It wasn't meant to be
by Volker Weber
This happens very rarely. But the Cingular Blackjack was a complete failure for me. I am not going to write about all the difficulties I had, because many of them are related to the fact that this is a Cingular branded device and I am trying to use it on a European network. It would be unfair to criticize it for the issues I encountered.
Anyway, after only four hours of trying to get this thing to do anything interesting I gave up.
Comments
Hi Volker! When is your Nokia E61 review coming up? Can't wait for it :-)
E61i that is
The E61i is finally listed as "on stock" at amazon.de, by the way.
Markus, it all depends on Nokia. They have more important things to do than to make sure that I get a speedy delivery. So I am not going to put any pressure on them. Eventually there will be a box at my door. I should not have told you there is something coming up. My mistake. :-)
i have recieved mine -> comment on vowe.net
Personally, I'm looking forward to your review of the iPhone. I need to know if it comes anywhere close to justifying the replacement of my beloved Pearl... *grin*
Rob, the iPhone will not come to Europe before the end of the year. And I probably won't see one before that time. I am afraid I can't help you with that.
I can give you an opinion though. The iPhone will be a great toy. But it will suck as a phone, for only one reason: you need two hands to operate it. I have more opinions regarding the lack of buttons, the delicate shell which does not look like it can survive a drop on the floor, and more. But those will have to wait until I had the chance to actually use one.
I hear you, Volker. I'm definitely concerned about dropping it on the floor (I've accidentally punted my Pearl on 4 separate occasions, no damage done), as well as how the screen holds up over time. On the other hand, I don't have the particular usage pattern where two-handed operation is a problem. I know I'm strange, there. I only ever use my phone with two hands anyway. Maybe it goes back to all the time I used Treos, and how the early versions really required the stylus for most operations? That plus the fact that I rely on voice activation and integrated bluetooth hands-free in the car - I spend more time on the phone with zero hands than with one...
In any event, much as the demos make me drool, I think you'll still have one in your hands before I do - my Pearl is only 6 months old. I hope that screen makes its way into the next gen video iPod quickly. That's one I'd jump on.
