<p>I am thinking of moving the p2n cell fleet to a more flexible PDA-based system.</p>
<p>I’m currently using Sprint and thinking about the Blackberry 8330 Curve. I’d like email, web and GPS for use domestically (CONUS).</p>
<p>Comments and advice? I’m open to all options and opinions. :)</p>
<p>I should point out that D1 will be a first-year med student and I’d like to ensure seamless integration with whatever appropriate reference system would work with the PDA platform. The rest of us want the basics, albeit with laptop syncing.</p>
<p>I have a Palm Pilot, and I really like it…now granted, mine doesn’t have an actual cell phone, but you are able to hook it up to a bluetooth device and it has a dialer on it.</p>
<p>I like what I see about this new Blackberry Bold, but it is only for AT&T and we are wed to Verizon. A gym buddy in telecommunications says Verizon will get a new Blackberry version later in the summer which parallels the Bold. I like the idea of a PDA having WiFi access, so I do not have to pay internet fees, but can access e-mail. Meanwhile my cell phone is three years old and counting. Eventually I will upgrade…I think.</p>
<p>I had the Palm vX for a zillion years and loved it, but after “upgrading” to other Palms with unsatisfactory results (hardware issues/failures), I left Palm (without ever trying the Treo).</p>
<p>I have the Blackberry Curve 8300 and have been very happy. I use AT&T, have for years, has great service in all parts of the US where we go/S goes, as well as in Mexico (although I use it little there due to roaming charges).</p>
<p>My one beef with Blackberry/RIM is that there does not seem to be cost-effective phone support from them for solo (not corporate account) users. And I find their online Tech Support hard to navigate. SOLUTION: go to AT&T for online or tech support; they can handle most of it and patch me through to RIM, free and fast, if needed.</p>
<p>I don’t have GPS on mine yet, but am planning to get it with Telenav. My PDA requires a $99 add-on to get the GPS (antenna, I think). Some PDA’s already have that built-in, but since I got mine for a great deal through my industry, I’m not complaining.</p>
<p>Verizon is getting the Blackberry Thunder, which will not be the counterpart of the Bold, but will rather be a touch screen device like the IPhone. Bold will also have a lot of the features IPhone has, but still have a keypad. (bet you can’t tell I’m a Blackbery addict?)<br>
I have two Blackberrys- 1 for work and 1 personal. I think they are the way to go (obviouslly). Iphone users like that device, to, but it isn’t as efficient for email. Blackberry Curve on ATT would probably be my recommendation to you unless you can hold out for the Bold.</p>
<p>My husband used to have a Treo, but at the time was stuck with Sprint which had terrible reception in our area. He (and I) now have Wings running T-Mobile and Windows mobile. I’ve had few problems, but my husband puts a lot more in his PDA and finds it slow, and in frequent need of rebooting. Also since they aren’t clamshells, they have the bad habit of making unwanted phone calls if they get jostled. We didn’t think we needed as many bells and whistles as the Blackberry offers. (No need to check e-mail on the fly for example.)</p>
<p>I have the Blackberry Pearl. It does Blackberry messenger, sends and receives email great, is easy to sync with computer and is very user friendly.
I have not used the gps as I have one in the car. I rarely use the internet browsing as I’m generally not too far from a laptop.
One feature I really like about the pearl is that if someone sends you an email with their phone number you can scroll over, highlight the number and the phone will call them without you having to rekey the number.
You can then very easily add the name to your phone address book.</p>
<p>Sprint is now wooing me with impressive discounts. The thrifty part of me is beginning to weaken…why can’t they abuse and ignore me like before? ;)</p>
<p>Oh yes, my account has been promoted to “Tier 1 - White Glove” as opposed to “Tier 29 - Burlap-Iron Fist”.</p>
<p>I hate being so easy. But, I haven’t re-signed so far.</p>
<p>Iphone user here. My biggest complaint is that it’s difficult to use while driving, but I know I shouldn’t be driving and on the phone anyway. I use a web based email instead of Outlook so email hasn’t been an issue for me with it. I know I don’t use it to it’s full capacity, but it’s much easier for me to use many of the functions than previous phones or other PDA’s I researched. </p>
<p>Verizon worked poorly at my house. I often had to go outside for phone calls. AT & T works great. That maybe one reason I really like my iphone. </p>
<p>This is an interesting little site regarding cell service.</p>
<p>Keep all the information coming. I know nothing about these type of phones. I use my phone for calling and text messages but that is about it.
