09-09-2004, 03:00 PM
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Editor Emeritus
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 15,171
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RIM's New Blackberry 7100t -- And Its Funky Keyboard
Yesterday, there was a flurry of announcements and quick looks at RIM's new always-on email communicator, which looks much more like a smartphone than any of their previous devices.
I was initially not going to post on this, as it's more fodder for Smartphone Thoughts than Pocket PC Thoughts, since the new device doesn't have a touchscreen just like the old one. However, after reading some of the reviews, I thought the thumbboard was interesting enough to merit discussion. In order to make the device more compact and phonelike, they rearranged the keyboard so that two characters are on each key. They then use a T9-like predictive text entry system called SureType, where you hit each key only once and let the device guess which letter you meant. Since it's only guessing amongst two characters as opposed to three on any given key, the reviews say it's amazingly accurate. I'm now wondering if these kinds of keyboards should be adopted by Pocket PC phones or Pocket PCs in general to help shrink integrated solutions, or if the Treo-style thumbboard is still preferable.
Rumors also suggest that this unit will have Bluetooth, which might make it an attractive companion to a Pocket PC (use this for email and phone calls, and Pocket PC for full-featured PIM functions and webbrowsing). What do you guys think?
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09-09-2004, 03:06 PM
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Ponderer
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 95
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So I was almost certainly going to get the Sidekick II when it came out (next week?) but after seeing the RIM, I think I am going to wait a month and get this instead.
BTW, given that this will probably be using a funky data plan much like the T-mobile Sidekick/II, will one be able to stream data over BT to a laptop/PocketPC for free? Or will one have to buy a separate extra data plan?
Suhit
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09-09-2004, 03:26 PM
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Pupil
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 40
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So what happens when RIM adds WiFi to one of these devices? I can testify that their web browsing is already quick and pretty... a convergence device (that you can REALLY use with one hand) would be pretty fly.
Let me see if I understand this right. The PPC still finds its main appeal in corporate environments... but RIM has the better reputation among corporate buyers? Normally I'd root for M$, but it seems like they're going to get squeezed on both sides (PalmOne on the low end, RIM on the high end) unless they pull out some new tricks.
Honestly, I think PPC could compete if they'd make their platform more jogdial-friendly. Most PPC apps are no good with only one hand... any step in this direction would be good. I hate letting go of the subway pole to use my PDA!
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09-09-2004, 03:56 PM
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Oracle
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 864
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Re: RIM's New Blackberry 7100t -- And Its Funky Keyboard
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Janak Parekh
Rumors also suggest that this unit will have Bluetooth
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Not a rumor at all it will have bluetooth see here.
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09-09-2004, 04:00 PM
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Sage
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 797
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Getting a sneak peek at one next week in a training sponsored by RIM.
I can't wait :-)
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09-09-2004, 04:15 PM
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Pupil
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 37
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I think the idea of a "2 letter key" is great combined with the T9 wannabe. But I think it would require support for alot of languages because otherwise it will be of no use. The predictive text that PPC has is of no use for me since my native language is danish. They could make the task of supported dictionaries easier by using an open protocol so third party or other could supply to it.
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09-09-2004, 04:53 PM
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Thinker
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 444
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Mossberg gave it a good review on WSJ.com, but I'd still rather have a full keyboard. If only MSFT would take a cue from RIM on the email and Web clients, PPC might be asier to use on those fronts.
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09-09-2004, 05:40 PM
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Pupil
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 10
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I'd like to see one. If the screen is as horrible as the screen on my Blackberry 7280 I'll pass.
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09-09-2004, 05:42 PM
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Oracle
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 864
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by sfrank8734
I'd like to see one. If the screen is as horrible as the screen on my Blackberry 7280 I'll pass.
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All the reviews have said the screen is one of the best screens they have ever seen. 
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09-09-2004, 06:33 PM
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Pupil
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 40
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by sfrank8734
I'd like to see one. If the screen is as horrible as the screen on my Blackberry 7280 I'll pass.
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My friends working for RIM have test units... the screens look at least as bright and crisp as my Dell Axim X5.
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Linear Mode
