BlackBerry 5810 excels in the high-wireless act

  • Matt Moore / Associated Press
  • Saturday, June 1, 2002 9:00pm
  • Business

By Matt Moore

Associated Press

NEW YORK — In business, communication is key.

Whether it’s staying on top of the latest market alerts via e-mail or getting a quick briefing on a potential client’s likes and dislikes, those who can get information while on the go are ahead of the game.

So it’s no surprise that Wall Streeters, insurance execs, bond traders and just about anyone else apt to be wearing a suit either has a BlackBerry or wants one.

Now they have one more reason to desire the newest device from Waterloo, Ontario-based Research In Motion: a built-in phone.

The BlackBerry 5810 sports many of the same features as its predecessors, but packs in quite a bit more.

Like its forebears, the BlackBerry 950 and 957, the new model features end-to-end wireless e-mail, accessible directly from corporate mail servers and POP3 addresses (I had all of my e-mail from my EarthLink account forwarded to it).

Also present, as it is on the 957, is a wireless Internet browser, Short Message Service capabilities, address book and organizer.

The 5810 also boasts complete compatibility with BlackBerry’s Enterprise Server, meaning companies that have already deployed previous models can support the new model without having to upgrade their software.

It is only underneath the 4.6-inch by 3.1-inch by .7-inch black carapace that RIM has forced the BlackBerry evolution.

Instead of using only GSM phone service, the 5810 takes advantage of GSM1900/GPRS networks for its voice and e-mail applications. That means the device is always on, always retrieving e-mail and ready to take phone calls.

And with a variety of third-party applications available, 5810 users can view, print and fax e-mail attachments without having to sync with their personal computer.

The standard browser can access WAP and WML sites, but even with GPRS (Global Packet Radio Service) I did find that it took a few seconds to load sites, including offerings from CNN.com and other news sites. Still, a four or five-second wait didn’t deter from the functionality of catching the latest Braves and Mets scores as I walked the streets of New York.

The other major change is the use of the Java 2 Micro Edition as the basis of the operating system. That gives users the opportunity to take advantage of Java-scripted programs that are prevalent on some existing phones, most notably those used on the Nextel network.

The addition of the cellular phone is perhaps the strongest point of the 5810, but it’s in need of better integration.

Unlike the BlackBerry’s closest competitor, the Handspring Treo, there is no way of talking or listening without using an earbud and microphone that plugs into a 2.5-millimeter jack atop the device.

Getting to the phone requires using the jog shuttle to highlight the phone icon, then punching in a number on the thumb-operated keyboard. It’s a minor quibble, but I’d like to have been able to go into phone mode with just one push of a button. Of course, the 5810 does feature conference calling, call forwarding, caller ID and call waiting.

Unlike the Treo, I could use other BlackBerry functions while talking on the phone. While a friend and I decided where to meet for dinner, I checked my calendar to see if I already had plans (I didn’t).

The 5810 is being marketed with GSM/GPRS access on VoiceStream and AT&T Wireless. My model came with the former.

Using the phone was easy, and the quality of the audio, both listening and talking was clear.

That said, the 5810 isn’t an inexpensive proposition. It retails for $499 with activation from VoiceStream and AT&T Wireless, and it does suffer from my long-standing beef of having a monochrome display.

Copyright ©2002 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Business

A closing sign hangs above the entrance of the Big Lots at Evergreen and Madison on Monday, July 22, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Big Lots announces it will shutter Everett and Lynnwood stores

The Marysville store will remain open for now. The retailer reported declining sales in the first quarter of the year.

George Montemor poses for a photo in front of his office in Lynnwood, Washington on Tuesday, July 30, 2024.  (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Despite high mortgage rates, Snohomish County home market still competitive

Snohomish County homes priced from $550K to $850K are pulling in multiple offers and selling quickly.

Henry M. Jackson High School’s robotic team, Jack in the Bot, shake hands at the 2024 Indiana Robotics Invitational.(Henry M. Jackson High School)
Mill Creek robotics team — Jack in the Bot — wins big

Henry M. Jackson High School students took first place at the Indiana Robotic Invitational for the second year in a row.

The computer science and robotics and artificial intelligence department faculty includes (left to right) faculty department head Allison Obourn; Dean Carey Schroyer; Ishaani Priyadarshini; ROBAI department head Sirine Maalej and Charlene Lugli. PHOTO: Arutyun Sargsyan / Edmonds College.
Edmonds College to offer 2 new four-year degree programs

The college is accepting applications for bachelor programs in computer science as well as robotics and artificial intelligence.

FILE — Boeing 737 MAX8 airplanes on the assembly line at the Boeing plant in Renton, Wash., on March 27, 2019. Boeing said on Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2024, that it was shaking up the leadership in its commercial airplanes unit after a harrowing incident last month during which a piece fell off a 737 Max 9 jet in flight. (Ruth Fremson/The New York Times)
Federal judge rejects Boeing’s guilty plea related to 737 Max crashes

The plea agreement included a fine of up to $487 million and three years of probation.

Neetha Hsu practices a command with Marley, left, and Andie Holsten practices with Oshie, right, during a puppy training class at The Everett Zoom Room in Everett, Washington on Wednesday, July 3, 2024. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Tricks of the trade: New Everett dog training gym is a people-pleaser

Everett Zoom Room offers training for puppies, dogs and their owners: “We don’t train dogs, we train the people who love them.”

Andy Bronson/ The Herald 

Everett mayor Ray Stephenson looks over the city on Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2015 in Everett, Wa. Stephanson sees  Utah’s “housing first” model – dealing with homelessness first before tackling related issues – is one Everett and Snohomish County should adopt.

Local:issuesStephanson

Shot on: 1/5/16
Economic Alliance taps former Everett mayor as CEO

Ray Stephanson will serve as the interim leader of the Snohomish County group.

Molbak's Garden + Home in Woodinville, Washington will close on Jan. 28. (Photo courtesy of Molbak's)
After tumultuous year, Molbak’s is being demolished in Woodinville

The beloved garden store closed in January. And a fundraising initiative to revitalize the space fell short.

Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin, Advanced Manufacturing Skills Center executive director Larry Cluphf, Boeing Director of manufacturing and safety Cameron Myers, Edmonds College President Amit Singh, U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen, and Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers participate in a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday, July 2 celebrating the opening of a new fuselage training lab at Paine Field. Credit: Arutyun Sargsyan / Edmonds College
‘Magic happens’: Paine Field aerospace center dedicates new hands-on lab

Last month, Edmonds College officials cut the ribbon on a new training lab — a section of a 12-ton Boeing 767 tanker.

Gov. Jay Inslee presents CEO Fredrik Hellstrom with the Swedish flag during a grand opening ceremony for Sweden-based Echandia on Tuesday, July 30, 2024, in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Swedish battery maker opens first U.S. facility in Marysville

Echandia’s marine battery systems power everything from tug boats to passenger and car ferries.

Helion Energy CEO and co-founder David Kirtley talks to Governor Jay Inslee about Trenta, Helion’s 6th fusion prototype, during a tour of their facility on Tuesday, July 9, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
State grants Everett-based Helion a fusion energy license

The permit allows Helion to use radioactive materials to operate the company’s fusion generator.

People walk past the new J.sweets storefront in Alderwood Mall on Thursday, July 25, 2024, in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
New Japanese-style sweets shop to open in Lynnwood

J. Sweets, offering traditional Japanese and western style treats opens, could open by early August at the Alderwood mall.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.