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

**El Chupacabra** · 03-01-2008, 08:06 AM

Starting a new thread on this, since the old ones are quite old. I need a Blackberry-type device for use on Verizon -- recommendations? (and I'll PM Sinecure, since he knows this stuff.)

What I need:

1) full sync with Outlook - email, calendar, contacts, tasks
2) acceptable voice quality as a phone
3) must be on Verizon (only network that has good coverage where I live)
4) (ideally) also access my Yahoo email account
5) (asking too much?) web access
6) (pipe dream?) can I hook a phone to a laptop for wireless internet access? (not local wi-fi, which is built in to the laptop, but true wireless)

I think I'd prefer a full QWERTY keyboard with separate letters per key, since I expect to use this thing for email a lot. The 2-letters-per-key style like on the Pearl looks like it would be less than ideal for typing. I don't use text messaging, don't care if this thing has a phone/ MP3 player/ bluetooth capability. Also don't really care if it's a bit bulky -- ease of use and larger display is more important to me than whether the phone is super tiny.

Any recommendations? any bad experiences with some devices to avoid?

**wannabe** · 03-01-2008, 08:52 AM

motorola Q9m can do everything you ask.

You would need to pay for the full data plan $49 a month I think, as well as $15 per month for the tethering service, well worth it though.

I have 2 different email's coming through my phone.

**El Chupacabra** · 03-01-2008, 09:45 AM

Originally Posted by wannabe

motorola Q9m can do everything you ask.

You would need to pay for the full data plan $49 a month I think, as well as $15 per month for the tethering service, well worth it though.

I have 2 different email's coming through my phone.

I read some awesomely bad reviews of the Motorola Q series phones. Have they improved?

Doing some googling, found this: Sprint now has a $99 "everything" plan (unlimited voice, data, etc, etc) available as of 2-28-08:

http://www.sprintspecialoffers.com/everything/?id9=SEM

Google searching also suggests that Sprint's roaming capability (included in that $99 plan) switches over to Verizon's CDMA network -- which, if true, means I could get Verizon-level coverage with Sprint-level pricing.

Anyone have Sprint and happy with it in remote areas? (Sierra, western states, etc)

**fez** · 03-01-2008, 01:19 PM

keep in mind sprint is in serious trouble right now. i think their stock just hit it's lowest level in almost 20 yrs and has been downgraded to junk. most likely if they go tits up someone will step in and buy them, but it's still something to think about.

hopefully on their way out they get some changes going to disrupt the cell phone market (i.e. $99 unlimited). also, most cell companies wont sell you service if your in an area they dont serve. so not sure how that sprint phone on verizon network would work.

**SkiOrDie** · 03-01-2008, 04:31 PM

Originally Posted by El Chupacabra

Starting a new thread on this, since the old ones are quite old. I need a Blackberry-type device for use on Verizon -- recommendations? (and I'll PM Sinecure, since he knows this stuff.)

What I need:

1) full sync with Outlook - email, calendar, contacts, tasks
2) acceptable voice quality as a phone
3) must be on Verizon (only network that has good coverage where I live)
4) (ideally) also access my Yahoo email account
5) (asking too much?) web access
6) (pipe dream?) can I hook a phone to a laptop for wireless internet access? (not local wi-fi, which is built in to the laptop, but true wireless)

I think I'd prefer a full QWERTY keyboard with separate letters per key, since I expect to use this thing for email a lot. The 2-letters-per-key style like on the Pearl looks like it would be less than ideal for typing. I don't use text messaging, don't care if this thing has a phone/ MP3 player/ bluetooth capability. Also don't really care if it's a bit bulky -- ease of use and larger display is more important to me than whether the phone is super tiny.

Any recommendations? any bad experiences with some devices to avoid?

Is there some reason you don't just get a Blackberry??? Like this: http://estore.vzwshop.com/blackberry/

????

**El Chupacabra** · 03-01-2008, 06:12 PM

Originally Posted by SkiOrDie

Is there some reason you don't just get a Blackberry??? Like this: http://estore.vzwshop.com/blackberry/

????

No reason at all. Just never had one before, so asking whether I should consider something other than the Name Brand.

