Baldrick Posted September 23, 2009 Report Share Posted September 23, 2009 (edited) I want to buy smartphone, and I have the obvious choice between the iPhone and the Blackberry Bold. I don't need one - I just want one. I have convinced myself that I need said phone for i) keeping track of web-based email and ii) keeping me entertained. Web browsing is also important. Mrs Baldrick has the Blackberry Bold, and it is very slick, and obviously top-notch for emails and accessing/editing MS Word/Excel files. It is also pretty tough. However, it lacks the apps that make the iPhone so appealing, and the music/video playback is far less swish than iTunes (I already have an elderly iPod). The Blackberry's browsing ability appears a little plodding alongside the iPhone. As important as the gadgetry is the future phone's ability to survive in a dusty, bumpy and generally unforgiving farming environment. Touch-screen technology looks like a recipe for disaster, as I imagine there is no way of protecting the iPhone other than with flimsy silicone cases. Please correct me if I'm wrong about protective cases - or is there idiot-proof insurance available? Has anybody else pondered this, and if so, what was the outcome? I anticipate the majority went for Apple. Edit: I note that the money-grabbing iTunes has pushed almost every single download up to £0.99 now, which lessens the appeal when there are cheaper rival providers. Edited September 23, 2009 by Baldrick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wookie Posted September 23, 2009 Report Share Posted September 23, 2009 (edited) iPhone. You can get tough cases for it (including one that the USMC use) and it is generally just the best option for a phone/music/game/browsing device. Look up the Otterbox I think it is called, or the one the Oakley make. The Otterbox has a mount kit that lets your iPhone rest snugly on a picatiny rail should you so desire it to. Seriously, it's a really good device. Edited September 23, 2009 by Wookie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edward Posted September 23, 2009 Report Share Posted September 23, 2009 Iphone. get an otterbox defender for it, sorted Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bleeh Posted September 23, 2009 Report Share Posted September 23, 2009 Neither you tech loving goon!, Generations lived fine without them and so can you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy. Posted September 23, 2009 Report Share Posted September 23, 2009 name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src=" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object>"> name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src=" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object>" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"> If you've got 15 mins, this should help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
libs Posted September 23, 2009 Report Share Posted September 23, 2009 Go for the Iphone.. I got given a silicone backing for mine but it made it and **** ache to get it in and out of a pocket so I hardly use that now. All I have is a stick on plastic cover over the screen which you can't even tell is there, but gets scratched instead of said screen, and can be easily replaced for pennies. Mine lives in and out of pockets with keys and change knocking around and There are no major scratches to the plastic after almost 6 months. I have also dropped mine from a fair height more times than I care to remeber and its fine (touching wood). The diversity and genius of the apps you can get is mind boggling, and it will never leave you bored. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garyb Posted September 23, 2009 Report Share Posted September 23, 2009 I've got a bold, it's a work phone - I've had a few "smartphones" over the years, although an iphone hasn't been one of them, probably because RIM kicks its spotty teenage owning behind when it comes to use as a business "tool" That said.... I've seen plenty of 1st and 2nd gen Iphones, they seem good - Another question to ask is... can you live with O2, and O2 only? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RC45 Posted September 23, 2009 Report Share Posted September 23, 2009 The iphone is good but is only available on 02. I use the Blackberry 8120, but I find the scroller is not adequate, I have had to replace the scroller twice now. The scroller (trackball) is about £15 each and easy to replace on the 8120. Some of the Blackberry models have to go to the manufacturer to have the trackball replaced?? not sure of the cost. I would go for the Blackberry Storm if I was not fussed which network I was on, although they say the touch screen on the iphone is better. Also, I read a recent report on said phones "Blackberry email wins hands down". Cheers Phil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AVB Posted September 23, 2009 Report Share Posted September 23, 2009 I have both Blackbery = work e-mails (it's corporate policy) Iphone = Personal e-mail and everything else Assuming that you will have no work e-mails and assuming that you can protect the iphone then go for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonD Posted September 23, 2009 Report Share Posted September 23, 2009 The BB Bold is a decent piece of of kit, i have had one since launch and haven't had any of the company ones fail. The BB Storm is bloody awful, we got rid of all the ones we had. Cheers, Jon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baldrick Posted September 23, 2009 Author Report Share Posted September 23, 2009 (edited) If you've got 15 mins, this should help. Thanks, Will, but I was thinking of the Blackberry Bold, which has a full QWERTY keypad. The Blackberry Storm is the ginger stepson in the Blackberry family. How easy is it to type on an iPhone, in total honesty? Surely nowhere near as swift as on a full keypad? Wookie, Edward, thanks for the Otterbox suggestion. That looks interesting, but I still doubt it offers much protection against crushing. Am I correct in thinking that there is no way to circumvent O2's monopoly of the iPhone? Are the unlocked ones advertised on Fleabay doomed to failure? Edited September 23, 2009 by Baldrick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RC45 Posted September 23, 2009 Report Share Posted September 23, 2009 The BB Bold is a decent piece of of kit, i have had one since launch and haven't had any of the company ones fail. The BB Storm is bloody awful, we got rid of all the ones we had. Cheers, Jon. Hi Jon, I had the Storm on my shopping list. Can I ask what was wrong with it? Cheers Phil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
