About Time -- a Super 7135 Review -- The Best Tech Tool Of 2003
From Realty Times website:
The Best Tech Tool Of 2003
by Stephen Canale
This has been a good year for technology. Advances in portable storage and WI-FI networking have both advanced and become easier to use. As impressive as these technologies are, my favorite "tech-tool" for the year extends portability and convenience even further.
While I've been an advocate of SmartPhone technology (cell phone PDA combination devices) for several years, none of the first and second generation models to date has really captured the full potential of the idea as well as the Kyocera 7135.
Most other models that I've tested and reviewed just didn't seem to have exactly the right balance between the cell-phone and the PDA functionality. They were either impressive phones, but less convenient to use as PDAs, or the reverse was true.
That said, the Kyocera 7135 not only offers exceptional functionality in both regards, but is so well engineered that it's hard to believe how far the technology has advanced from previous generations.
Favorite features
While I've seen "flip-phones" that appear to flip open for no reason beyond style, the 7135's clam-shell is sturdy, ergonomically designed and attractive all at the same time.
The Palm Graffiti data entry screen is cleverly located on the base of the unit, while the display is contained in the flip-up cover. Not only does this make viewing data extremely convenient, but it also allows for data entry without obstructing your view of the display.
The 7135 includes a standard dialing keypad (a feature missing on many SmartPhones) that provides for excellent phone functionality. Combined with "speed" and "voice-activated" dialing, plus speaker-phone and a head-set jack, the Kyocera lacks nothing in the "ease of use" department when you need to make a call.
As a fully function Palm OS PDA the 7135 has all of the standard Palm functions you would expect, including the ability to beam information through an infrared port. An unexpected bonus: the 7135 even has an SD/MMC Media expansion slot for adding memory and transferring files.
Software bundled with the Kyocera includes two handy programs for Internet access: Eudora Email and Eudora-Web for the Palm. When combined with a wireless data package, reviewing email and wireless enabled Web sites have become a regular and efficient part of my day.
While I wouldn't want to write extensive email responses or read lengthy web sites on a PDA-sized display, the ability to quickly check for important emails and to verify critical and time-sensitive information online (mapping, flight information, stocks, etc.) have both proven to be indispensable features.
Attention to detail
Aside from the everyday business necessities, the Kyocera also includes a built-in MP3 Player, text-messaging capabilities and a voice-memo recorder.
The single power supply not only fits the charging/synchronization cradle, but the phone as well. In addition, the outlet prongs fold flat into the power supply itself. These extra considerations eliminate the need for a separate travel charger, a welcome benefit indeed.
An additional USB data cable accessory is available for synchronizing data on the road; and the power supply also fits into this adapter as well.
Even the belt-clip holster has been thoroughly designed for maximum functionality. Not only is the holster quite sturdy but it also includes a swivel which is perfectly suited for multiple body positions, including sitting. Finally, the 7135 slips into the holster face first, offering both convenience and extra protection for the display.
Even with the clam-shell in the closed position, the top of the 7135 includes a signal strength indicator, the current time, an incoming call indicator and the battery meter.
Packing all of this functionality into a sleek package weighing less than 7 ounces is quite an accomplishment. Doing so with such careful attention to the overall engineering and usability of the unit is what distinguishes the Kyocera 7135 from other models; and what makes this the best tech tool of the year.
Visit Kyocera-wireless.com for pricing, details and wireless providers.
Originally posted by Beryl Great review! Thanks for posting a review which succinctly states what we who love our 7135 know.
It really is that and it just blew me away to find this at this point in the life of the 7135 and after the Treo 600 has been out.
I know that up until a few months ago I was really frustrated with mine but after the upgraded bios and starting over with saved preferenences I am totally satisfied!
Originally posted by KyoWannaBe Has the phone been discontinued?
I knew it had it's problems but it's no longer available on Verizon's site.
Anybody have any idea?
Thanks.
It isn't necessary (or desirable) to ask the same question in multiple locations. I answered your question in the other thread you started on this topic. Check it out there...
great review -
I'm looking at getting one when they hit the shelves again.
question:
can I use it to replace my pager ?
will the person paging me be able to dial up my # and then enter their callback number - that number then shows up on the LCD readout on my 7135 and I can choose then to just silence the ringing/pager tone just like on a regular pager and call back later - or do I have to just let it ring and ring... etc
likewise, if I have it in pager mode, can I still have calls come through?
I'd like to know if anyone has figured out how to configure "ACT" contact management software to use the 7135 autodialer? I contacted Kyocera support but they told me the following.
Hello William,
Thank you for contacting Kyocera Wireless. I understand that you are using ACT as your contact management software on the Kyocera 7135 SmartPhone and would like to use it to autodial from the ACT software.
There are two options to resolve this issue.
1) The ACT software will have to be configured to use the autodial feature on the SmartPhone. This is a setting that will have to be enabled through the ACT. Kyocera does not provide the ACT software and will be unable to assist you with this set up.
2) The ACT information will have to HotSynced to the Palm address book. This will require a third party conduit that performs this function. Kyocera does not provide this type of conduit. I have included links below to third party vendors that may be able to assist you in locating a conduit.
This is off topic for the original thread, but I'll answer it here anyway.
Act version 6 (2004) comes with both Act Link 2.0 and Act for PalmOS when you purchase it. If you have an older version the Link is a free download and the PalmOS version is about $60 unless you get it on eBay.
If you use Act Link it will hotsync your Act data to the Palm address book. Then you tap the contact's number to dial it.
If you use Act for PalmOS things change quite a bit. This is a scaled down version of the PC software so you can enter notes, history, calls/meetings/to-do's are linked to the contacts, etc. Now your hotsync conduit will direct data into the ActPalmOS application, NOT the Palm address book or Palm calendar. <B>Do NOT use both the Link and the PalmOS version. It will screw everything up.</B> If you choose THIS option, there is a telephony hotfix Act has posted on their site which may fix the autodialer issue. The thing is, you always need to be within the Act software to dial contacts and there's a phone icon in the lower right corner of a contact screen. It's a little clunky because you have to tap the phone icon, select the number if there's multiple ones, and then tap dial (so, there's three or four taps of the stylus). If you are in list view with the phone numbers on the right you can dial with two taps instead of three.
From my own experience I can tell you both methods will work fine, it depends on the functionality you require. A note on hotsyncing.... my Act for PalmOS usually requires 2-3 hotsyncs for it to complete with no errors. This happens when I've been using my Treo 600 all day on the road and do my nightly sync. It says there are records being edited on the PC even though there aren't. No loss of data has ever occurred as long as I've completed multiple hotsyncs. Another bug I found is that sometimes meetings are linked to the wrong contact. Not real sure the source of this one...
One more thing, whichever way you decide to go, you CAN combine conduits. In my case I use the Palm address book with Palm Desktop because there's some phone numbers I didn't want in Act. If you use your phone with mail you could probably configure a conduit for Outlook or something without interfering with the Act data. Have fun configuring this stuff though!
Confirgure ACT to use 7135 autodialer
Login
Panel