My FIL is looking for a phone that will allow him to pick up email when he is traveling. He is going on an extended trip via boat and will have limited access to land. This is a personal private craft so no onsite services. He likes Verizon because it works at several isolated anchorages. He tried one phone from Verizon but he had a hard time getting it to work. He tried getting help from Verizon but between the accent of the tech support and the hearing of a 78 yr old man it was not productive. He returned that phone and now got some version of a blackberry. I think he wants a phone that will go on the internet and he wants to be able if possible to sign on to aol and have his address book. Any suggestions?
Also when you look at the different phones some offer internet, email etc while others have Wi Fi. What is the difference?</p>
<p>Make sure you check out all the expenses of using the features you are interested in. For business purposes I use my Blackberry on Verizon for email and also as a broadband connection for my computer when I travel or am out at a client. The monthly fee for data access is $45 and for broadband is $15. I also carry unlimited messaging for $10. These fees can add up if you are not ready for them. You should add them to your comparison between plans.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t trust that the Verizon data will work at the “isolated anchorages”. We were told (business) that my Verizon data service (Blackberry) would work in Honduras and I couldn’t even get voice service! Somehow it picked up all my emails from the airplane somewhere over Cuba, though. International data service can be really erratic, except in “known” places like Europe.</p>
<ul>
<li>their coverage wasn’t as good as AT&T around Southern Cal and the bay area</li>
<li>when I called customer service after 5pm I reached a call center in the Phillipines where the person had a hard time understanding me and vice versa with the exception that they were rude.</li>
<li>Their network doesn’t use GSM and I wanted my (and my study-abroad D’s) phone to work in Europe. Verizon has the same issue with GSM. I tired T-Mobile (which is GSM) for a while but their coverage wasn’t nearly as good as AT&T’s either.</li>
</ul>
<p>I have found AT&T coverage good in the US however, it is not great in remote areas and I would doubt it’s coverage when on a boat.<br>
The blackberry plan I have is $29.99 and includes unlimited data. Sounds like Verizon is more pricey.</p>
<p>I left Sprint years ago due to lousy lousy lousy customer service, and poor coverage. </p>
<p>I have been with Verizon for at least 5 years and I continue to be amazed by their coverage and service. I mean these guys are EAGER to help you. You call for one thing, chances are they will not only solve your problem but they will help you in ways you didn’t even think about. And this is without any effort to sell you services.</p>
<p>Sprint would not win back my business even if they paid me to come back.</p>
<p>I used the Verizon Kyocera Smartphones for several years before I decided I wanted the flexibility of having two devices. Sometimes, less isn’t more…</p>
<p>The cruising area for this trip is Western US, Canada and Alaska. They don’t need internet at every port or anchorage. I think what they want is the ability to email family. They are 78 and 75 so they are not heavy computer users. They have VHS radio for emergencies and any marine related business. In the past on such trips they have gone to internet cafes.</p>
<p>They have two cell phones. One ATT and one Verizon. They have sailed around the coastal islands of Ca and find that the places they go to most they are more likely to have coverage on the Verizon phone. Thus remote as far as people and land services but not remote in distance from the US.
Is a 78 yr old likely to be easily able to work a blackberry for email?
We tried to push the iphone but he is insisting on sticking with Verizon. Cost of service is really not an issue. At the price of fuel these days such a trip is only for those who can afford to not look at the bill to closely.</p>
<p>So, ebeeeeeeeee (whoops :)) you have a blackberry and ATT? Sprint would require a $30 blackberry add-on, in addition to a regular plan. Seems the blackberries command a premium that others do not.</p>
<p>It appears most businesses use blackberries. They are apparently very reliable as well.</p>
<p>Sprint basically is bending over backwards for us to keep our account. I cannot say I have had problems with them that are unusual. Coverage has been fine.</p>
<p>parent2noles, I have the blackberry and AT&T. Sorry if I was confusing…It is a $30. add on to the regular account. I suck it up and pay because it gives me a lot of flexibility. I am self employed and don’t always want to be tied to my computer.</p>
But, I haven’t re-signed so far.</p>