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BlackBerry 7100g Review
BlackBerry 7100 Series handsets provide the best combined wireless phone, email and data experience for users who prefer a smaller handset design. They offer complete BlackBerry functionality, wirelessly connecting users with important communications and information. The BlackBerry 7100g also puts top-of-the-line features, such as speakerphone, Bluetooth technology, polyphonic ringtones and an advanced call log, into a sleek and stylish handset.
BlackBerry 7100g Review (Expert)
Upside: One of the most attractive features of the 7100 series is the compact form factor. Unlike traditional BlackBerry models, such as 7230, the 7100g looks and feels more like a standard cell phone (117 x 59 x 21mm). Fortunately, the smaller size doesn't mean fewer features. For instance, you still get a vibrant, portrait-mode color display. Other goodies include support for up to 10 personal and business e-mail accounts, a speakerphone, Bluetooth, and world phone capability (GSM 850/900/1800/1900). Downside: RIM touts its SureType technology (a combination of a traditional numerical keypad and a QWERTY keyboard) as "fast, accurate, and easy," but in using the 7100t, we found there's a learning curve. Although SureType will complete words for you based on the letters you input, it was often easier just to type the whole thing ourselves. We were disappointed too that there's no expandable memory slot. On the performance side, we'll have to test it before giving a final assessment, but the rated battery life of 4 hours of talk time and 8 days of standby time is on the short side, especially compared to the figures for the Treo 650
The BlackBerry 7100g is aimed at business consumers who want a device for work. And for the serious traveler who needs email synchronized with the company office, BlackBerry is a must. Combined with BlackBerry Enterprise Server, corporate email is secured from prying eyes, while push technology ensures email is sent to users on the road in real-time. However, the restricted Bluetooth connectivity and lack of EDGE high-speed transfer capabilities are significant drawbacks; items important to the business demographic the device is targeting. And the lack of an expansion slot means users may need to flush out old entries and contacts. The BlackBerry 7100g was meant for work, and fun features such as a built-in camera and MP3 player are noticeably missing. But its redesigned shape is a welcome relief from the boxy blue design of the past. And the 20-key QWERTY keypad with SureType predictive text technology makes typing on a reduced keypad just like using a full-sized keyboard.
I was once again disappointed to see that RIM has not yet given its customers access to an expansion card slot for adding memory, as well as outboard peripherals. To be fair, RIM points out that 32 MB is more than enough memory for business users who are able to leverage the back ends of an I.T. enterprise system in order to fulfill any additionaldata storage Latest News about Data Storage needs. But for the individual end-user who is without such support, the ability to add memory would be a most welcome touch. Although the handset's keypad represents an innovative approach to conserving space within the limitations of the smartphone form factor, it will not be a hit with all users. Prospective buyers are advised to try before they buy to see whether the new style of keyboard meets their needs and expectations.
BlackBerry 7100g Review (User)
I don't know if it can be done from the pc, but if you have access to a webserver (there are free ones out there)....CODEYou'll need a couple things to make an .adp ringtone that'll play on the 7100:1) an audio editor (Cool Edit, etc)2) a webserver3) The Philips version of Mobile Phone Tools. Get it here:http://www.p4c.philips.com/files/c/ct5358_afusa0p2/ct5358_afusa0p2_ics_eng.zipFirst edit your .wav or .mp3 down to about 15 seconds. We need to make sure that the final .adp file is under 120K, which seems to be the max file size the 7100 can handle. Save the file as an MS PCM wav.Next, install Mobile Phone Tools. Skip the part that asks for your Identifier, fax #, etc. Also, whenever you start the program it's gonna ask how your phone is connected to your PC. Since it only works with Philips phones, click cancel.Mobile Phone Tools can apparently be used to sync contacts, email, etc, but we have a Blackberry so we don't care about that functionality. All we need this program for is the Multimedia Center. Click the Menu button, then Tools, then Multimedia Center. Once this opens click on the button that says Melody Studio. Open your wav, click Save As, and select Oki ADPCM as the file type.Now upload this file to your web server. Before you can download to the 7100, you need to make sure that the correct MIME type has been set. MIME types tell a browser how to handle certain file extensions. You want to add the MIME type "audio/adpcm adp". The way to do this differs from server to server, so check your web server's documentation or speak w/ your hosting company.Once you've got the MIME type set, and the .adp file uploaded, open up the BB browser and navigate to the URL where your .adp is. It can take a few minutes for it to load, so don't panic. Once the Media Player has loaded and your ring tone is playing, click the scroll wheel and choose save. It'll ask for confirmation that you want to save it (you can also change the file name at this point).That's it. You've now got a ringtone infinitely better than midi on your 7100;)I'll be updating this as more information is known. There's still a few bugs to work out as far as the absolute max file size, etc.If you cannot add the MIME type to your server, then make a text file named htaccess.txt with the following linesOptions +IndexesaddType audio/adpcm adpThen upload this file to the directory that you want to put the ringtones in. Once it is in the directory, rename it to .htaccessIt may be possible to do this off your home pc with Microsoft IIS activated (win2k and XP Pro) but I can't support that.I do have some server space ready to accept Blackberry ringtones for a FEW people if you need it, but I will not create the ringtone for you. I would imagine that photos work the same way, but I have not tested that.
I have found this phone very good so far. Still trying to get used to the qwerty keyboard. And I am yet to find an application for the Blackberry for copying pictures and rintones to and from your PC.... other than that... great phone.
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