All Those Switching from a BlackBerry to another device (including BBs), Post here!

**Dharma1** · 09-02-2011, 11:27 PM

Just joined the forums. I've been reading posts for the last 3 or 4 months. Lots of good info here. I'm buying a 9810 this weekend. This will be my first Blackberry.

I've been using a Palm Treo 650 for about 5 years. Not for email and browsing, but for voice, texts and organization. Frankly I've been avoiding upgrading for several reasons:
1. I haven't wanted to be constantly connected to an internet capable device. I'd waste way too much time. I tend to have a love hate relationship with tech.
2. Cost.
3. Like many people, I've been waiting for the rumored OS7 phones for a long time.
4. My own personal protest against consumerism, and the need to constantly "need" more things. Especially consumer electronics.

I decided to upgrade for:
1. Convenience.
2. It's time to move into the 21st century.
3. I'm not going to keep waiting for the QSX phones.
4. My Treo is truly on it's last legs. The antennae has been held on by tape for about 2 months now. I was kidding myself by calling the phone "retro" when my friends chuckled when I took it out.

Anyway, thanks folks. I'll try to contribute to the forums as I can. Otherwise, it's just lurking. As someone once said on a listserv I was on in the early to mid '90s; "you are what you post."

**kirkub** · 09-03-2011, 07:13 AM

Hi,
I'm not sure if this is the right forum to post this, because I'm thinking of switching from a BB to... nothing. In other words, I'd like to drop the service (with Verizon). However, I'd like to keep the existing number I've had for 10 or so years. I'd like to keep it as a voicemail box, or forward to a land line (I know, shocking!).
So my question is, has anyone had any experience with NumberGarage, ParkMyCellphone etc? I've not found many reviews of those services, and what I've found wasn't that good... I think Google Voice is something like that but I'm not sure I'd trust Google with my voice mail

If anyone has used a similar service, I'd love to hear.
The decision to leave is purely financial. I'm already on the least expensive Verizon plan (450 mins for $40? I believe) and unlimited data ($30), but use the phone way below that (maybe 100 mins a month and 10-20 mb data, no texting). So switching to another provider is not really an option because I still would not be using it (especially the "unlimited talk"), just for slightly less money.
I'm very happy with my BB on the super-rare occasions I use it, I just need the money for other regular bills. Thanks for any input!

**Heavy Fluid** · 09-07-2011, 03:39 PM

I have been back and forth on a BB and other phones. I started it out on an 8130 Pearl on Verizon, then the 8330, then the 9630 Tour, then the 9530 Storm, and then back and forth from the Tour to the Storm. Fast forward to a move to AT&T. Iphone 4 time. That lasted a month, and then to a 9700 Bold. That held me for a while, but what it lacked....made me jump over to a sweet white iPhone 3GS. That held me for a few months, and then on to a Samsung Focus Windows 7 phone. I liked that a lot, until the BB itch came back. The 9800 Torch made its way into my hands....but I didn't like it that much. The 9700 was calling my name. I managed to trade my Focus for one, and I feel like I am back home.

I am not bashing any of the phones that I have had, just pointing out that they just didn't do what I needed them to.

So, my profiles are set up again, BerryBuzz is happily controlling the LED which every phone needs, and my fingers are super comfortable on that ever so sweet keypad.

The BlackBerry is just short of a disease. Anyone that has used one, or more, in any period of time can tell you this.

**DanCeeBee** · 09-08-2011, 12:07 PM

I'm perfectly happy with my Curve!

**Bromo33333** · 09-11-2011, 01:47 PM

Switched from AT&T to T-mobile to Sprint to Verizon in the last 8 years.

AT&T had the worst customer service by far - I left because when I moved form California to New York they sent me 2 identical bills for the same time period and same phone but one to the old and one to the new address. One had a cancellation charge and the other had an activation fee - and when they claimed to have it resolved and gave me a reissued bill with the right amount, sent the 2 voided bill to collections and sent threatening letters! Rather than fight it (I was working 60 hours a week at that time), I paid all 3 bills and canceled my account (I had another go at getting a refund, etc. but no dice. I would have had to take them to arbitration and I simply did not have time to waste with such BS).

