Blackberry 7100t

« Viacom and Sirius | Main | Earnings Season »

Blackberry 7100t

About two months ago, I posted on my search for a combo phone/email device. I’ve been carrying around a blackberry handheld for over five years now and still have my Motorola V60 flip phone. It’s time for a change, but I don’t know to what.

A blueberry phone? - I don’t like the form factor.
A Treo? – I don’t like the form factor and I’ve heard quality concerns.
A Sidekick? – Friends love it, but the outlook integration isn’t great.

So I’ve procrastinated.

Recently a couple friends got the new Blackberry 7100t. It’s a phone, not a PDA. That’s a good start. It has great email, web browsing, and PDA features.

The key for me is the keypad. Will I like two letters per key? Will I be able to type fast enough on it? I don’t know, but I think I am going to give it a try. And I’ll probably keep my Blackberry handheld for longer mobile emails as a backup.

If any of you have thoughts - pro or con - on this decision, please speak now in the comments section. I plan to get it in the next week.

UPDATE: Om Malik loves the keypad - my biggest concern - and hates the network - Tmobile. I already use Tmobile and hate it. But that is not going to stop me from getting this phone.

Comments (12) | | TrackBack (5)

TrackBack

TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://www.typepad.com/services/trackback/6a00d83451b2c969e200e5503674ae8834

Listed below are links to weblogs that reference Blackberry 7100t:

» Network, Blackberry 7100's biggest drawback from Om Malik on Broadband
Okay, so I’ve spent some time messin’ with the new Blackberry 7100t, and while it has some well-implemented features, I’ve come to the conclusion that I’ll never own one. My biggest complaint? Why in hell would the benevolent fo... [Read More]

Tracked on Oct 14, 2004 9:26:25 AM

» Additional BlackBerry 7100t opinions from Tom Markiewicz

In doing a little bit of research, it looks like I'm not alone in my strong BlackBerry 7100t opinions:

A VC
[Read More]

Tracked on Jan 10, 2005 10:35:58 PM

» Additional BlackBerry 7100t opinions from Tom Markiewicz

In doing a little bit of research, it looks like I'm not alone in my strong BlackBerry 7100t opinions:

A VC
[Read More]

Tracked on Jan 10, 2005 10:36:24 PM

» Additional BlackBerry 7100t opinions from Tom Markiewicz

In doing a little bit of research, it looks like I'm not alone in my strong BlackBerry 7100t opinions:

A VC
[Read More]

Tracked on Jan 10, 2005 10:37:16 PM

» Additional BlackBerry 7100t opinions from Tom Markiewicz

In doing a little bit of research, it looks like I'm not alone in my strong BlackBerry 7100t opinions:

A VC
[Read More]

Tracked on Jan 10, 2005 10:38:11 PM

Posted October 14, 2004 in Venture Capital and Technology

Comments

Any decision is better than no decision. Still stand behind the Nextel 7510 for the multipurpose use. I think you'd really enjoy the hands free speakerphone and simultaneous e-mail capabilities. I've read a lot about the 7100t and share your concern about having to adopting the new keyboard style, although it does seem to have some very cool enhancements from the black/blueberry models. I can cruise on the traditional thumb board thing. My fear is that I'd be blasting out e-mails with a great deal of wrong words or spelling.

Will your provider give you a loaner to use before you commit?

Anyway, good luck with it and let us know how it works out.

Posted by: Tony Alva | Oct 14, 2004 8:40:32 AM

I wish I could get the 7100 here in Canada. I just recently upgraded to a new Blackberry 7750 after finding that it might be some time before I could get the 7100. It looks like it would be the best phone for the job though.

Posted by: Jevon MacDonald | Oct 14, 2004 11:25:15 AM

The new Treo 650, supposedly coming out very soon, is reported to have fully-integrated Exchange/Outlook functionality:

http://blog.treonauts.com/2004/10/palmone_license.html

As for myself, I've had the Treo 600 for nearly a year now, and haven't run into any quality issues.

Posted by: morland | Oct 14, 2004 11:38:00 AM

Can you see yourself blogging from a Blackberry or Treo device?

Posted by: Jevon | Oct 14, 2004 2:02:59 PM

Just bought the new Blackberry. So far so good. Was able to easily set-up my three email accounts which flood the inbox. Synching with my mac required buying $25 worth of software but it works great - syncs my address book, calendar etc - still haven't been able to do that using Bluetooth though. Bluetooth works great for my headphone - one of my main reasons for buying. Treo doesn't offer this yet.

Like the phone - especially that you can use it in reverse, thereby not marking the screen. Two downsides. I'm not impressed with battery-life - but I have unrealistic expecations. I'm getting about a day right now. The other is that I find the Blackberry mail client - which only runs in IE - a complete pain in the arse. (And I hate IE. Hate it.) I have to log on every few days and delete email otherwise my capacity blows out... really, really, really annoying.

So, I like the little fella, would give it one thumb up. Also liked my little Danger Sidekick - you should take a look at one... BB is a more elegant form factor and the Suretype technology actually does work for the most part making for pretty speedy text entry.

Posted by: Andy Lark | Oct 14, 2004 7:46:58 PM

here's my review, fred.

http://www.burningdoor.com/steve/archives/000788.html

Posted by: steve | Oct 15, 2004 9:19:36 AM

I've been a happy Treo 600 user here in the UK since the start of the year. Having been a Palm user since the the Palm III I still have my French/English Dictionary and many other useful apps as well as full integration with Entourage 2004 on a Mac.

I do hate my network though, Orange - but somehow I manage.

I've been tempted by Blackberrys and the biggest risk to my indulgence looks like being the new Siemens phone. I would put a link in but the url is stupidly long. Take a look at the SK65 on www.siemens-mobile.com

Posted by: Stewart Marshall | Oct 15, 2004 1:12:22 PM

can you setup your email on the 7100t thru the computer.

Posted by: donne | Oct 21, 2004 3:39:13 PM

Get the wide range of BlackBerry products
from www.connectione.biz .

www.connectione.biz offers
complete BlackBerry functionality, wirelessly connecting users with
important communications and information. The BlackBerry 7100t also puts
top-of-the-line features, such as speakerphone, Bluetooth(r), polyphonic
ringtones and an advanced call log, into a sleek and stylish handset.

Posted by: connectione | Nov 1, 2004 2:17:49 AM

The Blackberry 7100t is a worthless piece og junk. Web browsing is near impossible due to the 503 errors it continually gives and if you are lucky enough to connect to a site plan on it taking 5 to 15 minutes. However dont plan on logging into any of the sights you normally visit since it wont reckognize a sign in link....click, click, click. NOTHING! It is a worthless piece of GARBAGE. Mine goes back tomarrow!!!

Posted by: tom | Nov 2, 2004 11:39:10 PM

Thought you would like this Fred:

Morning Edition, January 12, 2005 ·
For many, the Blackberry is a must-have gadget, a wireless hand-held computer that can send e-mail and make phone calls. NPR's Frank Langfitt reports that as the device wins fans, it's making a cultural impact.
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4279486

Posted by: Dhrumil | Jan 12, 2005 8:58:17 AM

Posted by: Mauris | Nov 17, 2005 1:10:27 AM

A VC

Musings of a VC in NYC