The new BlackBerry looks pretty darn sweet. With T-Mobile’s reasonable voice and data plans (though not quite as good as what I have with Sprint), I’m quite tempted to switch now rather than waiting for the Treo 700P.
I believe I’m outside my contract with Sprint, so I should be able to leave without hassle. I guess I’ll have to verify that one. 
Everyone I know who has a BlackBerry really likes it, including several ex-Treo users. Conversely, I know a lot of Treo (and ex-Treo) users who have/had serious problems with their 600s and 650s.
My Palm T|X has more quirks and oddities than any other Palm device I’ve ever had. With the Palm OS sold off, I’m not feeling extremely confident in the platform these days. There’s a difference between “staying the course” and “going down with the ship”.
It also looks like there’s a chance that I could use a T-Mobile Blackberry while I’m in Europe - that would be quite handy.
Thoughts?
Popularity: 5% [?]
Matt adds this Comment:
Let me know if you have any questions about the BlackBerry 8700. I just recently got the 8700c from Cingular. I’m loving it. It’s making me want that mobile interface on feedlounge more and more
(and yes, I’ve voted, it’s my #1 pick at the moment, hehe).
Anyhow, yeah, I’m a complete crackberry addict now.
April 18th, 2006 at 5:56 am
Nick Starr adds this Comment:
I’ve owned the Treo 600/650, Sidekick II, Blackberry 7290 (T-mobile), MDA, and many other phones.
From everything I’ve used, I like the Blackberry the best as an overall device. If you IM much the SKII is best for aim, and the Blackberry is best for Gtalk.
I placed my order for the new 8700g from T-Mobile today already.
April 18th, 2006 at 6:37 am
Chris adds this Comment:
I’ve had a blackberry from Verizon for over a year. I now know why they call it “crackberry”…I couldn’t live without it.
Esp. since I can email to my Tasks software.
April 18th, 2006 at 10:17 am
Matt adds this Comment:
Ryan and I both have 8700cs and love them. It’s really the best mobile device I’ve used. Despite what the linked review says, my 8700c had the exact same software they talk about for setting up internet email accounts, so I would scope out the best carrier since you’ll be stuck with them for a while and they all have the same phones now.
April 18th, 2006 at 10:59 am
Dennis Bullock adds this Comment:
I know so many people that are unhappy with their Treo devices. These are powered by Cingular which may be part of the problem. But I just find them some much more difficult to use over the Blackberry.
April 18th, 2006 at 11:03 am
Broos adds this Comment:
I just recently switched phones and considered the berry but felt for the I-mate JasJar/Qtek 9000/T-mobile MDA Pro.
It is a bit heavy but the screen and keyboard are delicious. If the Jasjar is too bulky for you, consider the Imate K-Jam/Qtek 9100/MDA Vario. With the new ROM updates you will even be able to receive push mail and quickly respond using the qwerty keyboard.
Good luck!
>> Broos
At least have a look!
April 18th, 2006 at 12:32 pm
Alex adds this Comment:
Matt - I read that in the comments on the article. I’m leaning towards T-Mobile because the rate plans are half the price of the Cingular plans.
Broos - A friend of mins has the Imate K-Jam, it has a serious fatal flaw. The K-Jam battery can only be charged when the device has booted into the OS. If the charge in the battery runs all the way down, it can’t re-charge because it can’t boot into the OS. Crazy, huh? He’s bought 4 batteries for the thing (the new battery comes with a partial charge so it can boot and then charge).
April 18th, 2006 at 1:39 pm
Carlos adds this Comment:
I’d say go for it. The Blackberry 8700c/g is a fantastic device from the specifications and I know how addictive one can be since I used the 7290 for a year. However, one issue for me (and why I gave it up and went to a Nokia N70) is that it doesn’t have a camera which is huge for me since I love snapping pictures and uploading to Flickr, I know I’ve got a 5MP digital camera but it’s nice to have a 2MP in my phone. Another issue is extensibility and web browsing since the included browser isn’t fantastic which a Symbian/Series 60 or Windows Mobile device would give. But if you can do without a camera, then dive in with it. You won’t be disappointed.
April 18th, 2006 at 3:02 pm
Michael Sica adds this Comment:
I got to be honest with this one.
I can’t stand the Blackberry scroll wheel. Everyone I know who has used a Blackberry complains about accidently pressing it while trying to scroll. I swear they brush it off just so they don’t look like they can’t HANDLE the Blackberry.
I’m a big fan of the Palm.
April 18th, 2006 at 7:30 pm
Alex adds this Comment:
Carlos - no need for the camera here.
Michael - the scroll wheel is one of the things I like best about the BlackBerry.
April 18th, 2006 at 9:59 pm
alexking.org: Blog > BlackBerry First Impressions adds this Pingback:
[…] I took the plunge - I’m currently playing with a BlackBerry 8700g on T-Mobile. […]
April 18th, 2006 at 10:00 pm
alexking.org: Blog > Calendar Hacking adds this Pingback:
[…] If I’m going to use this BlackBerry, I need to figure out a solution for my Calendars. My current idea is something like this: […]
April 21st, 2006 at 9:52 am
alexking.org: Blog > Mobile Carrier Pricing adds this Pingback:
[…] I currently use T-Mobile, which does not have good coverage at my house. It is OK a block in either direction - I must be right in between 2 towers. T-Mobile’s coverage spectrums do not penetrate buildings as well as the spectrums used by Cingular. I used to be on Sprint (which had better coverage), but switched when I ditched the Treo for the BlackBerry and didn’t want to pay the extra $40/month. Steve’s Cingular phone got slightly better coverage at my house than I get with T-Mobile. […]
September 12th, 2006 at 1:48 pm