T-mobile was a joy to work with - great customer service and good phones, and not too expensive. But when I started traveling to rural areas I got absolutely no signal, and had lots of call drops - so I had to go.

**joker1524** · 09-12-2011, 02:44 AM

switched from my bb torch to galaxy 2 and honestly i'm amazed...i loved all my bb phones with the execption of the storm 1 which was a horrible experience for me but i got no regrets or complains at all...the battery life is far better than any bb phone ive had and i'm loving the way how i can customize this device.

**Blackberry_Boy** · 09-12-2011, 09:32 AM

Originally Posted by joker1524

switched from my bb torch to galaxy 2 and honestly i'm amazed...i loved all my bb phones with the execption of the storm 1 which was a horrible experience for me but i got no regrets or complains at all...the battery life is far better than any bb phone ive had and i'm loving the way how i can customize this device.

You'll be back when the novelty wears off.

**joker1524** · 09-15-2011, 02:22 PM

Originally Posted by Blackberry_Boy

You'll be back when the novelty wears off.

pretty much doubt it....i have to see what the next gen qnx phones have to offer...i have nothing bad to say about my time with bb..other than the storm 1 ive had a great experience with BB...i'm still a BB playbook user and its a great tablet

**562curve** · 09-16-2011, 09:40 AM

Well I decided to come back to blackberry yesterday I had been using a samsung galaxy s 4g and it was a good phone I'm not knocking it or android at all. I just really missed the battery life of a bb and a keyboard plus I don't do any of the facebook,twitter etc and games really so I picked up a bold 9780 and loving it !!! Now just gotta see what's new in the world of BB

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

**TrespassersW** · 09-16-2011, 10:12 AM

Be careful what you wish for. A bloke I know who used to have an 8520 told me he was attracted by the features on Android devices, and shortly afterwards him he proudly showed me his new HTC smartphone. A week or so later he went to his usual place in Ireland on holiday. After two weeks he came back roaring with annoyance. The Android had not picked up a network for the entire duration of his holiday in an area where his BlackBerry always did.

**seagrave23** · 09-16-2011, 10:21 AM

I am switching back to a non-smart phone until my 2 year sentence with Verizon is over; then I am going to renew with an iPhone. Seriously though, I can't stand these blackberries. It was really neat for a month or two until it started freezing and the screen turns white all the time. Also, I feel as if though it would be quicker to watch paint dry than surf the web on my phone.

I have a BB Bold

**Morsicatio** · 09-17-2011, 03:12 PM

The Bold 9900 was announced in May. A quarter of a year ago. Since that time I have waited. No, I compromised the network I wanted to be with, and bit the bullet on another network, just to get the 9900. I went with Vodafone UK to replace my then 19-month old 9700. The network was terrible, but the handset was worse. Crashing, battery that lasted 4.5hours on a full charge and a creaking handset. I would have forgiven that as an anomaly , but I had the handset replaced three times in the short time I owned it. They all had the same problems. Worse still, auto focus was not broken, it just was not included.

Three UK, since June, has had the 9900 as "coming soon." I've waited and waited since cancelling my contract with Vodafone, but nothing. I've just discovered that they intend to charge £40/month for the handset. Making it the most expensive handset on their network, by a considerable margin. I'm not too sure what games are being played at the moment, but I think RIM may be in an unrealistic bubble. I am a Blackberry addict. I never once acknowledged the prospect that I might live without a Blackberry, but the nonchalance and aloof nature with which RIM has treated me, a consumer, has left me in the dark. I am a Blackberry addict, and I am leaving.

I've just ordered a Samsung Galaxy S2. I know I will miss the convenience of a Blackberry, but for technological prowess, commitment and versatility, I know Android is up to the task. When your customers are reluctantly leaving on principle, it's a sure sign mistakes are being made. You're making mistakes, and I'd like to tell you what they are, but I think you already know. I hope some day to come back to Blackberry; I hope RIM gives me enough compelling reasons to do so, but for now, goodbye & best of luck.

