I have an old Blackberry (the GF calls it a Crackberry). It's very useful and I only pay an extra $35 a month over my regular cell service for unlimited data. It's already paid for itself and I've only had it for a couple months. But I'm looking ahead to the Curve. I really miss the multimedia features of the previous phone and I would like to have them back. I can easily see how the BB could make a dent in this market.
I played with the Pearl this weekend and a Curve and the Pearl seemed to guess most of the words without a problem, but I really like the full QWERTY keyboard, just because I have full control.
Do any of you have any experience with the Curve on Verizon? Do you have any comments on other carriers? Any comments in general?
I just bought (and returned) a Motorola Moto Q (the first gen version). It was pretty much garbage. It ran on Windows Mobile 5.0 and locked up just like a windows machine likes to do. I exchanged it for a Palm Treo 755p (the p is "palm" software, "WX" is windows) and so far I love it (had it for about a month). I'm on Sprint, but it's done very well for me.
I got a Pearl and so far I'm happy with it. I did have to make a couple downloads for instance Empower's Mail Viewer option so I can see html email correctly. I also downloaded GridMagic to be able to see excel attachments and xPlayer for multimedia viewing. Now I can go to You tube and other video sites and actually watch the videos on my phone without having to pay for verizon's video service. I also downloaded Opera Web browser but unlike enpowers email viewer it doesn't replace blackberry's browser so I find my self having to launch it and copying and pasting urls when a site doesn't render correctly in Blackberry's browser. Neither Browser is perfect so I just endup switching between them. The keyboard size it is a bit of an issue but not as bad as I originally though. My .02
Obligatory (because I make it) reference to the http://www.apple.com/iphone. You want multimedia capabilities, it has them.
I own Apple stock. I'm waiting for the new iPhone release to buy one.
Frankly, I hate touchscreen. I like the real keypad on a Blackberry. OTOH, even the Curve display is a lot smaller than the iPhone display, and I wear bifocals ....
I have used an iPhone, and have to admit their touchscreen seems to be a lot better than the typical touchscreen interface on things like Agilent logic analyzers, Sony camcorders, and so on.
Well, while we're plugging our phones, I vote for the Treo 750. It's just like a small computer in your pocket (or are you happy to see me?).
You want a regular keyboard? Check.
You want full multimedia? Check.
You want every e-mail feature found in Outlook? Check.
You want seamless integration with all 300 of your contacts, 500 meetings, and all e-mails? Check.
You want 3G? Check.
You want to view Excel, Word, PDF, PowerPoint, Access, or other files? Check.
Seriously, I am probably 95% as effective when on my Treo as when in the office. Yeah, it takes a little longer to respond using the small keyboard. But, other than that and not having every single file on the Treo, it's just about the same.
i just replaced my BB Pearl w/ a i-mate 9502. http://www.imate.com/product.aspx?product=ultimate9502
I wanted a full qwerty keyboard, and since i was changing, i wanted GPS + Wifi.
My unit comes w/ even more features... like 640x480 resolution, output to monitor/projector @ 1024x768... great for presentations.
I was interested on the curve, but you cannot have both GPS + WiFi... but since you have unlimited data, get the GPS version.
data is SOOOO expensive north of the border, so i needed WiFi (to save on data-plan, when connected).
I've glanced at the Treo, and the iphone, they should do everything I want but they're not on Verizon currently and I'm reluctant to switch carriers given that I get a decent discount and the service has been good overall. Plus with the iphone I worry about loosing tactile communication. I don't always look at what I'm doing and feeling the buttons help.
The motoQ I almost got as a replacement when my last phone died but I'd read a lot of horror stories so I steered clear. When I picked up the BB I have now it was cheap and I wasn't expecting to like it much, but it's been so helpful that I really can't imagine not having a phone with at least the same capabilities.
The treo is suppose to be to market as a CDMA by the end of summer though.
is Verizon CDMA or GSM ?
As for the iPhone... they look cool, but the lack of keyboard is a big no-no for me. + the resolution ain't that great.
Also, depending on how long you want to wait... the new Sony-Ericsson X1 is amazing... but only coming out this fall.
Verizon is CDMA
BlackBerry has their 8800 series called world phone I think, working CDMA, and also allowing for a GSM card to be used if you travel... might be interesting if you travel out of the country.
i have both types of keyboards + writing recognition
and i can use a bluetooth or usb keyboard on the phone if I want, mouse, and connect to screen,tv,projector... good portable computer
all depends what the use is... for me doing seminars and presentations all over the place allows me to have everything without carrying laptops.
FYI - the Palm Treo 750 does NOT use a Palm operating system. I used to have a Palm OS (OK, so it was a Palm IIIc, back in 2001) and hated it. The 750 uses Windows Mobile, and I've never had a problem with it.
I have an 8700c and love it... USA Today says they are releasing a new BB... "Bold" soon. I am hoping mine quits shortly after that comes out... I want spellcheck.
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