iPhone vs Blackberry Curve 8330 (Canada) - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Radio Monk33 · 11-02-2008, 08:22 PM

Anyone own one or the other?

I'm sitting on the fence and hope to make a decision relatively soon.

[Background: I'm a grad student, graduating in May. I am involved in a small business as a side project and don't have too many critical emails, but I am online all the time and like to check my emails every few hours. Between school and work functions, I find myself reading and replying to emails fairly often. I'm a fairly tech savvy "prosumer." I'd love to consolidate my pockets and have a phone that can take decent pictures, play media while I'm on the bus..and do some productivity functions]

iPhone is definitely sexier and funner. Better for net surfing and media.

Blackberry can also surf the net poorly, play media in an okay way, but is better for push emails. Better support for business apps still, but iPhone has an evolving software that may match this.

The QWERTY keyboard is nice for emails, but it's not quite a game breaker for me. I'm a mild phone user and not terribly big on txting.

On a 3 year contract, I can get the blackberry for 53$/month averaging in the cost of the phone or an iPhone for $72/month averaged.

[Blackberry: 250 day minutes, evenings and weekends @6, the usual extras, unlimited data]
[iPhone: 200 minutes (by the second, >250), evenings@5 and weekends, 1gig data]

Thoughts? Any feedback much appreciated!

telekinetic · 11-02-2008, 08:54 PM

I just bought a G1 (two actually)...are they available in Canada yet? Howabout the Blackberry Thunder/Storm?

YaWhateva · 11-02-2008, 08:58 PM

What about the Blackberry Storm that's coming out that is touch screen? That would be a much better phone for comparison to the iPhone.

Radio Monk33 · 11-02-2008, 10:29 PM

The G1 is not out in Canada, with no word of future availability..

Ditto for the Storm as far as I know.

I suppose the iPhone is overdue for a revision in the next few days...with any luck the telecoms will start pushing aggressively to lure people on long contracts during these uncertain economic times..

Any idea if the Holidays are a good time to be shopping around?

MontanaXVI · 11-04-2008, 04:50 AM

I am in the US, have a Curve and love it. Never used, touched, or looked at an iPhone so I cannot give you a comparison but wouldn't give up my Curve for anything.

Minor things to look for and I don't know if they are an issue or not is crippled firmware or service books. I have Sprint and sadly they do not allow their Blackberry phones to send MMS or multimedia/pictures from phone to phone like a text message. Also the Curve won't do wi-fi you would have to see if there was a model available that can or an unlocked one that you could use with your current carrier.

actinic · 11-05-2008, 08:47 AM

My wife "upgraded" from the BB prior to the Curve to the iPhone G3 when it first came out. Within a week or so went back to BB. Though the features on the iPhone were too cool for school, it wasn't enough to outweigh the irritation of errors while txting/e-mailing quickly on a touch screen and prefers the feel of "mashing down" on a key.

I used her old BB to try out as I've been entertaining the thought of a BB as I will be needing one soon for work as I'm rarely in the office...takes a bit of getting used to vs a cell phone due to the size but the features were handy replying to e-mails and faster typing/txting vs cell phone...LOL! When I tried the iPhone, I too was not too keen on the touch screen for typing. She sold it and I have the BB Curve and she the BB Bold.

If they made phone with a touch screen the size of the iPhone and a buttoned QWERTY pad that slid out, that would be the best of both worlds!!!

JM2C

EDIT: Just saw the HTC Dream thread...I wish it was available in Canada

Leto · 11-05-2008, 11:28 AM

Wait for the Blackberry Storm. It's supposed to have a tactile touch screen in that it seems like you're pushing buttons.

More Signs Point To RIM's BlackBerry Storm Launching In Mid-To-Late November

More Signs Point To RIM's BlackBerry Storm Launching In Mid-To-Late November
Dan Frommer | October 31, 2008 9:40 AM
Verizon Wireless hasn't yet announced when it'll start selling its touchscreen BlackBerry Storm -- the phone it's hoping to use this Christmas to fend off Apple's (AAPL) iPhone, exclusive to rival AT&T (T). But signs increasingly point to a mid-November launch.

