ON WANTING A BLACKBERRY BEFORE AN iPHONE

ANTICIPATION

Despite Blackberry maker RIM's imminent plans to make it's software available on non-Blackberry phones running Windows Mobile, I'm still looking forward to my next Blackberry phone.

So, while most of the geek world eagerly awaits the June launch of Apple's iPhone, my eagerly awaited device is the far more prosaic, but practical (for me) Blackberry 8830 on Verizon Wireless (via Engadget).  It's also expected in the May/June time-frame.  Here's how Blackberrycool.com describes the expected features:

"...(CDMA/GSM hybrid, QVGA screen, microSD slot, and 3G EV-DO support, no camera, etc.), but now we’ve got press shots, which can only mean it’s on its way (we’ve been hearing May, right? June at the latest)."

While this device's "cousin", the Blackberry Pearl 8800 is already available on Cingular/AT&T, it lacks the higher speed data EV-DO modem (See WSJ review here).

For someone who's been using the Blackberry 7130 with an EV-DO modem on Verizon Wireless for a couple of years ago, the key appeal of this device are the following, in no particular order:

1.  Use of the "Pearl" trackball, instead of the scroll-wheel on the right makes the interface more like a miniature PC.  Especially convenient for web page browsing.

2.  Full keyboard with one letter per key, as opposed to two letters per key on the 7130.

3.  The combination CDMA/GSM capability means that for the first time, a Verizon Wireless phone can be used overseas as well as in the U.S>

4.  It's a Blackberry of course, with it's unsurpassed email capabilities.

So while  it may not be as cool as the iPhone, these are some of the reasons why this phone is top of my list of the next phone to get.  Followed by the iPhone of course .  After all, I may be practical, I'm not at all immune to Apple's spell.

Comments

[candice]

perhaps I am immune to apple's spell.

Cut the iphone to half it's size and we'll talk. That thing as it stands won't fit in the pockets of -any- of my pants.

[Kevin C. Tofel]

Good points, but wasn't there another Verizon "World Phone" with EV-DO about a year ago: the Samsung IP-830w? I didn't care for the slide-up design and I think you'll be much happier with the BlackBerry offering. No iPhone for me either. ;)

[SachMan]

Funny you mention the 8830 in your post today. I was actually researching the Pearl 8800 this past weekend. 8830 seems definitely the way to go as far as smart phones are concerned and not to mention the obvious email capabilities of RIM. The CDMA/GSM hybrid is an added bonus to boot.

[Martin]

Do somebody knows if i can use the iPhone (Version 1.0) in Europe also? What is the basic charges for AT&T per month? Can i buy the iPhone in usa without domicile in America? Thanks for answer. bye

[Vijay]

If the battery is as described as in I Phone. I am out of it. But actually you are right in some way that I am waiting to hear before buying another one. :)