libs Posted September 23, 2009 Report Share Posted September 23, 2009 Thanks, Will, but I was thinking of the Blackberry Bold, which has a full QWERTY keypad. The Blackberry Storm is the ginger stepson in the Blackberry family. How easy is it to type on an iPhone, in total honesty? Surely nowhere near as swift as on a full keypad? Wookie, Edward, thanks for the Otterbox suggestion. That looks interesting, but I still doubt it offers much protection against crushing. Am I correct in thinking that there is no way to circumvent O2's monopoly of the iPhone? Are the unlocked ones advertised on Fleabay doomed to failure? Right-way-up... Very tricky as the keys are far to close for anyone with man hands. Side-ways is no problem at all, everything moves apart slightly and it becomes very easy and fast. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonD Posted September 23, 2009 Report Share Posted September 23, 2009 Hi Jon, I had the Storm on my shopping list. Can I ask what was wrong with it? Cheers Phil The touchscreen is awful compared to the iPhone The battery life is shocking Unit's where the touchscreen stopped working thus rendering the unit useless Various crashing and lockup issues The OS is slow and clunky Required the battery pulling at least once a day then 5-10 mins to reboot The displays break easily That's a few for starters. Jon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RC45 Posted September 23, 2009 Report Share Posted September 23, 2009 The touchscreen is awful compared to the iPhoneThe battery life is shocking Unit's where the touchscreen stopped working thus rendering the unit useless Various crashing and lockup issues The OS is slow and clunky Required the battery pulling at least once a day then 5-10 mins to reboot The displays break easily That's a few for starters. Jon. Thanks Jon, it's off the shopping list now... Cheers Phil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ME Posted September 23, 2009 Report Share Posted September 23, 2009 I read this thread with interest. I have a Blackberry 8900 which is great for work but the Iphone does interest me as a new toy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
utectok Posted September 23, 2009 Report Share Posted September 23, 2009 go for a unlocked iphone cheaper! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy. Posted September 23, 2009 Report Share Posted September 23, 2009 How easy is it to type on an iPhone, in total honesty? Surely nowhere near as swift as on a full keypad? I disagree with libs. I find the keyboard very very easy to use. The autocorrect feature is excellent and there are no excuses if you have fat fingers, as Apple actually designed the phone so that it predicts which letter you're going to type next, making the selection area bigger (you can't visually see this) but if it guesses your word wrong and makes you mistype something, once you've finished writing your incorrectly written word, it'll correct it for you. The spell check is excellent and I can type just as quick on my phone as i can on my laptop (pretty quick) In contrast to libs' point below, i can't type to save my life in landscape mode, so it's what you're used to. I've seen mates get to grips with the phone who are useless with qwerty keyboards. Right-way-up... Very tricky as the keys are far to close for anyone with man hands. Side-ways is no problem at all, everything moves apart slightly and it becomes very easy and fast. Obviously I'm going to say go for an iPhone, but I seriously think you'll regret getting a BB. Especially seeing as there's a complete lack of ballistic calculation software! I use 'Ballistic' but this video of iSnipe, which is almost the same, but it lacks a few extra features. You'd be surprised how much this one app helps and there are another 100,000 in the app store! name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src=" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>"> name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src=" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Markio Posted September 23, 2009 Report Share Posted September 23, 2009 I have a Blackberry for work. Yeah great, i can get email, other than that i think it's **** for everything else, i just can't get into using it for anything. While it has a QWERTY keypad it's stil fiddly to use unless you are a 4' Vietnamese munchkin. Having seen and had a quick play on an iPhone i would say for private use the iPhone all the way. Love the way the GUI works and web browsing looks simple, on top of that you have the standard features of movie and music playback. In short, the blackberry is a just a big phone with email capability as far as i'm concerned. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flashman Posted September 23, 2009 Report Share Posted September 23, 2009 As most people have written, Blackberry is a great business tool, in that it's basic, the battery lasts a bit and it's tough. The i-phone is a great toy, with apps and good interweb interaction. In truth, will you ever write a magnum opus from either machine? Probably not, but they're both easy enough on which to write emails, texts, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baldrick Posted September 23, 2009 Author Report Share Posted September 23, 2009 An iPhone 3GS it is then (all the arguments above are convincing). Now I've just got to track one down... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garyb Posted September 23, 2009 Report Share Posted September 23, 2009 I just hope you don't use bluetooth balders :S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dodeer Posted September 23, 2009 Report Share Posted September 23, 2009 I just hope you don't use bluetooth balders :S Why? I have a Toyota fitted bluetooth jobbie in my Hilux and need to get my i -phone connected to that. Just got t owork out how to do it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edward Posted September 23, 2009 Report Share Posted September 23, 2009 dont think they have 'normal' bluetooth Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy. Posted September 23, 2009 Report Share Posted September 23, 2009 An iPhone 3GS it is then (all the arguments above are convincing). Now I've just got to track one down... Unfortunately you couldn't have picked a worse time to get one... I upgraded early to miss this period on purpose, as all the current contracts are coming to an end and are now getting free upgrades... Basically make a big deal out of the fact you're a new customer and they'll welcome you with open arms. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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