Gizmo

RIM Blackberry Internet Edition 957

Research in Motion is getting in on the exploding handheld computer market by upsizing their Blackberry Internet pager into the handheld format.

The Blackberry 957 has a bigger screen, 8 MB of memory and is about the same size as most palm-sized computers. The 957 offers the same functionality as RIM's pager version, including a remarkably usable thumb-driven keyboard. The screen is bigger which makes life easier when reading e-mail or surfing the Web wirelessly.

Wireless data is accessed at a slow 9.6 kbps, as a consequence Web sites load slowly and are text-only.

A corporate version of the 957 that accesses a company's Microsoft Exchange e-mail server is also made by RIM.
Unlike the Pocket PC and Palm devices, you can't add third-party software programs.

Blackberry 957 is a wireless data product first and productivity tool second. The built-in personal organizer software works just fine and synchronizes to a PC, but it feels like an afterthought.

Some folks I spoke to who've used it seem to be compelled by the device's live traffic reports accessible via the 957's Web browser.

Frankly, I think its Web access is too slow to be useful and e-mail sometimes takes its time getting to a recipient, though that's a network problem and not hardware-related.

Price:
Canada: $449 or $549 depending in 12 or 24-month contract. Monthly airtime fees are $25, $35 or $50.

U.S.: $399. Monthly airtime fees are $39.99 to $73.98 a month.

More info: www.blackberry.net

Buy it:
Canada: Rogers AT&T (now) and Bell Mobility dealers (in November).
U.S.: Bell South dealers.

See also: RIM Blackberry 950 gizmos column

-Andy Walker, Cyberwalker Media Syndicate