A Big Taste Of The New BlackBerry

CBS' Larry Magid Reports On What It Does - And Doesn't - Do

(CBS)  The 8700c has been available since November through Cingular Wireless and GSM carriers in other countries. Because it uses the GSM network, it can also be used in many other countries, though extra roaming charges will apply.

The device, which weighs 4.7 ounces and measures 4.3 by 2.7 by .77 inches is both smaller and lighter than any of its predecessors with QWERTY keyboards. Though the difference in size is slight, the impact is significant because it makes it easier to use with one hand.

It's also the first BlackBerry in the U.S. to use Cingular's EDGE network which provides higher-speed "broadband" connectivity at between 400 to 700 kilobits per second. Similar devices from Sprint and Verizon are also able to use those company's high-speed networks.

The high-speed network comes in handy when you use the Blackberry to view attachments such as Word or PDF files. This is the first Blackberry with an Intel processor. It also has 64 MB of flash memory and 16 MB of SRAM for storage and additional software. One impressive feature is its light-sensitive screen that adjusts the brightness, making it easy to view indoors and out.

There are BlackBerry e-mail solutions for both business and individual users. Many corporations and government agencies have the Blackberry integrated into their Microsoft Exchange application which gives them access to corporate email and, in some cases, internal instant messaging systems.

As an individual user, I did something far simpler. The BlackBerry also comes with an individual e-mail account which, in my case, has a rather long address ending in "@mycingular.blackberry.net." To make life easier, I configured my regular e-mail system to automatically forward incoming mail to the BlackBerry and configured the BlackBerry's to give out my regular email address as the "reply to" address for all outgoing messages. You can also use the BlackBerry to access most email accounts directly.

Like any cell phone, you can send SMS (text) messages to other phones. Because it has a QWERTY keyboard, that's a lot easier than a regular phone.

The BlackBerry, of course, has a browser that you can use to access the web. While it's easier and better than browsing from a cell phone, most web sites are still not optimized for handheld devices so the experience will be mixed.

If you're looking for an MP3 music player or a camera phone, keep looking. While the BlackBerry can play some games, it purposefully remains a business tool, not a multimedia all-purpose device.

When I checked, Cingular Wireless was selling the BlackBerry 8700c for $299 with a 2-year contract for monthly service. In addition to your basic voice services, you'll have to pay additional fees for data services.

---

A syndicated technology columnist for over two decades, Larry Magid serves as on air Technology Analyst for CBS Radio News. His technology reports can be heard several times a week on the CBS Radio Network. Magid is the author of several books including "The Little PC Book."