The latest: A reader from San Francisco tells us a Verizon (VZ) associate told them "to wait to buy a new phone until November 16th (Sunday) when they start taking orders for the new Storm."

That's similar to previous reports, which suggest that Best Buy (BBY) will have Storms in stock on Nov. 16.

What we still don't know:

When the phone will actually go on sale. (We're betting "before Thanksgiving.")

How much it'll cost. (We're betting $199.)

How much Verizon will force its customers to pay for monthly service. (We're betting $70/month minumum, just like the iPhone.)
Either way, looks like RIM will get its phone selling before Christmas shopping takes off, which is crucial.

actinic · 11-07-2008, 04:51 PM

I know...the gearhead in me is dying to check it out. What are on the Dan are you Leto? I'm N of Greenwood.

Leto · 11-07-2008, 08:04 PM

I'm just 3 blocks north along Woodbine from Danforth, and in a bit. Not far from you at all.

actinic · 11-10-2008, 10:18 AM

Very cool...when is the next Toronto TFP meet...LOL!

Sorry to threadjack.

Lucifer · 11-10-2008, 11:18 AM

good to see this thread, cause I'm just considering getting a BB. I can't wait to get rid of my Palm Treo 650, which is the biggest piece of shit phone in the world. I'm thinking of getting my fiancee her first cell phone (BB Pearl) and getting either a 8330 or BB World 8830. The 8330 is cheaper for a 3yr contract over the 8830 ($100 vs $300), but I don't know much about either. Can anyone advise? Personally, I'm staying away from the iPhone, multimedia being less important to me than a good phone with data capabilities.

Vigilante · 11-10-2008, 11:35 AM

I'm curious about this as well. I've gone back and forth on BB vs iphone. I like the screen of the iphone but not the way apple locks things down. The screen of the BB is decent but not exceptional, but it's probably more stable overall. Tough choices...

Leto · 11-10-2008, 11:37 AM

so, wait for the Blackberry Storm. Maybe it will provide the best of both worlds.

MontanaXVI · 11-29-2008, 11:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lucifer

good to see this thread, cause I'm just considering getting a BB. I can't wait to get rid of my Palm Treo 650, which is the biggest piece of shit phone in the world. I'm thinking of getting my fiancee her first cell phone (BB Pearl) and getting either a 8330 or BB World 8830. The 8330 is cheaper for a 3yr contract over the 8830 ($100 vs $300), but I don't know much about either. Can anyone advise? Personally, I'm staying away from the iPhone, multimedia being less important to me than a good phone with data capabilities.

I have a Curve and the gf has a World 8830. Both are the same phone for the most part other than the size and a camera on the Curve. Here phone is larger and doesn't have a camera that is about it.

As I noted above, check into carrier limitations and features, my 8330 Curve on Sprint doesn't have WiFi but I hear some 83XX on other carriers do, as well as the 8900 Curve (I believe the 8900 is a Canadian issue along with the 8350i coming out soon for Sprint/Nextel (the i stands for iden, the Nextel push to talk/walkie talkie feature) also above note that Sprint doesn't allow MMS or picture messaging on their Blackberries or some of the higher end Windows Mobile phones, however you can send MMS on their Nextel phones. They cripple the devices so you cannot send or get them, when someone sends me an MMS on my Curve I get an url from Sprint where I go to the "picture mail" website and view the pic then I can save it to my phone from there, and they expire after 60 days on their own, so if you forget about it and don't save it to your phone then it is gone.

Radio Monk33 · 11-30-2008, 02:49 PM

FYI I ended up getting the BB Bold instead!

Leto · 12-01-2008, 07:55 AM

I'm going to hold out and assess the Storm. I like the idea of a touch screen.

Lucifer · 12-02-2008, 06:53 AM

I picked up the Curve 8330! I thought about the Bold and the World, but decided to go with a tried and tested technology (after my 'cutting edge' disaster with the Treo), rather than go cutting edge. And it was $99 compared to $299, for a 3 year contract.

