Wasn't sure which forum to put this in (Help/Advice forum or this one), but thought that it's kinda a stupid technology post.
My wife and I have been using dumb phones and have decided to move to smartphones. Problem is that we have no idea what to get. We think we have narrowed it down to either Iphone's or Blackberry's (Bold for me, Curve for her).
I've talked to alot of people about this already and usually I hear people say that if you are a multimedia guy and want to browse/play games then get the Iphone. If you are a text/email/messenger person then Blackberry's are the way to go.
Problem is that I'm
both ... I love texting and I love browsing. I looked at my brother's Iphone and although he can type really quickly on it, the whole tap on the touchscreen thing I'm not so sure I could get used to typing out that way. I really like the Blackberry's tactile feel with physical keys -- also have alot of friends on BBM.
The Iphone on the other hand I'm interested in the Apps and particularly the mobile gaming aspect of it -- wondering though would playing games online use large amounts of data?
Anyways long story short I'm thinking about maybe getting Blackberry and Ipod Touch as an alternative to one or the other (Iphone only or Blackberry only). Not to thrilled about having to carry around two devices instead of one but I'm not sure what else to do.
Posts
You might also consider an Android phone... one with a touchscreen and a slide out physical keyboard (like the Milestone/Droid). That would quite readily cover the multimedia as well as the messaging. Though, you might be a bit limited in choice depending on your carrier. Telus has the Milestone, but I'm not sure about Rogers or Bell.
If you can, maybe give it a few months. Blackberry have a touchscreen and full hardware QWERTY slider in the works, as well as a new operating system. It might be more to your liking, providing less of a one-sided device. The nice thing about mobile phones, is that a bit of patience is often rewarded. If exactly what you want doesn't exist now, it might well in a few months.
Edit: If you're on Telus, you could also look at a Nokia E72. The browser they use is quite a lot better than the Blackberry browser (though, again, that will change when Blackberry OS 6 is released). If it's anything like my E71, it should also be quite capable for music, video, and all that.
I will say that the Blackberry platform is a clusterfuck. There is more steam out there in the web side of things for the iPhone, and with faster hardware underneath the hood you'll end up with a better web experience in the long run.
To me, the only question you have to ask yourself is how comfortable are you with a touch screen keyboard
Also, in 6 months or so, you'll be seeing the new Windows Phone 7 OS released as well as Blackberry OS 6. Both of these OS releases are going to bring a lot of new changes to their respective phones. BBOS6 might be the perfect mix of Blackberry and multimedia that you are looking for. WP7 probably won't be what you're looking for, as it's looking to be a bit limited at release, but has a lot of potential for future development.
Unless you're really itching for a new phone, I'd say wait. Right now is the lull before the big releases for the fall. There are a lot of new Android models and new Blackberry and WP7 devices slated to come out in the next few months that may make your decision to buy a Bold/Curve feel like a mistake. Though I can't say I'm too familiar with the specific release schedules for Canadian providers.
I was interested in Android phones but unfortunately they are not well supported by Rogers Wireless. I've been with Rogers for years and can get really good (by Canadian standards) retention plans so I'm not willing to switch carriers.
The way some people swear by them... there must be something to it. I know a lot of people who buy Blackberries specifically for the Blackberry Messenger service. I've never used it myself... but, I have to admit, for a pure communications device, I do like Blackberries. The form factor is great, the size is great, and having a hardware (portrait) qwerty keyboard is just awesome. And they seem to be really well made, considering how long people seem to hold onto them for.
And yes, I'm glad someone mentioned Opera. I totally forgot. As far as mobile browsers go, it rules. I use it on my E71, and it is really fast, and renders pages really well. That says something, considering the processor on the E71 is far from the fastest these days.
But yeah, given your carrier and all... wait a bit. But, do still go try a few phones out in the mean time.
There are a few phones I'm sort of keeping my eye on to replace my E71:
- If Apple ever releases a 64gb iPhone, I'd be all over it. It would FINALLY represent a phone that can replace my iPod entirely. I'd be willing to sacrifice a hardware keyboard for that. This probably won't happen until next summer, though.
- The Nokia N8 is looking awesome. It'll be running a new version of Symbian (finally), and sports a 12 megapixel camera which can also record 720p video (and an HDMI port to output 720p video). All for about half the price of an iPhone 4...
- There's another Nokia rumored to be released soon. Basically an N8, but with a slide out QWERTY keyboard.
