Review: Siemens SK65 with Blackberry Built In.

A BlackBerryForums.com exclusive, the first SK65 with Blackberry Built in User Review.


First Impressions

The SK65 is a thing of true beauty, no other phone with a full keyboard on hand posses such a cool factor. Every corner and crevice on the device is done with precision and quality, unlike many devices before it, the build quality is as stunning as the press release photos. Keyboard swivels out as it should, without the worry of having it snap in your hand, a very solid device.

Aesthetics

This is no mini, at 144grams with the measurements of 120x47x22 mm, it’s a skinnier version of the already popular 7100 series Blackberry’s. The sharpness of the Piano Black and silver outline coloring is difficult to capture on film, its truly a thing to see in person. Every detail on the unit is done with precision, every backlit key as bright as its neighboring key. Just like similarly designed Apple Ipod, the material is rather easy to mark, leaving fingerprints and scratches on the unit during daily use. “A leather case will solve that!?” Beware, the swivel keyboard makes it difficult to create a case for the unit, let alone one that would protect the entire device. As it stands, a pouch is the only option, with none in development, however 7100 series pouches should work well with SK65.

Hardware

The device has a stunning sixty-five thousand-color screen, featuring a resolution of 132x176 pixels. However, the highly featured device deserves a screen of higher resolution and possible larger then the 2.05” screen that is currently present. The SK65 features 64mb of ram, that’s right 64mb!! Of this 64mb however only 32mb is available for more applications, pictures, documents and games. The keyboard on this unit is very well made, with perfect pressure distances and great size. The triangle like cornering of the keys, allow for a perfect feel for typing, when looking at the screen, instead of the keyboard, as you can feel when you have reached a neighboring letter. The unit features built in Bluetooth, IRDA and USB, allowing you to communicate with almost any device. The Bluetooth also allows the use of Bluetooth keyboards, headsets and even connections with computers, which is a great feature, considering the 7100, its main competitor lacks this function. The Lithium battery is similar to the one used in recent blackberry’s, however it lacks the battery life of a blackberry, as it only features the advertised battery life of 300 constantly used minutes.

Software

The Siemens software is rather easy to use, and the standard theme is very pleasing to the eye, however menu graphics could be a little better made, as the rough corners are not pleasing to see on such a nice display, a little more work with Photoshop, and less work with MS Paint, please. The firmware features a PDF, excel and word document reader, however, don’t confuse these with editors. A pleasant sight to see if the picture and video viewer, allowing you to view videos at their full frame rates, with no distortion whatsoever, and with mono sound. Over the Air updates are also available, meaning there is no need to visit a Siemens service rep in order to get your firmware updated. The SK65 includes Chess Master, Golf Pro 3D and SeaBattle, which are great features for this business phone. Other unique software included is a golf scorekeeper, a survival translator (which allows for translations in 8 languages) and a Mobile Safe (similar to the one found with Blackberry 4.0 Operating Systems). A WAP Browser, and SMS/MMS as well as email messaging services are also present in the SK65 main menu.


Blackberry Built-In Software

Selecting the Blackberry button from the SK65’s main menu opens up another menu, similar, to those found on today’s Blackberry’s. Initial start up of this menu is however a lengthy process, as the main firmware of the SK65 emulates a Blackberry in order to accomplish this. The menu is 4.0 compatible, allowing picture messaging and syncing, outlook syncing has been reported not to work however. The Blackberry menu features Messages, Contacts, Calendar, Browser, Applications and Setup menus, and the BB menu also features shortcuts for Composing, Saving and searching for messages. All submenus are the same as found on a regular Blackberry, the applications menu however is different, this is where you would find all your loaded games and applications, as well as the Internet Browser and Picture Browser. Most Blackberry applications that are compatible with the 7100 series, will work with this device, however, no IM applications besides Verichat have been noted to work, Verichat works, but its menus do not support the screens resolutions. All of Magmic Games, however work without a flaw.


What comes in the box?

• *Charger (European Spec, for the model I have)
  *USB Cable
  *Phone
  *Battery
  *CD featuring phone and Blackberry Software
  *Owners Manual, and Quick Guides.

Positives

Amazing versatility and features
Great Design, and very well constructed
Keyboard Design is second to none
Combines the features of 2 devices, with little hassle
Will work with either BES or BWC accounts.

Negatives

Blackberry Emulation takes long to start up
Some Blackberry Applications still aren’t supported
Screen Could be Bigger, as well as of a higher resolution
Leather Pouch, or holster would have been nice to include
No cradle, (RIM devices spoiled me)

Where to Get? / How much?

The SK65 has not been released yet, and only 150 copies have been made, Mostly German and Singapore spec models. Do to the possible Demise of Siemens, this model may never be released. However, 10 or so are available in North America from JiCE @ SizzleRecords, email:

The going rate is $900 usd, for a unlocked BlackBerry Built in model

*Please Note*SK65’s come in 3 revisions. 2 of which do not contain BlackBerry Built in Firmware, and can not be upgraded. This model contains a unlocked version of said firmware.