**n8ter#AC** · 09-19-2011, 06:45 PM

RIM is always repeating mistakes. The 9780 had tons of issues with defective keyboards and trackpads that were leaning in their seating.

I also heard the new BBs didn't launch with UMA functionality (confirmation?).

In addition to that, the new bold on T-Mobile costs more than any and every Android phone in their line-up, pretty much guaranteeing even many people who would consider it will go with another phone just do to it being 30-50% more expensive on contract and about 15% more expensive unsubsidized.

**twokansamm** · 09-22-2011, 11:40 AM

After a Curve and Storm 2, I switched back in February to the Verizon iPhone 4. I still follow Crackberry.com daily, and I do look forward to a day when they have something appealing that does all and more of what my iPhone does. I used to have to constantly tinker with my Blackberries (error messages, battery pulls, hybrid OSs) and I loved that because tinkering was fun. However, the novelty wore off. I have rebooted my iPhone twice since February and it just works. When BB gets to this point again, I may switch back. I do hope the old saying that iron sharpens iron is true so that we keep getting improvements in this area.

Sidenote: One think I could never figure out with BBs is why they give you so little space for apps.

**david.e.crocker@gmail.com** · 09-23-2011, 02:34 PM

Leaving AT&T today for Sprint (in D/FW).....left BlackBerry in March to an Android....and staying with Android today (going to a Nexus S and *maybe* an Epic 4G Touch)......haven't even missed BlackBerry.

Sure, the new Bold Touch is gorgeous and supple, but it's also late to the party and still is lacking. The screen could have been 3.1" but it isn't.

Oops.

**glassofpinot** · 09-24-2011, 06:51 PM

I'm finally leaving my Storm for a new 9850 - leaving behind tiny constraining memory and slow web (2 big shortcomings, otherwise its great) for a
Torch - tested and its got great web speed, love the screen size and handling, Portrait SureType virtual keyboard seems to be just as good as the Storm - and overall its a natural jump from the Storm.
I'm sold after a long test !

**pterkoele** · 09-25-2011, 04:14 AM

Currently have a 9800 but when the 9810 is released in my country, i will buy it, so far only the 9900 and the 9860 of new devices are being released. None providers here have the 9810 for sale, nor do they have a release date for the 9810

BlackBerry is the first mobile phone I ever really liked. Hate the interface of HTCs, LGs, Samsungs and iPhones, they all look the same.

Before my BlackBerry I had a LG (not sure which one, but it was one of Armin van Buuren - some special edition) I hated that phone, it was ugly on the inside.

Before that LG I had a Samsung Omnia, which was cool.. At that time. So I love my BB Torch most, it is pretty on the in- and outside, and has more functions.

When I have the Torch 9810 I don't know which phone I'll be getting next, and not sure if that's going to be a BlackBerry, 'cause I've heard they'll get a new OS, not by BB self...

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

**Morsicatio** · 09-25-2011, 08:44 AM

Dear Sirs

Having had a Samsung S2 for the whole of two days now, and signing off from the Blackberry community in a somewhat undignified manner (earlier in this forum), I'm back. And I will bloody well eat my hat if I have to. You don't know what you've got till it's gone. Don't get me wrong the S2 is a great device, but it's just that I need a great phone, and it certainly is not that. The Blackberry, with it's ridiculous boot up times, comparatively abysmal camera options, teeny-weeny memory and sluggish processors may have a few shortcomings, but what they do - keep me connected - they do bloody well, and I'll be damned if there's a better device on the market for that purpose. I've ordered the Curve 9360, the 9900 was just too expensive for me, but I want you all to witness; I was wrong, I was a fool, I strayed and slapped the hand that had fed me so well. My sincere apologies, Sirs. I'm back amongst the best of you. Welcome me back with your warm, berry-squishy embrace.

