Samsung Mesmerize

[laney12186]

Ok, I really like the Samsung Mesmerize that USCC is offering now and I'm wondering if anyone on here has it and can tell me how you like, the pros and cons and anything else you want to say about it. I've read reviews online of the phone but would like to hear some more opinions on it.

[Xopher]

I got the Mesmerize a couple of weeks ago and I absolutely love it.

It took some getting used to, coming from the Tour, and after some tweaking, and re-learning things, I'm a convert.

Things I miss from BB:

• BBM. I was on several groups and group chatting was great.
• Profiles. I had profiles set up for everything on my BB.
• The keyboard. I don't miss it as much as I though I would. Even so, the BlackBerry keyboard is top notch.
• Push e-mail. Sure, I get my messages pretty quickly, and gmail is very quick.
• The LED. The Mesmerize doesn't have an external LED. There is an app called noLED that does a good job of notifying you when there are new messages (creates colored dots on the screen).
• Battery life. Well, sort of. I considered myself a power user when I was using the BlackBerry. "I Love BlackBerry" had me averaging 5.5 hours of actual BB use every day. It would rarely ever make it through a full day without needing a charge, but that was just because I used it so much.
• Charging cradles. My BlackBerry lived in its charging cradles. One on my desk, and one on my nightstand. The cradles made it so I never had to worry about charging throughout the day.
• Bedside Mode. I would put my Tour in its cradle at night and it would automatically switch profiles so I wouldn't be disturbed by notifications all night long.
• Autotext. I had lots of shortcuts set up for words. Now I have to type out every word (see Swype below).

That seems like a lot to miss. But the conversion to Mesmerize was pretty smooth.

• Swype was pretty easy to master. I don't miss autotext as much as I thought I would. Swype is pretty quick for typing.
• The screen. Wow.
• noLED. Different colored dots for different types of messages. Have a missed call, an SMS, and an e-mail? Three different colored dots on the screen.
• Cradles. They do have cradles for the Mesmerize. It uses the USB port for charging, so it's not as easy as sitting the Tour in its cradle. But it works just fine.
• The browser. Wow.
• Quick Profile app lets me set up different profiles to act more like the BlackBerry profiles did. You can't configure as many things like you could with BlackBerry sound profiles, but it does make it easier to transition between devices.
• Lots to configure. I have pretty much switched out everything on each of the stock screens setups.
• Even though I miss BBM Groups, I still chat with everyone on Google Talk, AIM, Kik (which still works fine on Android), and watching LiveProfile to see how cross-platform goes with it. And Facebook includes FB Chat in the latest release (although I use Trillian more).
• GPS Navigation. Several choices, and they work well.
• Apps. Apps. Apps. You might have to weed through some of the lesser apps to find the good ones, but there are tons of apps. Berry Weather and SocialScope are still tops on the BB side, but there are (for the most part) some comparable in function. I combined two different weather widgets to get something close to Berry Weather (although BW is still better).
• I go through about 10% battery usage per hour, even more if I am streaming video, playing 3D games like Need for Speed: Shift, or keeping the screen on while I read (Kindle app), IM, or listen to streaming music, but I expect that. Cradle on desk and battery drain isn't a problem (just like the Tour).

I think the biggest problem I have with my Mesmerize is that sometimes I don't click the side button to turn off the screen before I grab the phone, so my palm can sometimes accidentally open apps.

For the most part. The screen is awesome, touch is extremely responsive, Swype is really neat (once you get used to it), email works just fine (I have six accounts on mine). There is definitely more to tweak on it, but it is nice that you can configure it to your own preferences. It really feels like a step up from the current BlackBerry offerings.

So, how's that for a write-up?

[laney12186]

Pretty d@mn thorough actually! The thing I think I would miss most about the blackberry is the bedside mode but as long as I can still use my phone as my alarm clock it's no big deal. Thanks for writing all that out....it's exactly what I was looking for!

[Xopher]

There is a Desk Cradle app on the Mesmerize, which displays a clock similar to what BlackBerry does. Partner that with a Quick Profile to keep the display lit (dimmed), and change notifications to what you want to hear at night, and it can be set up similar to bedside mode. That's what I've done.

[laney12186]

I'm probably going to go with it...just gotta save up some money. Thanks for your input...its been really helpful

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

[Xopher]

Just also found the Bedside app. It can turn on when plugged in, you can change the color of the clock, and it will put the phone into silent mode.

Plus, you can set up specific numbers to still ring through (and send SMS messages), so if there are important callers, they can still reach you.

[laney12186]

I love this phone! I'll miss some of the things that came stock with my curve but this phone is just so quick and easy to use. My problem is that I can't figure out how to make swype the default keyboard while texting.

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

[Xopher]

When you have the text window open, hold your finger on the text box until the menu pops up. You can then change the Input Method - select Swype from the list of keyboards. Once you choose it, it should stay the default input method until you change it.

[beth777]

This is probably too late for laney12186 but....I bought a Mesmerize. Had it three weeks and traded it in for a Blackberry Bold. Was looking for a hotspot for my Ipad, which the Mesmerize had and the Blackberry did not. The problem I had with the Mesmerize was not getting my emails. Even after changing settings, downloading apps I was not happy with the delivery of my emails. The touch screen was also a change for me. I could not answer a call with gloves on as the screen is heat sensitive. Also there is no led light to let you know you have a message or missed a call. The hotspot being my biggest want, I bought a Optimus for a line I don't use so I will have the extra phone with a hotspot for when we are camping. Have also been looking at the Cradlepoint to link my blackberry.

[laney12186]

I do have the mesmerized now but I love. Haven't had any problems getting emails and there us noled which flashes on your lock screen when you get messages. I liked blackberry hut I don't use it for business and wanted something with a bigger selection of apps that the blackberry just didn't have. In terms of smartphones blackberry and android are the only two I would ever recommend. I do appreciate the input...I don't want you to think I don't. I wanted to hear what people thought but in the end went with what worked best for me

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

[Xopher]

I think the biggest thing with switching from BB to Android is not thinking that the Mesmerize is going to work like a BlackBerry.

I had trouble with the default email app working with all my different email accounts, so I switched to K-9 Mail. The big plus to me was no more truncated emails. I run my own business and get order forms via email. On my BlackBerry, those order forms would get truncated, so I had to fire up my laptop to pick up the orders. With my Mesmerize, emails aren't truncated, so I get the entire order and can keep on working without having to grab another device. I can even log into my computer from my Mez and fill the order when out of the office.

The touchscreen definitely is something to get used to. I haven't had the glove problem since I usually have a bluetooth device on me (especially while driving). I just have to press the button on my BT to answer calls. The bluetooth on my motorcycle automatically answers calls, so I don't have to touch my phone at all (same when I was using my Tour). I do miss the dedicated buttons from my BB, though.