New 8100 user with questions...

[Vikingbro]

A little background... I received a used T-mobile 8100 Pearl from a buddy of mine in the IT dept. I have the unlimited BB data plan from T-mo, but not the enterprise version.

The phone OS was 4.2.1 but I have successfully upgraded it to v4.5.0.182 (Platform 2.7.0.106) and I am LOVING it!

I pretty much have a stock OS install, with the only added apps are a particular theme I like and Facebook.

What I want to know is this:

a) What are the apps that you all consider essential? Free apps are almost all that I can look at for the moment, unless a case can be made for a paid app. I know that threads like this have to be around, but I could not find one, sorry. Please feel free to post a link to those threads I could not find.

b) I have seen a couple of suggestions for Opera as the browser. Is there that much difference between browsers?

c) As I have received this phone used, how long should I expect the battery to last? My normal usage involves getting e-mails to three separate addresses, usually 2-3 e-mails per address per day; 20-25 SMS texts a day and maybe 30-60 minutes of internet usage (including Facebook) a day. I have no BlueTooth usage at this time. At the moment, I use about 50-60% of the battery per day. Is this normal?

d) I have seen a lot of discussion regarding the memory issues on BB phones. If I am correct, the place I need to be looking at is the 'File Free' line on my Status page, right? I read somewhere that the minimum number here should be in excess of 10 million bytes. Is this correct?

e) Is there anything else of which I should be aware?

My last phone was a messaging slider phone with no data plan, so I am really enjoying my Pearl.

I appreciate any help/opinion you might provide. Please do not hesitate to let me know if you have any questions regarding this post.

[ratsttam]

A: Poynt (Local venue search and directions) Free, Mobihand e-book reader (free). I wouldn't put much more than that due to the limited memory of the Pearl.
B: I personally favor the stock browser. Try them both out and see if the tradeoff of memory space is worth it for the browser.
C: That's about what I get on my old Pearl (8130), which was moved from my Primary line to my [home] line. Of course a new battery will help things dramatically.
D: The Pearl doesn't have much memory. Yes, the "file free" line. And yes, 10 million bytes (10MB) is what you should keep free. See A and B.
E: See D:

I'm really liking the look of the Pearl 3g, and I'm hoping that it will become available in a 9130 form for Sprint eventually. It's put in line with the high end BBs internally, instead of a low end models. If you are really loving the Pearl form factor, it may be something to keep in mind when it becomes available for you on T-Mobile

[Fubaz]

a) I love Viigo (RSS reader) and BeWeather (Weather obviously)

b) on a 8100 Opera wont do too much to increase browser performance or acceleration. Fell free to try it though, It does work well.

c)Your battery will last a day to a day and a half. when i had a 8130 it was a day, i was doing around 40 emails a day and heaving bbming and texting. With vibrate turned off my battery would last an extra day.

d) As for memory, do a battery pull everyday, and clear your browser cache as well. and dont over load the apps too much, connect your BB to your desktop and remove EVERYTHING you dont need. IE, Languages or apps pre loaded you dont care for.

e) a Memory Card, easiest way to slow down a berry is to save all your media on the phone (you wont get much on it ) so with 4.5 you will be able to use a 8gb card!

enjoy your new berry!

[Vikingbro]

Ratsttam and Fubaz,

Thank you for the quick replies!

I will look into the suggested apps.

As for the browser, I gather that what I have is fine, which is okay with me.

I am glad to see that my battery life is not too bad. I might look into a replacement battery none the less.

I thank you for the 'battery pull a day' idea.

And I did forget to mention that I do have a 2gb memory card in the phone.