Blackberry 7130c was officially released to Cingular Wireless customers through the new BlackBerry Personal Plan. It was predicted before the Jun 8th press releases that Cingular would offer it up to the public. This new BlackBerry does the same web browsing and Email-from-anywhere that you've come to expect, but it can do it faster than most devices. EDGE technology provides enhanced data rates (just like it's name says - Enhanced Data rates for Global Evolution) it's an enhancement to GPRS mobile network (which is actually a GSM data transmission system).
If all these wireless network acronyms seem a bit confusing check our Parent’s Guide to Cell Phones. If you have any questions send us an email at editor@gizmocafe.com - I’ll be sure to embarrass you personally in a blog post dedicated to reprinting your question and answering it in a sort of mailbag feature. And just in case you’re wondering which frequency of GPRS this thing will operate on, the answer is: 2 to 2.5 G.
Cingular's new BlackBerry Personal Plans are an effort to bring the email-anywhere functionality out of corporate America and into the mainstream - possibly to a younger, more hip crowd than is usually associated with the stuffy old person’s handheld device. The cost with the Cingular agreement comes to $199.00 for the hardware, plus plans that start at $29.99 a month. With the reasonable prices and the hip darker shades of the new devices, all RIM needs to do is a bit of advertising showing the likes of 50cent answering the call of the Blackberry on his hip, and they’ll have a real push toward the MTV crowd.
This quad-band Smartphone can follow you overseas and is compatible with GSM/GPRS and EDGE networks at 850/900/1800 and 1900 MHz. Its screen is a 240x260 pixel LCD capable of 65K colors, which features light sensing technology for visibility in light or dark environments. Its 64Megs of memory can store polyphonic MP3 ringtones, and it has Bluetooth support compatibility with wireless headsets and other peripherals.
This BlackBerry also features RIM's SureType technology for typing on its keypad. It's a keypad system that includes the actual hardware, similar to BlackBerry's traditional thumb keyboard. One of Blackberry’s cooler features is the AI that tries to predict what you're typing and complete the word for you. This could be annoying for the uninitiated, but seasoned users say:
"SureType AI technology adds a dimension of enhanced usability to the often rigorous task of messaging. It will increase the speed and efficiency with which you can type a message thus enhancing productivity of the individual."
Hold on RIM! For the hip, younger crowd you’re looking for, I don’t think you’re going to make it with that kind of analysis of your SureType system. Try this instead:
"When thumb typing IMs to your homies, man, SureType be sparkin’ da bowl!"
There, now that’s the kind of hip endorsement sure to appeal to the cereal-eating, youthful audience.