Here's everything you need to know about the BlackBerry 7210: If you don't have one, I urge you to get one immediately. I sadly had to return my test unit to Research In Motion (they didn't believe me when I tried to tell them it "got lost in the mail"), but I fell in love with it quickly, and I know you'll do the same.
The 7210 is essentially the Corvette of hybrid handhelds: Not only does it look sharp next to the competition, but it also can't truly be appreciated until it's been taken for a test drive.
Ease of use is what makes the 7210 a must-have. The side-mounted thumbwheel enabled me to use only one hand to do everything from sending e-mails and SMS text messages, to making phone calls and text-browsing the Web.
The handy access to e-mail is almost priceless. Using the demo site's easy setup process, I was able to forward my work e-mail to the device without using an expensive BlackBerry Server. On a single screen, the device allowed me to scroll through all my e-mail, plus SMS messages and all the calls I had placed or received. By double-clicking the wheel, I could respond to any message or make a call by simply highlighting the e-mail address or phone number.
The brand-new, 65,000-color screen enlivens the viewing experience, but I would have been just as happy without it. Still, the brilliantly backlit screen and thumb-size keyboard are fantastic for working in low light conditions.
As a phone, the device's sound quality is average. It's also awkward to hold while talking. Worth noting: The only U.S. providers currently offering the device are AT&T Wireless and T-Mobile (via the nearly-identical 7230). Power consumption isn't an issue, as the 7210 offers at least four hours of talk time between charges, and its handy USB/charger cable is beyond convenient.
Browsing the Net is fun at first, but its WAP browser is limited to text only, so the novelty wears off quickly. Still, it is a fast and convenient way to get news, weather and financial information while away from the office.
The 7210 provides the standard PDA apps -- address book, calendar and notepad -- plus a few originals like a handy tasks area, a powerful message search option, an alarm clock and an addictive BrickBreaker game. All the utility apps are tightly integrated, so that dialing a number in a task note is a one-click process.
Though the device may be pricey for some, the BlackBerry 7210 is worth its weight in gold for both business and consumer users.
