Need Blackberry-type phone for use on Verizon - recommendations?

[RShea]

The Verizon flyer I just got has a special on some of the Blackberry's out (including pink ones) for $100 on the Pearl 8130 after rebates. There is an unlimited web and email messages for $29.95 also discussed on the flyer and they will handle the Outlook and other mail if you know what you are doing and have a good understanding of how their email works (the mail has to either be Pop3, Imap or if from an Exchange server at work- then the redirector has to be loaded on your desktop computer or else the Blackberry Enterprise Edition has to be running on the server). Also it is pretty much only a phone and email, etc. not a full blown PDA computer that you can add software for specially needs like you can with either a Windows based or Palm OS based PDA computer. The other 2 options also do not tie you into bed with RIM (Research In Motion) as the Blackberry does along with the particular cell phone carrier. They (Windows Mobile and Palm) will also allow things like Word Processors, SPreadsheets, etc. and other 3rd party software to be loaded up on them if needed.

Their have been a few system wide outages that Rim's network has had- one just a few weeks back when they did a system upgrade and the rest of the day no mail was going anywhere. Also there was a scare when the company was sued and there was actions to shut them down some time back, but they negotiated a settlement and it did not come to that- but leading up to the deadline of the US courts there were businesses everywhere wondering if they would in fact be able to have their crackberry for messages or not.

Also check the fine print on the unlimited web and messages- Verizon has an unlimited data plan that is not truely unlimited if you read the fine print they can shut you down if you do too much streaming or downloads with a cap for the month in the fine print. Not sure if the Blackberry is the same but check the contract out to see if they are conditionally making it limited or not.

[DJSapp]

All I know is that this thing is a piece of shit.



It is capable of everything that you want to do, however it is the most user-unfriendly phone in the existence of man coupled with a 12-18 hour battery life. Stay away.

[Sinecure]

Some thoughts and responses:

Sprint is great service in metro areas. Last I knew, it didn't work AT ALL in Mammoth (AlpineDad may weigh in on this subject - he has Sprint). Their new $99 all you can eat plan is the best deal out there at the moment, although VZW also announced a $99 plan, but it doesn't include as much stuff.

Blackberry - hard to go too wrong there. As pointed out, their browser isn't the best, but it works. Battery life on a BB is better than on a Windows Mobile device (Moto Q and lots and lots of other options out there - check out the ones from HTC). Someone above mentioned BIS and BES. BIS = Blackberry Internet Server, BES = Blackberry Enterprise Server. If your firm has a BES and Exchange (or Lotus Notes), you'll get pretty good syncing. If you run off the BIS (this is the same service as BES, but run by the carrier and RIM), you'll still get live push email, but syncing will work a little differently. From a user's perspective, they aren't much different.

You'll be able to get your POP mail (gmail, yahoo, etc) on virtually any device you buy.

Using the device as a modem for dial-up (bad word, but that's what its called) access tied to your PC may work with a Palm or Windows Mobile device, but I'm not sure if you can get a BB to do it. Either way, VZW is going to try to prevent you from doing this without paying them extra for the ability. However, there are some hacks and 3rd party software out there that enable it. YMMV and keep in mind that VZW doesn't like the idea and your user agreement probably states that you aren't supposed to do it. I think they are total assholes for their approach to this. I know AlpineDad uses his Sprint Palm device as a tethered modem on his laptop.

There are an increasing number of really nice Windows Mobile devices out there. I haven't looked at all the ones available from VZW, but they keep getting better and there's increasing amounts of software for them (as opposed to Palm, which has lots of good software out there now, but will probably start seeing the variety of available SW start to decline, along with the OS' market share). If you do buy a Windows Mobile device, I'd recommend getting an extra battery. Exchange/Outlook sync on a WM device is very good, and they continue to work on the back-end infrastructure that currently eats battery life and makes for larger data usage than on BB's.

Call me if you still have questions.

