Why did you choose a blackberry over other smartphones?

[Rob Tuli]

The multiple messaging and email capabilities is what sold me!

[saichick04]

Originally Posted by EverGeeMan

checking/receiving/sending e-mail couldn't be easier than with a BB and it has a good record of dependability.

I rarely even check my e-mails on my computer anymore.

+1 I'm glad I read all the responses in this thread before posting my own. I wanted to say the same thing!

[kentusmc]

The first smart phone I used was the iphone just after it came out and the only thing I didn't like about it was the virtual keyboard then a few years down the road I had the chance to pop my sim card in a curve and loved the keyboard and the phones fetures so I was sold from there. When my contract came up I ran in the the att store and was about to buy the curve but the bold just cought my eye and have nothing but love for it the only reason I want the onyx is the specs and size I will gladly pay full price when it comes out!

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

[dragonsamus]

It was between the 8900 and G1 since I'm with tmobile with no plans of changing carriers. A buddy of mine had the G1 and he had horrible battery life. The 8900 won based pretty much on that one aspect. I'm interested in the android devices though. They look awesome. I may get one after my 8900.

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

[alleycat0124]

At the time it seemed like the best choice for my needs.
Push email and BBM were the two biggest considerations.
I also had heard many recommendations for BBs.

[scorpiodsu]

I chose because it used to be the coolest device out and combine that with the productivity when it came to messaging. But I don't think it's the coolest anymore and I could get the same level of productivity I need out of other devices. As other devices catch up in productivity, I look for RIM to move forward in other areas like the OS and UI to bring the "cool" factor back. We shall see.

[balla.gfx]

I wanted a Nokia e71, but blackberry messenger is just amazing and a real great tool. And thats why I took the Blackberry.

[kjjb0204]

In order of importance:

1. Verizon network
2. Qwerty keypad
3. Messaging capabilities
4. Security

The keyboard on my 8330 beats any other qwerty keyboard on the market. The Palm Pre keyboard is horrible. Letters are so squished and requires too much effort. Also, I don't like how many smartphones' keyboards seem recessed with an edge around the casing. Makes it hard for me to type the keys on the edges.

[scorpiodsu]

Originally Posted by kjjb0204

In order of importance:

1. Verizon network
2. Qwerty keypad
3. Messaging capabilities
4. Security

The keyboard on my 8330 beats any other qwerty keyboard on the market. The Palm Pre keyboard is horrible. Letters are so squished and requires too much effort. Also, I don't like how many smartphones' keyboards seem recessed with an edge around the casing. Makes it hard for me to type the keys on the edges.

I do agree with you. The Curve's keyboard is great. I haven't tried the 8900 yet. The Bold is good, but Curve 83xx would probably win the award for best QWERTY keyboard smartphone. That slide out on the pre is ugly.

[mark-d]

I used Sony Ericssons P800, P900, P910i and P990i and they were good phones when they worked but each of them went through at least two random re-starts during a day and the qwerty keyboards were limited by the size of the phone.

When the time came to upgrade I looked at the recently released BB curve. It did everything and had a decent sized qwerty keyboard to make emails so much easier than trying to type them on the mini qwerty keyboard or the standard.phone keyboard.

As soon as I handled the Blackberry before I'd even bought I realised Blackberry wasn't a smartphone, it was the smartphone.

I upgraded to the Bold for the 3G for faster data transfer but when the time came to upgrade the Curve there was no question of it being a device other than a Blackberry for the reason listed above.

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

[maswain]

I have been a smartphone user for some time now. I recently traded in my personal windows mobile phone for the Blackberry bold and I love it. My new predicament is that my company is pushing iPhones as company phones. At first I must admit I was intrigued because the iPhone is pretty, but after trying to conduct business from that phone I was greatly disappointed. The recent 3.0 OS upgrade did help a little with allowing push to subfolders as opposed to just your main inbox, but it’s still no comparison to the Bold. But now I am somewhat annoyed at the fact of having to cart around two phones and want to get rid of one. My first choice would be to ditch the iPhone and make my bold my primary phone but my company doesn’t want to pay for the Enterprise Service so I can connect to the Exchange server. I feel like I’m being forced to assimilate to use a less productive phone because someone in the telecommunications department is wow-ed by eye candy. Any ideas on how I can get around this and still use my Bold for business?

[iamtim]

Originally Posted by maswain

My first choice would be to ditch the iPhone and make my bold my primary phone but my company doesn’t want to pay for the Enterprise Service so I can connect to the Exchange server ... Any ideas on how I can get around this and still use my Bold for business?

Configure OWA access through BIS, or use AstraSync and get your mail over EAS like the iPhones do.

With the former there's an about 10 minute delay before messages hit your BB, and the latter is a stand-alone application not tied in to the BBs normal messaging application. So there are plusses and minuses for each one.

I was using OWA access through BIS, but I recently installed AstraSync and... I'm happy with it.

Keep in mind that AstraSync does have a license fee of $49/year. I paid for mine out of pocket, but your company might be more willing to pay that when compared to the cost of a BES server.

[KoolKeyth5]

Simply put its the best smartphone on the market. The push e mail system and full qwerty keyboard. I bought one because it does everything I need it to do.

[solar_plexus]

I had done a lot of research and had previously come close to buying a Curve. It got really good ratings but I was very unfamiliar with the OS and how the software worked. I decided to go with a Centro instead (coing from a WM device) because I was familiar with the Palm OS for better or worse. WHen it was time for me to move on, I looked at the blackberries again. (as well as pondering the iPhone and HTC Devices. Radioshack was having a good sale on them....so...I jumped.
Now I kick myself for not moving to blackberry years ago.....oh well...I am here now.

[iamtim]

Originally Posted by solar_plexus

I decided to go with a Centro instead because I was familiar with the Palm OS for better or worse.

I'm actually quite fond of the Palm OS, and I love my Centro. It's sitting on my desk, waiting for something to happen to my Curve so it can jump back into action.

I'm sad that Palm is dropping the Palm OS but I totally grok why they're doing it, what with webOS and all.