Radio Monk33 · 12-02-2008, 10:32 AM

I've seen very mixed reviews for the Storm...looks like the clicky screen wasn't a homerun.

The 8330 is definitely a solid choice right now, quite mature. I would of considered one but the thought of the Curve 8900 coming out Q1 09 was too much.

But hey, technology always moves forward, get it when you need it.

Xerxys · 12-17-2008, 06:34 PM

Yeah, the BB is nice for pratical reasons. You normally dont get phones like iPhone or Samsung instinct for enterprise purposes. But for entertainemtn, that's cool.

This friday, I'm getting the HTC fuze. I have never used the HTC phnes before and I think I will just get it for the lullz. People, please deter me if you have any experience.

Radio Monk33 · 12-21-2008, 10:50 AM

I saw a usage video posted on crackberry.com of the fuze> I wasn't terribly impressed by what I saw. That sort of mediocre UI is not worth it when there are so many fine smartphones out right now.

YouTube - CrackBerry Guy on AT&T Fuze

Oh and FYI I went with the BB Bold and it's amazing. There's no going back!

11-02-2008, 08:22 PM	#1 (permalink)
Radio Monk33 Psycho	iPhone vs Blackberry Curve 8330 (Canada) Anyone own one or the other? I'm sitting on the fence and hope to make a decision relatively soon. [Background: I'm a grad student, graduating in May. I am involved in a small business as a side project and don't have too many critical emails, but I am online all the time and like to check my emails every few hours. Between school and work functions, I find myself reading and replying to emails fairly often. I'm a fairly tech savvy "prosumer." I'd love to consolidate my pockets and have a phone that can take decent pictures, play media while I'm on the bus..and do some productivity functions] iPhone is definitely sexier and funner. Better for net surfing and media. Blackberry can also surf the net poorly, play media in an okay way, but is better for push emails. Better support for business apps still, but iPhone has an evolving software that may match this. The QWERTY keyboard is nice for emails, but it's not quite a game breaker for me. I'm a mild phone user and not terribly big on txting. On a 3 year contract, I can get the blackberry for 53$/month averaging in the cost of the phone or an iPhone for $72/month averaged. [Blackberry: 250 day minutes, evenings and weekends @6, the usual extras, unlimited data] [iPhone: 200 minutes (by the second, >250), evenings@5 and weekends, 1gig data] Thoughts? Any feedback much appreciated! __________________ "Punk rock had this cool, political personal message. It was a bit more cerebral than just stupid cock rock, you know" -Kurt Cobain

11-02-2008, 08:58 PM	#3 (permalink)
YaWhateva Friend Location: New Mexico	What about the Blackberry Storm that's coming out that is touch screen? That would be a much better phone for comparison to the iPhone. __________________ “If the Americans go in and overthrow Saddam Hussein and it's clean, he has nothing, I will apologize to the nation, and I will not trust the Bush administration again.” - Bill O'Reilly "This is my United States of Whateva!"

11-02-2008, 10:29 PM	#4 (permalink)
Radio Monk33 Psycho	The G1 is not out in Canada, with no word of future availability.. Ditto for the Storm as far as I know. I suppose the iPhone is overdue for a revision in the next few days...with any luck the telecoms will start pushing aggressively to lure people on long contracts during these uncertain economic times.. Any idea if the Holidays are a good time to be shopping around? __________________ "Punk rock had this cool, political personal message. It was a bit more cerebral than just stupid cock rock, you know" -Kurt Cobain

11-04-2008, 04:50 AM	#5 (permalink)
MontanaXVI Junkie Location: Go A's!!!!	I am in the US, have a Curve and love it. Never used, touched, or looked at an iPhone so I cannot give you a comparison but wouldn't give up my Curve for anything. Minor things to look for and I don't know if they are an issue or not is crippled firmware or service books. I have Sprint and sadly they do not allow their Blackberry phones to send MMS or multimedia/pictures from phone to phone like a text message. Also the Curve won't do wi-fi you would have to see if there was a model available that can or an unlocked one that you could use with your current carrier. __________________ Spank you very much

