[Lemannone]

I'm new to the cell phone technology. Is there a link that tells everything that a blackberry does? Am wondering what a blackberry will do that other cell phones won't do. Any help is appreciated.

[ndub33]

Welcome to the forums!

Here is a link chock full of information that may be helpful:

BlackBerry FAQ - BlackBerryFAQ

[jsconyers]

Welcome to the forums.

It all depends on the model of BlackBerry you're interested in. They are not for everyone and there is a learning curve with them.

The link ndub posted will help out. Also, take a look here for their features:
BlackBerry - Compare PDAs - BlackBerry Smartphone and PDA Solution Comparison

[aiharkness]

Wirelessly posted (8820)

Here is my thumbnail sketch, for what it's worth:

First, the blackberry is not a cell phone. It has a cell phone.

The blackberry is a purpose-built communication appliance that is built around instant delivery email pushed to the handset and has a number of features and capabilities.

Reliability and security are hallmarks of the product.

To obtain the full use of the device you will need a blackberry-specific data plan through your carrier (see BIS and BES in the FAQ). Otherwise you pretty much will just have a cell phone with an ok PDA built in.

That's my opinion. Hope it is useful.

[alent1234]

BB's run apps

i use mine to listen to custom radio stations and read books

[jimbellows]

I say yes of course

[aiharkness]

Wirelessly posted (8820)

Ditto that the blackberry is not for everyone. I think a person should choose the product for a reason and not because it's a blackberry.

But I don't think there's a steep learning curve; I mean not any different than with similar products.

From what I see, the people who really have trouble with the blackberry either (a) had no idea what they were getting and it isn't what they thought they wanted, and somehow it's the blackberry's fault and not theirs; or (b) they expect the blackberry to operate and work like the devices they are familiar with from past use; or (c) they've had the blackberry forced on them and they're not happy about having to deal with it. Maybe there's other categories or other's see it differently. But my point is to advise new blackberry users to forget what they've used before and learn the blackberry without any expectations about how things should or shouldn't be. It is what it is.

[Dubdub]

Since your profile says Verizon, I assume that you have picked the carrier already (that is always step 1 IMHO).

Next, I think you need to try to list the features you need and then those you want and then try to find the device that fits the majority of the needs and wants.

Once you have done that, go to a phone store and play with your selected device(s) and judge look and feel for yourself.

[alb123]

Very simply put: The BlackBerry honestly changes your daily routine. Take a look at the size of the device and then realize that within that plastic shell lies your complete address book of friends / family / business contacts, a great web-browsing device (not crippled like dumb-phones), an instant messaging tool and undeniably the best e-mail device you can get your hands on.

So many people think BlackBerry devices are only for business executives. Thats simply not true. Everybody is text messaging these days. A full QWERTY keyboard is quick and relatively painless on the hands compared to messaging on dumbphones. Web browsing your favorite sites like ESPN, for instance, are snappy and always within hands reach. You get native Microsoft Word / Excel / Powerpoint editing capabilities with the included Documents To Go.

Sure, you can play games with 'em...I've got one or two that I use to pass the time. But my most beloved feature is the Calendar which has my hectic life sorted pretty darn well! I've got health conditions that required me to see more specialists than you can imagine. Instead of carrying around a planner on top of a dumbphone - I've got my schedule on me 24/7/365... Your contact list, calendar, notes and tasks all synchronize beautifully with Microsoft Outlook. It just makes things so much easier - I couldn't imagine living without my trusty Curve!

ALB

[david9962000]

We all need a Blackberry!

[CoDudette]

some people buy a blackberry for the sake of it, and some really need it to sort out their hectic lives.

You need to determine whether it's the former or the latter you need a BB for. iif you really need a bb, then determine what features you need and get one.

[rambo47]

Email communication remains the prime directive of the Blackberry platform. If that's your priority then Blackberry is your first best solution. Everything else is a compromise and an attempt to recreate what the Blackberry does. Great integration with the PIM functions is also key.

Go here to select a model and see all it can do, straight from the horse's mouth.

[jhenae]

get a blackberry!!!! its a bb world... you wont regret it =]

[Damaged7]

Wirelessly posted (Bold 9000)

I bought my bold cause I like technology and wanted a cool phone.

If I can justify my purchase for those reasons, you should be abe tii as well.

[datl]

Hope you like the BB as much as I do. Go on..

[CO_BBTechie]

Originally Posted by aiharkness

First, the blackberry is not a cell phone. It has a cell phone.

Quite possibly one of the best descriptions for what the BB is NOT, that I have seen to date!

IMO the BlackBerry has only recently (last year or so...) attained the level of ownership status of the iDrone. It is simply to own one now apparently. As was mentioned, weigh your own needs with the list of capabilities. Only YOU can prevent status symbol purchases!

[Oditius]

Lets not forget FLASH!!! It does not have flash player capabilities. So you are NOT going to get to a lot of websites you can get to on the computer. And to me the best program I had on my PDA, I cannot use on the BB. And that is Pocket Quicken. And there is no real way around this. I use eCheckRegister, but I have to enter the info twice. When I am away from the computer I have to enter it in the BB, and later that day or the next, I have to enter the same stuff into Quicken. I have tried the one checkbook program that has both a version for the desktop and the BB and it can sync, but, something caused it to crash and I abandoned it. I lost too much info that needed to reentered. So I gave up on it. $40 down the drain!! But I like the BB Curve size and keyboard. I love everything about my BB except the missing FLASH player. And if I can find a Windows Mobile device that could duplicate the BB in Size and handling, I would be an ex-BB user!!

[CO_BBTechie]

Originally Posted by Oditius

Lets not forget FLASH!!! It does not have flash player capabilities.

Your reply could/should have stopped here.

Wow dude... way to turn a reply to someone's question into your own personal rant.

[tgeekb]

No one NEEDS a blackberry, the world survived quite a while before they came along. Now, if you want one, some people have given some insight into where you can read up on them. Visit these forums a lot, you will learn everything you need to know. Then, only you can decide.

[Oditius]

Originally Posted by CO_BBTechie

Your reply could/should have stopped here.

Wow dude... way to turn a reply to someone's question into your own personal rant.

Your right, and I apologize if I offended anyone here. Of course without the rant, I am not sure anyone would have known how important a flash player could be to the non business type person.