The last new Blackberry customer ?
Given a boxfresh Blackberry by a friend, what's not to like?
Tank-like construction, but the previous two 9800's my friend had packed up within contract. By the time EE replaced the latest, she had a new iPhone.The 9800 is a remarkable hybrid -- touchscreen and slider. Sadly, neither keyboard works well with my adult male fingers.
Initially, my friend and myself (LG and Nokia users) were puzzled by the small slot for entering messages. Larger grey area on screen above looks like where you'd text on any other phone. For 4 hours after inserting my SIM and paying for a data plan I was without data -- seemingly until I got a message from Blackberry confirming that my phone was registered. What's that all about? I don't wish to use so-called Blackberry Internet Service, I'm paying EE.
BB manual refers to wireless but means wireless telephony, not wifi. Confusion extends to the fact that actual wifi doesn't work unless mobile data is switched on. Oh, and BB maps don't work unless you have data plan. Nokia's excellent maps worked (slowly) on GPS alone -- which better when lost in wilderness ?
I want Google maps. BB app store wants money for a BB version. While Google site displays no sign of BB support, download app anyway as it's free -- and it works. Then I want the My EE app for tracking usage -- downloading via phone from BB store they say that (fake) email address I've given for BB ID will henceforth be my email address. No, I may want to add push email later.
Instead, download My EE via BB suite on a PC. But BB installs a new version of the ID software and a new desktop suite. When it finishes after about 15 minutes this permits me to download My EE. However, install rebooted the phone twice (3.5 minutes x2). I think I'll stay away from BB sites if poss.
How is the phone to use, aside from mad keyboard ? Actually, not bad -- setup screens are fairly logical (compared to Nokia) and comprehensive. Frequent reminders that inbuilt memory is full -- clearly too small for a system where stuff remain resident when you think you've finished with it. Touchscreen is overcrowded with duplicate icons. As a phone -- well my friend sometimes sounded like she was calling from under water when using the BB. I suspect noise cancelling isn't good. Battery is also too small -- normal user would charge every day. With similar use Nokia E71 with 3 year old battery lasted 2 to 3 days.
Now BB wants to sell a phone for £600. And I'm lukewarm about one that was free ?