Buying a BlackBerry Help (continued)

BlackBerry's are designed to work great with email, and most people are aware of this. You first want to consider if you are going to be using the device primarily for email, or mostly for media. ALL of the models currently offered do email well, but only the newer ones have the better media capabilites. In addition, all of the models previously mentioned do have media features, but the newer models work better in that area.

Again, here is a recap of the newest:

-Pearl Flip 8220: SureType Keyboard, with WiFi, no GPS, GSM provider
-Curve 8900: QWERTY Keyboard, with WiFi, with GPS, GSM provider
-Bold 9000: QWERTY Keyboard, with WiFi, with GPS, GSM provider
-Storm 95xx: All Touch Screen, no Wifi, with GPS, GSM and CDMA

These have newer and more capable operating system versions than their predecessors. Also, they have faster processors, with an exception of the Flip, which has the same as the previous models at 312MHz. The 8900 will clock at 512MHz, the Storm at 528MHz, and the Bold at 624MHz. The combination of the revamped OS and higher processor speeds allow the unit to work faster in general, especially with high-speed browsing, loading media (pictures/videos/music), saving media, playing media, and fast forwarding and rewinding media. There will be less lag time and a nicer, more user-friendly interface to work with. The Flip and Bold have 2 megapixel cameras, while the 8900 and storm have 3.2 megapixel cameras with AutoFocus. Of course, neither will take breathtaking shots, but it's nice to have something decent to snap a few quick pics with when you don't have your SLR handy!

As for the keyboard on the Storm, I am not a fan of a virtual keyboard, but it is certainly innovative the way RIM implemented this one. You have to click in the screen to 'press' keys. I prefer a tactile keyboard but many find they can type just as fast, if not faster, on a Storm or iPhone. The SureType keyboards are great, as they only have one or two characters per key, making the predictive text more accurate. Still, there will be some corrections that have to be made as you 'thumb' through those emails.

Well, that about wraps up the basic guide for buying a BlackBerry. Feel free to ask any questions in the comments. Also check out a great review at engadget comparing the Bold, Curve 8900, and Storm here: "BlackBerry Blowout: Storm vs. Bold vs. Curve 8900".

Buying a BlackBerry Help

The BlackBerry has been growing in popularity a lot lately, and not just in the corporate setting. With that, many individuals looking to use the BlackBerry as a personal device are not sure what to look for. So, I decided to write up a brief 'Buy BlackBerry' guide.

The first thing to consider is some of the key differences between BlackBerry models. Immediately before the newest generation of BlackBerry's, there were basically 3 models to choose from: 81xx series (AKA Pearl), 83xx series (AKA Curve), and 88xx series. Understanding this will help you pick between these and some of the newer generation devices. The model numbers can correspond to the service provider type, as well as the features of the model. Here is an example:

-Pearl 8100: SureType Keyboard, no WiFi, no GPS, GSM provider
-Pearl 8110: SureType Keyboard, no WiFi, with GPS, GSM provider
-Pearl 8120: SureType Keyboard, with WiFi, no GPS, GSM provider
-Pearl 8130: SureType Keyboard, with WiFi, no GPS, CDMA provider

Here is another example:
-Curve 8300: QWERTY Keyboard, no WiFi, no GPS, GSM provider
-Curve 8310: QWERTY Keyboard, no WiFi, with GPS, GSM provider
-Curve 8320: QWERTY Keyboard, with WiFi, no GPS, GSM provider
-Curve 8330: QWERTY Keyboard, no WiFi, with GPS, CDMA provider
-Curve 8350i: QWERTY Keyboard, with WiFi, with GPS, CDMA, iDEN provider

See the pattern? A key thing to consider is the keyboard type. The 88xx series follows a similar pattern, but has a different type of QWERTY keyboard. The 88xx has larger keys, but they are also close together. It ends up being a personal preference issue between which BlackBerry keyboard is best.

As you can see, there is a greater variety of BlackBerry device models available for service providers that work on the GSM network than ones that work on the CDMA network. Keep this in mind, as well as what service providers are available in your area. iDEN is a popular network for walkie-talkie style use, also known as Push to Talk. This is supported heavily on Sprint-Nextel. It also works on other providers such as AT&T, but not through iDEN. Here are some of the bigger and more popular service providers and their primary network type:

AT&T: GSM
Verizon: CDMA
T-Mobile: GSM
Sprint-Nextel: CDMA, iDEN
Rogers: GSM (Canada)
Alltel: CDMA (acquired by Verizon)

Now, here are the new generation models:

-Pearl Flip 8220: SureType Keyboard, with WiFi, no GPS, GSM provider
-Curve 8900: QWERTY Keyboard, with WiFi, with GPS, GSM provider
-Bold 9000: QWERTY Keyboard, with WiFi, with GPS, GSM provider
-Storm 95xx: All Touch Screen, no Wifi, with GPS, GSM and CDMA

More information will follow about the newer models and other factors to consider. Thanks for reading!