I bought a BlackBerry Curve 8330 in August 2006 — with the specific intent to use the smartphone at a government technology summit I was to attend later that month.
I’ve kept it through the 2-year Verizon Wireless contract but have used it less and less since the spring. I send and receive phone calls and text messages daily, but am only using the email and web applications because they are there. I care less about the other applications in my pocket. I’ve experimented dozens of times walking out of my apartment or even driving to places without it, and I don’t miss it.
So, after rereading the comments you left me in March, I think I will phase out the BlackBerry and get a basic feature cell phone — like the LG VX8300 I owned previously.
I was away this weekend, for instance, and I only brought my BlackBerry for the telephone feature in case my mother or sister needed to reach me. What if I brought a disposable cell phone instead?
This is not about the monthly cost of using the phone’s voice and data plans. This is about carrying a mobile device that I’ve outgrown and realized I don’t want it to control me.
About Ari Herzog
I’ve been using a burner for a few months now, call quality is much better than my iPhone…though I do miss having internet in my pocket.
What’s a burner? I know of a CD burner.
I would suggest an iPhone as opposed to the LG. It is the best for web surfing, and its not as intrusive as the BlackBerry. Plus it comes in handy when you need something on the run. It also doubles as an organizer. I think you could benefit from it
Ahh, but I don’t want to web surf on the cell. That’s the point.
I never changed my cellphone since I had it. I seldom used it especially if I’m at work because I”m always busy.
So I suggest that you use an ordinary phone. It’s useless that you bought that Blackberry without minding the other applications. Just buy a cellphone that has all the features that you want.
I had used other apps; I merely use them less today.
Thanks for stopping by my blog, Ari. It’s interesting that you wrote this right now. I bought a Motorola Backflip when I went to Career Management Alliance conference in April because the Career Thought Leaders Conference in March blocked wifi in the ballroom and I wanted to be able to tweet the conference. However, I ended up using the laptop at CMA anyway and found tweeting from my phone to be a pain. I do read and occasionally respond on my phone but I don’t surf the web or use apps on my phone for the most part.
I did just buy a new headset for my phone. I think that will make me use the phone more because I was getting annoyed with it turning itself off by pressure to the screen. I use Skype a lot to converse with colleagues and clients and find that the phone is used much less.
If I break this phone (one of the issues with the more expensive phones, they seem to break easier), then I think I am going backwards to a less featured phone. I just can’t see getting into much in the way of using apps plus we are still not served by 3G much less 4G here.
What does it mean to “tweet a conference?” I mean, I’ve done that and I encourage others to do it… but what does it really mean? It’s not to stimulate conversation or learning *at* the conference; but to share the content with people outside. Which begs the question if you require real-time tweeting or if taking notes and say, blogging about it after the fact is just as good.
Good points, Ari but I know that part of the reason I went to the conferences this year is because I felt a part from helping tweet it out last year. My life totally changed this year, letting me go to conferences that I would have missed last year but the tweeting helped me decide that it would be both a learning opportunity and fun. I’ll be in San Diego for Career Directors International Conference in October… and we will see how that goes. Ask Jason Alba the value of tweeting a conference. I tweeted his session among others.
I think the information learned in sound bites has value for a larger community. Sometimes the value of a short tweet reaches more than a longer blog post would. Required probably not,… and blogging about it later has value.
My cell phone contract is up soon and I am thinking of getting something with Droid. Just thinking though because I like the idea of it. But, I bet I will rarely use the extras and the added expense won’t be worth it. I rarely succumb to the want vs. need anymore and I think this is one of the rare instances that I want something that will end up being wasted on me.
See those TV commercials about the Droid, where the guy’s fingers turn metallic and robot-like? Is that the vision you want? Not me.
I haven’t seen that commercial – I almost never watch television.
I did, however, get it. The phone was free and the plan ended up being a little less than what I was already paying. It’s not a top of the line phone but I like free
I sent a tweet from it and saw that I can check my gmail. It’s way more than I need but I’m finding it to be kind of fun.
I like my blackberry but hear what ya saying when your reciving emails all the time on the go it can take over a little instead of just going round doing your normally daily stuff as you would only being interupted by phone calls or txt messages now you also have emails going off every 10 mins and you seem to be on or checking your phone constantly. So defo hear what ya saying on this.
Great post. I recently bought an Android last week, and FINALLY was able to ditch the iPhone. Best telecommunication decision I ever made.
I have to disagree with you. I think having the Blackberry now is one of the best things on Earth. Every year they upgrade the phone so it only gets better and better. The only way to stay up to date is to have the latest technology. I suggest you rethink that decision friend. Internet can come in handy at times.
I think it basically comes down to what you need. If you need to surf the web & read/respond to email while outside then get a blackberry/any other smartphone. But if you just need call & text then any basic phone will do. The important thing is we control technology, not the other way around.