Hugh Conway · 03-01-2008, 06:15 PM

does your laptop have bluetooth? if so, get a bluetooth phone. bluetooth phone modems = sweet

**El Chupacabra** · 03-01-2008, 06:34 PM

Originally Posted by Hugh Conway

does your laptop have bluetooth? if so, get a bluetooth phone. bluetooth phone modems = sweet

My laptop does have bluetooth. I just thought bluetooth was mostly for hands-free headset things, or running a speakerphone through a car stereo, stuff like that.

From the looks of the Blackberry options out there now, they all have bluetooth.

**Sensisnow** · 03-01-2008, 06:37 PM

I have a Treo 650p that works with Verizon that I no longer use. It should handle most of the things that you need to do, syncs w/ outlook, bluetooth, web access etc., although the browser on the 650 isn't that quick.

I'd be willing to let it go cheap if you're interested.

**ptavv** · 03-01-2008, 07:09 PM

I have a Moto Qm, I love it.

It fetches all my Gmail. Syncs with outlook (also syncs with my Google Calendar, but that's a 3rd party app).

Internet is fast and works well.

I have pretty much zero complaints.

**wfish** · 03-01-2008, 11:00 PM

I've got the 8830 on verizon and love it. Easily the best phone I've had on Verizon. It meets all your requirements - I'd say the only area it's a bit weak is on the web browsing. It has a built-in browser but it's not all that great. I typically use the free opera mini browser in place of the blackberry browser. Hope this helps

**cascadianwarrior** · 03-01-2008, 11:04 PM

^What he said^

Our IT guy hasn't been able to get the Blackberry to fully sync with our server for Outlook but I haven't had any issues with the Q.

**Shredhead** · 03-02-2008, 06:59 AM

2nd the 8830. I have the World Edition with Verizon, fully syncd. Works well everywhere I've been.

**rme** · 03-02-2008, 07:31 AM

I've had Blackberrry 8830 and the treo 650 palm os on verizon.

BB has better phone reception but 3rd party software sucks. Never tried their BIS service (individual desktop redirect of email, etc to your BB) from my pc though, our company has a BES.

Palm has worse phone reception but much better 3rd party software for hundreds of things you never knew you needed. Not sure what software is available to redirect email to you phone from your outlook, I used seven.com and it worked well or Verizon may have it's own individual user redirector for you that doesn't cost anything.

**Buke Skywalker** · 03-02-2008, 08:07 AM

Here's another recommendation for the BlackBerry. Calendar sync and web browsing has never failed me. I've dropped the thing countless times and it stands up to considerable abuse. The navigation is very intuitive. My coworkers use the tethered modem thing, and apparently it works very well.

Research in Motion has also built those things on like 9 years of regression testing and QA. They're built on progressive development and device errors are rare.

Don't second-guess that 'ruggedized' thing, either. Watch someone drop an iPhone on pavement someday.

**Rontele** · 03-02-2008, 08:36 AM

Blackberry Curve.

Done.

**Altmanator** · 03-02-2008, 09:40 AM

I used a Treo 750p (Verizon) for a year with my last job and it worked quite well. Full sync with Outlook when on an exchange server and the ability to "tether" it to a laptop and use it as a modem.

It's sitting in the box right now as I have no need for it and didn't want to keep paying for a data plan each month.

If you have any interest, I'd let it go cheap. I have an extra battery as well which is a great thing to have as you'll be hooked on mobile web browsing pretty quick

**SkiOrDie** · 03-02-2008, 10:24 AM

Originally Posted by El Chupacabra

No reason at all. Just never had one before, so asking whether I should consider something other than the Name Brand.

OH, I get it. Well, I had about 4 blackberries over the years and each one got better and better. I would still be using one if the iPhone hadn't come out. I shifted to the iPhone for a ton of reasons that I won't bother with - as it's only AT&T.

Blackberries are best if you get the full sized keyboard, not the 2-for-1 keyboard on the little one. They have all the various goodies now, like camera and blue tooth. But, there is still a difference in keyboard size between the "business" one, that doesn't have a camera etc.., and the "consumer" one that has all that junk. The consumer version has smaller keys. Depending upon the size of your fingers (you'll have to go try them) you should either get the big or small. I have small finger - so the little one, which happens to be the consumer one with the camera, is fine.

