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"everything i wanted (almost)" on by ando1brett
Pros: push email service, screen clarity, voice quality
Cons: no voice dialing
Summary: I have had this phone for 5 days now and so far, I can't seem to put it down. Lots of fun. I now see the validity of the nickname "crack-berry".
I have wanted a blackberry for some time now, but also wanted to use it as my primary phone. However, I did not like the idea of holding one of the older, much larger blackberry's up to my ear. Also, I am happy with Verizon service and didn't want to switch.
I was very happy when this phone came out. I tried to do research every day but couldn't find much because it was so new. (Hopefully this helps you).
The good - First of all, it's just fun and cool. Friends and family are quite impressed. I also really like it's size. It's not too big in my pocket or up to my ear. It's also not much larger than a "nokia candybar style" phone.
The push email service is great (although my fiance worries about my ongoing connection to work). It's very easy to read and reply to messages timely.
Internet browsing is quite fast (and easy). I elected not to subscribe to the Verizon tethering service. I have internet connectivity on my laptop nearly everywhere I go and this phone's speed is like dial-up when outside of major metropolitan areas (they claim it's very fast within).
There is a learning-curve to typing on the phone, but I think I have nealry mastered it already. Don't let this scare you from buying this phone - you'll figure it out.
I also got a bluetooth wireless hands free set, which is very cool. I wish I could turn the volume up more on the ear-piece, but that is not an issue with the phone. Bluetooth makes talking in the car much easier (and safe).
The bad - Well, not much to write here. I would appreciate if I could utilize voice activated dialing, but with speed numbers, it's not that big of a deal.
The battery life is decent, but not great. However, between my home charger, car charger, and usb cable (charge when connected to a computer), the battery life has so far not been a problem.
Overall - I love it. I would recommend this phone to a friend. -
"Verizon-Blackberry Customers Rejoice!" on by uscguy
Pros: Improved phone functionality and design; faster data transfer; and great screen.
Cons: Although it boasts and sleeker design, I still found the phone bulky and thick.
Summary: As a RIM user on the Verizon Wireless network, I am thrilled with Verizon's decision to offer the 7130e to their customers.
PHONE: As a previous RIM 7750 user, I am very pleased with the improved phone features. I no longer feel I have to deal with a mediocre phone for the wireless email.
The green 'answer' and the red 'hang up' buttons on the front face of the phone make it easy to make and hang up calls. The white center 'convenience key' button is programmable, allowing you to customize your phone. The speakerphone sounds great, but is activated through a menu or through a set button.
DATA: I love the faster data transfer and great screen. I am somewhat dissappointed that the system font choices are still limited.
For Verizon customers, the phone comes with the default 'Verizon' theme. For us familiar to the 7750 or 7250, you can change the theme to BBerry's own theme, which I prefer!
APPLICATIONS: Applications work faster than before; some such as the calculator has been improved and is easier to use than in previous models.
KEYBOARD: Although I miss my 7750's full keyboard, I found this keyboard easy to use with practice. I turned off the 'Autotext' feature, which I personally found annoying. My only gripe is that they did away with some basic symbols such as "@" that are now only available through the "SYM" key.
APPEARANCE: The phone is attractive and sleek. However, I still found the phone 'plasticky' and bulky. The phone is thicker than the 7750 and thicker than the Palm Treo 650; however, the phone is very light weight.
Since the phone may be too thick for carrying in your pockets, you can use the included case with a standard clip. For those of us used to RIM's trademark "swivel clip", you can purchase it through blackberry's website. Although it is nice, I found the phone to stick out since it was bulky. Not good in this age of wafer-thin phones.
Overall, I am EXTREMELY pleased with the phone, and glad to get rid of that "calculator-like" 7750! -
"Completely Addicting, much more usefel while mobile then any other device" on by tapa
Pros: Super Clear Screen, intuitive function sequence, fast internet
Cons: 80 bucks a month data plus tether-to-laptop fees
Summary: Just got this bad boy from a Verizon Wireless store in Myrtle Beach SC.
Since this town has no broadband for this device I am stuck with just above dial up speeds for tethering to my Sony Vaio notebook. Although this works fine, it's not enlivening to wait for detailed websites to load. But it DOES work and you can get any site while in your car. Very nice!!
The actual 7130e I find irresistable. Can't stop playing with it. At restaurants waiting for food, surf the net, at movie theaters waiting for previews to end, surf the net.
It's just that simple.
Anytime anywhere email and internet access.
It has such a clear screen and superb funcionality that it seems to me to be a modern marvel.
That's all I can say.
Simply Marvelous!
I'll be in washington d.c. area soon and while there i'll be testing the EVDO tethered to my laptop. Im sure it will rock.
To anyone out there pondering this device... close windows, get in car, go find it.
Before someone else does.
