Black berry phone. should I?

[yift]

OK Ladies and Gentlemen, school me on blackberry phones.

I need pros and cons, who owns one, which is the best one etc

Also i have heard they are not hackable, traceable or tapable. True or false?

all info will help as i am undecided on buying one or just getting another iphone.

[IDT]

I have a BB Torch on a Telstra business fixed plan. Unlimted downloads calls within OZ and text. I don't use apps for games etc and like buttons over touch pad and it has been fine. Oh and i drop it a lot.
Everything that is not landline is hackable so i don't do banking etc on it but I guess it depends on what you want to do with it.
By the way for OS calls i use Skype on the Laptop

[Simple6]

Blackberry's have a very secure email/messenger setup which is why it's so popular with businesses. As for calls and text - that's just as secure as every other mobile phone I believe.

One thing to consider is that without a Blackberry plan you won't have a way to receive emails on the handset (unless you use webmail in the browser). In the case of Telstra, its an extra $29.95/mth for BIS (Blackberry Individual Solution) for the 24mth contract or $49.95/mth for a casual one. Add those costs onto the plan you choose (and add any handset monthly costs). So basically with the way plans are today with massive data allowances - unless you require Blackberry emailing because of its security then its a hard thing to justify the extra BIS cost IMO. Even the push email isn't so amazing anymore - most smartphones you can set to Push or at least sync every 5 or 10mins.

Add to that, the software isn't as intuitive as Android/iPhone/Windows Phone 7, and the BB App World is fairly average.

Basically they're a great handset IF they suit your needs and do something you need that the others don't. I've found that that applies to less and less people everyday now, than say 18 months ago.

If you're thinking of replacing an iPhone, give the HTC Sensation/Samsung Galaxy SII/Motorola Atrix/BB Torch a test and see whats going to give you what you need. Also supposedly an new version of iPhone will be announced on the 7th or 14th of September....Food for thought.....

PS - www.gsmarena.com - great for reviews/specs/users opinions

[creative]

crack berries have had their day.... only thing they were good for was emails but all the smart phones have caught up with that.

[The Yeti]

I've had several blackberrys and was a fan then work handed me an iPhone 4 after I broke my last BB and I hated it for the 1st 3 months, now I love the bloody thing

[FTE217]

Well I have gone back to the latest BB from iphone so going against the grain. Thankfully they are a bit smaller for a start.
Not missing iphone at all I don't use apps etcetc
My reason changing as with my business partner (brother) is due to the high costs data download (many attachments in emails,drawings,spread sheets)etcetc whilst on OS business trips. Our costs were damn high and we are on Business Plans $250.
As for the BIS (fowlerj) - we haven't paid that at all - rip off, our IT geek had spent some time web surfing and found a free download - he turned up at the office,syncd our BB's to our Laps everything works fine.
If you don't live off emails as we do for our business BB's arn't for you, oh yer our bills had dropped by a third or more thats what counts for us.

[Elks]

Blackberry Crackberry. I've just had one foisted upon me by my new employer and for me it's a step back over the iPhone. I've been told that the Blackberry is more secure, but I dont work for asio, hell most of the people i send e-mails to aren't interested let alone hacking on for them.

On a basic level, I hate the fiddly small buttons, small screen and less intuitive nature. Plus i use a few of the apps. If I could have my iPhone back I would. That said I don't see or pay the bills.

My 2c

[wrongwaynorris]

I thought my Blackberry was great until I got my Galaxy S II .

[DBourne]

I don't mind them, I had a storm and it was rubbish. The torch is alright, but the battery can be drained real easy.

Only real bugbear is how long they take to turn on when you do a battery pull.. it's a freakin' phone! Not a server!

[Deco28]

I considered it and bought a Sensation instead. Previously I had a Palm Treo which is similar to a Blackberry and I really did like using the QWERTY keyboard with buttons. But after having my Sensation for 4 days, I really do like it, apart from the battery life if you use apps XD.

But yeh, it's up to what your needs are and for me I didn't have any needs rather then just needing a toy, which the Sensation is better at lol!

[ILLaViTaR]

I remember when I bought my 3GS a year ago my friend got a blackberry fr the sake of being different. Boy did he regret it, no better than my ancient Nokia 3310 lol.

[z80]

I will never use a Blackberry again, twenty times a day viagra and rolex watch emails.

All new screen touch based phones are just as bad, dialing in your pocket and people recently dialled can listen to you and the missus talking....great stuff....?!!

I puke when someone points an Iphone at me to look at some photo or video or blah blah app etc.

The whole phone scene is so childishly gimmicky now.

[Wise]

Every phone now has a screen locking feature - maybe you need to use that?

To the OP the email and messaging is secure as that runs over RIMs own network. Its encrypted and if you're worried about security its the go. But your calls and messages are fair game as they're over the carriers network.

I run the BB server at work and for a business it works awesomely, but there's really bo advantage as a personal user.

Something to note as well is the new OS they have (6) is pretty good function wise, but web browsing is a joke. I'm using my bb to write this now with no worries,but on mine (OS 5) I use column view as it compacts the page and formats it to a column, but I could do it normally with my iphone because of the difference in screen sizes.

[drew`SEVNT5]

Love love love my Blackberry Bold 9780.. It is my work phone, and it is fantastic.

I have a android phone as a personal phone (SonyEricsson Xperia arc) which is fantastic as well, but for a workphone, when I am constantly writing emails, the QWERTY keyboard is a godsend, as is the way it all intergrates with the work systems...

[JC]

Have had a BB as my only phone for the last 3 years (work supplied). It suits what I need it for (work emails), but I would buy an iPhone over a BB if it were for personal use.

[rancidpunx]

I have a Bold 9780 and it died for no reason after 3 months. The keys just stopped working. Im on a new one with Vodafone, coverage is kinda sucky but its pretty much unlimited usage for $65 included all your BB email and internet. Only have to pay for International calls and 1300 numbers.
The phones alright, I hate mobile phones because they dont last so just wanted a cheapo phone but my missus talked me into the BB. Its good for work, came with a case so the screen does not get trashed. I cant comment on Apps as ive never used them. From what I hear the Iphones have their problems as well. Im not a huge fan of the little keys and Delete & Enter next to each other can be quite tedious. I do like the poker game.

[Wise]

The iphones got it over the blackberry for apps for sure. We use telstra at work and the coverage is fantastic. My iphones with optus and it always drops out, I'm due for a new one though.

When on cruises I actually have started to take the blackberry as well as the iphone solely because optus can't be trusted! Lol

[vanman_75]

I do hotmail email , so that's fine for my limited email requirements.HTC desire here and these phones are an absolute dream ...no laptop for me anymore apps such as navigator, tram tracker, easy forum access , Google, facepage , weather all at a quick touch has left me happy with all this modern tech ..the ability to look up restaurants/ pubs / shops etc while on holidays is awesome .they are advancing quick very quick now days I will never go back to a button phone again ..