Goodbye Palm Treo, Hello Blackberry Curve
A couple of days ago I put down my Palm Treo in favor of a Blackberry Curve (the red 8310 to be specific). Why did I choose this phone?
Last month when I was advising people not to buy new cell phones, I did highlight three phones that I did recommend: the venerable iPhone, the Nokia N95 (which most people have never heard of or seen in person), and the latest incarnations of the Blackberry Curve (8310 on AT&T and 8320 on TMobile). In that post I said this about the Blackberry Curve:
The Curve is the best Blackberry ever created, hands down. It is a stylish and compact phone with a great keyboard. A huge plus for many is that it is one of the few Blackberry phones with a camera. On AT&T you can get a Curve with GPS; on TMobile you can get a Curve with WiFi. Since there is no Curve with GPS and WiFi I would have to go with GPS. The only downside to the Curve is that it lacks 3G internet.
After using the 8310 for a couple of days I have to say that this is by far the best mobile device I have ever used (finally unseating the Sharp Zaurus from that position). This is a serious mobile messaging device with SMS, MMS, email, IM, and even Facebook and MySpace. Sure, some of those require additional 3rd party apps, but the ability to install 3rd party apps (and their availability) was part of the decision.
While AT&T claimed in the store that the GPS chip would be disabled without signing up for their TeleNav service, it was actually quite easy to get GPS up and running. I was even able to install the default BlackberryMaps application that AT&T replaced with TeleNav. I also went in and unlocked the themes for other carriers. I am using a TMobile theme.
After two days, I am pretty confident that (at least right now) Blackberry is the Apple of mobile devices (what is with all the fruit?). They control the OS and the hardware. The combination is wicked good at providing a solid user experience. Additionally, the high level of quality and stability has gotten developers to rally around the device. The software that is available for Blackberries seems to be head and shoulders above the apps that are available for Palm and Windows Mobile devices (and it has been a long time since I have used a Symbian device, it could be the same).
I have wondered how Blackberry rollouts affect internal communications a corporations. It seems from anecdotal evidence that Blackberries can really raise the level of internal communications. Well, with four kids it feels like my wife and I are running a corporation. She got the same phone as I did so I am hoping it will raise our internal communications and make us a better team. I will let you know how that works out.
So, for all you existing Blackberry users out there, what do I need to know?
P.S. Anyone want to buy a Palm 700p that works on Sprint (and theoretically Verizon)?
I saw your blog post headline and had to doubletake. This is EXACTLY my experience: just upgraded my Palm Treo 680 (3rd one in 9 mos. due to crashing, freezing and spontaneously rebooting) for an ATT Blackberry Curve 8310. I LOVE it. I used to have an old Blackberry, which was too big to hold in my palm, and I kept disconnecting callers with the stupid “hang up” button they had on the side. This model rocks. I also use ACT Software, and I synchronized my ACT calendar and address book by using a link called Companionlink Software. My ACT consultant gave me a discount coupon to save $5 (the software is only $49, but, heh). The coupon code you enter at checkout is AV95OO, in case anyone else wants to try it. I’m so organized, it’s scary!
Just pondering changing TO Blackberry Curve.
Still a good idea?
Just pondering changing TO Blackberry 8310 Curve.
Still a good idea?
Hi!
I am switching today and was wondering if you had any tips/suggestions on how to export my address and calednar from the treo to the curve?
I am dreading the idea of having to manually enter everything and I do not use outlook.
Tks,
sadie
Did you get any helpful tips Sandie?
Sadie,
I like to keep my phone in sync with my computer. So for me it was a simple process of a final sync with the Treo and then an initial sync with the Curve. I use a Mac and there is a program called MissingSync that works well for each device.
I want to get the curve from alltel, but I can’t seem to access my company’s web-based outlook service from the demonstration curves in the store. Any advice?
John, can you talk with your system administrator about using POP or IMAP instead of the web-based client?
great article, i’ll say off the bat that i love palm. i’ve had a treo 600 that ran forever, and just got the new palm centro. problem now is, my job required me to get a curve. i’m not at all against it, as one has to roll with the times, and sometimes with what’s provided. my question is, is it possible to sync all my contacts from palm centro to curve? i’m a mac user. did not set up mail, only palm desktop.
saw your answer to a similar question above, but didn’t quite understand what missing sync does and how to use it. thanks for this opportunity to get some real answers…
Ken, there is a company called MarkSpace that makes synchronization products for Macs called “Missing Sync”. These programs sync smartphones with the standard Mac applications like Mail and Address Book. Unfortunately these are licensed on a per-phone basis for just about $30 each.
What I would do if I were you is buy Missing Sync for palm and sync your Centrino. Then I would buy Missing Sync for Blackberry and sync your new curve. The added bonus is that if you continue using both devices, your computer and phones would all stay in sync.
Does that make sense?
Hi, I just switched from my Treo 680 to a BBCurve 8320. I found your blog while looking for help in this move. One thing I really liked on my Treo was the security system since I have some sensitive information (private contacts, memos, etc) I have not found such a feature on my BB. Am I missing something here? I appreciate your comments.
how do i transfer Memo info. from Treo 680 to Blackberry Curve? I use Windows xp.
thanks!
Hello, I’d like to make the same switch. I just need to “migrate” my contacts and calendar to the blackberry. I don’t need to “sync” them as I’m tossing the palm when I’m done. Is it easy to migrate the data?
Welcome to blackberry. For a great map program, download the google maps button. Search it from your internet browser on the BB. Great program.
I have just gotten a BlackBerry 2310 (AT&T). Cannot sync from Treo. Takes 2845 records of 2965 and freezes. Tried removing old calendar records and putting SIM card into the 2310. It lowered the total records from 3000+ but it still "freezes" syncing the Calendar Records. Windows (XP Professional) Task Manager for a long time after showed Palm.exe file as active. Still records did not migrate. Any hints on what is the problem?
It is amazing the things you can find online if you only look. I am making the famous switch from a Palm Treo 680 to the red BBCurve 8310. Like a few of you, I am excited but dreading the process. I sync'd my Treo this morning, using MissingSync, but I realized a few weeks ago that for some reason my info doesn't sync to my ical or or my mac address book. All the info is on my "palm desktop" which is a part of my version of missingsync. Is it all going to make it onto my BB? Should i get the new MissingSync for BB or can i stick with the version I have (5.1.2 (140))? How do I get my palm desktop to sync with my ical and mac address book?
Thank you.
Bulma.
Are you crazy????
I'm really happy with my treo 680.
I guess I'm in the minority.
I've been using a palm for 5 years or so and rely heavily on Datebk 5, using it for appointments as well as a permanent journal of things I've done.
My new job gave me a BB Curve and I really can't get used to it. For mail and messaging it's great, but for tasks and calendar the Palm beats it hands down. The BB just doesn't offer the options to filter, categorize, and sort the data like Datebk does. Not to mention the multitude of other apps like Docs to go and PDF readers.
I wish my 680 was more reliable, but with the lack of apps available for install on the BB I see why they never fail.
My problem with the Blackberry is that I'm so used to the touch screen of the Treo, and it's easier to navigate into contacts, save numbers to the right categories…..blah blah blah…so far I'm frustrated but I guess I have to just take a few days and learn
Guys, is the new iPhone better than a BB or a Palm? I have AT&T and i want the best phone for me. I need a good keyboard, and of course everything else in a smartphone. WHich is the best buy?