Blackberry Options

[corwin]

First off I'm sure there's flames coming but I couldn't care less, fire at will

I love my BB and for work nothing beats it, however my Storm 2 has been showing it's age for quite some time now and sadly I am going to have to part with it soon...that said the only replacement I see for it right now (on Verizon) is the Torch, which seems to be OK but I've heard that some developers have gotten samples of the new QNX phone (I'm guessing it will work pretty much like the playbook) but I was hoping some of you might be able to give me a little first hand info and opinions on if I should grab the Torch or wait for QNX?

TIA

 

[Oyeve]

Why not get the Bold? Its KB and touch-screen.

 

[Red Storm]

Get a cheap BB to hold you over until the QNX phone.

 

[Deeko]

I used the Bold 9900 for the last six months. Honestly, it's underrated. The keyboard is absolutely fantastic - I've used a lot of qwerty smartphones, and this is hands down the best. The performance is actually pretty fluid, and despite not being very big, the 2.8" touchscreen is actually quite attractive, thanks to its 285 dpi pixel density. The browser, also, is solid.

Its not perfect - there are occasional hiccups where the phone halts for a couple of seconds, the app selection is hit or miss, but all in all it was enjoyable to use. Its hard to justify at this point, with BB10 coming soon, though. Maybe see if you can find a cheap one on eBay.

 

[dingster1]

Another vote for the 9930

 

[corwin]

I used the Bold 9900 for the last six months. Honestly, it's underrated. The keyboard is absolutely fantastic - I've used a lot of smartphones, and this is hands down the best. The performance is actually pretty fluid, and despite not being very big, the 2.8" touchscreen is actually quite attractive, thanks to its 285 dpi pixel density. The browser, also, is quite good.

Its not perfect - there are occasional hiccups where the phone halts for a couple of seconds, the app selection is hit or miss, but all in all it was enjoyable to use. Its hard to justify at this point, with BB10 coming soon, though. Maybe see if you can find a cheap one on eBay.

Yeah the smaller screen is my problem with it...the Storm 2 and Torch are much bigger and I'm very used to the virtual keyboard now, not that the physical one is bad but I like the extra screen real estate Cost is not the deciding factor since this is a company phone and they will be paying for it, but it's more if I should limp along and wait for the BB10 OS or just go with the Torch since they're not going to get me another one now and then again in a couple months...do you think BB10 is going to be that much better? Are they going to keep the holstered/un-holstered alert profiles (damn I love being able to customize so much) and Exchange integration? I've heard rumors it will take a whole new BES install to handle it so I'm not even sure if my company will go for it if that's needed as well...I haven't had the time to dig into all this and was hoping someone else had the scoop

 

[cronos]

And another vote for the Bold (and to not get the Torch). Get a Bold with mint condition from eBay or something.

Just read your reply above: can you get an eBay Bold with your own money now so the company can get you the BB10 OS BB when it's out.

 

[corwin]

And another vote for the Bold (and to not get the Torch). Get a Bold with mint condition from eBay or something.

Just read your reply above: can you get an eBay Bold with your own money now so the company can get you the BB10 OS BB when it's out.

No they won't let "personal" devices be used, they have to buy it...so what's wrong with the Torch that so many seem opposed to it?

 

[Deeko]

The all-touch screen Torch is generally considered an inferior device to the Bold. For starters, just the build quality - the Bold looks and feels like a premium device, the Torch looks cheap. The Torch might have a bigger scree, but its less dense and and not as bright - overall, lesser quality. Also, I don't believe the Torch supports NFC, which the Bold does. Finally, the virtual keyboard is generally considered sub-par compared to other platforms, whereas the Bold's QWERTY is great.

Regarding BB10, I have a PlayBook which is basically the same thing, and its very nice. A lot of potential there. I'm not sure how it will translate to phones, with the features you mentioned. We'll see.

 

[poofyhairguy]

I actually think the new Bolds are pretty nice. You couldn't pay me to carry a Torch- if BB does get killed by Android/iOS then the history books will say the Torch was when the battle was lost. It is the worst non-prepaid touchscreen phone still sold IMHO.

If you want an all touch screen phone, then you don't want a RIM product.

 

[corwin]

The all-touch screen Torch is generally considered an inferior device to the Bold. For starters, just the build quality - the Bold looks and feels like a premium device, the Torch looks cheap. The Torch might have a bigger scree, but its less dense and and not as bright - overall, lesser quality. Also, I don't believe the Torch supports NFC, which the Bold does. Finally, the virtual keyboard is generally considered sub-par compared to other platforms, whereas the Bold's QWERTY is great.

Regarding BB10, I have a PlayBook which is basically the same thing, and its very nice. A lot of potential there. I'm not sure how it will translate to phones, with the features you mentioned. We'll see.

I have to say I don't care for the looks of it myself which is part of why I've hesitated...I still like the look and feel of my Storm 2 even though most have hated it as well, especially the keyboard though I can type like mad on the thing so I don't know that the keyboard would be an issue for me...it's been almost 3 years since I used a physical keyboard and I'm sure I could go back but the bigger screen is more important to me...wish I knew for sure if any of the first gen QNX phones will even be all touch

 

[corwin]

I actually think the new Bolds are pretty nice. You couldn't pay me to carry a Torch- if BB does get killed by Android/iOS then the history books will say the Torch was when the battle was lost. It is the worst non-prepaid touchscreen phone still sold IMHO.

If you want an all touch screen phone, then you don't want a RIM product.

I don't think BB will ever be "killed" but I don't think they ever should have tried to be a consumer product either, they are the best for business and should have stayed away from trying to be a toy for the consumer market...however I thought the original Storm would have been the worst touch screen BB, but I haven't actually held the Torch as of yet...I know there's plenty of hate out there for the Storm 2 even but IMHO it's been great and I have no complaints, other than it's showing it's age right now...it's been beyond durable, taken well over a dozen drops from up to 3 feet or so onto hard floors (once onto concrete) and just needed to be put back together...in any case I know I don't want an iPhone or Android, they lack many things I have come to love and would miss too much...of course I don't know how much is going to change with QNX either so it may be a lost cause anyway, maybe I just need to hit a Verizon store and hold the Torch myself to see if it really sucks that bad

 

[poofyhairguy]

My friend has a Torch from work. Once you try a high-end Android phone (like my SGS2) or an iPhone you would swear the Torch is a cruel joke.

The Bold on the other hand is a solid phone. Nice screen and feels solid in the hand.

With QNX you would have to start over anyway- old BB apps aren't compatible with the Playbook. If I was in your shoes I would be pushing my tech department to accept the death of BB OS so that I could get a decent touchscreen phone on another platform.

 

[corwin]

My friend has a Torch from work. Once you try a high-end Android phone (like my SGS2) or an iPhone you would swear the Torch is a cruel joke.

The Bold on the other hand is a solid phone. Nice screen and feels solid in the hand.

With QNX you would have to start over anyway- old BB apps aren't compatible with the Playbook. If I was in your shoes I would be pushing my tech department to accept the death of BB OS so that I could get a decent touchscreen phone on another platform.

I've used every iPhone from the 3 to the 4s and hate them all, mostly for exchange email integration issues, I also have Execs who have gotten Android phones (older SGS1) and from helping them out they don't do any better than the iPhones...maybe the newer ones are better but I doubt it, I don't care about "apps", I want exceptional email some light web browsing and to watch some movies while travelling, an occasional diversion with an amusing game isn't bad but that's about it...and FWIW I'm a huge part of our "tech" department and push for the death of iPhones every time I can, and our security teams agree with me

 

[soccerballtux]

lawlberry

definitely miss the keyboard though.