[RShea]

I just noticed the last item- using the phone as a modem. Verizon has 2 connection speeds- slower like dial up that is pretty much available from all Verizon towers and a faster approaching broadband speed called EV-DO that is slowly rolling out and available in some major markets and major Interstate highways first. They want to to do a tethering contract as someone else mentioned and charge extra for that. The Nationwide service plan used to include using the phone as a data modem just by purchasing the data/syncing cable and software needed (but you used your minutes if you used it during the peak times. But Verizon got greedy and changed the terms. You as others have stated could try as skirt the fee and may in fact get it to work, but they do not support it at all any more, so consider and make your decision.

Also ask about the modem/tethering issues - I have not worked with the Blackberry's to say for 100% that they will do this. I have worked with a Samsung Windows Mobile phone and it was not easy to get it going- the version of the phone, Windows Mobile etc all mattered and after doing a bunch of updates to the phone, still could not get it going on the bluetooth connection and the customer gave up.

Also a good question to ask is what is the definition of unlimited web (including tethering the device to you computer or not?) as the full data plans from Verizon are more than the Blackberry monthly plan in that flyer I mentioned.

[doctapow]

We have 2 Palm Treos (650 and 700p) that we use as our only phones and cellular broadband access at our place on Donner Summit (near Lake Tahoe).

We have Sprint, which along with Palm seems to have its problems, but we haven't found anything that is close yet in terms of price for our basically unlimited web and data.
Sprint coverage is decent at least on North Shore Tahoe and it is the only one that gives us good data access at our cabin.

The Treo is getting a bit long in the tooth now, and it doesn't have as sexy of a web browser as the iPhone, but the 3G EV-DO network is much faster than AT&T. We get close to DSL speeds on the 700p and about twice-dialup on the older 650.

If Sprint goes tips up, I guess we'll have to switch to Verizon, but I'm riding this one as long as I can.

[bobski]

Sprint is great service in metro areas. Last I knew, it didn't work AT ALL in Mammoth (AlpineDad may weigh in on this subject - he has Sprint).

As of last week...
Sprint does not work at all in Mammoth. Verizon works fine there.

[Angel]

Another vote for the 8830 World. If you want a camera look at the Curve. Verizon seems to work best up here in Summit/Eagle Counties.

[andyC]

Curve has been mentioned a couple times, but as far as I know Verizon still has not announced any plans to carry this device.

Anybody have any insight on this? I've heard that is going to happen eventually, but the time frames have been anywhere from a few months to a year or more. I've been holding out on the crackberry until this comes out. Have considered the 8830, but I really do enjoy having a nice camera in a phone (have an enV currently, but want something I can sync all my outlook stuff with.)

[El Chupacabra]

Thanks everyone for all the input. I need to get over to a Verizon store and play with some of the devices, and see what kind of specials they're running in my area.

Someone above mentioned BIS and BES. BIS = Blackberry Internet Server, BES = Blackberry Enterprise Server. If your firm has a BES and Exchange (or Lotus Notes), you'll get pretty good syncing. If you run off the BIS (this is the same service as BES, but run by the carrier and RIM), you'll still get live push email, but syncing will work a little differently.

There are an increasing number of really nice Windows Mobile devices out there. I haven't looked at all the ones available from VZW, but they keep getting better and there's increasing amounts of software for them (as opposed to Palm, which has lots of good software out there now, but will probably start seeing the variety of available SW start to decline, along with the OS' market share). If you do buy a Windows Mobile device, I'd recommend getting an extra battery. Exchange/Outlook sync on a WM device is very good, and they continue to work on the back-end infrastructure that currently eats battery life and makes for larger data usage than on BB's.

Call me if you still have questions.

Thanks- got your PM earlier; buried at work today. I'll try to give you a call sometime tomorrow.

All I need the BB/PDA device to do is email, Outlook sync, web browsing if possible, and function as a decent phone. It looks like they'll all do this.