- And the aforementioned Blackberry 9800 slider.
The Droid's browser kept freezing on a google search and it took me ages to figure out how to kill it for real to get it unfrozen. That was hilarious. I found it slightly more difficult to use than an iPhone 3 GS, and significantly slower. Some people like the hardware keyboard, while I found it more difficult to use than the touch screen due to its relative flatness / stiffness.
The iPhone 3 GS, on the other hand, basically represented such a drastically refined and snappy user experience that I couldn't really see getting anything else, walled app garden notwithstanding. Typing on it is really surprisingly easy. And I assume the iPhone 4 is much better.
Basically what I'm trying to say here is you gotta try 'em all, but I think you are likely to corroborate my finding that the iPhone user experience is head and shoulders above even its direct competition, for media or other uses. (whether it has all the features or apps you need is a different matter I suppose)
I'm not sure why people think they're so weird. The iPhone 4 is really rather unbelievable and, IMO, eons ahead of a Blackberry in every respect. You owe it to at least look at the screen and try using it. Preferably someone that has fun games etc
Steam | Live
Just like guitars.
If Android isn't a choice I'd vote IPhone hands down, I used to have a 3G and aside from having issues with AT&Ts network, they are solid for texting/browsing/and pretty much can't be beat for ipod style use.
If it's for business use, go blackberry to handle the work documents since the iphone isn't so good about that. Most business users I've spoken do avoid the iphone for this reason.
Also, android, the first platform that lets apps make silent calls to toll numbers where you do not know about them until the bill shows up. Just sayin. Free marketplace is both good AND bad.
I obviously prefer the iPhone, but I also looked at some other smartphones and if it doesn't just 'work,' I want no part of it. I can probably dink with it to make it work, and enjoyed such things in college, but I have no time for it anymore, and the rest of my family isn't as technically inclined. Heck, my son, who's older now, could play games on my iphone at 3. Even my 1 yr old daughter does some simple animal things and color things on it.
I can understand why someone who wants to mess around with customizing appearances or widgets or whatnot would want an android phone, but to me the iPhone still presents a superior experience and has better software.
- I don't play any games on my phone (I deleted them all)
- I don't need an app store with 200K apps, I have like five apps that I use on a regular basis and they do what I need them to do
- and BB has BBM I couldn't survive without my BBM
When it comes down to it they both do about the same stuff with one being slightly stronger than the other in the various areas (music, video, email, document viewing etc etc). The only definite plus from one to the other is that the BB has BBM and iphone has nothing similar, it can't.
Anyway screw all of us on here.
Find a friend with an Iphone, beg borrow or steal it from them (well don't steal it that’s not cool) and test the "f" out of it.
See what U like and don't like.
Then do the same with a BB.
If you are still not sure buy one of each (figure out the return policy first) and spend a day with each device. Return the one you don't like.
Re the touchscreen.
To realy evaluate one you need to use one. I thought I would hate it too, but it is super easy to use. BUT as fast as I am on a touch screen I'm now blazing fast with a physcial KB.
After watching some vids of Blackberry's new OS6 I think this will most likely be the phone I go with. As I said before, Android phones are great but not well supported by my carrier in terms of OS upgrades.
Still mulling over the Iphone 4 as well, but will likely go with the blackberry. I have to admit the whole antenna issue is scaring me away from the Iphone, and above and beyond that, Iphone plans tend to cost a significant amount of money more than Blackberry.
edit: and I appreciate all the advice guys. I actually have had a chance to fiddle around with my buddies Blackberry Curve and my brother's Iphone. I really liked them both but for entirely different reasons.
Features
- instant commuication with any other BB user, regardless of there cell provider (need to know there pin)
- can send pictures and voice notes
- messeges are using your data plan and there is no extra charge (except for data overages or roaming)
- data sent and recieved is super duper tiny so no realy worries except for roaming
and not sure if iphones can do this
- I can turn off mobile network log on to a wifi network and still send and recieve bbm's and get my e-mail (i did this last time I was away, stayed in touch and avoided crazy charges)
My inlaws are in China and I can talk to them and send them pictures instantly over BBM. Its great for quick converstaions anywhere.
BBM is the default method of communication between BB users its quick and free.
It does use data. It doesn't cost anything to use BBM, unless you go over your data limits. beaten. And I forgot roaming.
Steam | Live
Steam | Live
Hmmm I would have sworn that it cost data, but your explanation seems feasable too. Well no matter the amount of data is miniscule.