So for those that know me, you all know that I have been a long time BlackBerry user. I’ve been through four devices in the last 5+ years and I have loved my BlackBerrys over the years. Last month, I left all of that behind and deiced to jump on the Android wagon and got a T-Mobile MyTouch 3G Slide. This so far has been a big change for me but, one that I am still very happy with. So why did I leave my BlackBerry behind and move to Android? I wanted something new. My BlackBerry Curve 8900 was over a year and a half old and was due to be replaced. I loved the device and very much considered upgrading to the Bold 9700. The main reason I didn’t stay with BlackBerry was the lack of what I saw of innovation for the future. The BlackBerry is a great platform but, it hasn’t changed much in the 5 years I’ve used it. Sure there have been system updates but, the OS still very much is the same as it was. That’s where Android interests me. Android is 100% Open Source and thanks to the new App Inventor launched today by Google, anyone can write their own Android App. This is what makes me feel that Android is where the mobile phone platform is moving.
Several of my friends have already asked me why I didn’t get the iPhone 4 which came out roughly the same time I got my MyTouch 3G Slide. There are several reasons why I didn’t get it. 1.) It’s only on AT&T. I’ve had T-Mobile for almost 10 years. AT&T doesn’t come close to offering the same service I have now. 2.) iOS is a closed platform. You are locked to only getting your apps from the App Store and only those apps approved by Apple. 3.) The device in my mind is restrictive. There is only one model to pick from and all you can choose is the size. Don’t get my wrong, the iPhone is a nice phone but, it’s not what I am looking for.
I read an interesting article today on All Things Digital by Louis Gray entitle, Why I Turned In My iPhone and Went Android. Though I left BlackBerry behind instead of an iPhone, I think the comparison is still very similar. I want something that will continue to grow and be developed. Something that even I could create my own app to do what ever I need it to do. I need a phone that I can truly make mine. So for those looking for a new phone, get an Android. You won’t be disappointed.
Let’s start with the time tested BlackBerry. The BlackBerry is a staple in almost any corporation here in the United States. It allows an instant connection with not only your e-mail but also access to the internet and allows for the downloading of third-party applications that can pretty much do anything from a simple game of solitaire all the way up to a rocking RSS Freed reader that can deliver instant news updates from my favorite sites. Another unique feature of the BlackBerry is what RIM (Research in Motion) calls PIN messaging. Unlike SMS (Text) messaging, PIN messaging allows users on BlackBerry Devices send messages directly to another users device by using their unique PIN tag that is tied to each device. The PIN is also how the network/e-mail services track which device gets which e-mail in case you are out of range when the messages come in. PIN messaging is no extra charge and BlackBerry even provides a free instant messenger like client for PIN – PIN messaging. This is great when a lot of your friends/co-workers have BlackBerry Devices.
Now, I have to say from the experience I have had with the iPhone, it is an amazing device. The screen is amazing and vibrant with color, something that BlackBerry does lack, and has an amazing set of tools for e-mail, internet, and music. While the iPhone has a great application for internet and mail (Safari for internet and Apple Mail for Mail), where I feel the iPhone looses out is the whole instant e-mail and the lack of a keyboard. Don’t get me wrong folks, the touch screen and the whole “flip through pages with your finger” is light years ahead of the old BlackBerry Track wheel, I feel that the whole touch keyboard just isn’t worth me switching. I can use two hands to type on the BlackBerry and type an entire paragraph in no time but, with the iPhone, I am limited to just one finger at a time and it really slows down text entry in my opinion. Try using two fingers and you lock up the keyboard. Also, where the BlackBerry is known for it’s instant e-mail, the iPhone simply has an instant on connection that is checking for mail every set number of minutes. Not that that is a HUGE issue but it’s not as fast as instant 🙂
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