I saw an LG iPhone-type device from Verizon with a touch screen front, and a large fold-out-sideways keypad. Looks pretty nice -- bigger keypad than the Blackberry. Though from what I hear from other people I work with, they all like Blackberries; seems to be the standard here.

My office uses BES and Exchange as a server; we have an in-house tech department, so they can help with setup issues to make sure the BB syncs properly. They said it'll work with any of the phone carriers. My job provides a credit of $55/month towards a data plan, which seems like it'll pay for most (if not all) of the BB plan -- my very basic phone service now through Verizon is about $45/month, and from the looks of it, I can get a BB email & voice phone service plan easily for $100/month.

[andyC]

I saw an LG iPhone-type device from Verizon with a touch screen front, and a large fold-out-sideways keypad. Looks pretty nice -- bigger keypad than the Blackberry. Though from what I hear from other people I work with, they all like Blackberries; seems to be the standard here.

Thats the LG Voyager, which is essentially the enV, but with a touch screen. I have the enV, and really like it, but it is really just a phone with a qwerty keyboard, rather than a blackberry type device. I don't think you can sync outlook with it, but I could be wrong. Still, I think you definitely want to go with the Blackberry.

And rumor has it that the CDMA version of the Curve will be released by WES 2008, which is May 13-15th. It won't have WiFi, which sucks, and also is not going to be a world phone, so if you go abroad this probably wont be a good option. However, the verizon internet is fast and reliable, so I don't really care about the wifi, so I'm pumped.

[RShea]

One of the disadvantages of Verizon is the fact that they are slow releasing the new equipment out there. They test the phones and usually have their own firmware (which sometimes has them turning off features too that can be done with the devices on other carriers). But they do have a good reputation for coverage compared to many others. Like many big companies they have their share of both helpful personnel that know what they are doing and useless employees that do not know what is up at all.

[Tuckerman]

We stopped using Blackberry because of the Exchange 2007 sync problems, to get it to work as it should you would be best to also get a BES server ($4000+/-) not a great option for us. So we switched the the Samsung SCH-i760. We have been using the Samsung SCH-i760 for about a month now and it seems to be going over well. User like that they can now access their calender, contacts and can open and create Word, XLS, and Power Point attachments. Windows mobile 6 and exchange integrate well with each other and we did not have that with the Blackberry s.

[El Chupacabra]

Update: I finally got a PDA phone.

After lots of shopping, I went back to the Death Star/AT&T, and got this for $99:

http://www.wireless.att.com/cell-pho...sku=sku1060009

It's like a mini-laptop. Lots of tweaking to make it do what I want, but damn, it'll do about anything you could expect from a PDA. Kinda heavy though.

[iggyskier]

Update: I finally got a PDA phone.

After lots of shopping, I went back to the Death Star/AT&T, and got this for $99:

http://www.wireless.att.com/cell-pho...sku=sku1060009

It's like a mini-laptop. Lots of tweaking to make it do what I want, but damn, it'll do about anything you could expect from a PDA. Kinda heavy though.

A friend of mine has the tilt and absolutely loves it. From playing with it a bit, it seems sweet. Sounds like you got it for a really good price too.

I just got the Blackberry Curve and am pretty stoked on it. Would have loved to wait for the Bold coming out later this year, but I really needed a new phone and don't think I could have waited until Sept or whenever it comes out. So far, really stoked on it. Only had it for a few days, though, so still trying to figure it all out.

[fluffballs]

Well, I just got a BB 8307 for work, 8703? either way it's the work horse. So much stuff for me to figure out, but the basics were rather simple. And I was pleasantly surprised that I was able to add my entire branch's contact info at once.

[vailcat]

I have had the q the 8830 and now the curve. The 8830 was great but when they released the curve I was all over it. Smaller and a
camera. Best coverage I've ever had with a phone. The thing is so rock solid I'd feel bad for u if you didn't get one!