11-05-2008, 08:47 AM	#6 (permalink)
actinic Crazy Location: Toronto, ON	My wife "upgraded" from the BB prior to the Curve to the iPhone G3 when it first came out. Within a week or so went back to BB. Though the features on the iPhone were too cool for school, it wasn't enough to outweigh the irritation of errors while txting/e-mailing quickly on a touch screen and prefers the feel of "mashing down" on a key. I used her old BB to try out as I've been entertaining the thought of a BB as I will be needing one soon for work as I'm rarely in the office...takes a bit of getting used to vs a cell phone due to the size but the features were handy replying to e-mails and faster typing/txting vs cell phone...LOL! When I tried the iPhone, I too was not too keen on the touch screen for typing. She sold it and I have the BB Curve and she the BB Bold. If they made phone with a touch screen the size of the iPhone and a buttoned QWERTY pad that slid out, that would be the best of both worlds!!! JM2C EDIT: Just saw the HTC Dream thread...I wish it was available in Canada __________________ Drugs lead nowhere...but it's the scenic route Last edited by actinic; 11-05-2008 at 08:55 AM..

11-02-2008, 08:54 PM	#2 (permalink)
telekinetic zomgomgomgomgomgomg Location: Fauxenix, Azerona	I just bought a G1 (two actually)...are they available in Canada yet? Howabout the Blackberry Thunder/Storm?

11-05-2008, 11:28 AM	#7 (permalink)
Leto Junkie Location: The Danforth	Wait for the Blackberry Storm. It's supposed to have a tactile touch screen in that it seems like you're pushing buttons. More Signs Point To RIM's BlackBerry Storm Launching In Mid-To-Late November More Signs Point To RIM's BlackBerry Storm Launching In Mid-To-Late November Dan Frommer \| October 31, 2008 9:40 AM Verizon Wireless hasn't yet announced when it'll start selling its touchscreen BlackBerry Storm -- the phone it's hoping to use this Christmas to fend off Apple's (AAPL) iPhone, exclusive to rival AT&T (T). But signs increasingly point to a mid-November launch. The latest: A reader from San Francisco tells us a Verizon (VZ) associate told them "to wait to buy a new phone until November 16th (Sunday) when they start taking orders for the new Storm." That's similar to previous reports, which suggest that Best Buy (BBY) will have Storms in stock on Nov. 16. What we still don't know: When the phone will actually go on sale. (We're betting "before Thanksgiving.") How much it'll cost. (We're betting $199.) How much Verizon will force its customers to pay for monthly service. (We're betting $70/month minumum, just like the iPhone.) Either way, looks like RIM will get its phone selling before Christmas shopping takes off, which is crucial. __________________ You said you didn't give a fuck about hockey And I never saw someone say that before You held my hand and we walked home the long way You were loosening my grip on Bobby Orr http://dune.wikia.com/wiki/Leto_Atreides_I

11-07-2008, 04:51 PM	#8 (permalink)
actinic Crazy Location: Toronto, ON	I know...the gearhead in me is dying to check it out. What are on the Dan are you Leto? I'm N of Greenwood. __________________ Drugs lead nowhere...but it's the scenic route

11-07-2008, 08:04 PM	#9 (permalink)
Leto Junkie Location: The Danforth	I'm just 3 blocks north along Woodbine from Danforth, and in a bit. Not far from you at all. __________________ You said you didn't give a fuck about hockey And I never saw someone say that before You held my hand and we walked home the long way You were loosening my grip on Bobby Orr http://dune.wikia.com/wiki/Leto_Atreides_I

11-10-2008, 10:18 AM	#10 (permalink)
actinic Crazy Location: Toronto, ON	Very cool...when is the next Toronto TFP meet...LOL! Sorry to threadjack. __________________ Drugs lead nowhere...but it's the scenic route

