iPhone or Blackberry and iPod Touch

[fmradio2004]

My family recently renewed our phone contract from AT&T. In doing so, I purchased the new iPhone 3g and have been on the fence as to how much I like it.

I am currently an engineering student finishing my last term of school and working as a co-op, soon to be engineer. In my last semester at school, I will be commuting as to stay closer to home and work. As I will not have a appartment on campus like before, I decided to purchase a smart phone so help close the gap. Previously I have used a blackberry pearl w/o the data plan. I enjoyed the phone for its simple features that made it ever so functional.

I chose the iPhone for its one device solution and great web browser. Unfortunatly I have been less impressed with its email, text messages, calender, and battery life. I use some programs (why can you only run one application at a time?), but no games. I really enjoy the size and style, it is a great device with amazing features.

I've been trying to determine if I should keep the iPhone or switch to the Blackberry (Bold or Curve) and maybe the addition of an iPod touch. This seems somewhat counter productive in my mind...two devices when I could have one?

I really like the Blackberry functionality and its do all attitude (A2DP bluetooth, better email and calender, and that simple, but ever so important message LED). I not as thrilled by its web browser, size, and style. I would love to see the new 8900 on AT&T with 3G!

I ask for suggestions and opinions. Am I turning a mole hill into a mountain? Is the Blackberry a better device? Is two devices counter productive?

Thanks for everyones help,

-Eric

[Mobile Mike]

Consider the costs involved. You may spend more getting a Blackberry and an iPod Touch, versus keeping the iPhone.

It's really up to you whether you're willing to carry multiple devices.

If the iPhone has most of the features you'd get with two separate devices, you might want to keep it.

If you can't live without a BB, then return the iPhone and go with your two device plan.

You can ask for opinions, but ultimately you'll do what you want to do. Go with your gut.

[tiguemon]

You may also be able to have your cake and eat it too, both blackberrys you mentioned are mp3 players so why not convert your songs to mp3 and just use the one device. Also the Bold is Wi-Fi enabled so you could delete the data plan (after you get your rebate) and save $30 per month helping to make up the cost difference.

[Alienware_51]

Originally Posted by tiguemon

You may also be able to have your cake and eat it too, both blackberrys you mentioned are mp3 players so why not convert your songs to mp3 and just use the one device. Also the Bold is Wi-Fi enabled so you could delete the data plan (after you get your rebate) and save $30 per month helping to make up the cost difference.

The WiFi will not work without the BlackBerry data plan, I know it sounds stupid. I know someone in Alaska who bought a Bold thinking they could cancel the data and then just use the WiFi, but they got denied by RIM.

[SBurke]

If you have DSL through AT&T at home, you can cancel the data plan on a Blackberry and still use it for its Wifi capabilities in "hot spots" throughout the country such as Starbucks and McDonalds. That would save you $30 per month which you're obligated to pay as long as you own an iPhone.

I can completely sympathize with you in your quest for a phone that will combine your two devices into one. I've been trying for the past year to find a smartphone to combine my PDA and cell phone into one device. Currently I'm trying out the Blackberry Bold which might be the answer for you if you're used to the Blackberry. With AT&T you do not have to have a data plan with that phone. Thirty dollars a month adds up if you really don't need that data plan.

One final note: chances are your PDA will last many more years than your current cell phone. People change cell phones more frequently as newer/better ones become available, but they don't generally need to change PDA's that often. So you need to decide if carrying two devices is too cumbersome.

Hope that helps.

[RadioFoneGuy]

You could get the fuze or the Tilt which is capable of performing both the Iphone and blackberry functions

I have a tilt and i have had many blackberrys and have played with an iphone or two.

Hands down I perfere the tilt over the blackberrys and iphone.