Blackberry's...

[ccorgr175]

All,

Any input on Blackberry's vs. PDA's? I need email and internet access while on the move. Will be operating nationwide...for now.

As always, the input here is most valued!

Thanks!


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[Jimbo]

Do you mean Blackberry vs. smartphone? I'd take a smartphone (ATT 8525 is pretty good) over a Blackberry if you will be using the net a lot. If you are talking blackberry vs PDA, go with the Blackberry.

[Pickpocket]

Something else you need to consider is whether or not you're going to need access to your company email via the blackberry. If no, then it's relatively easy going, whatever specific model/device you choose.

If your company already internally supports blackberry devices, then the tech guys should be able to steer you towards a model that both does what you need and that they can easily support. If your company doesn't support blackberry devices, and you need access to your company email, then things get more complicated.

I know it's more questions in response to your questions...but I never talk solutions until I talk requirements. ;)

[ccorgr175]

I should have mentioned the following:

The carrier for this device will be Verizon. Also, as long as I have access to the internet, company email should not be an issue. I need to be able to network via the internet though, as well as managing finances...

Thanks for the input so far...keep it comin';)


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[Bleach]

I love my new BB Pearl 8130!!!

B

[Sharky]

I have the 8830 World Edition. I have no complaints. I like the keyboard. It does well on the net and works well for my e-mail.

[The Corporate Guy]

I have the 8830 World Edition. I have no complaints. I like the keyboard. It does well on the net and works well for my e-mail.

Same here. Have been very pleased with it.

[Dark Helmet]

I have a Pearl. Two years now. It works well.

[GOAT556]

My Blackberry ismy office.I have the curve and am very happy with it. You cant beat blackberry for email on the go. Only downside is they dont support HTML emails, yet.

Goat ~ out

[ccorgr175]

Any problems managing finances (banking, etc.) via the net on the Blackberry?

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[Believeraz]

BB Curve is a great device, as is the 8830 World edition. I have had less than quality experience with an iMate smartphone.

The fancier and more expensive it is, the easier it will break.

[Husker19D30]

I have a Motorola Q. If your company uses Exchange for its e-mail server it requires a rather expensive plug-in to work with blackberries, whereas for a regular old smart phone outlook web access and a certificate is good enough.

I like the Q, works well with the bluetooth headset, I stuck a 1Gb memory card in it and use the mobile version of office. We're still working on implementing a functional mobile VPN solution. One thing at a time.

[snaquebite]

Just switched to a BB Curve from a 8700. Only reason to have a camera and built in Sat capability. On the 8700 I had to use an external Sat antenna for GPS. The Telenav GPS program works great as does Google Maps. I haven't had any problems with either as far as programs or internet connectivity.

[Ace]

I've had the Verizon XV6700 for some time and haven't any problems. The one thing that is a general pain in the ass is the screen is hard to see during high ambient light situations, and hard to see most of the time except in dark lighting, LOL.

[ccorgr175]

...Anybody using any of these devices to tether to a laptop in the capacity of a modem??


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[e5wsf]

...Anybody using any of these devices to tether to a laptop in the capacity of a modem??


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Just got a Verizon SMT5800 for that purpose. Had ATT but the service quality seemed to degrade. Needed Internet access on the road and the Verizon air card was rated the best. Needed email access (MS Exchange) as well. The phone fills both needs at one cost. Quite pleased with it so far. Runs Windows Mobile 6

[AF Water Walker]

I use Motorola Q. I had a Blackbery, but the Q is better for me. More Internet friendly and with Docs to go it performs with the functions of MS Office.

[ccorgr175]

Anybody got any poop on the Verizon xv6800. Looks like a solid piece, with a lot of features. I went and felt it up, and all in all it it felt quite nice:D .

If anybody has some thumb time on this thing, feel free to fire for effect...the damn thing is $619.00 at full retail. More commonly referred to as grand larceny. Unfortunately, I'm not eligible for an upgrade for another year or so...so I don't meet the intro price criteria. Bastards.:mad: :mad: :mad:

Can't find it on Amazon either....


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[e5wsf]

It has a touch screen. I don't like touch screens.
my 2 cents.

[SOTB]

I have the 8830 World Edition....Ditto. I also have the service through Verizon.