[MtBakehead]

I've had a Blackberry 8820 for about a month now (upgrade from a Pearl) and I'm really liking it. All the basics (phone and multiple e-mail accounts) work great, the GPS has been really useful (using it with Google maps) and it's great to be able to connect to any Wi-Fi network. Unlike the Curve it doesn't have a camera but a 2.0 MPixel camera is pretty useless in my opinion.

(The 8820 is a T-Mobile device...not sure if VZ's 8830 is exactly the same.)

[ACHTUNG]

I have the 8830 world phone. These are the issues I've had with it so far:

It isn't supported in Austria which pissed me off something fierce. The button backlighting is blue which makes them hard to see when it's dark (red or amber would have been way better). The buttons are very small and close together making it hard to type if you have fat thumbs. Do not ski with it inside your jacket, the humidity from my sweat locked it up. It is extremely sensitive to moisture.

Other than that I love it. I got the 6GB miniSD card. plays music and videos well. Email capability is great. Voice command is spot on. Syncs no problem with Outlook.

[fonixmunkee]

Blackberry > Windows "SmartPhone"

I went from a Samsung i something to a Blackberry because I couldn't stand the constant crashing of Windows Mobile. Plus, it was so fucking huge I could put wheels on it and drive it around. Moving to the Blackberry got me a smaller, more stable phone. Best move I've ever made. But my .02 is too late, as you've already picked a phone. Best of luck to you with it, I hope it meets or exceeds expectations.

[Sinecure]

My business partner just got an unlocked one of those. He's been using it in South Africa. I'll get a report from him tomorrow on how its been going when he gets back here.

I'm looking forward to upgrading my iPhone and maybe getting a new one.

[Buzzworthy]

Update: I finally got a PDA phone.

After lots of shopping, I went back to the Death Star/AT&T, and got this for $99:

http://www.wireless.att.com/cell-pho...sku=sku1060009

It's like a mini-laptop. Lots of tweaking to make it do what I want, but damn, it'll do about anything you could expect from a PDA. Kinda heavy though.

For a Win Mobile phone, this is the one I would pick. I did help our VP pick a phone and this is what we came up with. So far he has been super happy, for 6+ months. Not one crash yet (even to my surprise).

Yeah, it is a bit heavy but has a lot of nice features and is pretty robust on multiple drops (he dropped it twice out of his truck and it is fine minus scratches).

[Sinecure]

FYI, if you are out and about with the Tilt, turn off WiFi. Bluetooth too, if you can. It will save lots of battery life. Same goes for an iPhone for that matter.

[El Chupacabra]

FYI, if you are out and about with the Tilt, turn off WiFi. Bluetooth too, if you can. It will save lots of battery life. Same goes for an iPhone for that matter.

Yep, read about that. Seems like a good idea, and easy to do.

Also read some stuff online about people complaining about battery life, and saying that if you turn off 3G (and just use the "edge" system), it'll work fine for emails, and keep the battery running a lot longer -- they say that the 3G connection uses a lot of juice. There's some freeware program that allows you to toggle 3G on/off.

[Sinecure]

Yep, sorry I left that out of my last post. Just turn on 3G if you want to surf the web. Email is fine on edge. That's how I do it on my iPhone.

[SkierX720]

I own the Pearl and it took some convincing to get but purchased the first gen. within days of its release. Same phone ever since.

I was super skeptical about joining the infamous RIM crew and always thought of the blackberrys as "super business man who thinks he's too cool to never be connected and just wants attention" Sure enough, I bought one and love it. The Pearl and Curve may not have the "cool" features that you'll find on an iPhone but it still does a much better job on most common operations. From organizing your calendar, texts, emails and syncing the Blackberry holds its own very well. I use it for personal use only and have synched 3 different emails to it.

The biggest problem I have is that you are much more connected to your social and professional networks. You will find out quickly that you're much more reachable by friends and coworkers. I have found that when I screen my calls or simply miss them, those people will email me. I have begun to email people in response far more than answering the phone.

So, if you're thinking of getting connected, go Blackberry. Also, the Blackberry Messenger feature is awesome. Use 'dem shits everyday