Get as much memory as you can buy and go for bluetooth for the headset, Plantronics is the best headset I know, go for the noise canceling version. Be sure to get it all working with your email prior to leaving the store, as there can be some weird things in setting up email to one. It will gather up email from multiple places, like Yahoo, Apple, MSN, etc... and put it all together for you, which is very nice.

If you're not going to use an Exchange server at your office to sync to, then you'll want to sync to a computer. It will sync to both Macs and PCs, the mac version is really excellent and it syncs right through to the .mac server that will sync multiple computers to your .mac service (like exchange only much less expensive and faster.)

PM me if you'd like more info - I used to be an addict, as my kids will attest. Now, I listen to tunes and surf the net on my iPhone - a lot less addicted now.... supposedly.

B

**SunCuntry** · 03-02-2008, 10:59 AM

I thought the pearl keyboard would suck too, but I bought it and a month later I was typing just as fast as with any other phone and now it's a non issue.

**wildstyle** · 03-02-2008, 02:54 PM

I use the sony ericsson P1i.

slightly weird qwerty keyboard but you get used to it.
It has exchange active sync but only for your main inbox. no additional folder support.
I run ISKOOT so i can use skype chat on it as well.
I also run FRING on it for hotmail messenger
It has word, excel and pdf support

I'm a big fan of the UIQ phones from sony.

To be honest, if you can do without the qwerty, almost anyphone from nokia or sony will be able to work well. Just use exchanges imap support to access your mail.

**vailcat** · 03-02-2008, 09:31 PM

Ive had the Q and the 8830. Without question the 8830 is superior. Every now and then the q would quit synching email. I would take both phones side by side and go to the same website and the 8830 would win by a landslide everytime. I have my browser set on BB and keep it in low quality just like on the q so it was a fair race.

I have never had the 8830 freeze up. The q was good for a freeze up about once a week. The bb email is so quick that you can hit send on your computer and it will be on your phone within 3 seconds. The q will not do this unless you have it said to constantly be checking which makes the battery last about 6 hours. Not good.

I have had both phones and used them extensively and this one is a no brainer choosing between the 2. Go for the 8830 and you will be straight money. Done!

**Tye 1on** · 03-03-2008, 09:38 AM

Originally Posted by SunCuntry

I thought the pearl keyboard would suck too, but I bought it and a month later I was typing just as fast as with any other phone and now it's a non issue.

Same for me with the Pearl. And while size ain't an issue [rigggght], it really is nice being able to just toss it in your pocket. I've had great reception, very very few dropped calls, and it's maybe locked up on me 3 times in a little less than a year, mostly when i'm futzing around with it, trying to make programs/webpages work. It's freakin light years beyond anything i'd used previously. Regarding handfree, i've had better luck with Jabra than Plantronics, but that may just be me. I find that the phone's built in speaker, not the speakerphone one but the one next to your ear, is a bit less than ideal. I'm hooking on the Bluetooth headset. [plus, it makes talking on the phone while steering, shifting and holding a beer much easier j/k]

And second Sinecure's wisdom, he helped me a lot when i was looking at smartphones.

**Mathematics** · 03-03-2008, 09:45 AM

I've got an HP ipaq right now and would recommend against it. menu options just aren't that intuitive, and you end up having to use the little plastic stylus for everything. syncs well with outlook, but for anything beyond quick 2 sentence emails I plug in a little mini-keyboard thing.

If you have an IT guy where you work I'd ask him what he thinks, he can atleast make sure you'll be able to sync up to your works network.

**summit** · 03-03-2008, 12:18 PM

I like my Q although yes it does lock up and have some battery life issues. I have the original incarnation. I'll say one thing: it is small.

PS Treos are FRAGILE. A ton of people I work with have them and are on their second, third, or fourth treo in two years.

**i killed judas.** · 03-03-2008, 01:01 PM

Originally Posted by wannabe

as well as $15 per month for the tethering service, well worth it though.

isnt there a way to do this without paying the extra $15/month? i hear there is but if you get caught they drop you because its voiding your contract. the chances of getting caught are really, really, infinitessimaly low so i'd like to take a shot.

if anyone knows how to do this and wants to fill me in, shoot me a PM...