New Blackberry

BerryMonster · 08-20-2009, 06:44 AM

Hey guys, I'm new to the Blackberry forums.

In fact, I don't even have a blackberry - I've got an iPhone.

I'm planning on making the switch from the iPhone to a Blackberry sometime between now and next year.

Basically what I want in a phone now is a proper hardware keyboard. I'm sick of the iPhone; it looks great, the apps are cool. To sum it up, it felt like its 'all fart and no shit' - I hope I can say that word

. I want it to be fast, so there shouldn't be any lagg. The features I will be using most is corporate e-mail (Microsoft Exchange), SMS/MMS messaging, IM's via MSN and the company IM. I have looked at the storm and I don't want a touchscreen - i'm sick of it; the novelty has gone.

Since i'm new to the blackberry market and all could you guys fill me in on the news and all?

Any upcoming blackberry's I should wait for? Or should I get the bold?

What are some key issues that I as an iPhone 3G user would face?

Is it true that the screen on the BB Bold is a cheap plastic that gets scratched easily?

How is the build quality in general?

Does blackberry give updates to older generations of phones just like the apple does with the iPhones? i.e a new phone comes out and the software that comes with it is free for all the older generations. (Obviously I understand that RIM has a bigger selection of phones than Apple does).

How is customer support; i.e if my battery dies or something after a couple of days will RIM replace it? or do I need to buy a new battery?

P.S My iPhone is in perfect condition and nothing is wrong with it so I don't need to buy a new phone now; I just want a new phone with a physical keyboard because as I mentioned earlier in my post, the novelty of the touchscreen has gone.

Also, sorry for the long post. I do have an account at 'everythingicafe' though (your sister forums - iPhoneMonster) and I am quite a regular poster there. I'd also like to say I am a total newbie when it comes to blackberry's but I have done some quite extensive research on them and I haven't gotten some answers and I just wanted to get a good answer from real users.

And breath...

stevetaz · 08-20-2009, 07:35 AM

Hi BerryMonster and welcome to EB:

You have quite a list of questions and I salute you for doing your homework, but some of the questions will be easy to answer and others may not be able to be answered.

Any upcoming blackberry's I should wait for? Or should I get the bold? A difficult one as there is always a new model right around the corner. I would urge that you visit your carrier to find out which BBs they offer and can support. If you are going to look at new carriers make sure that you first determine which carriers will provide you with the best coverage in the areas you live and play.

In other words, buy the network because it will give you the coverage you need and then decide on the phone. You can have the greatest device in the world, but if you can't get a signal it isn't going to be any more than a fancy paperweight.

Once you know the network(s) that will work for you then you can figure out which BBs are available to choose from.

What are some key issues that I as an iPhone 3G user would face? Tough question as I have never used an iToy. Near as I can tell though a big difference is simply in what you really want to use it for. You described a few uses and as I recall every one can be handled superbly by a BB. The iToy is a fantastic entertainment/media device and has taken mobile web surfing to new levels. However, as a business productivity device....not so good. The BB does secure email like no one else and there is also the media/entertainment available and they do a pretty good job. Web sufing is more spartan, but that is not what I have a BB for. The web capabilities the BB has are fine for me.

Is it true that the screen on the BB Bold is a cheap plastic that gets scratched easily? Not sure how to respond to this. Is it plastic and will it scratch? Yes. Can a screen protector be installed? Yes and I highly recommend it as I do for all devices like these. You should always be careful with your BB and carry it in a holster, NOT in your pocket, but that's me. I want to take care of something I plan to have for some time. I also recommend users install an Invisible Shield, which protects the screen and the body. My Daughter's Curve still looks pretty darned good 18 months later and let's just say she isn't exactly easy on handhelds.

How is the build quality in general? I find BBs to be made very well and they have been able to withstand a number of falls to various floor surfaces including concrete driveways. The build quality can vary between devices and you should look around and physically hold the choices to see what you think.

Does blackberry give updates to older generations of phones just like the apple does with the iPhones? i.e a new phone comes out and the software that comes with it is free for all the older generations. (Obviously I understand that RIM has a bigger selection of phones than Apple does). This is going to be a bit harder to answer than you might think, because of the way RIM designs the OS. Yes, they do make updated software for legacy devices and when they do, it is made available for no charge. When new devices come out though that OS software is device specific. As you noted, there are many more models of BBs than the iToy. Each has similarities and differences. The OS made for a Curve 8320 (TMobile) cannot be installed on a Curve 8330 (Verizon, Sprint) as they all have slight differences in hardware. Recently a major update was issued for most recent legacy BBs such as the original Curve, the Pearl and my 8830 World Phone and it included a basic version of Documents To Go. It was provided free of charge for pretty much every earlier BB since about two to three years ago.

How is customer support; i.e if my battery dies or something after a couple of days will RIM replace it? or do I need to buy a new battery? This is NOT handled by RIM. Your carrier is the one that handles warranty replacements and repairs.

Sorry for the even longer response, but I hope I have answered at least a few of your questions. Let us know what you still have concerns with and we will try to answer one by one.

I believe that BBs are fine devices and it sounds like the uses you plan for are ones that the BB can service well. However, BBs are not for everyone and if entertainment is a focus then stick with the iToy.

I urge you to go to stores and try the display models out. Hold them, try the keyboards and see how they feel.

Visit and post often....

BerryMonster · 08-20-2009, 08:40 PM

Wow, thanks for your response. I will be taking your advice and going into look at the carriers. I'm in Australia so all carriers pretty much have the same phones. I am with Optus though and they are pretty good with my iPhone.

I'm going to go and check the carriers out tommorow and see whatthey have in store for me. Thanks for your advice. Is it ok if I ask you some more questions after I have a look at the devices? Thanks for te reply. I would hit the thanks button but I can't right now.

stevetaz · 08-21-2009, 06:46 AM

Originally Posted by BerryMonster

Wow, thanks for your response. I will be taking your advice and going into look at the carriers. I'm in Australia so all carriers pretty much have the same phones. I am with Optus though and they are pretty good with my iPhone.

I'm going to go and check the carriers out tommorow and see whatthey have in store for me. Thanks for your advice. Is it ok if I ask you some more questions after I have a look at the devices? Thanks for te reply. I would hit the thanks button but I can't right now.

I am glad you found some value in my reply. Is it okay if you ask more questions? Absolutely!!!! That is what we are here for.

Stick around long enough and post often enough (25+) and you will see the Thanks button....

Hope to see you soon....

BerryMonster · 08-21-2009, 05:49 PM

I'm going to check out a couple of new phones today at Optus - Aussie telco. I'm going to try out the keyboards. How long did it take you to get used to your keyboard?

stevetaz · 08-21-2009, 07:03 PM

Originally Posted by BerryMonster

I'm going to check out a couple of new phones today at Optus - Aussie telco. I'm going to try out the keyboards. How long did it take you to get used to your keyboard?

Excellent plan to try a few!

I found no problem adjusting at all, but I moved to the 8830 from a Treo650, which also had a QWERTY keyboard.

I found the keys to be a bit harder as they were closer together than the Treo, but that was forgotten in a few days. I actually like the 8830 keyboard, but I still think I would prefer the original Curve keyboard a bit more as it has keys more like the Treo.

Again, that is something to bear in mind as you try them. It will feel odd, but you will probably quickly adjust to them.

I also have the pleasure of having fat, stubby fingers so it make it a little more challenging I think.

Let us know what you try out and your impressions. It is always interesting to hear a newbie's opinions and thoughts about their first experiences with a BB. It brings back memories....