Kind regards

A Loyal RIMmer

**up488** · 09-25-2011, 06:55 PM

I was ready to leave BB behind and go with Android until I saw and got the new Torch 9860. BB for life!! lol

**Fr3lncr** · 09-27-2011, 07:44 AM

While I briefly tried Android back in July, I kept my Blackberry because, while not perfect, it was the best for me. However, after a recent holiday and using my new 9900, I came too close too often to wanting to chuck the phone through a wall and because of that, I'm signing off from Blackberry after being a user for almost three years and going through a 9000 > 9700 > 9800 > 9780 > 9810 > 9900.

While I love a lot of things about the 9900, there were two things I hated while on my holiday in California. One... the screen is almost impossible to read in sunlight. Admittedly I have polarized sunglasses but even with them off, it is still hard to read. I have a lot of other electronic devices with screens and even any other blackberry I used before never had this problem. Maybe it is because it is glass instead of plastic, I don't know but it was really frustrating.

The second problem isn't BB's fault really but still frustrating. I use Google Maps heavily while on holidays as I store every location we are visiting on it (plus it is great for finding out which bus to take). Any ways, this app would continually freeze almost every day for at least a few minutes at a time and no matter if I reinstalled it, it wouldn't help. And contrary to what some people post, when I get the 'ticking clock', my phone is frozen and I can't do anything else on it unless I do a battery pull. Again, this is likely Google's fault for not putting out a good app as I never had this problem before on any other BB.

This may not all seem like much, but it all added to a frustration that I really didn't want to deal with.

So... I bought a Galaxy S2 and while I tried it before and didn't like a lot of things, a few of those have been resolved and right now, the only real frustration is getting the email set up (the core app is a bit limited and they have a third party app called K9 which just wants to be a real pain in setting up for hotmail accounts).

Still, current frustrations with the S2 aside, while it may not be perfect, I think it is enough to keep me going for a year and then I can see what is going on with RIM and the QNX devices.

I hope RIM just goes the route of building a great phone with great core OS and build in Android support to allow people to install whatever app they want. Not that I care anything about Android, but I can understand developers not wanting to support an extra ecosystem and if users can get all their apps through it, and RIM can offer that functionality, why not? They will get a better integrated experience using a BB, plus the apps they want. A win-win.

Guess we will see what happens.

**Xerxes10** · 09-29-2011, 02:05 PM

Hello fellow (or former) BlackBerry users, I am posting here to avoid being accused of trolling (hopefully!). As a BB user on my 3rd BlackBerry (8820=>9000=>9800) I fear RIM is going down (best chance is to be acquired, but by who?). Recent poll showed that only 33% of BB owners plan on their next phone being a BB, and 27% specifically state that they'll get the iPhone 5, sight unseen. Amazon's new tablet will crush the PlayBook (even though the PB is technically superior) but Amazon will deliver an experience, including Apps & content. I've thought about getting the Torch 9810, but have found that many apps I use aren't compatible with OS7 and at this point I doubt anyone is working on them. Inexplicably, even some of the "BlackBerry Apps" aren't compatible (for example "BlackBerry Wallet") and that makes me wonder about Travel, Traffic, etc. I'd rather have a functioning 9800 than an app-less 9810.

Right now, if I had to bet, I'd say Windows WP7 which has like 3% market share will surpass BB in North America by the end of 2012. I don't know why everyone thinks QNX will be a savior. Let's say they launched a QNX phone tomorrow, how many apps would there be? What could it do besides e-mail? I may even give up my grandfathered BlackBerry Int'l data plan to try WP7 as soon as they launch something competitive with iPhone and Samsung Galaxy S2, probably Q1 2012 hopefully. I do not want an Android or an iPhone. Ok, done ranting, still hoping RIM pulls out of the nosedive!

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

**n8ter#AC** · 09-29-2011, 05:43 PM

Well, they were banking on the App Player, but we all know now that it'll be a joke. A lot of what attracts Android, iOS, and now even WP7 users isn't the Apps on the platform (if the users are there, the apps will come naturally), but the services and service integration on those platforms.

