RIM BlackBerry 7290 user reviews (AT&T)

4.0 stars

"Great BlackBerry, with Bluetooth" on January 12, 2005

Pros: Bluetooth headsets can be used on the BlackBerry. Easy to use, even for me who came from Pocket PC and Palms. Great e-mail support.

Cons: Bluetooth can only be used with headsets. Cannot be used to sync with computer or other devices.

4.0 stars

"As a cell/PDA, my personal holy grail" on December 12, 2004

Pros: Quite precisely what I was looking for. Easy to read, surprisingly sharp voice quality, superior keyboard to the narrowed 7100t configuration. Syncs magnificently with my Mac through the PocketMac software. I tried Verizon's Blackberry first, but EVERYBOD

Cons: I keep accidentally hitting the 'disconnect' button while trying to answer incoming calls, but I just need practice ....

3.5 stars

"Helpful, reliable, wish it had a few more features" on June 15, 2006 by pmignini

Pros: Update frequency, ease of use, durability (so far),

Cons: Limited phone features, sound level, screen visibility outside, web page layout

Summary: I just received my first smartphone, the Blackberry 7290, as part of my new job. My personal cell phone was/is a Razr V3c. My comments, therefore, relate to both the network and the device.

Pros:
- We have enterprise update, a wireless update feature on our network which syncs the BBerry calendar, mail and contacts with those of Outlook. Awesome feature, with nearly instantaneous updates. Not a huge issue, but a wish list candidate nonetheless.
- Love the calendar feature; it's made organizing my life and leaving/starting appointments on time so much easier.
- Dropped this a few times on the floor. So far, it's resisted my attempts to kill it.
- Although there are a plethora of keyboard shortcuts one can learn, the basic use (thumbwheel, escape button, keyboard) is very clear and easy.
- Small, comparable to a mid-size (?) cell phone. Without the protective case, it fits in a pocket easily.
- Color screen is good, but...(see below)
- Vibrate is best in class, unlike some phones which vibrate without being noticed.
- easy Bluetooth headset integration
- I really like the mix of features: calendar, notes, mail, phone, etc.

Cons:
- Most of my issues have to do with the phone features and service (the device I have has Cingular). The ringtone volume, even at it's highest, is fairly moderate, which makes it hard to hear calls in even a somewhat noisy environment.
- In America, I find the speaker volume too low. It's better in Canada, but not as loud as I'd like. Headset volume helps, but still the signal is too low.
- I get calls with 4 or 5 bars of signal strength that still cut out or have low volume. I think this is a Cingular issue, because Verizon, for all their faults, has good sound even with 0 or 1 bar.
- I LOVE quality voice dial, and this feature is absent on this device (and I think on all Blackberries).
- The screen can be a challenge to see outdoors in bright light.
- I'd like to see websites presented more closely to their "regular PC" appearance. Screen organization is a crapshoot on these devices.
- No speakerphone, although other BBerry's have this.

Wish List:
- I'd like a larger screen, which I understand other models have. It would make web viewing more satisfying.
- Take a cue from the Razr v3c, which has the best voice recognition I have ever used (I speak of voice dialing, but other voice apps would also be welcome).
- I know, wrong device, but I wish I had Office apps, or at least a small-scale version of these apps that allowed me to view and start populating, for example, an Excel spreadsheet or Word doc.


Closing thoughts: I would love a truly all-in-one, no compromise device. That is, take this device, add a 3 megapixel camera with flash, flash memory card option, voice recognition and a somewhat larger screen, perhaps an MP3 player and, ideally, a radio. Until we get there, I will never be 100% pleased. However, with its reliability, features, ease of use and other factors, this is a solid, worthwhile device.

4.5 stars

"An excellant device!" on March 16, 2006 by fmaglin

Pros: Able to read the screen outdoors, even in bright sunlight

Cons: No speaker phone

Summary: I'm the owner of a door and millwork shop. I use my 7290 outdoors probably as much as indoors. I love the way the screen is so readable in sunlight (something I could not do with the 7100g) The sound quality is excellant. I love the 33 character keyboard versus the keyboard on the 7100g. The only drawback is that there is no speaker phone.