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- 02-18-2011, 12:19 AM
Thread Author #1
Bold 9000 User Considering Torch
I have an AT&T Blackberry Bold with OS 5 on it, have had it a year-and-a-half. As much a I like it, I'm feeling "the itch," and considering the Torch. (I will admit, Android devices have interested me too, but there are almost no AT&T Android devices with a physical keyboard, and I am quite married to physical keyboards.)
I know that the keyboard would probably require some adjustment, as well as the slider form-factor (vs the "always ready to go" candybar form factor), but for the purposes of getting the WebKit browser while still having a decent physical QWERTY, it seems to be a good option. I tried the Palm Pre Plus alongside my Bold for a few days, but the browser, although it renders pages in a much more modern & elegant way, it actually lacked some features I'm used to in Opera Mini/Bolt/native 9000 browser, same with Google Maps, I couldn't find other apps to compensate for those missing features due to less support of that platform (big surprise), although I liked the "deck of cards" multi-tasking a lot, and its small keyboard--though not as bad as I heard--was still no match for my Bold's.
I'm hoping the Torch won't have these shortcomings so much.
Here are the questions I have:
(1) The WebKit browser of the Palm Pre OS didn't have the "find in page" feature, a feature that all 3 browsers on my Bold do have (Opera, Bolt, the "native" browser), and one I use an awful lot. Does the Torch's have it? If not, would I be able to get that by using Bolt or Opera Mini (or something else) on it? (I realize the Torch uses OS 6.) Does the Torch's native browser allow the use of keyboard shortcuts for browsing (example, space bar to jump a page, numeric keypad for up-down-left-right, "hot buttons" for quickly pulling up search-bookmarks etc)? Can you open a link in a new tab?
(2) I use the 3rd party application Snaptu for handling my Facebook, as I have "generic" data (not a BIS) and the "official" Facebook applications require a BIS or BES (Snaptu doesn't). Is there a newer version of Snaptu that works on OS 6?
(3) Is copy-paste as good in the Torch? I'm very used to the "Shift-Click and scroll" method for highlighting.
(4) Those of you who used a "candybar" form factor before (should be most of you, since Blackberries have always been that)--how respectable is the Torch's keyboard vs the older style?
(5) I use Beejive for instant messaging, is there a version for OS6 out now?
(6) Would I be better off waiting for the Dakota, unless I really want the Torch's larger screen? - 02-18-2011, 01:40 AM #2
(1) yes to find in page and browser shortcuts
(2) yes it works
(3) yes, you have two methods for copying, either by multi-touch of shift+trackpad
(5) yes
(4) and (6) are totally subjective questions.
(4) it feels different at first, but you get used to it
(6) you will probably turn to bone dust waitingLast edited by gbsn; 02-18-2011 at 01:42 AM.
- 02-18-2011, 05:24 AM #3
I made the switch from Bold 9000 to 9800 and I'd like to add to gbsn's answer to #1: There are NO keyboard web shortcuts. That is the one thing I miss from the 9000.
Also the keyboard you get used to. It's good, but IMO the 9000 keyboard is the best ever.
Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com - 02-18-2011, 06:48 AM #4
TORCH doesn't stands in line of BOLD 9000 ®
you won't enjoy BB experience at all specially if you are addicted to 9000 form factor...
waiting for DaKota is wise choice...
Good things come to those who wait - 02-18-2011, 07:06 AM #7 9000 has best BB experience than any other BB....
Originally Posted by scook94 
it's big ergonomic key pads provides best typing experience.
it's over all form factor is best, looks cool.
better battery life.