11-10-2008, 11:18 AM	#11 (permalink)
Lucifer Husband of Seamaiden Location: Nova Scotia	good to see this thread, cause I'm just considering getting a BB. I can't wait to get rid of my Palm Treo 650, which is the biggest piece of shit phone in the world. I'm thinking of getting my fiancee her first cell phone (BB Pearl) and getting either a 8330 or BB World 8830. The 8330 is cheaper for a 3yr contract over the 8830 ($100 vs $300), but I don't know much about either. Can anyone advise? Personally, I'm staying away from the iPhone, multimedia being less important to me than a good phone with data capabilities. __________________ I am a brother to dragons, and a companion to owls. - Job 30:29 1123, 6536, 5321

11-10-2008, 11:35 AM	#12 (permalink)
Vigilante Broken Arrow Location: US	I'm curious about this as well. I've gone back and forth on BB vs iphone. I like the screen of the iphone but not the way apple locks things down. The screen of the BB is decent but not exceptional, but it's probably more stable overall. Tough choices... __________________ We contend that for a nation to try to tax itself into prosperity is like a man standing in a bucket and trying to lift himself up by the handle. -Winston Churchill

11-10-2008, 11:37 AM	#13 (permalink)
Leto Junkie Location: The Danforth	so, wait for the Blackberry Storm. Maybe it will provide the best of both worlds. __________________ You said you didn't give a fuck about hockey And I never saw someone say that before You held my hand and we walked home the long way You were loosening my grip on Bobby Orr http://dune.wikia.com/wiki/Leto_Atreides_I

11-30-2008, 02:49 PM	#15 (permalink)
Radio Monk33 Psycho	FYI I ended up getting the BB Bold instead! __________________ "Punk rock had this cool, political personal message. It was a bit more cerebral than just stupid cock rock, you know" -Kurt Cobain

12-01-2008, 07:55 AM	#16 (permalink)
Leto Junkie Location: The Danforth	I'm going to hold out and assess the Storm. I like the idea of a touch screen. __________________ You said you didn't give a fuck about hockey And I never saw someone say that before You held my hand and we walked home the long way You were loosening my grip on Bobby Orr http://dune.wikia.com/wiki/Leto_Atreides_I

12-02-2008, 06:53 AM	#17 (permalink)
Lucifer Husband of Seamaiden Location: Nova Scotia	I picked up the Curve 8330! I thought about the Bold and the World, but decided to go with a tried and tested technology (after my 'cutting edge' disaster with the Treo), rather than go cutting edge. And it was $99 compared to $299, for a 3 year contract. __________________ I am a brother to dragons, and a companion to owls. - Job 30:29 1123, 6536, 5321

12-02-2008, 10:32 AM	#18 (permalink)
Radio Monk33 Psycho	I've seen very mixed reviews for the Storm...looks like the clicky screen wasn't a homerun. The 8330 is definitely a solid choice right now, quite mature. I would of considered one but the thought of the Curve 8900 coming out Q1 09 was too much. But hey, technology always moves forward, get it when you need it. __________________ "Punk rock had this cool, political personal message. It was a bit more cerebral than just stupid cock rock, you know" -Kurt Cobain

12-17-2008, 06:34 PM	#19 (permalink)
Xerxys Junkie Location: My head.	Yeah, the BB is nice for pratical reasons. You normally dont get phones like iPhone or Samsung instinct for enterprise purposes. But for entertainemtn, that's cool. This friday, I'm getting the HTC fuze. I have never used the HTC phnes before and I think I will just get it for the lullz. People, please deter me if you have any experience.

12-21-2008, 10:50 AM	#20 (permalink)
Radio Monk33 Psycho	I saw a usage video posted on crackberry.com of the fuze> I wasn't terribly impressed by what I saw. That sort of mediocre UI is not worth it when there are so many fine smartphones out right now. YouTube - CrackBerry Guy on AT&T Fuze Oh and FYI I went with the BB Bold and it's amazing. There's no going back! __________________ "Punk rock had this cool, political personal message. It was a bit more cerebral than just stupid cock rock, you know" -Kurt Cobain