Does blackberry make sense to use as your only mobile phone?

[elazarus]

I just got a Blackberry with ATT and I get my e-mail before my computer does. The GSM worked perfectly in Europe.

Somehow, I feel that the Blackberry as the only phone is not as good as having let's say a Verizon Samsung for calls and the Blackberry for Europe/Asia and of course PDA/e-mail.

Anyone have any experience with using a Blackberry for everything?

Thank you

[Realtyman]

I have been demo-ing the Blackberry for a week now- on AT&T. The phone quality is beyond bad! Worse than their regular service. Better tower gain, but sounds like I am in an seashell.
Internet is less than expected.
I have been trying to figure out if Sprint is a better choice for data in Denver, and if anyone has experience on the voice quality, I would appreciate hearing it.

[elazarus]

I tried T-mobile for 2 weeks and it was worse than ATT.

The e-mail function is the greatest and the 7 cents International can save you a fortune.......

Unless you hold it in the right spot (I use an earpiece) it is no go but with the earpiece it is as good as any phone......

I am just afraid to give up my amsung Verizon to go with ATT Blackberry exclusively...we have 850Mhz here in Southern California.

[elazarus]

P.S.
sprint will not give you the International pricing and here in so Cal Sprint will not give you a signal.

[Gamer03]

Originally Posted by elazarus

P.S.
sprint will not give you the International pricing and here in so Cal Sprint will not give you a signal.

Sprint doesn't give you a signal in SO CAL?

I think larry, Tony E, and others use their Sprint phone in SO CAL, don't they?

[budney]

Originally Posted by elazarus

P.S.
sprint will not give you the International pricing and here in so Cal Sprint will not give you a signal.

[elazarus]

30 days is up today and I stayed with ATT with the Blackberry and kept Verizon for my phone and my 800 number calls go to Verizon.

ATT and T-Mobile were even where i live with their signals (not great) but the e-mail is terrific and ATT has 7 cents international dialing which I use.

Verizon still has the besy coverage in Newport Beach/Irvine...and although they cost a LOT more...I need to signal to do business as all of my biz is either on the phone or through e-mail.....

So I am resigned to use both phones....no way I can use one phone for
1.Signal
2.International savings
3.E-mail

It is a shame

[Etorres777]

Originally Posted by elazarus

30 days is up today and I stayed with ATT with the Blackberry and kept Verizon for my phone and my 800 number calls go to Verizon.

ATT and T-Mobile were even where i live with their signals (not great) but the e-mail is terrific and ATT has 7 cents international dialing which I use.

Verizon still has the besy coverage in Newport Beach/Irvine...and although they cost a LOT more...I need to signal to do business as all of my biz is either on the phone or through e-mail.....

So I am resigned to use both phones....no way I can use one phone for
1.Signal
2.International savings
3.E-mail

It is a shame

Hopefully one of these days you'll find a carrier with all 3 qualities you're looking for.

[elazarus]

Thanks....I am sure but how long...2-3-4 years????

[danny boi]

Originally Posted by elazarus

Thanks....I am sure but how long...2-3-4 years????

Have you ever looked at the Motorola 840? It is supposed to work off CDMA 800/1900 here in the US and GSM 800/1800 abroad while utilizing Vodafone's GSM network.

According to phonescoop:

"The first phone in the world to support VOICE AND DATA on both domestic CDMA networks and overseas GSM networks..." However, it will not support speeds any higher than currently offered by 1xrTT or GPRS data networks.
http://www.phonescoop.com/phones/phone.php?p=510


Unfortuneately, this phone is not quite out yet and although we assume Verizon Wireless will take it, I can't be for sure. According to sources, VZW may have it as soon as this fall.

[danny boi]

Originally Posted by elazarus

P.S.
sprint will not give you the International pricing and here in so Cal Sprint will not give you a signal.

Ouch. You know that comment will hurt some feelings around here.


I actually give the company props for growing here as fast as they did-- especially in the LA market. They've expanded a lot and provide nationwide 1xRTT service in most major markets not to mention cutting edge phones and fair data plans.

Of course every carrier has their weak areas. I can give you a list of mine if you want them. I'm a road warrior always on the go either via SUV or Airplane. I use VZW as my primary business line and have been very impressed with them myself as wireless voice reliability is my main priority.

[GoodmanR]

Originally Posted by elazarus

I just got a Blackberry with ATT and I get my e-mail before my computer does. The GSM worked perfectly in Europe.

Somehow, I feel that the Blackberry as the only phone is not as good as having let's say a Verizon Samsung for calls and the Blackberry for Europe/Asia and of course PDA/e-mail.

Anyone have any experience with using a Blackberry for everything?

Thank you

That is pretty much what I do. I generally use my Cingular phone for voice calls in the US. Because it is GAIT, it doesn't work overseas. I use my Blackberry overseas. The voice quality on the Blackberry is pretty bad when you try and use it without a headset. With a headset, it actually works well enough to use. But I have to stress, without a headset, it is next to worthless as a phone. The shape also makes it impossible to use as a phone for more than two mins. or so without your hand starting to hurt. The newer generation of Blackberries (77xx i believe) are apparently somewhat better for voice calls, although I am not sure if I buy it. If you are looking for a device that does it all, I might suggest the Treo. The Treo is supposed to be much easier to use as a phone, but of course it does not support Blackberry. It does have goodlink though, which is quite similar, but support for the GoodLink client is more limited (I know my work will not support it).