My New Bit of Tech - Blackberry Playbook

I have for the longest of times been wanting a tablet device. I even considered getting the Samsung Galaxy S Note phone. My kids have been wanting an iPad as many around them have it. To be honest I have an iPod touch and the only difference I can see is that the iPad is bigger after all they both use the same operating system. Now I will at some point be a proud owner of a Samsung Galaxy tablet as I feel it will suit me more than Apple and I do not want to have everything by the same company.

Anyway unlike many of my friends who have yet to embrace the benefits of Twitter. I happen to be checking out tweets when I saw Crackberry.com tweet that the Dixons/PC World/Currys group of shops were selling the Blackberry Playbook at a reduced price of £129 for the 64gb version. So immediately being the person that I am, I did some research to update my knowledge. I found that the current software used is version 2.0 and that even better a whole new operating system is due to come out called BB10 which will allow more Android based apps to be loaded onto the playbook. The OS upgrade should be free. It comes with its own neoprene case. 

It is a small tablet coming in at 7" but it is perfect size to fit in my handbag and in the hands of my children. From day one they have been using it and love. Games are fine and suits me. I am loving Blackberry Bridge that lets me link my BB phone to the Playbook and send emails and BBM messages on a larger screen. I am still getting used to it and checking out the Blackberry fan sites for more ideas and suggestions. 

BB is too integrated in life

With it's ever growing popularity Research in Motion's business come everyday man smartphone is suffering. I cannot tell you how many times services are down. There was me thinking people have not paid their subscription but as with every crackberry addict a few clicks of the mouse well a general browse on twitter and voila. They are having server issues. It can only be the answer. The beauty of this outtage is that my beloved friends and family are not sending me countless BBM broadcast messages telling me if I dont do A B C D something bad will happen. Honestly I pay for the service so who are you trying to fool. Well whilst BBM is down I guess I will have to send a text or wait for it.... pick up the phone and a dial a number. Unless of course I choose to send an email. Technology should be an aide to what we do everyday but damn it, it sure feels like it has become so integrated that when it does not work it feels like someone has thrown a spanner in the works. 

The fact that I blogged about it too.........

Blackberry Bold 9700

How long does it take to get an upgrade these days. I spoke about the Bold 9700 a few months back. I had been due an upgrade since July and August 2009. However I am one of many people who have an existing contract that does not tie you in by long years. My contract gives me a set amount of credit in the week and then on the weekend my calls are free to all UK numbers. The exceptions may be the premium numbers such as 08 09 and international.

So as of Wednesday I became the proud owner (finally) of the Blackberry Bold 9700. So in just under a week I can save I love this phone. It makes the whole Blackberry experience even better. Before I had my pearl and could tell there was so much more to do with my phone. I really appreciate the way phones have grown with the times.

Okay so smart phones have been around for ages, but now they are ever so accessible to all users and not just the rich and celebrities, who tend to get many things free and business people.

Now I am going to add more apps to this phone. I just wish Research In Motion would at least give 1gb internal memory and continue allowing the expandable memory with the use of the micro sd cards. The memory card is so useful, you do not get that option with the I-Phone and other phones. Now I am going to buy more accessories for this phone!

Blackberry Dreams revisited

In the midst of summer I spoke of my love for Blackberry phones after I left Nokia and headed in a new direction. I must admit though. I never upgraded to the Blackberry Curve 8520. I use T-Mobile and for some reason it has only just started showing up as an up and coming phone on their website. The store staff are just that. Luckily I never got the new curve which I had raved about to all my friends and any blackberry newbie. It does not have a camera flash. I am quite shocked by that. It just does not make sense for a modern day phone in 2009.

My addiction to reading about Blackberry’s has kept me visiting on a regular the Crackberry Website. They talk about all the various things you can do with your phone, list all blackberry devices and discusses in detail rumoured and up and coming phones. The new Storm and the new Bold both progressed from rumours and code names to actual releases.

So as I browsed the Crackberry forums I kept reading about the Bold 9700 or Onyx. Plus there was a UK thread with release info some claiming insider knowledge galore. So when RIM made it official I was very happy. I have spoken to T-Mobile and the nice worker said that it was on their books but no release dates yet. According to the forums it may be out on T-Mobile early to mid November. It is already available for pre-order on Vodafone. Though seriously if T-Mobile USA can have it available now why not in the UK surely you are the same global company. SMH

Looks like I will be getting my upgrade soon. Everyone around me has the Curve 9000 Curve 8520 and the Pearl. I already know that the maximum expandable memory the Bold 9700 will accept is 32gb, so its just a case of finding a good bargain on a micro sd card.

PS – If you have any tips for using the Blackberry, useful applications etc let me know.

Blackberry Dreams

I used to be a Nokia stand for about 10 years. I do remember trying Motorola at one point as well. Never got along with the latter. Nokia just offered simple easy to use system. I even owned the very 1st Nokia flip phone, which my husband sent abroad without my permission. Not happy at all about that as I loved that phone. Just think how much that would have been worth now.

Then just over a year ago my friend suggested I get a Blackberry. In fact two friends suggested I get one. To simplify the transition I got a pearl as I then thought the width of the curve was too much for me. My only complaint was a few  technical issues with the operating system. My messages were being deleted left right and centre. The timer would not disappear and T-Mobile UK call centres were fobbing me off big time. Thankfully their store staff were more help and problem sorted itself with an upgrade of the operating software. Not forgetting a hard reset I think its called when you take the battery out whilst the device is still on.

From time to time I check out the Crackberry website which I discovered almost immediately after becoming part of the BB alumni. There is so much on there for the BB addict plus you get to read about the latest phones and rumours of such. I was eyeing up one device currently called Onyx but the new Blackberry Curve 8520 will do me just fine. The track ball is replaced with a track pad like what you would get on a laptop.  That feature alone caught my eye.

Of course there are many many more features that the Research in Motion team have thoughtfully packed into the curve. Just check out the websites.

I am waiting patiently as my upgrade was due end of June beginning of July. I called T-Mobile and was told that the new curve should be available end of September. Lets hope they do a competitive deal. It is already available on Vodafone and Orange.

I think I ought to buy shares in Research in Motion and their Blackberry brand. Wonder if that will get me a seat on the board?!