Reviews

The term BlackBerry Killer is thrown around way too loosely as it is given to just about every smart phone with a QWERTY keyboard on it that isn’t actually a BlackBerry, however, I have to scratch my head when this title is given to the BenQ Siemens P50 PDA Phone. In fact, I have to ask, “What is Siemens thinking?”

We first heard of the Siemens P50 way back in March of 2004. Back then it was just called the Ben-Q. For whatever reason it was delayed for a couple of years but Siemens has decided to go ahead and release now. I am not really sure why though because it is the same device with practically the same configuration that it was 2 years ago.

Here are the specs…

• Quad-band (850/900/1800/1900MHz) GSM/GPRS radio (no EDGE though)
• Bluetooth
• 802.11b Wi-Fi
• SDio slot
• 64MB RAM, 64MB ROM
• 416Mhz Intel PXA272 processor
• 1.3 megapixel camera with 4x digital zoom
• Windows Mobile 2003

Maybe Siemens has a warehouse full of these things and they just want to get rid of them, however, the price tag is as high if not higher than for newer devices with more bells and whistles running on Windows Mobile 5.

Read more

I had the chance recently to read Professional BlackBerry by Craig Johnston and Richard Evers. I must say that it is a very good book that covers the administration and deployment aspects as well as development aspects around the BlackBerry messaging system. This definitely is not a book for BlackBerry end users and you won’t find tips and trick such as scroll wheel shortcuts or how to get Gmail on your BlackBerry, however, if you are a BlackBerry Administrator or a BlackBerry Developer, Professional BlackBerry should be considered a resource that belongs in the tool bag of anyone with either of those job descriptions.

Professional BlackBerry is broken into two sections. The first covers BlackBerry administration and the second section, starting with Chapter 9, coversdevelopment topics. I like the way that the book is divided in two because you can really read each section independently of each other. The first half of the book reads almost like a best practices quick startfor getting a BlackBerry environment set up. It starts off with an architectural overview and moves you through planning, deployment, and administration and even covers upgrading your BlackBerry environment which alone is worth the price of the book if you never upgraded a BES environment and or client software before.
[Read more…] about “Professional BlackBerry”

WiseSpent 3.1 was released this passed week and I had the opportunity this weekend to give it the once over. WiseSpent 3.1, according to it’s website, is a complete Finance Manager / Expense Tracker for the BlackBerry.

As far as the Expense Tracker functionality goes, I have tried several different expense tracking utilities for the BlackBerry and in my opinion, WiseSpent 3.1 is the best such software out there, bar none.

The installation is a breeze and actually allows you to select your BlackBerry model during the setup. Once installed, you have the ability to create an unlimited number of accounts with and unlimited number of categories. WiseSpent 3.1 does everything that you would expect an expense tracking application to do such as entering in and viewing transactions. You can set up recurring transactions such as car note, mortgage payment, or any transaction that occurs daily, weekly, or monthly, etc. One of the really cool features is the duplicate transaction function that allows you to set up a regular transaction that repeats, but not on a regular schedule such as gasoline or greens fees.
[Read more…] about Wisespent 3.1 Reviewed

The BlackBerry 7100t from T-Mobile looks like no other BlackBerry and packs more power than any BlackBerry has before. If you’re okay with the odd keyboard, this is an exciting and satisfying e-mail device.

The 7100t is the first BlackBerry to look, feel, and work like a phone. Measuring 4.7 by 2.3 by 0.7 inches (HWD)—just a smidgen larger than a palmOne Treo 600—and weighing 4.3 ounces, the 7100t fits in your hand and in your pocket. The phone has a high-quality speaker phone and supports Bluetooth wireless head sets. Because it’s a quad-band GSM phone, you can use it overseas. The 2.1-inch, 240-by-260 color display is one of the sharpest we’ve seen, with a powerful backlight.

All the familiar BlackBerry applications are here, including very easy-to-use e-mail and PIM applications, plus two major new ones: a cross-platform IM application for AIM, Yahoo!, and ICQ, as well as a full HTML Web browser. Unfortunately, neither of those applications worked on our late-beta test unit.

The 7100t can hook up to corporate BlackBerry servers, Exchange and Lotus Notes e-mail (via a desktop redirector program), and T-Mobile’s Web client, which integrates up to ten POP3, IMAP, AOL, or Hotmail e-mail accounts. The included desktop software syncs contacts, calendars, notes, and tasks with a wide range of desktop apps quickly and easily.

To make the device smaller, RIM ditched the usual full keyboard for a strange, 20-key hybrid keypad in which the keys are small, flat, and close together. Most keys have two letters and a number on them, but the keys are in familiar QWERTY order. Yes, the 7100t uses predictive text, but stifle your groans. RIM’s SureType is a giant step ahead of any predictive text you’ve used before. It learns new words after one try and automatically integrates all the names in your address book. After 15 minutes on this keyboard we were typing with ease.

Although there are few problems with the 7100t, we did find some noteworthy drawbacks. The small screen sometimes demands sharp eyes. And like all Blackberries, it strips formatting out of e-mails and attachments, it doesn’t play MP3s or videos, it can’t be used as a modem for your laptop, and it has very few games or other downloadable applications available.

Also, the BlackBerry 7100t is available only from T-Mobile. This will limit its appeal to those who are either trapped in other carriers’ contracts or simply prefer other carriers.

The 7100t is a new device for a new generation of BlackBerry users, many of whom will be lured by the 7100t’s low price. (The other BlackBerry models with color screens—the 7200 and 7700 series—typically cost between $350 and $550.) If you’re looking for a powerful, portable, personal e-mail phone, this is an excellent buy.

Via PCMag

I didn’t blog on Nextel’s initial release of Telenav Inc’s Java based GPS Navigation software for the BlackBerry 7520, but, you know what they say…”Better late than never.”  I just came back from a road trip with a co-worker who actually has TeleNav installed on his 7520 and I must say it that is is a pretty cool application.

TeleNav on the BlackBerry is very similar to the GPS cell phones that you can get from most car rental places.  It displays maps, speed and direction, and best of all, gives you audible driving instructions that tell you when to turn and change lanes.  You don’t have to worry if you miss a turn either.  Telenav will automatically reroute you to get you back on your way.

The one thing that I would recommend for the serious road warrior is a car kit with a dashboard mount and battery charger.  The GPS radio seems to get better reception when it is near the front window and can be a drain on the batteries as well.