Dakota has most of form factor like Bold 9000..
battery i am not sure...
torch doesn't light up to its hype... - 02-18-2011, 07:30 AM #8 Personally I think the bold is the worst BB, hate the HUGE form factor. Most people here are reporting that the torch has a better battery life then their previous bold. If you buy a device because it "looks cool" then your a very sad person, but then again opinions are like a**holes everyone has one and they usually always stink. Originally Posted by infinus
Cell Phone History:Motorola Bag phone > Motorola Star Tac gen1 > Motorola Star Tac gen 2 > Motorola Razr > BlackBerry Pearl(8110) > Iphone gen1 > BlackBerry Curve(8310 Red) > BlackBerry Torch(9800 Black) > BlackBerry Torch II(9810 Gunmetal Silver) > BlackBerry Bold 9900) > BlackBerry Z10(STL100-3 Black)
If you think my post helped you, please click the "Thanks" button over there!! --> - 02-18-2011, 08:31 AM #9 Very funny, thanks it made me laugh so much in the middle of the dentists reception. Everybody is staring at me now. Lol Originally Posted by homer1475 Personally I think the bold is the worst BB, hate the HUGE form factor. Most people here are reporting that the torch has a better battery life then their previous bold.
If you buy a device because it "looks cool" then your a very sad person, but then again opinions are like a**holes everyone has one and they usually always stink.
Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com - 02-18-2011, 08:38 AM #10
I went from my 9000 to a 9800. Not by choice. My 9000 was stolen. I like the 9800 fine and the touchscreen is a hoot, but if a 9000 with a decent amount of memory became available I'd mothball this thing in a heartbeat. OK, it would need to have a touchscreen. Did I mention the touchscreen is a hoot?
- 02-18-2011, 08:49 AM #11
I like the torch compared to my 9650.
Only thing that feels weird about the keyboard is the space bar. It just doesnt feel like it has as strong of a "click' as the other keys when typing.
I think it's mostly because the bottom is cramped for space and my finger hits the frame as well as the spacebar at the same time
But other than that; great phone
- 02-18-2011, 12:29 PMThread Author #12
Yes, in my case, I do enjoy the form factor of the Bold 9000, but may have to give that up to get a larger screen--but I don't want to give up physical keys.
I had looked at Android devices a little bit, but I want a good physical keyboard, and if I want to stay with AT&T then I have almost no choices at all in that regard.
Someone locally has a Torch 9800 for sale and I intend to try it & see how I like it. I may well buy it and then get a Dakota in another year or so, after the price comes down, if I find I prefer the candybar form factor to a larger screen.
I'm not a business user, I'm an "everyday" guy, but I use my device somewhat like a business user, insomuch that physical keys matter and I'm much more concerned with functionality than being pretty. I like to use the 5-way or trackpad/trackpall to scroll to a certain item & select it, versus tapping on it--I seem to "mis-tap" a lot whereas the 5-way type of navigation I don't have that problem. I like my keyboard shortcuts too: when I use Google Maps and toggle from going from turn-to-turn to returning to My Location with the map, or I'm toggling from step-by-step text directions to the map, I find pressing the keys to do this MUCH easier (while driving--carefully!) than I would tapping a screen, for instance. In map view, all I have to do is press 4 or 6 to skip ahead to each turn, and 0 to return "home" (My Location). In toggling from text directions to the map view, I just press #. It may not be as "pretty" as how others do it, but it works--and works better in a car setup, I find.
But I don't object to a more modern operating system either, with the advantages of touch-screen merged in with this--so long as you don't lose functionality in the pursuit of trying to be "slick" and have "swag" to it.
I think the Palm Treo phones did a great job of that, you could drag a web-page (with the stylus) to scroll it or navigate it with keys. You could copy & paste with pull-down menus or keyboard shortcuts. It had dedicated buttons like, for instance, the envelope & calendar keys, but you could also go to the homepage & tap on what you wanted. That way, to me, is much better than how the Palm Pre would REQUIRE you to tap on things even though it had a physical keyboard. Too bad the Treos weren't kept up to date.
My main hope is that smartphones don't all turn into "play phones," where things like memos, NATIVE calendars (not just linking to Google's etc) keyboard shortcuts and copy-paste aren't left off because the companies figure no one cares about that anymore. I sure do. I was about to get the iPhone way back until I couldn't get the virtual keyboard to do what I wanted--and when I read it didn't have copy & paste, that sealed it for me for all-time (even though it has copy & paste now, I'm told).
