actually like the look for, I just hope with that nice LCD there is some good games for it.

Re:The keyboard was their main feature

[Digital11]

Then you should try the Danger Hiptop. Blackberry's email interface is better (because it handles folders, etc in a better way) but everything else about the hiptop SMOKES the Blackberry.

And on the subject of predictive text input. Screw that, I can type 50+ WPM EASILY on my Hiptop.

Re:exist?

[austad]

That's BS. Most midlets developed for the Nokia phones will not run on Sony-ericsson phones, and vice versa. I've tried it.

Um, read it again

[nanotech]

Battery life is 4hr talk and 8 DAYS standby. Reviewer claimed he got 4 days out of it with moderate use.