Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)I bought this about a month ago because:
1. I was getting creamed by my current Verizon minutes limits, and needed to change plans
2. I liked the idea of getting email and net access on the run
3. Storing info in one device made sense
As a 50 something, there was a learning curve, but not the hair pulling, tantrum inducing kind. The help menu is in the phone, not the manual, which makes more sense, and has been more readily accessible.
To start with, Amazon had the best deal I could find. I have had nothing but great service and excellent value in shopping there. DO NOT GO TO A PROVIDER (Verizon, TMobile, etc) TO GET YOUR PHONE! They are the highest of anyplace I shopped!?!?
The phone arrived promptly, ahead of schedule, charged and functioning. There was no wait to use it. Less secure, I suppose, but certainly more convenient for me. I also purchased a Motorola 850 bluetooth headset (on ebay).
The phone works quite well, the TMobile coverage has been better than Verizon's was, though that will probably vary by region. I'm in the central California valley, primarily between Sacramento and Modesto. I have been told Verizon was the best here, but my experience has been otherwise. Not that it was bad, but T-Mobile has just been a little better. I can't tell you anything about T-Mobile's customer service, because I haven't had a reason to contact them yet. I did like the fact that they offer a one year contract vs. everyone else's 2 year. Our biggest complaint with Verizon was the fact that they wanted to initiate a new 2 year contract for us to change our monthly minutes allotment.
Back to the phone. Clear voice, no static. Texting to other phones is made easier by the qwerty layout and slightly larger keypad. I was a little leery once I ordered it, having second thoughts about it being wider than the the other phones. I have fairly large hands, and the extra width has been a real plus. I use the email more than I thought I would, the net browsing less. I can send email updates 24/7 (necessary in a 24 hour biz) from anywhere, and receive them as well. I can check other accounts, such as yahoo mail. I have gps in my car, but if I'm with someone else, I can get driving directions.
The calendar is generic but functional. I find it helpful for keeping track of biz expenses.
The bluetooth headset is a must. No wires, crystal clear.
It has no camera, but I carry a small digital one anyway with far better resolution than the phones have. If they add a good camera down the road, I'd probably want it, but not at the level they are at now.
All things considered, it's working great for me!
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RIM BlackBerry 7290 (T-Mobile)This update to the tried and true BlackBerry 7200 Series adds support for Bluetooth, a brighter display, quad-band GSM, and 32 MB of internal memory. This integrated phone, e-mail client (with support for corporate e-mail servers), organizer, and Web browser is the ultimate weapon for mobile professionals.
Design The BlackBerry 7290 follows the standard BlackBerry form factor--a large 240 x 160 color screen placed above a QWERTY keyboard. The screen offers plenty of real estate to view your e-mails, Web browser content, messaging sessions, and attachments. The popular BlackBerry user interface is here, too, which makes it easy to navigate the handheld's functions. A trackwheel is located on the right side of the unit for quick scrolling through menus and e-mails. There's also a standard 2.5mm headset jack that can be used with the included headset. And because the BlackBerry 7290 is Bluetooth enabled, you can connect it to a wide range of wireless Bluetooth headsets. A removable lithium-ion battery is housed in the rear of the unit.
Calling Features Many of the calling capabilities folks have come to expect in a wireless phone are present in the BlackBerry 7290. The unit's Bluetooth capability means you can use a wireless headset with the phone for hands-free calling. A vibrating alert, speed dial, and a contacts list/address book (that is limited only by the unit's 32 MB of internal memory) are also included.
Messaging, Internet, and Tools The BlackBerry 7290 delivers the legendary BlackBerry e-mail experience. With BlackBerry Internet Service, you can receive e-mails instantaneously from personal and corporate accounts. With BlackBerry push technology, you don't need to retrieve your e-mail all at once. BlackBerry devices are designed to remain on and continuously connected to the wireless network, allowing you to be discreetly notified as new e-mail arrives. Support is also built in for viewing e-mail attachments (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, WordPerfect, and PDF formats).
If your company has a BlackBerry Enterprise Server installed, you can take advantage of the power of wireless calendar synchronization. Your calendar events are exchanged wirelessly and automatically so that your desktop calendar and BlackBerry handheld calendar are synchronized. All your Outlook meeting requests, changes, and updates are instantaneously synchronized with your desktop. Make meeting requests, invite new attendees, and more, all on your BlackBerry 7290. Users without Enterprise Server support can manually sync with their desktop calendars and contacts via Bluetooth or USB by using the included BlackBerry Desktop Software.
Use the BlackBerry 7290's Web browser to access the Internet from the palm of your hand. Browse Web sites, get up-to-date stock quotes, read the latest news, check weather reports, and do even more. Wireless text messaging is also supported by the BlackBerry 7290.
The BlackBerry 7290 ships with a number of tools, including a calculator with a unit converter and a to-do list. The handheld's software is based on the Java platform, meaning Java-compatible games and applications can be added to the handheld.
Vital Statistics The BlackBerry 7290 weighs 4.9 ounces and measures 4.5 x 2.9 x 0.9 inches. Its lithium-ion battery is rated at up to 4 hours of digital talk time, and up to 9 days of digital standby time. It runs on the 800/900/1800/1900 GSM/GPRS frequencies. The handheld comes with a one-year limited warranty.
What's in the Box BlackBerry 7290 handset, travel charger, two USB cables, battery, holster, hands-free headset, SIM card, BlackBerry Desktop Software.
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