You can't get Android Market/App Store, Zune, iTunes Store, Google Music, SkyDrive, etc. integration on a Blackberry. You get that on other platforms. Users who like that will go there, [neutered] App Player or not.

And you'd be suprised to see how many apps on Andorid now rely on things like C2DM to do PUSH Notifications or PUSHed background updates. Nevermind NDK for games, and things of that nature. There are just so many limitations to that App Player... It's almost a non-solution, however it may allow some relatively simple apps to be portable across devices (something like the Engadget app, for example).

RIM needs to support their developers. Get their SDK, Documentation in order. Make sure you get Beta Versions of the QNX phone emulator and things like that to developers way ahead of time so that they can hopefully get their apps decently ready before the devices launch, and they have a lot of time to do that so that the platform isn't suffering from a lack of native (QNX) apps when it launches, etc. That's what Microsoft did with WP7, and that's how they were able to grow their marketplace at a decent pace, even getting some apps that aren't even available on BB and there are developers upgrading their apps for Mango and not even caring about BB OS7 at the moment.

**Aussie Joe** · 09-29-2011, 10:51 PM

After a good experience with a Curve 8310 and a Bold 9700, I moved to a Torch 9800. For the past 8 months I have just been very disappointed. It was slow, dropped calls like crazy, and the on screen keyboard just didn't work like it should. I had noticed that since I carry my iPad with me most times for work, that I use my phone much less for writing emails. I use it more for it's phone operation, Internet, apps and reading emails. I realized i wanted a smaller form factor. I looked at the Pearl but didn't want a physical keyboard.

So I made what I thought was a crazy decision and bought a pentaband 3G Nokia C6-01. After a week, I seriously love this little beast. I got it for $200 on Amazon, new and factory unlocked. I looks and feels like quality. The phone call quality and strength is amazing. I loaded Symbian which took a small adjustment , but it's actually pretty nice. I finally have Skype, Fring video call, fully functional Yahoo messanger (had so many problems on my Torch). The screen is very sexy and email is actually just as fast as a Blackberry. All in all, I'm very happy. I just think this is what the Pearl should have been.

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

**Steviecan** · 09-30-2011, 09:05 AM

I always feel tempted to go android or iphone. Those devices look great with beautiful screens and a ton of apps. However, I love the reliability of my bb. I have had the 8310, 9000, 9800, and last week got a new 9900. (I also got my wife the new 9360.) The 9800 was nice and generally worked fine for me. However, I did find it a bit heavy and bulky.
My new 9800 is wonderful!!! Sure it doesn't do everything the iphone and android can do with apps but I feel the compromise is worth it. Don't get me wrong...it is 100% frustrating that apps sorely lack for OS7 and bb in general. And I do miss the extra screen real estate of the 9800. But the 9900 feels great in your hand and we all kniow about the amazing keypad. I am staying with bb until watching video and playing games are a priority. But, yes to help keep many on bb, apps for OS7 are urgent.

**rahulmulchandani** · 09-30-2011, 02:14 PM

My story is moving from Nokia to Blackberry. I previously had a Nokia N91, bought in 2007 September ( great phone, very ahead of its times) with 8GB HDD and Wi-Fi. Later moved to E63 which I bought in April 2010. However, the poor choice of apps, an unchanged Symbian and the clumsy app store got me bugged. Nokia was here charging me abt $190 ( Indian phones are sold outside contract) and the fact that my 3 year old N91 and E63 had a clumsy set of software that simply hadn't changed took its toll on my patience.

I bought the Blackberry Curve 8520 for $180 (unlocked) after I saw my sister using it. I am not a fan of apps and am extremely fond of reading news and articles. Minor games are good to have to kill time. The Blackberry App Store has all the major media outlets ( both Indian and international ) with an app present. It was enough to hook me to this phone. Add BBM and Whatsapp and solid hardware ( not as solid as Nokia though) and here Blackberry has a winner. I would love this software to be updated more often, but then the pros (hardware, BBM, Apps, Price, uberprofessional design ) outweigh the cons ( slow updates, slightly clumsy OS)