This is my review of the Cingular Blackjack. Just a few thoughts...
01-08-07 Update: I'm keeping this thing. It's great - slim, fast 3G, all the features - and I don't miss the touchscreen after all.
Also I posted in another thread about getting Google Maps and Gmail working http://discussion.treocentral.com/showpost.php?p=1166718&postcount=41 which I got from Howard Forums!
Pros:
1. Very thin
2. Lightweight
3. 3G
4. Crisp, bright screen
5. 1.3mp camera
Cons:
1. No touhscreen - Update 01-08-07 - I don't miss the touchscreen.
2. Number spacing on the keyboard is awkward - though I suppose after prolonged use one would get used to it.
3. Nope, nothing else to gripe about.
So more "pros" than "cons", right? So why don't I like it? Why is it going away?
Here it is...The keyguard.
I'll explain: To lock the keypad, you have to hold the "end" key for a couple of seconds (2 seconds). No big deal.
Now to unlock the keypad - Here's the real catch. You have to do the following:
1. Press the on/off key at the top of the phone. (Most will use the index finger of the same hand that is holding the device - one handed operation).
2. Press the Left Soft Key, which at this point reads "Unlock".
3. Press the "*" key (that's the * key).
Three keys to unlock the phone - and they aren't even closely spaced. Well definitely not the on/off button.
None of the reviews I've read mention this - or at least I don't believe I've seen it mentioned anywhere else.
Now contrast that with the Treo 650 (and hopefully the 750), to enable the keyguard you simply press the "end" key.
To quickly view the screen, for example to view the time, you press the "end" key again.
To unlock the keyguard, you press the "end" key, then press the center button of the 4-way navigation buttons. All within easy reach of your happy thumb.
Simple, huh? One-handed. Great for when you just want to check the time or for any missed calls, etc, etc...
I can't even begin to imagine how many times I've simply pulled the 650 out of my pocket just to check the time, then slip it right back.
With the Blackjack - forget it. I may as well start to wear a wristwatch instead. (I prefer to not wear a wristwatch - tan lines are so horrible. Just kidding).
Or how about while driving I'll glance (quickly since I don't talk while driving without a headset) at the brick to view missed calls. Why? Oh because I usually have the music waaaaay too loud. Though I also don't get too many calls - I suppose it makes me feel good to check the phone? haha...
Update 01-08-07: Using Automatic Keylock (referenced further down the thread) has been super handy in working around the keylock issue.
So I figured I'd share my experience with the Blackjack with the TC community.
I am keeping the Blackjack and not gettting a 750 (at least not right away - I'm sure I'll get all tech-junkie and buy it anyway)
Take care.
01-08-07 Update: I'm keeping this thing. It's great - slim, fast 3G, all the features - and I don't miss the touchscreen after all.
Also I posted in another thread about getting Google Maps and Gmail working http://discussion.treocentral.com/showpost.php?p=1166718&postcount=41 which I got from Howard Forums!
Pros:
1. Very thin
2. Lightweight
3. 3G
4. Crisp, bright screen
5. 1.3mp camera
Cons:
1. No touhscreen - Update 01-08-07 - I don't miss the touchscreen.
2. Number spacing on the keyboard is awkward - though I suppose after prolonged use one would get used to it.
3. Nope, nothing else to gripe about.
So more "pros" than "cons", right? So why don't I like it? Why is it going away?
Here it is...The keyguard.
I'll explain: To lock the keypad, you have to hold the "end" key for a couple of seconds (2 seconds). No big deal.
Now to unlock the keypad - Here's the real catch. You have to do the following:
1. Press the on/off key at the top of the phone. (Most will use the index finger of the same hand that is holding the device - one handed operation).
2. Press the Left Soft Key, which at this point reads "Unlock".
3. Press the "*" key (that's the * key).
Three keys to unlock the phone - and they aren't even closely spaced. Well definitely not the on/off button.
None of the reviews I've read mention this - or at least I don't believe I've seen it mentioned anywhere else.
Now contrast that with the Treo 650 (and hopefully the 750), to enable the keyguard you simply press the "end" key.
To quickly view the screen, for example to view the time, you press the "end" key again.
To unlock the keyguard, you press the "end" key, then press the center button of the 4-way navigation buttons. All within easy reach of your happy thumb.
Simple, huh? One-handed. Great for when you just want to check the time or for any missed calls, etc, etc...
I can't even begin to imagine how many times I've simply pulled the 650 out of my pocket just to check the time, then slip it right back.
With the Blackjack - forget it. I may as well start to wear a wristwatch instead. (I prefer to not wear a wristwatch - tan lines are so horrible. Just kidding).
Or how about while driving I'll glance (quickly since I don't talk while driving without a headset) at the brick to view missed calls. Why? Oh because I usually have the music waaaaay too loud. Though I also don't get too many calls - I suppose it makes me feel good to check the phone? haha...
Update 01-08-07: Using Automatic Keylock (referenced further down the thread) has been super handy in working around the keylock issue.
So I figured I'd share my experience with the Blackjack with the TC community.
I am keeping the Blackjack and not gettting a 750 (at least not right away - I'm sure I'll get all tech-junkie and buy it anyway)
Take care.
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