RIM BlackBerry 7290 Review

RIM BlackBerry 7290 Reviews

This update to the tried and true BlackBerry 7200 series adds support for Bluetooth, a brighter display, quad-band GSM and 32 MB of internal memory. This integrated phone, email client (with support for corporate email servers), organizer and web browser is the ultimate weapon for mobile professionals.

Design

The RIM BlackBerry 7290 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.

Calling Features

Many of the calling capabilities folks have come to expect in a wireless phone are present in the RIM BlackBerry-7290. The unit's Bluetooth capability means you can use a wireless headset with the phone for handsfree calling. A vibrating alert, speed dial, and a contacts list/address book that is limited only by the unit's 32 MB of internal memory, are also included.

Messaging, Internet and Tools

The 7290 cellphone delivers the legendary BlackBerry email experience. 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 7290. Users without Enterprise Server support can manually sync with their desktop calendars and contacts via Bluetooth or USB using the included BlackBerry Desktop software.

Use the RIM BlackBerry 7290'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 7290.

The 7290 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 7290 weighs 4.9 ounces and measures 4.5 x 2.9 x 0.9 inches. Its lithium-ion battery is rated at up to 4 hours of digital talk time, and up to 9 days of digital standby time. It runs on the 800/900/1800/1900 GSM/GPRS frequencies. The phone comes with a one year limited warranty.

What's in the Box / Accessories

RIM BlackBerry 7290 handset, travel charger, USB cable, battery, holster, hands-free headset, SIM card, BlackBerry Desktop software.