Cingular "BlackJack" Mini-Review

[weldon]

For clarity on the Cingular data plans...

The Smartphone Connect unlimited plan is $20 (Cingular smartphones only)
The Data Connect unlimiuted plan is $45 (for PDA's, etc.)

 

[Felldownthewell]

Sorry again. I apparently wasn't clear. I saw it the second time, but it was a bit confusing the way they put it on a separate line from the other data protocols, which were with the voice protocol. I think someone just didn't want to edit as much when they revised the information.

I'm sure you're enjoying using the device, though, as it seems to be quite capable. The keyboard issues were mentioned elsewhere. I'm not sure why they put the dialing numbers where they did, but with my Samsung phone, I'm not seeing a lot of logic in their choices.

Yah it isn't as immediately obious as they make it out to be in the commercials. I'd agree typing in numbers is a bit odd...don't know what the designers were thinking?

 

[Felldownthewell]

Here are the pictures. (Better late than never right?)

The Front

Side

Compared to my hand

Back

All lit up

Blurry side picture

And compared to a CD

If there are any requests for more specific pictures let me know.

 

[nospleen]

Thanks a ton!!

 

[DeepIn2U]

If you do not want to buy a new handset you will have to get your exisiting handset, which is most likely subsidy locked to T-Mobile, unlocked. T-Mobile most likely will not and Cingular, by law, cannot.

Ahem, where do you get the information for "against the law cannot" unlock Cingular's own subsidy priced cellphones? Hmm lets look at the past for examples Best Buy selling the Motorola MPx200 / 220 BOTH were unlocked right at the retail point. Some recent retail versions of the HTC TyTn branded by Cingular (that PPCPE huge device) is also unlocked. Its not against the law for cingular to have phones "unlocked" but most likely against their contract with the manufacturer. GSM as a standard doesnt dictate LOCKED cellphones over in Europe "O2" and "3" wireless providers just as large or larger by subscribers on contract release ALL or MOST respectively, of their gsm/gprs/edge/umts/hsdpa phones UNLOCKED. TMobile carries the HTC branded H620 a nice competitor to the BlackJack I might add >whom Cingular has an agreement with HTC as well can unlock their DASH if requested after 3months of contractual service. So its clearly not against the law unless you can provide proof other wise.

Great mini-review.

Some things I'd like to add, other than Symbian (UIQ3 or S60 3rd Edition) devices only the WM5 offers as much power, performance & multitasking! Palm OS is NOT a fully running multitasking OS it may look like it with scripts and threads for MP3's in the background but its not. Palm OS is getting long in the tooth with a HUGE cavity and an open weakness to the root canal. Palm OS 6 promised to be fully multitasking and if Palm didnt split PalmSource and if they didnt sell the OS rights we'd have something significant - along the fact of not charging an arm & leg of licencees (making them wait so long too I might add) we'd have MUCH better devices. Palm seems to think squeezing more out of the OS for version 5.6.x to 5.9.3.1.1256498 whatever is gonna keep satisfying their customers. Add to that Access decides to delay their non fruitful Linux OS which to date nobody that has ligitimate smartphone review sites have had a chance to see what their doing with it - is a dead end.

So stick with S60 & WM and you cannot go wrong.

I also like the fact that a digital pad, dedicated volume keys (a God send), and scroll wheel are incredible and its the only phone on the market with ALL three! (Smartphone not PocketPC Phone Edition).

To the thread op the Escape/Back key try using the heel of your right thumb to press it instead of the tip of your thumb; like BlackBerry users do. You may find that easier.

 

[Deputy-Dawg]

Ahem, where do you get the information for "against the law cannot" unlock Cingular's own subsidy priced cellphones?

I don't believe I even suggested that Cingular could not or would not unlock a cellphone subsidy locked to Cingular. What I was saying, and I think it farily clear when read in context, that they would not, and are perhaps even barred by law, to unlock a cellphone subsidy locked to T-Mobile, a competitor. I know as a fact that Cingular has consistantly maintained that they could not unlock phones subidy locked to ATT even after Cingular aquired ATT.

Please don't misrepresent what I said by partial quotation, I can make enough mistakes all by myself.

 

[Warbrain]

That is one nice phone. I don't like Samsung too much, but if there aren't any better smartphones come April, I'll probably get this phone or the Treo from Cingular.

 

[DeepIn2U]

I don't believe I even suggested that Cingular could not or would not unlock a cellphone subsidy locked to Cingular. What I was saying, and I think it farily clear when read in context, that they would not, and are perhaps even barred by law, to unlock a cellphone subsidy locked to T-Mobile, a competitor. I know as a fact that Cingular has consistantly maintained that they could not unlock phones subidy locked to ATT even after Cingular aquired ATT.

Please don't misrepresent what I said by partial quotation, I can make enough mistakes all by myself.

Sorry for the partial quote I was wrong as I've reread your post. However, there are many subsidy unlocking services that just need the IMEI of a GSM core networked device that work flawlessly - quite good in fact. Not sure which you've used or heard of > although I agree software based unlocking can brick your phone, and stick to IMEI unlocking just like what the providers do.

You ARE correct in that Cingular or any other GSM provider will not unlock another providers subsidy locked IMEI device. THere are some in Europe that will charge a much smaller fee and contact the original provider on your behalf. I'm a firm believer that once a cellphone has been purchased under contract or not its the sole property of the end user and NOT the provider. Contractual agreements in North America usually clearly state that once you've begun your contract or purchased your phone at full retail from the provider, 15-30days after you cannot return it for a refund or exchange. Not that hardware upgrades can be done but dont require you to return the original purchased phone. The remaining months of the contract is partially to pay for the phone but also for profits of the provider. Early Cancellation Fee or Early Termination Fee of a contract usually guarantee's the provider their revenue.

 

[emotion]

I can't believe I'm considering a windows phone from samsung (normal samsung phones aren't isync compatible). I am though, mainly due to the fact it's a nice combination of features, small and can be synced to a mac with Missing Sync (which I use with my Clie).

I hope Apple had a close look at this device while designing any phone.

 

[buffalo]

Any knowledge on when / if the Blackjack will make it to Verizon? I need a new phone and have waited for the MacPhone (yes, I'm crazy), but will probably be buying something else if it does not come out at MacWorld.

 

[Felldownthewell]

Any knowledge on when / if the Blackjack will make it to Verizon? I need a new phone and have waited for the MacPhone (yes, I'm crazy), but will probably be buying something else if it does not come out at MacWorld.

Not likely. If you want a Verizon smartphone similar to this, I suggest the Moto Q, which has been compared to the blackjack and has gotten quite a few good reviews. And they just released an all black model, so you can pretend you're as cool as the GSM crowd

 

[macdaddy121]

For clarity on the Cingular data plans...

The Smartphone Connect unlimited plan is $20 (Cingular smartphones only)
The Data Connect unlimiuted plan is $45 (for PDA's, etc.)

I hate to pull up a 2 month old dead plan but I didn't want to start a new thread just for this....

I'm thinking about buying the Blackjack and I noticed that the OP says he signed up for the $20 data plan and it worked fine. However, a couple of Cingular reps have told me that is not true and you have to sign up for the $40 PDA data plan.

Is anyone using the blackjack with the $20 smartphone unlimited plan???? Are you having problems? Can you get online, check emails, etc....free of charge (just paying the base $20 charge)?

PLEASE HELP.....Cingular doesn't know what they are talking about.

 

[puckhead193]

is the OP kicking himself for not wait for the the iphone

 

[macdaddy121]

Probably but I won't be because I'm buying it outright.....that way I can upgrade to the iPhone in a few months.