And no "find in page" for the browser? C'mon. I use that all the time--just because someone else doesn't know what it means because they're so focused on ability to play YouTube videos doesn't mean I should lose it.
That's what I'm hoping to find with the Torch 9800--the keyboard navigation way still intact, but now with the advantage of using touch functionality as well for things it works better with.
LRH - 02-18-2011, 12:31 PM #13 There are no keyboard web shortcuts? what kind of web shortcuts are you talking about? seriously... Originally Posted by Accio_BBandCoffee
You can enable shortcuts on the browser options then R refreshes the page, W opens the tab menu, space jumps page and so on, F to search for something on the page, just like on every other model... My gawd...Last edited by gbsn; 02-18-2011 at 12:35 PM.
- 02-18-2011, 01:07 PMThread Author #14
gbsn I am glad to hear that. I realize some may say "if you like keyboard shortcuts so much, why bother with the touchscreen?" but I have a history of using keyboard shortcuts in conjunction with touchscreen functionality. For instance, on my old Treo 650-680, I could quickly fire up Opera Mini by pressing "O" (makes the cursor jump to the correct icon) and then pressing down on the 5-way or pressing "return." But, on the websites that came up, I used the stylus to select items more quickly than scrolling with the 5-way and pressing the center key.
I envision using the newer Blackberry devices in somewhat that same way, versus giving over to the touchscreen completely. It's just like how, on my PC, you can easily see how to open a new tab in Firefox by clicking in the right spot, but I also know how to type CTRL-T to do so, and type ALT-D to quickly highlight the address bar. Touch & physical both working together, not having to go all one or the other exclusively.Last edited by larrytxeast; 02-18-2011 at 01:26 PM. Reason: Bold.
- 02-18-2011, 01:12 PM #15
If you want to launch the browser from the home screen you would have to disable universal search while typing, thereafer if you press B, the browser launches.
Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com - 02-18-2011, 01:13 PM #16
9800 has keyboard shortcuts and OS6 context menus....
And universal search...
and...
and...
etc....My website http://papped.webatu.com - 02-18-2011, 01:20 PM #17
My dad (who's 60), got a Bold 9000 from work about 2 years ago and while he tried to hold onto it for a little longer they forced him to switch to a Torch.
He's biggest thing is that he can't get used to the touchscreen. One thing he loves is the Universal Search.
I think he would have been happier with a Bold 9780 but that wasn't an option. I think if you are ok with a touch screen you'll love it. I'm 21 and its the greatest smart phone I've ever used (had an iphone 4 and captivate returned them both)
Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com - 02-18-2011, 01:29 PMThread Author #18
gbsn Yes I read about that. In my case, with OS5, you have to disable "dial from home screen." I actually had never heard of those keyboard shortcuts, but just disabled that feature and then discovered them. Now I love them.
I just wonder if the OS6 version of Google Maps, the GMail applet etc still have keyboard shortcuts or if they ditch them figuring people wouldn't want them on a touchscreen interface, keys notwithstanding. I use "C" for compose and "R" for reply all the time in the GMail applet (and "D" for delete, too). - 02-18-2011, 04:45 PM #19
I don't know about the gmail app but google maps still has keyboard shortcuts, like + and - to zoom in and out, I would guess gmail has em too. Also the webkit browser has keyboard shortcuts but you have to enable them in options, they aren't on by default.
I really like my torch, I was getting sick of low app memory, and my battery life was getting worse on my 9000. I think my torch (on .450) has better battery life than my 9000. Usually by end of the day I have at least 40% left, depending on usage. The touchscreen is fun even though I use the keyboard for pretty much everything. I use the touch to navigate around the homescreen/apps which is nice. I do miss the keyboard of the 9000, but this one isn't terrible or anything.
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