It's the best little gadget I ever bought. -
"Awesome! Best PDA on market" on by bucswon
Pros: Internet connectivity, email access
Cons: It does take a minute or two to get used to the keyboard but it is quite intuitive
Summary: I have used a Treo device in the past and the new 7130e beats it hands down. I had to replace my Treo since the voice/data went out after only after 1 1/2 years. The Treo device was unreliable and not stable using the Sprint network. The email and internet connectivity was not that good.
In contrast, thanks to Verizon, the Blackberry 7130e allows me to connect to the internet via their high-speed EVDO network which is totally superior to whatever Sprint offers. Using the tethering cable that comes with the 7130e, I can plug this baby into my laptop and cruise the internet at DSL like speeds. My consulting work requires that I access a Java intensive web-based application and on a recent road-trip to Orlando I was able to flawlessly connect with my laptop using the phone at almost DSL-type speed. Totally awesome. The software is included in the box and is effortless to install and use.
With the EVDO network, you can access the web on the phone at DSL like speed (while in the high speed network) as well.
Email functionality found here like on all Blackberry devices is excellent. A flashing light turns red whenever you have any kind of message. All your messages are consolidated into one mailbox which makes it a breeze to review all messages.
The calendar function is just as good as what the treo delivers and you can throw away your stylus since this device does not require one. It all syncs flawlessly with Microsoft outlook.
The phone is great but usability and sound could be a little bit better. Please note that I am being "picky" here because the phone does work quite well. The quality is again superior to the Treo.
I rarely get excited over new things but I have to admit that Blackberry and Verizon have got it right with this device. In the US, I would only purchase the 7130 devices through Verizon.
I really should rate this one a ten. It is that good a device! Especially if you require internet connectivity while traveling. -
"A bit intimidating at first, but well worth learning its language." on by SheriDarling
Pros: Internet browsing(awesome & fast), e-mail messages sent straight to your phone, scroll button on side for fast browsing, big screen with vibrant colors.
Cons: Somewhat complicated (READ THE MANUAL!!!) Phone locked up a couple of times, just restart it...
Summary: Okay, so here it is: THE BLACKBERRY 7130E!!! I just got mine this week, but I wanted to comment on what I think so far...Great features including e-mail, internet browsing, and great reception! It is a bit complicated when you first start out, but be patient and just read the manual and you will be on your way down the blackberry road. I hated it at first because I was afraid of all the details and buttons you have to look up in the manual to understand what the functions are. It looks like a qwerty keyboard, but some of the letters are shared on a button. That being said, it has a great "SureType" feature that pretty much knows what word makes sense with the combination of letters used, so it completes your word without using Multi-tap functions. I was hesitant to use it, but after I started, I would not go any other way!
The internet browsing is amazing and extremely fast. It didn't get all the sites I wanted, but %80 were fine. I'm an E-bay junkie, so being able to shop and manage my account from my phone is a beautiful thing. Another thing is my e-mail gets sent straight to my phone like a text message, and you can add up to 10 e-mail accounts so you can manage all your e-mail from your cute little BlackBerry. One thing I didn't like in particular was not being able to personalize ringtones for people. I could be wrong, as I am still new to this, but I didn't figure it out yet. But this is more of a professional phone, so I can deal with it. I don't know if the internet has any sound, but I haven't got it to work, again this could be my ignorance with the phone at the time.
Okay, size: Definately smaller and more convenient than the normal BlackBerry. I used to have a small phone and changing to this wasn't too bad. I also had the Motorola E815 for a day, and I hated that it felt like a flimsy little toy. That is not the case for this phone. It feels more durable, I hate those flip phones that feel like a baby can snap them in half in a second. It definitely gets a lot of attention with the large screen with great color. I really have no complaints with the size or resolution. Even photos off the internet looked great!
My only real problem is when my phone locks up, it already happened a couple of times in the past few days. It could be just a defect in this particular phone, but I haven't complained about it yet. I just restart the phone, and voila, back to normal!
The bluetooth function is a great thing for every phone to have. Talking wirelessly in your car, especially in California, can save us from thousands, maybe millions, of accidents a year. I hate seeing people holding their phone to their ear and driving in two lanes(believe me, it happens more than you think!) So the Bluetooth compatability is obviously an awesome thing to have.
No matter how many little icons are on your main screen, if you start pressing #'s, it will automatically go back to phone mode, which is great if you just want to make calls, and you don't care about all the functions.
One more thing, the LED light is great, as it lets you know if your in/out of service area, and if you have messages waiting.
I can't think of anything else right now, but I will add to this review if I come up with something later on.
I would definately pick this phone over the RAZR or the new LG VX9800, that look fun, but end up being disappointing. The difference is worth every dollar.
So there it is, functions, features, and fun, all packed into the great new BlackBerry 7130E model. GO FOR IT!
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