Some comments:

It "seems" a lot more delicate than apparently it really is. I thought I would have broken the fuck out of this thing by now, but in-fact, I've only been able to tear up the OEM case (as do many of my co-workers)
It "seems" to go through juice a lot quicker than my last model (a thicker version with the thumbwheel on the side).
I get email and voice at the developed world and Arab nations I have visited since getting it. I am told that the guys get phone service only with it in Iraq, and I can tell you I got phone service with it in Afghanistan (including well outside of Kabul). For some reason, when I returned to Kabul from the interior this last week, the thing kept giving me a rejected SIM card message. But earlier, calling and recieivng calls in Kabul was fine. I never got email in Afghanistan, but the text-messaging function worked fine.
It "seems" to require re-booting more often than my other models. To include taking the battery out and re-inserting it. This is, of course, a PITA.
The actual device aside, I am coming to the conclusion that I hate Verizon....

[SOTB]

...Anybody using any of these devices to tether to a laptop in the capacity of a modem?The company I work with gives all the staff wireless plug-in cards. I was skeptical at first, but now my wife and I are sold on them.

The ability to track thunderstorms while making a long driving trip, make hotel reservations on the go (from practically anywhere), and even getting "real" email (vice from a Blackberry, where you might not see the attachments as well as you would like) from inside a restaurant is pretty cool....

[The Corporate Guy]

...Anybody using any of these devices to tether to a laptop in the capacity of a modem??

Do you mean wireless broadband cards?

I use Sprint which works fine CONUS...no so much in India.

[The Corporate Guy]

It "seems" to require re-booting more often than my other models. To include taking the battery out and re-inserting it. This is, of course, a PITA.

I have the same problem with the 8830.





But, otherwise, it works as advertised.

[Pickpocket]

...Anybody using any of these devices to tether to a laptop in the capacity of a modem??


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The connection is usually tolerable, location depending... but the real problem is that you can't use the phone while you're tethered. Irritation is directly proportionate to how often you surf vs. how much phone time you need.
We use broadband cards exclusively for WWAN connectivity.

[ccorgr175]

Good poop Gents. Thanks.

I may have to look into the aircard again. I T&E'd it last year through Verizon and it was pretty slow...maybe things have improved since.

Cheers,

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[Alex F]

Ditto. I also have the service through Verizon.

Some comments:

It "seems" a lot more delicate than apparently it really is. I thought I would have broken the fuck out of this thing by now, but in-fact, I've only been able to tear up the OEM case (as do many of my co-workers)
It "seems" to go through juice a lot quicker than my last model (a thicker version with the thumbwheel on the side).
I get email and voice at the developed world and Arab nations I have visited since getting it. I am told that the guys get phone service only with it in Iraq, and I can tell you I got phone service with it in Afghanistan (including well outside of Kabul). For some reason, when I returned to Kabul from the interior this last week, the thing kept giving me a rejected SIM card message. But earlier, calling and recieivng calls in Kabul was fine. I never got email in Afghanistan, but the text-messaging function worked fine.
It "seems" to require re-booting more often than my other models. To include taking the battery out and re-inserting it. This is, of course, a PITA.
The actual device aside, I am coming to the conclusion that I hate Verizon....

I can't speak to using them overseas, but my new job (local county gov't) uses both the older side wheel model and the newer one you have now. The newer ones definitely eat the battery faster and they tend to lose their wireless connection more quickly.
I'll stick with the old chunkier one for a while longer I think.

[e5wsf]

Good poop Gents. Thanks.

I may have to look into the aircard again. I T&E'd it last year through Verizon and it was pretty slow...maybe things have improved since.

Cheers,

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Slow is a relative term. While I cannot watch streaming video reliably in a lot of places, I can alway get email, browse the web and take care of critical business. It does not compare to my home cable speeds. It has it's place, it does not replace the home/office access for my needs.

[ccorgr175]

Slow is a relative term. While I cannot watch streaming video reliably in a lot of places, I can alway get email, browse the web and take care of critical business. It does not compare to my home cable speeds. It has it's place, it does not replace the home/office access for my needs.


Good to know. I don't really need the streaming vid speed...just email and a decent browser for taking care of banking, news, & Socnetting...all the important stuff:D

I'm gonna keep poking around on this...we'll see who gets my money...:cool:


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