Blackberries Part Trois

My cell phone is starting to die. It's not so much the phone itself - it's where you plug the cell phone in to recharge it. That part of the phone is getting worn out and it is becomming almost impossible to recharge.

So what do I do?

Do I buy a new cell phone? Or, do I take the plunge into the abyss and go for a PDA?

Today I want to look at two PDA's and one that is soon to be released.

First-up, the infamous Blackberry. Right now, the Blackberry model 7250 can be had for free (that's right shoppers) through Telus. The only problem with Telus is that you have to talk to a Monkey who thinks his banana is a phone if you want to sign up. The other catch is that you have to sign a three year contract. The lowest monthly data/phone price is $45.00 a month. Of course that's not including GST, a 911 emergency charge and a plethora of other bogus connection charges as well. Telus speak = $45.00. Daryl speak = $52.00 at least a month. What do you get for $45.00?

According to Telus:

Why am I pro-Telus? I'm not! But that's another blog entirely.

I went to the Rogers site. They don't have monkeys with bananas. They also don't list the Blackberry 7250. They list the 7290. Their price is $99.00 (not free) with, you guess it - a three year contract. They also have a 3-year $45 contract. Again, $45.00 is not $45.00. Rogers also believes in add-on charges.

I also went to the Bell site. They also have the 7290 - and it too can be had for $99.00 - but you have to buy a 3-year contract for $45.00 More like $52.00 a month.



I should also tell you that Blackberry also does have a unit that can take pictures -it's called the Pearl. It can take still pictures only. They also messed up the keyboard. You have to share keys - it's pretty confusing. This Blackberry also uses a rollerball instead of the wheel. Look for more new Blackberries with the rollerball. This Pearl isn't free. I only saw it listed on Rogers and they want $249.00 - you guessed it - with a three-year package.






But!

Do you even want a Blackberry?

I have thought about this a lot. Daryl's answer . . . NO!!! and Yes!!!

No!!! If you don't mind spending $250.00

Yes!!! If you're an old fart!



Palm® Treo™ 700wx

no contract price $549.99

$249.99*
on a 3 yr contract

1 yr contract $499.99
2 yr contract $449.99

* Offer limited to new clients activating a combination of voice, e-mail & data plans totaling $45 or more. Offer ends February 28, 2007.


The Palm Treo 700wx is the user-friendly Palm experience on the familiar Windows Mobile 5.0 for Pocket PC operating system. The Treo 700wx features the Microsoft Windows Mobile 5.0 software that includes Word, Excel and PowerPoint Mobile so you view, edit and save documents on the go. In addition, you’ll have the standard applications such as Outlook Email, PDF viewer, Pocket MSN and Modem Link. The Treo 700wx features, combined with TELUS’ Business Inbox, helps you stay organized and connected as if you were on your PC.

The above blurb is from the Telus site.

Bell has the Palm Treo 680 - not as good as the 700. They want $299.99 for the 680 = no deal at all.

Next, and last is the Apple iPhone. Right now the price for this phone is around $500.00. It isn't for sale yet.



So, what do you buy?

Well, if you want something rather cheap - I use that term loosely - go for the Telus Blackberry 7250.

If you want something that can do eveything the Blackberry can do - plus it runs on a windows system - plus it takes both pictures and movies - get the Palm Treo 700wx.

If you want the coolest device that can do everything the Treo can do - plus even more - then wait for the iPhone from Apple.

Conclusion:

I think Blackberry needs to include a a camera system that can take still/movies as well. Blackberry says they won't include one because their customers haven't asked for one. I read that to mean that their customers are all old farts who see the camera as one more thing they have to learn. Well, if Blackberry insists on staying with that business model - I think they are doomed to become the next General Motors. GM used to have a commercial that said, "You aren't driving your father's Oldsmobile now." I say, "Yes you are." GM doesn't like change, and right now they are in a contest to see who can build the ugliest vehicles with Ford & Chysler - that's another Blog again. To do that Blog - I have to go and buy a library card - I'm cheap. Hmmm . . . Maybe my friend has one . . .

I can see another version of commercials with this time Apple going against Blackberry "Oh, your's can't do that?" Blackberry is ignoring younger potential customers who want all the bells & whistles for as cheap as possible - right now Blackberry has chosen to go the road of the Big Three, all of whom are about to be bought out by Toyota . . . There endeth the Blog . . .