I was planning to skip the BlackBerry Bold and wait for the Javelin (the updated Curve), but decided to go ahead and get the Bold for a variety of reasons:
- I wanted 3G
- I wanted a faster processor for JavaScript, etc. in the browser
- I played with it a bit and found the keyboard wasn’t as bad as it looked
- The screen rocks
- The device I really want (touchscreen WebKit browser with a BlackBerry keyboard and OS) is a ways out still
After using it for a day, I’m pretty pleased with it.
Applications
I run pretty lean on the BlackBerry. I mainly rely on e-mail and the browser, but there are some apps I install. All are free.
- TwitterBerry – the latest version is really nice.
- Google Maps – just keeps getting better. Love the GPS integration.
- Gmail – for quick pruning of my junk mail and web service notifications.
- Google BlackBerry Sync – OTA sync for my calendar, don’t sync contacts (yet).
- Google Mobile – mainly to track upgrades for Google Maps, Sync and Gmail.
- Yahoo Go – this is primarily a Flickr uploader and browser for me, but I should also mention that the graphics look stunning on the Bold.
- WeatherBug Direct – the icon looks like crap on the Bold, but it’s handy.
Notes
Some quick thoughts from the day and set-up.
- Set-up was easy.
- The battery life seems good (70% after a day and in bad coverage for much of the time).
- The included belt-clip case is a big improvement over the classic plastic holsters.
- The GPS really is pretty handy (over cell tower triangulation).
- The keyboard isn’t bad – the ridges on the keys make it work.
- It’s big – wide. It makes the iPhone feel tiny.
- The screen is gorgeous (though I was seeing some weird image banding in places, need to test more).
- The Zen theme seems to have a fatal flaw – the icons on the abbreviated home screen don’t update with status properly so you don’t see the little alert indicators.
- Network speed seems pretty good so far.
- Wifi was easy to set up. I used it until I switched the SIM card into the device, then turned it off. Not sure I’ll be using it much.
- If you’re doing anything that is more than a 1 step process, go to a real AT&T store instead of an authorized reseller. Trust me on this one.
Questions? Let me know in the comments and I’ll try to answer them.
Popularity: 13% [?]
Michael Business adds this Comment:
Why the Bold and not Storm?
November 28th, 2008 at 1:52 pm
WP Cult adds this Comment:
Storm is slow and non responsive, slow OS, no WiFi and an annoying “touch” screen.
November 29th, 2008 at 9:19 pm
Rob G adds this Comment:
Alex,
I made the same move to the Bold about three weeks ago.. it is definitely the best BB to date – the keyboard is amazing!
I have download all of the 3rd party apps you mentioned plus a few other:
:: BeeJive for multi protocol IM
:: IM+ for Skype
:: Beyond 411 Search
:: Flickr app
:: AOL & ICQ apps
:: Opera Mini
:: Nimbuzz
hoping to see a decent SIP client in 2009.. that will really make my day..
I have had some serious problems using any of the browsers with any config on 37 Signals Web apps.. have you had any luck with this? at this point, Opera seems to do the trick for that requirement..
-R
November 30th, 2008 at 3:41 am
Alex adds this Comment:
Cool, I didn’t realize there was a dedicated Flickr app. I’ll check that out. I used to be a big Berry/Beyond 411 user, but now I’ve just switched to Google Maps for everything.
I plan to do some mobile browser testing with it soon – I just love having another browser to support.
November 30th, 2008 at 9:25 am
Scott adds this Comment:
I have only used a blackberry once – it was my father-in-laws, and it was last week. It drove me absolutely crazy. I have to say, I am certainly not a blackberry fan at all.
December 5th, 2008 at 3:21 pm
Angel Rodriguez adds this Comment:
Hey Alex, I read this after I wrote my question on your bold. It’s funny, I use similar apps for similar reasons. However I screwed up, I got my device from the authorized reseller. I think I get 30 days to return it, dare I ask why you gave that piece of advice?
December 6th, 2008 at 12:02 pm
Vince adds this Comment:
Hi ALex
You might want to try out Viigo they currently have a free version over at Blackberry http://www.viigo.com[...]r/blackberry it works well on the bold and keeps everything in one place, weather, rss subscriptions and more.
December 6th, 2008 at 3:51 pm
Alex adds this Comment:
Angel, the reseller couldn’t do the upgrade properly, was trying to sell me an already opened/used phone, and I wasted several hours with them – only to end up with a messed up rate plan. I was in and out of the AT&T store in 25 minutes with everything set-up properly.
December 25th, 2008 at 3:59 pm