Having a chrome high-tech appearance, the front features a large 240 x 260 px screen capable of displaying 65K colors. A reduced size QWERTY keypad was a major factor for the 7100g's condensed size; situated below Send and End, and a Convenience Key used to open a list of useful links or open selected lists. With just 20 keys, up to two key presses is needed for entering a desired letter. Combined with RIM's SureType predictive technology, the text entry process has been considerably simplified.
The top of the 7100g contains a Power On / Off button and LED indicator; notifying users when new information has arrived. Along the left, a standard 2.5 mm headset jack provides convenient hands-free access, and a USB port enables data synchronization and battery charging. And on the right side, an End button allows users to conveniently exit a screen, while a navigational trackwheel offers versatile navigation through the menu structure and email messages.
Turned around, the back features a speakerphone in the top portion, just above the removable battery door.
Out of the box, the RIM BlackBerry 7100g comes with a standard 960 mAh Li-Ion battery, handsfree headset, international travel charger, USB data cable, BlackBerry Desktop software, SIM card, and user manual.
The BlackBerry 7100g is a quad-band GSM device (850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 MHz) ensuring compatibility and international roaming between North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. Operating under the BlackBerry OS, many business consumers are drawn to the devices due to advanced security features contained, for safeguarding sensitive corporate data. In addition to password protection and keyboard lock, information such as messages, address book entries, calendar entries, memos and tasks, can be encrypted locally.
But perhaps the 7100g's real draw to businesses is what users can't see; the features provided when BlackBerry's Enterprise Server software is installed on existing corporate servers. Unlike traditional phones, BlackBerry devices can be centrally managed and supported by IT departments through Enterprise. And when installed behind firewalls, BlackBerry users can securely access Microsoft Exchange and IBM Lotus Domino ISP email accounts, remote address book look-up, single mailbox integration, attachment viewing, and more. With Enterprise, an additional layer of protection can also be added to emails through S/MIME (Secure Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions) technology; satisfying strict IT requirements through the use of public-key cryptography, digital signatures, and writer-to-reader authentication. And end-to-end Triple DES and AES encryption ensures private information remains secure at all points between the BlackBerry 7100g and the server.
Rating the 7100g's 960 Li-Ion battery at 4 hours of talk time, and 8 days (192 hours) of standby, actual times will be slightly less. When handset manufacturers and cell phone carriers list talk time and standby time ratings, they usually include disclaimers about variable performance and often refer to the times they publish as maximum times.
Screen
Featuring a large 240 x 260 px 65K-color STN (Super Twisted Nematic) screen, BlackBerry 7100g users can conveniently read and write emails, surf the web, and text message. Since the BlackBerry 7100g is used primarily with business applications rather than programs requiring fast refresh rates, STN is actually more beneficial than TFT, consuming less power to prolong battery life. Entertainment
Powered by BlackBerry OS, the 7100g comes preinstalled with many common PIM (Personal Information Management) tools. Call, email, SMS, or schedule a meeting from one centralized Address Book. Every contact can hold up to eight phone numbers, an email address, and two postal addresses, and stored in groups; with the capacity limited only by the available memory left.
With the Calendar, users can view meetings in one of four views. Day, Week, and Month views show all appointments for the selected timeframe, while Agenda view shows the schedule in a list. Other common software packaged includes Alarm Clock and Calculator, and Memo Pad and Tasks to organize busy lives.
Also supporting Java 2 Platform, Micro Edition (J2ME), users can download and install 3rd party Java games and applications on the BlackBerry 7100g. Being the most popular platform for Java MIDlets, there are an abundance of applications and games already out on the market.
Having the ability to open and view email attachments, the BlackBerry 7100g supports formats such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, Corel WordPerfect, Adobe PDF, Zip Archives, HTML, and ASCII documents.
But perhaps the greatest strength of the BlackBerry 7100g is its ability to connect with Microsoft Exchange and Lotus Notes servers through Enterprise Server. Managing email accounts in one location, the 7100g supports email delivery in real time using "push" technology. From a user's desktop, email is "pushed" to the BlackBerry 7100g without needing to prompted.
However, if users don't work for a company with BlackBerry Enterprise Server installed, an alternative option is the BlackBerry Web Client. With the web client, email messages are wirelessly forwarded to the 7100g from up to 10 POP3 or IMAP4 accounts in 3 to 15 minute intervals.
Viewing web pages depends on which browser configuration is used. The WAP Browser uses WAP 2.0 to render the WML (Wireless Markup Language) content on the Internet. Using the BlackBerry Browser, users can access the corporate intranet using BlackBerry Enterprise Server supporting HTTP and IPPP protocols. While Internet Browser renders standard HTML pages as if the 7100g was a desktop. Users select the configuration that is optimal for the type of content they are viewing.
The BlackBerry 7100g features GPRS Class 8 (4+1) for transfer speeds of up to 40 kbps. Unfortunately, the 7100g isn't capable of utilizing Cingular's high-speed EDGE (Enhanced Data rates for Global Evolution) network, so optimal broadband burst rates of 200 kbps aren't supported. As a drawback, it's something that was expected to be included for a business device.
Storage
While the BlackBerry 7100g contains 32 MB of flash memory and 4 MB of SRAM, users will need to save memory accordingly. Because if users need more, they'll be out of luck; the 7100g doesn't come with any expandable memory slot.
Connectivity
Featuring Bluetooth connectivity, the BlackBerry 7100g can pair with Bluetooth headsets within a 10 meter radius; the limited range prevents interference between its peripheral devices and those belonging to other people nearby.
Unfortunately, supporting only "Audio" and "Voice" Gateways means that Bluetooth is limited to pairing headsets and handsfree devices. Dial-up connections, OBEX file transfers, and Bluetooth syncing has been restricted, but through the supplied USB data cable, many of the restrictions can be performed.
Conclusion
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. For consumers whose office uses BlackBerry Enterprise and requires access to the intranet or secure communications, the 7100g is a simple choice. But for those who don't need such powerful email functionality or want more robust multimedia features, the 7100g may not be for them.
Regardless, being sold on the Cingular network, the BlackBerry 7100g with its 65K-color screen and sleek new design is expected to be popular towards loyal BlackBerry users and non-users alike.
RIM BlackBerry 7100g Specs
Technical Specifications
Network: GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
Form Factor: PDA
Dimensions: 117 x 59 x 21 mm
Weight: 120 g
Antenna: Internal
Navigation: Trackwheel / QWERTY Keypad
Battery Type: 960 mAh Li-Ion
Talk Time: 4.00
Standby Time: 192
Memory: 32 MB
Expandable Memory: No
Imaging
Main Screen: 65000 colors (STN)
240 x 260 px
External Screen: No
Camera: No
Audio
MP3 Player: No
FM Radio: No
Speakerphone: Yes
Push-To-Talk: No
Multimedia
Wallpapers: 240 x 260 px
Screen Savers: 240 x 260 px
Ring Tones: 32 chord
Themes: No
Games: J2ME
Streaming Multimedia: No
Messaging
SMS: Yes
EMS: Yes
MMS: Yes
Email: Microsoft Exchange / Lotus Domino
Chat: Yes
Predictive Text: SureType
Applications
Phonebook Capacity: Unknown
Calendar: Yes
To-Do List: Yes
WAP: BlackBerry Browser
Voice Commands: Yes
Calculator: Yes
Connectivity
Bluetooth: Yes
Infrared Port: No
High-Speed Data: GPRS (Class 8)
Wi-Fi: No
GPS: No
PC Sync: Yes
