BlackBerry, Android and where iOS fits for me
As a BlackBerry user I fully understand where Taylor is coming from. Unlike Taylor I gave up on Blackberry around 4 years ago to move to the Symbian platform as my primary device. At the time BlackBerry didn’t have cameras on their phones and the software selection was limited and not overly impressive. I needed great email support however I was willing to sacrifice that for one that would suffice until something better came along. To make a long story short years passed and I finally purchased a new BlackBerry and I don’t plan it leaving my side anytime soon.
I will be the first to admit that BlackBerry isn’t for everyone. In the mobile industry you hear words like “dated”, “old” and many other derogatory phrases when regarding BlackBerry smartphones. On the other end of the spectrum you hear “productive”, “stable” and “consistent”. It all depends on what you want out of a smartphone and how you use the tools at your disposal. For me you cannot find a better email experience on any platform. Sure email on other platforms may look better but I trust BlackBerry email and never have issues with it. Can you say that about Android?
If you are an app-centric user you more than likely will find yourself bored with a BlackBerry and find yourself wanting more. I too use hundreds of apps on my mobile devices which is why I carry a second phone that meets these requirements. The iPhone 4 even with all of its criticism is one of the best phones on the market. While Android claims to be open it isn’t polished and differs device to device. iOS provides the most consistent experience with the best overall performance in my opinion. I am able to use my iPhone all day without worrying about the battery leaving me without power. To this day that is not something I can say about any Android device I’ve reviewed or owned. Applications on the iOS platform tend to be much more mature and provide an overall better experience when compared to their counterparts on other platforms.
My advice is forget about the media, that includes me. Try several different devices and see what works best for you. Just because something is “dated” by industry standards doesn’t mean it won’t be the perfect device for you. We all have difference requirements don’t let a blog post tell you what the right phone is for you. I choose BlackBerry and iOS. What works for you and why?
As everyone may know, or should know, I’m the Managing Editor of BBerryDog. My love for BlackBerry devices started out about four years ago and I’ve never even thought of looking back. Life without smartphones was utterly boring. Recently, I’ve been catching some flack about how I’m still such a BlackBerry fan, and over how someone can love such an old technology, etc. I loved BlackBerry from the first time I got my hands on one, and to this day, I still love it. It may be boring and old, but it still works perfectly. I don’t have to worry about my battery dying in the matter of one day, if I send an email, I know that email goes out, and using the wonderfully crafted fret-style keyboard, I rarely spell anything wrong.
Alas, getting bored by using the same, or generally the same devices over and over for three years, was inevitable. I’d been through about five different BlackBerry devices and they were all the same form factor. I grew tired and wanted to venture out, though never letting my BlackBerry leave my side. My first Android device was the HTC Hero on Sprint, and let me tell you, I loved it. Not enough to keep it past the thirty days, but it was enough to spark further interest in my ever-growing love for technology. On the 29th day, I made the mistake of trading in the Hero for the Palm Pre. Eventually, I got rid of that device as well. WebOS was nice, but it just wasn’t as enjoyable as Android. I later moved on to the Eris, Motorola Droid, Nexus One, and am now using a Droid X. As you can see, that tiny little spark ignited into a huge burning flame which I cannot seem to contain. I never knew what drew me to Android until I sat and thought about it. It offers exactly what my BlackBerry lacks, but it also lacks in the ways that my BlackBerry delivers like no other.
Conclusion
With services like built-in turn-by-turn navigation and Chrome to Phone, Google definitely has the edge on the market today. Google itself wears so many hats that they’re going to be hard to compete with, but my BlackBerry still holds its own in my heart. I could never completely abandon it, but Android has taken its throne in my heart. My BlackBerry has gone the way of the feature phone, and Android has become primary. Whether it be application support, media driven features, or the awesome cameras associated with Android devices, I’ve been won over and my love for them only grows. The market, however, is becoming diluted. Every few weeks another model is released. That can be taken as a good or bad thing. There is a flavor of Android out there for everyone, but there are now so many that its becoming hard to choose which to go with. At least with BlackBerry, I know my place. Stick with the Bold series, and reap the benefits of better hardware. Shopping for Android is now like shopping for a new set of wheels. You have to think about manufacturer preference, specifications, screen size, build quality, longevity, and a handful of other options. Not everyone wants to carry a laptop-like device in their pocket, and not everyone wants to cramp their brain in trying to decide on which device to buy. There are still reasons for BlackBerry to stay the way they are, but they also need to adapt. I don’t see them taking the market by storm any time soon, nor do I see BlackBerry taking its place as my primary anytime soon either. But they have cemented a place in my heart forever. BlackBerry is where it started for me.
