[camtheram]

So my grandfather is a Verizon customer and wants to buy a new cell phone. He's really into new technology and they're trying to sell him on the Voyager or the Samsung Glyde. I feel these phones are novelty phones and he should go with a BB(he currently has a razr). How can I convince him not to buy the LG or the Samsung? And which is better, the 8330 or the 8830? Thanks!

[camtheram]

Oh I almost forgot. My grandfather wants to be able to use voice-recognition via a bluetooth headset to dial numbers from his address book. Can any of these phones do this?

[djm2]

Does he travel internationally? If so, the 8830 is the phone for him. I'm pretty sure both will do the voice activated dialing -- I know the 8830 does -- but first and foremost. The BB is an email device. Does he want email with him all the time? If not, then maybe a BB is NOT the right tool for him.

[ricpac]

I'm with djm2. If he's more into calls and less on the keypads, then I guess a BlackBerry might not be for him. The BlackBerry smartphone is the ultimate messaging device out there but that involves a lot of key presses and a lot of thumb-ing.

[culater88]

The Curve 8330 offers voice dialing also. Does he mind the added size of a BB especially coming from a Razr.

[rachamphetamine]

If he does mind the size of a Blackberry coming from the Razr and isn't picky about having a full keyboard, there's always the 8130, too.

[camtheram]

He doesn't do international traveling but I can see him getting into email a little more if he had a BB. He doesn't own a computer.

[camtheram]

I really need help swaying him away from the Voyager and the Glyde. These are touch-screen phones and not very user-friendly to the elderly. He does a lot of traveling in the car, and I know all too well how annoying it can be to operate a touch-screen while on the go(I used to own an iPhone).

[Dodge DeBoulet]

Originally Posted by camtheram

I really need help swaying him away from the Voyager and the Glyde. These are touch-screen phones and not very user-friendly to the elderly. He does a lot of traveling in the car, and I know all too well how annoying it can be to operate a touch-screen while on the go(I used to own an iPhone).

Um, how old is your grandfather? I'm at an age where I could easily be the grandfather of a 10-12 year old, and I think I'm a long way from "elderly."

If your grandfather drives an Oldsmobile or wears a cardigan, consider the possibility that the small keyboard on any Blackberry will likely be problematic for arthritic or unsteady hands/fingers, and a touchscreen may prove easier for him.

And if he doesn't have a computer, some of the things a Blackberry makes easy get a whole lot tougher.

Get him an iPhone. I'm not personally a fan of it, but I can see where it might have an attraction for the "elderly."

[djm2]

Originally Posted by camtheram

I really need help swaying him away from the Voyager and the Glyde. These are touch-screen phones and not very user-friendly to the elderly. He does a lot of traveling in the car, and I know all too well how annoying it can be to operate a touch-screen while on the go(I used to own an iPhone).

Unless you are on RIM's payroll, start focusing on what will make his life easier as opposed to what you would like him to buy. That's where he should spend his $$. Maybe it is a BB -- maybe not. Since he doesn't own a computer and (presumably) isn't into email, the BB might hot be the tool for him.

[jp420]

I have gone through 3 8830's and I have just switched to the 8330. I like it better because it has a camera, it's a little smaller and the keys are more spaced out - easier to type on with your thumbs.

It seems odd that the slightly smaller keyboard is easier to type on - but i found the angle and spacing of the 8830 made it harder to type on than my previous older 8700 model blackberrys.

I also like the screen layout a bit better.

Hopefully the 8330 is going to be a bit tougher than the 8830. My dealer replaced mine twice because of keyboard/trackball issues. He said they've also had lots of problems with the USB connectors going wonky on the 8830.

YMMV

[rietherll]

8330 No Question!!!

[SteveO86]

I would say the big differences from the 8830 to the 8330 would the camera, the addition memory, and the spaced out keyboard. Those are the physical differences

The 8330 is pre-loaded with 4.3 and the 8830 has 4.2.2, with 4.3 who will able to watch youtube, and create his play lists within the media manager if he is big into music. (Once 4.5 is released they will be on a level playing field, software wise of course)

Probably the best thing for you/him to do is bring him to a VZW kiosk and have him tinker with both BlackBerries for a while and see which on he is more comfortable with, and have him check out the web browser and a few other BB features. Also with VZW he might be eligble for that 30 day no hassle return policy so he might be able to get an 8830 and if he don't like it return for a 8330 within the 30 days. (Just verify with the sale rep before you do that)

[wunderbar]

if he doesnt' have a computer, he'll see no benefit from a Blackberry. Get him a computer first so he can actually use the internet and email on a proper screen first. Getting him a Blackberry is a bad idea.

[nfl46]

8330 w/o a question.

[nfl46]

Originally Posted by wunderbar

if he doesnt' have a computer, he'll see no benefit from a Blackberry. Get him a computer first so he can actually use the internet and email on a proper screen first. Getting him a Blackberry is a bad idea.

lmao! Sorry, I just thought that was funny. Don't mind me.