Finally a Blackberry!! I never knew this day would come, but I actually bought a Blackberry last weekend. Being a Mac addict and a iPhone user/developer, it was very weird experience.
I think there will be more people that might agree with my logic behind this purchase. It all started with iPad. Since iPhone and iPad share more than 90% of the functionality, it really doesn’t make sense carrying around both devices at the same time. Since they are on both AT&T network, it also didn’t make sense paying two data plan. So what is the logical choice if I want the iPad? Get rid of the iPhone and get another phone in another network.
UMA(Unlicensed Mobile Access) – the biggest selling point
My first choice was Nexus One, but when I heard about UMA feature on Bold 9700, I knew what I wanted. Both AT&T and Verizon has good signal when I am outside of a building, but they have terrible reception and dropped calls from inside of my house and my office(where I spend most of my time). This is when UMA comes in handy. T-mobile offer this service to some of their smart phones including Bold 9700. If you are in a wifi area(have access), the cellphone will recognize it and use the wifi data rather than cellular network to make/receive phone calls. So even if you are in the middle of a desert, if you have wifi access, you will be able to make/receive phone calls.
Touch pad and Physical keyboard
Being an iPhone user, I am used to touch screen and also knows the importance of UI and navigation. I never liked the track ball Blackberry had on their predecessor, touch pad was very easy to get used to and dead accurate. I have been using the iPhone since the first generation, so I can type about twice faster on the iPhone over Blackberry. I know with practice, I will be about the same speed typing on both interfaces. Comparing auto correction for typos, iPhone does the better job than the blackberry.
Browser and Apps
There isn’t much to talk about when comparing the browser and apps to an iPhone. Blackberry sucks. Even with wifi, it take about twice as long as an iPhone to load up the same website. Also I do really miss the pinch in and pinch out feature on the iPhone. There is apps for everything on the iPhone, but not on the blackberry. Other than google mobile apps, they are suck or lack compatibility issue among the versions.
Conclusion
Will I keep the Bold 9700? I still have couple weeks left until I can return it without the penalty but I think I will keep it due to these reasons.
- Once I get an iPad I don’t need an iPhone due to overlap of their functionality.
- If I do month to month it’s only $79.99 for unlimited everything.
- UMA!! I get perfect phone experience when I am in my home and office.
- Battery lasts twice as long over an iPhone with normal usage.
