Trisha Shetty (Editor)

BlackBerry Electron

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Compatible networks
  
CDMA, GSM

Memory
  
64MB

Weight
  
134 g

Battery
  
Talk time Up to 4 h, Stand-by Up to 450 h

Display
  
320 x 240 pixels, 2.6 inches (66 mm)

Connectivity
  
Bluetooth, USB (with Mass Storage Mode support)

The BlackBerry Electron (8703/8700/8707) was a series of BlackBerry smart phones developed by Research In Motion Ltd.

Contents

A basic overview of some of the devices' specifications:

  • Bluetooth
  • USB (with Mass Storage Mode support)
  • 35-key QWERTY Keyboard
  • Built-in Speakerphone
  • SMS, MMS, Email, Instant Messaging
  • Memory
  • RAM: 16MB
  • ROM: 64MB
  • Lithium Ion Rechargeable Battery

    • The table of contents below offers more details.

    General information

    The Electron is a BlackBerry product(s) and developed by Research in Motion (RIM). The networks compatible with the series are GSM 850/900/1800/1900 and CDMA and uses a mini-SIM. Due to the many features provided beyond calling and SMS, it is considered to be a smart phone. Also, the 8700 series are the first BlackBerry products to run on an Intel-based processor. The brand's 8700 series (Electron) have been discontinued.

    History and precursors

    The Blackberry Electron (8703/8700/8707) was announced in Q4 of 2004 and formally launched in the fall of 2005.

    The two most prominent series of BlackBerry products released prior to the Electron are the Quark and the Charm.

    Profits

    Prior to the release of the BlackBerry Electron, the two most popular and competitive products on the market were the Palm Treo (600/650/700w) and the Motorola Q. After the release of the BlackBerry 8700 series in the fall of 2005, BlackBerry made significant profits, putting pressure on other mobile phone companies. The gross profit reported by RIM's income statement, as of March 2006 (about four months after the release of the Electron), was 1.37 billion USD.

    Manufacturing

    Most of the materials that make up the BlackBerry Electron and other BlackBerry devices, such as flexible circuit boards were developed in China. This has been an area of criticism for many security-conscious consumers, although it has been an issue with most large mobile phone companies for years.

    RIM's five biggest suppliers and the locations of their manufacturing plants and offices are as follows:

  • Elcoteq SE: Hong Kong, Beijing, Dongguan, and Shenzhen.
  • Jabil Circuit, Inc.: Shanghai, Taiwan, India, Hungary, Ukraine, Malaysia, Mexico, and the United States.
  • Multi-Fineline Electronix Inc.: Suzhou.
  • QUALCOMM: Beijing.

    • Body

    Dimensions: 110 x 69.5 x 19.5 mm (4.33 x 2.74 x 0.77 in)

    Weight: 134 g (4.73 oz)

    Keyboard: QWERTY

    Display

    Technology: LCD Display

    Resolution: 320 x 240 pixels

    Colour Depth: 16-bit (65K colours)

    Sound

    Alert types: Vibration; Polyphonic, MP3 ringtones

    Loudspeaker: Yes

    3.5mm jack: No

    Memory

    Card slot: No

    Internal: 64MB storage, 16MB RAM

    Battery

    Battery type: Lithium-Ion 1100 mAh battery.

    Stand-by time: up to 450 hours

    Talk time: Up to 4 hours

    Camera

    There is no built-in camera.

    Software

    The following are categories and lists of instructions and information regarding the software of the BlackBerry Electron devices, as described in the handbook.

    Interface

    The interface of the BlackBerry Electron is graphical and uses menus and icons for navigation.

    Moving around the screen:

  • To open the application list, press the Front Convenience key on your device.
  • To move the cursor and highlight items, roll the trackwheel.
  • To select an item or follow a link, click the trackwheel or press the return arrow key.
  • To change the value in a field, click a field. Click a value.
  • To move back a screen, press the Escape key.
  • To return to the Home screen, press the red phone key.

    • Open a menu:

  • To open a menu of all the available actions for a highlighted item in an application,click the trackwheel.
  • To close a menu, press the Escape key.

    • Typing:

  • The CAP button with the up arrow is shift mode.
  • The single, large up arrow is alt mode.
  • The NUM button with the up arrow is number lock mode.
  • Click Setup Wizard to learn about typing, change options to personalize your device, and set up your email address. The setup wizard also provides links to information about common tasks.
  • Click Email Settings to set up one or more email addresses or change BlackBerry® Internet Service email options.
  • Click Browser to visit web pages or view the browser bookmark list.
  • Click Call Log to make a call or view a list of recent calls.
  • Click Media to view saved songs, ring tones, videos, or pictures.
  • Click Messages to view a list of your messages.
  • Click Options to view the main list of device options. You can also access additional options from the menu in each application.
  • Click Address Book to view your contact list or add a new contact.
  • Click Help to view the user guide for your device.

    • Music and ringtones

    All 8700 series phones come with MP3 ringtone support. Also, saved songs can be played by clicking on the media icon.

    SMS and Email

    Sending a text message:

    1. In a message list, click the trackwheel.

    2. Click Compose SMS.

    3. Perform one of the following actions:

    - If the contact is not in your address book, click Use Once. Click SMS. Type an SMS phone number (include the country code and area code). Click the trackwheel. Click Continue.

    - If the contact is in your address book, click a contact. Click SMS <contactname>.

    4. Type a message.

    5. Click the trackwheel.

    6. Click Send.

    Sending an email message:

    1. In a message list, click the trackwheel.

    2. Click Compose Email.

    3. In the To field, perform one of the following actions:

    - Type an email address.

    - Type a contact name.

    - Type part of a contact name. Click a contact.

    4. Type a message.

    5. Click the trackwheel.

    Internet

    To visit a webpage:

    1. Click on Browser and perform one of the following actions:

    - If a web address field appears on the screen, type a web address.

    - If a web address field does not appear on the screen, click the trackwheel. Click Go To. Type a web address.

    2. Click the trackwheel.

    File sharing and management

    To transfer a file between the device and a computer:

    1. Connect your BlackBerry device to your computer.
    2. On your computer, open the BlackBerry Desktop Manager.
    3. Double-click Media Manager.
    4. Drag a file or folder from one location to another.

    Network

    The 3 versions of the Electron differed in network support - the original (8700) model supported Quad-band GSM (EDGE/GPRS). The 8707 (AKA "UMTS Electron") added 2100 MHz UMTS 3G and the 8703 model was designed for US CDMA operators and supported both 850 MHz and 1900 MHz CDMA2K (EvDO/1xRTT) - the 8703 also has A-GPS support, which was not present on the GSM/UMTS variants. All variants have Bluetooth, and USB facilities. The quad-band network (on the 8700 and 8707, but not the 8703) gave it an edge over its competitors, such as the Palm Treo, as it was the best network available for international travelers in 2005-2006.

    References

    BlackBerry Electron Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA


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