Looks Like A BlackBerry
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As many of you know, I have been “wooling around” which phone I would be upgrading to with AT&T. After much research, asking about it here over and over, now that the magic upgrade month has arrive for upgrade eligibility - I have selected the BlackBerry 8820. Let me explain why.
- With my available upgrade credit, it will actually cost me about $50 less than the iPhone. Not even a real consideration, but a bonus nonetheless.
- I hate touch screens. While the iPhone gets it right 100%, I am just done with touch screens in general, despite the iPhone being otherwise very pleasant to use.
- Exchange data and email push ability. For most people, this is not a big deal. But I live on my personal exchange server and also rely on a second one with a company I work for - so this matters to me, Google does not cut it.
- I like pressing real buttons. As explained previously, I am not interested in using a touch screen when I can simply type easier on actual buttons. Keep in mind, I have tried both phones - this is the best fit for me.
- Way better battery life. That and I can swap my SIM card easily.
- I do not want my data on my Google account. I use an exchange server with a domain no one has ever heard of for my calendaring and the other one I use is well secured. A Google login is hardly secure - not going to cut it, I am sorry. I love Gmail alright, but their calendar is not for me.
- Text messaging. The iPhone does just fine here. But I will take physical buttons instead of the finger waving, thanks.
- Everything else can be summarized pretty well here. Many of my own highlights can be found here. As for a lack of 802.11-”whatever” support, I don’t believe it lacks this. Even if it does, who cares - I have anytime access with my GPRS/EDGE network. Apple can keep its YouTube support, thanks anyway.
And just to curb any misunderstandings now. I do not hate Apple. My wife happens to own a new Intel iMac and loves it. I myself think that OS X is very slick, no question.
And what is truly funny is that had the Apple simply bothered to remember that many of us live in a MS Exchange world, I would have given the device a lot more thought. Too bad Apple has opted to alienate users such as myself. Oh well, whatever floats their boat I guess. It’s not like they cannot sell enough of them I suppose.
5 Comments
Matt Wilkinson
January 26th, 2008
at 8:49am
Matt — I think you’ll love your new BB. I am having a blast with my AT&T BB 8310. And the battery life is excellent.
Matt Hartley
January 26th, 2008
at 12:30pm
Against my better judgment and the fact that the commenter of the following post spent most of his time calling me a moron for choosing a Blackberry, explaining that I was a danger to the world, etc. He did have relevant feedback - in between his hate speech - here it is.
I replied by first explaining where comments not seen here will get him with regard to posting here, along with the following on his choice. Again, this is merely my opinion.
Me: “Windows Mobile 6.0 is garbage, every reviewer today knows this. You are welcome to see things differently.” Again, there were other thoughts on his hateful post and name calling, but that is not to be listed here in the name of good taste.
In the name of /transparency/ however, despite the tone of the comments, I wanted to make sure that most of it appeared here nevertheless.
Matt Hartley
January 26th, 2008
at 12:30pm
Matt W: Awesome, that is where I was coming from for sure.
jimbo
January 28th, 2008
at 1:27pm
I’d go with a Blackberry over an iPhone any day. You’re exactly right on the keyboard question–buttons would be the deal breaker for me. After using Blackberries for about 6 years now, I can thumb-type almost 60 words a minute, without looking at the screen or keyboard *and* with people in meetings thinking that I’m actually paying attention to them. Don’t think I could handle that on an Iphone.
To be fair to the Iphone though, I don’t think they are going after you in their demographic. They want people who want a phone and music player first, with everything else being secondary considerations. It sounds like you need the more business related functions first, and the toys and candy second.
Anyway.
Matt Hartley
January 28th, 2008
at 9:51pm
Jimbo: You had me at…
“…I can thumb-type almost 60 words a minute, without looking at the screen or keyboard *and* with people in meetings thinking that I’m actually paying attention to them.”
That was just awesome, seriously gave me a big smile. :)