What's the deal w/ Crackberry?

[Ska]

Ok, so I'm looking at phones from Verizon to replace mine when my contract runs out next week, and everyone in a business environment that has a Blackberry seems to love it. My question is, what's so special about 'em? Seems like a lot of phones can access the net and receive email, and I can't really tell why someone would prefer a BB over some of this other stuff like, say, the HTC Touch or the LG Dare or something.

Any of you Crackberry aficionados care to enlighten me?

[duckdog]

Originally Posted by Ska

Ok, so I'm looking at phones from Verizon to replace mine when my contract runs out next week, and everyone in a business environment that has a Blackberry seems to love it. My question is, what's so special about 'em? Seems like a lot of phones can access the net and receive email, and I can't really tell why someone would prefer a BB over some of this other stuff like, say, the HTC Touch or the LG Dare or something.

Any of you Crackberry aficionados care to enlighten me?

Percieved status.

PDA function

[Ska]

So if I get one, chicks will think I'm a baller?

Now I see why they're so popular.

[Slider]

Originally Posted by Ska

So if I get one, chicks will think I'm a baller?

Now I see why they're so popular.

Not chicks, just other gay nerdy dudes.

[duckdog]

Originally Posted by Slider

Not chicks, just other gay nerdy dudes.

[TireMeltingRSX]

It's kinda of like "kleenex", I think "blackberry" has pretty much become the name for any smartphone (minus the iPhone).

I have a Blackberry Pearl (with sprint). I love it, but I don't think I'd love any other smartphone less. The pearl is the smaller blackberry, it doesn't have a full keyboard so it's not like carrying a brick in your pocket at all times. It's the size of a regular phone, yet I get email (work and personal) on it, I can surf the web, I can use it as an MP3 player, I can watch movies, I can take 2mp pictures, I have GPS and can get turn by turn directions, I can use blackberry messenger, I can setup my entire calendar, everything can be synced with my outlook by simple USB plug in, and most importantly... it has a facebook application so I don't have to go on teh web, it's actually laid out really nice.

I don't think it's that does anything more/better than other smartphones, but I like the phone itself so it works for me. It's personal choice about the phone itself now more than anything I'd say.

[Ska]

Originally Posted by Slider

Not chicks, just other gay nerdy dudes.

F that.

That's what I was thinking Kev, they seem like really nice phones, but it doesn't seem like they're doing anything that another smartphone wouldn't do. I guess the solution I need is to just screw around in the Verizon store for an hour or 3 next week before I pick my phone. The BB Curve is a sweet deal right now, I think they want $99 with a contract renewal...seems like a good deal.

[TireMeltingRSX]

Yeah, they're pushing that Curve hard. I almost got it, but I just wanted a smaller phone. The full keyboard would have been nice, but I've gotten used to what I have

[HEAVY_RL]

Man you guys are tough.

A black berry is popular in the fortune 500 and business world because of its capability to incorporate corporate level security features and its sych capabilities with outlook. So unless you get the new one with the 3g service or a world phone for travel you are wasting your time.

You want to be "baller" or score some strange get an iPhone or an LG Dare

[Slynky]

My ex-boss has used a Treo and now has a BB for work. He told me the BB fell short of several things the Treo did better.

I'm guessing they're still selling off their brand recognition instead of doing the smartphone thing better than anyone else.

[HEAVY_RL]

Originally Posted by Slynky

My ex-boss has used a Treo and now has a BB for work. He told me the BB fell short of several things the Treo did better.

I'm guessing they're still selling off their brand recognition instead of doing the smartphone thing better than anyone else.

Yes sir the software in the Treo (especially with windows) is leaps and bounds over the RIM software, but its not conducive to most corporate networks.

Plus you cannot tether with the Treos, which is a huge plus with the new blackberry.

Until these companies catch up with the new PDA technology or the new PDA technology builds a patch for the older networks we will be left behind.

[Nikon1]

As someone who just dumped a Motorola Q because of Windows Mobile 6.1 and Microslop's shitty ActiveSync Technology - FAWk any windows based Smartphone.

Battery life on my Q was the suck! ActiveSync limits you to being able to only sync to 2 computers - and it is the most persnickety program. Once again - May Bill Gates burn in hell!

I was trying to get away from having a cell phone I love (S/E 850i) and a Palm T/X - and have one device that does both. Monumental Fail on my part!

Crackberry is a good phone for the corporate world - or if you want to spend about $80.00 a month (AT&T anyway) for an unlimited "Blackberry plan" - which I do not want to spend.

IF you are even considering a Blackberry - WAIT FOR THE BOLD! As a corporate customer, we were shown this newest model about 4 months ago. WOW - what a display and list of features.

As far as the Treo's - now that they are running Windows Mobile - NFW for me (see my rant in paragraphs 1 &2). Windows mobile is still teh suck, IMO.

While I don't see S/E building a device that meets my "1 device instead of 2" need, I still find their higher-end phones to exceed my phone-only needs. Later this year, they will be releasing an 8MB camera phone - that will be sweet!

Matt - good luck! Check out the BB Bold when it comes out!

[Ska]

Dang, you had that Q for what, a month?

I saw the Bold on the BB website, looks like it's going to be pretty rad except there's no release date for Verizon yet.

[Nikon1]

Originally Posted by Ska

Dang, you had that Q for what, a month?

I saw the Bold on the BB website, looks like it's going to be pretty rad except there's no release date for Verizon yet.

And AT&T's having trouble with the 3G network (see the class action suit that disgruntled iPhone FanBoi's are bringing) and BB is letting the AT&T release dates slip.

Yeah - had the Q five weeks (1 week past "TurnThisPieceOfShitBackAndChooseAgain") so I'll be sending it back to Moto to get it fixed and then sell it. Live and learn!

[CaliMike]

I toughed it out with a Q for a year until I could get a Blackberry at the subsidized price again. What a piece of shit that thing was. I hope everyone who works for Motorola chokes on a big black cock. It was slow and locked up constantly. The syncing wasn't a problem for me. Vista's built-in sync (replaced the Activesync you had to add to XP or older) worked well enough. But the device itself was garbage. The Blackberry has been MUCH better, especially the battery life. There's a few things about the WM5 UI I preferred over the BB, but hopefully they'll address them soon.