The Mobile Phone Saving Network

Blackberry 7230

Wireless/Mobile Phone/Cell Phone

Rated 3.5 out of 5

Now Blackberry users can wirelessly read email, make phone calls, book meetings, and more--in color. In addition to being the first color BlackBerry, the 7230 is also the first with support for gaming, and it's one of the first with tri-band GSM-- a real must for world travelers. This integrated phone, email client (with support for corporate email servers), organizer and web browser is the ultimate weapon for mobile professionals.

Design

Click the image to get a closer look at the BlackBerry 7230's features.

The 7230 follows the standard BlackBerry form factor-- a large 240 x 160 color screen placed above a QWERTY thumbpad. The screen offers plenty of real estate to view your emails, web browser content, messaging sessions and attachments. The popular BlackBerry user interface is here, too, which makes it easy to navigate the phone's functions. A jog dial is located on the right side of the unit for quick scrolling through menus and emails. There's also a standard 2.5mm headset jack that can be used with the included headset. A removable lithium-ion battery is housed in the rear of the unit, and there is a USB port for data connectivity.

Calling Features
Many of the calling capabilities folks have come to expect in a wireless phone are present in the 7230. A vibrating alert and speed dial capability are present, as is a contacts list/address book that is limited only by the unit's 16 MB of internal memory.

Messaging, Internet and Tools
The 7230 delivers the legendary BlackBerry email experience. With T-Mobile's BlackBerry Internet Service plans, you can receive emails instantaneously from personal and corporate accounts. With BlackBerry push technology, you don't need to retrieve your email. BlackBerry devices are designed to remain on and continuously connected to the wireless network, allowing you to be discreetly notified as new email arrives. Support is also built-in for viewing email attachments (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, WordPerfect, and PDF formats).

If your company has BlackBerry Enterprise Server installed, you can take advantage of the power of wireless calendar synchronization. Your calendar events are exchanged wirelessly and automatically so that your desktop calendar and BlackBerry device calendar are synchronized. All your Outlook meeting requests, changes, and updates are instantaneously synchronized with your desktop. Make meeting requests, invite new attendees and more, all on your 7230. Users without Enterprise Server support can manually sync with their desktop calendars and contacts using BlackBerry Desktop software and the device's USB data port.

Use the 7230's Web browser to access the Internet from the palm of your hand. Browse Web sites, get up-to-date stock quotes, read the latest news, check weather reports and more. Wireless text messaging is also supported by the 7230.

The 7230 ships with a number of tools, including a calculator with a unit converter, and a to-do list. The unit's software is based on the Java platform, meaning Java-compatible games and applications can be added to the device.

Vital Statistics
The RIM BlackBerry 7230 weighs 4.9 ounces and measures 4.4 x 2.9 x 0.94 inches. Its lithium-ion battery is rated at up to 4 hours of digital talk time, and up to 240 hours digital standby time. It runs on the 900/1800/1900 GSM/GPRS frequencies. The phone comes with a one year limited warranty.

What's in the Box
BlackBerry 7230 handset, travel charger, USB cable, battery, holster, hands-free headset, SIM card, BlackBerry Desktop software.

Features of Blackberry 7230:

attachment viewing for microsoft word, excel, powerpoint, wordperfect, and adobe pdf
full-color screen with easy-to-use icons
international gsm service compatibility (tri-band: 900, 1800, 1900 mhz)
organizer with pc synchronization
pda phones
supports microsoft exchange and lotus domino

Reviews:

Powerfull Email tool	Rating: 5
As an email tool for people who travel and need instant access it is great, highly recomend!! T mobile customer service however is terrible I cant wait until my contract with them is up, luckily the 7230 works so well and is problem free so I rarely have to talk to them.

Blackberry is Great, so is T-Mobile	Rating: 4
I suspect that many of the complaints about T-Mobile are related to local areas. Like it or not all cell companies are hit and miss depending on the area. AT&T was great in Atlanta, but awful in Phoenix. T-Mobile has been great over the past three years. The Blackberrys just get better. I have had on since 1999.

The Blackberry is fine, but don't trust T-Mobile

Rating: 2

I've had the 7230 from T-Mobile for about 4 months, and haven't had any problems (other than when I got my phone it took them 2 days and about 8 phone calls to get my enterprise service activated -- always ask to be directly connected to Tier 2 technical support -- no one else knows anything at all).

However, my BlackBerry suddenly gave me a JVM (Java Virtual Machine) error 523 and wouldn't do anything else. After going through the 4 layers to get to Tier 2 support, they tell me that it is a hardware problem (I think otherwise, but lets go with that). They assure me that for $15 they will overnight a new one to me. Two days later, no phone. I call them back. Oh, they say. Its not overnight, its three day shipping. And by the way, its on back-order so the earliest we will have them in stock is in 4 days (plus the 3 days shipping). I only got this info after going through 2 CS reps.

What kind of company (T-mobile) sells a device aimed at business users, doesn't seem to be able to ship warranty replacements out overnight, and doesn't even keep any stock for warranty repairs? Try someone else, don't trust T-mobile.

By VoiceStream