GSM/GPRS coverage hurts RIM phone
 
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I recently received the new BlackBerry from Research In Motion, which adds voice capabilities to its popular BlackBerry wireless e-mail device. The BlackBerry 5810 adds an ear-bud style headphone jack to the familiar keypad-embedded large screen device that provides wireless e-mail capabilities for Microsoft Exchange and Lotus Notes users. RIM didn't change the form factor too much, and that's a good thing - users familiar with the BlackBerry can jump in with the new devices. One addition I liked was the inclusion of a back-lit keypad, which makes typing easier in the dark.
But there are two problems with the device that prevent me from recommending it: battery life and in-building coverage. These were two tremendous strengths with previous versions of the BlackBerry that run on Cingular's Mobitex data network. Devices running on that network provided outstanding battery life (anywhere from eight days up to a month in some cases), as well as great in-building coverage. The wireless coverage on the Mobitex network - even in cavernous, concrete-walled exhibition halls - was outstanding.
To get the voice capabilities on the 5810, RIM had to move to VoiceStream's GSM/GPRS network (they also have a deal with AT&T Wireless for its GSM/GPRS network, but the devices haven't launched yet). The VoiceStream device and service cost $500 plus monthly service between $35 and $45, depending on the plan chosen.
Moving to a GPRS network immediately reduced the in-building coverage. At my cubicle, which is only about 30 feet away from a window, I couldn't get any wireless coverage. I could only imagine what the coverage would be like inside a convention center.
To be fair, the VoiceStream GSM/GPRS network is relatively new, and with time the in-building coverage should improve.
However, I'm not sure that battery life will. With the 5810, I got about three to four days of usage before noticing that the battery was nearly drained. With the old BlackBerry, I didn't notice any significant battery drainage for at least a week. The 5810 includes options for shutting down the device during certain hours (such as shutting it down after 7 p.m. weekdays and turning it off over the weekend). You'll need to use those options if you want to extend the life of the device.
The good news for RIM on the GSM/GPRS network is that other devices and software companies (including Handspring's Treo) that want to compete with RIM also have to rely on the same GSM/GPRS networks, so the playing field is level.
At least the voice features on the 5810 were good. The sound quality was good, even with the ear-bud style headset. The software on the device let me directly dial from any of my contacts, which was a good feature. There was no manual phone dialing application, so if I wanted to make a new call, I had to enter the name into the contacts application before I could dial.
Another unique feature of the 5810 is that it is Java based, which means Java applications can be downloaded to the device. This allows for more applications to be used on the device, it should be interesting to see if developers embrace this.
RIM also has new Web client software (currently in beta, expected to launch this summer) that lets you download Internet-based (Post Office Protocol 3) e-mail into your BlackBerry device, so if you have multiple e-mail accounts (such as Yahoo and Excite) you can have those e-mails redirected to your BlackBerry device.
Overall, the sacrifices that users will have to make (decreased in-building coverage, shorter battery life) may be too high to convince them to abandon their cell phones. While it was good to see RIM take this step into the voice world, I would hold off on purchasing the new devices until the advanced networks coverage improves.
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