BlackBerry Cool

Personally, I do feel it has made my life better and the life of my Significant other. My Significant other is hearing impaired, being able to communicate is a NECESSITY, which previously was a real trial and error kind of deal on previous devices. We have tried regular cell phones, moved to a Sidekick2 for awhile, then stopped on the BlackBerry. We are staying here. It offers all the features we need (several forms of communications [SMS, PIM, E-mail, IM, etc), and even have been able to load TTY software so he can still make calls to loved ones that are not connected technology wise. And also being able to communicate between him and I offers many options that are much quicker than attempting to talk on the phone. We could not live without the great invention of a BlackBerry. We have found it simplifies all communication. Plus it syncs very easily with a mac via “PocketMac” so info isn’t lost.

I think good/bad argument for the Blackberry is a lot like for Tivo – you can make convincing arguments that it helpful and convincing arguments it can be detrimental.

Much like Tivo accelerates access to TV, I think my Blackberry accelerates my access to information. Do I need every company email the second it comes out? Probaby not, but on the occasion it is critical I have it immediately. And I can place and time shift my reading of blogs from at night on the computer to in the car at a stoplight. If someone has a question at lunch, I can pull up Google right there vs. waiting until we get back to the office.

I could (probably) live without it, but why would I want to?

I need my blackberry about as much as I need to wear underwear everyday, which is to say, I can take it or leave it

Seriously, though, there are days when I want to be closely in touch and others not so much. Thankfully, the blackberry profiles are good to all of us that way – I leave my profile set to ‘Phone Only’ when I don’t want to be disturbed by email and SMS making it an easy choice whether to interrupt what I’m doing for every communication that is sent my way. This is one of the great things that the blackberry affords us that the Windows Mobile people lack.

On WM5 devices, the phone wakes up for every incoming communication – turning the backlight on and causing a distraction – while my blackberry remains dark and quiet – waiting for a touch of the wheel to bother me.

Yet another reason to love your BB…

Peace All,
Stac

Question #1: Do you really need your BlackBerry?

I’ve thought long and hard about this to be quite honest. As an avid BB user for the past 5 years it is hard to imagine NOT using the device. In the grand scheme of things I don’t need a BlackBerry, but I don’t know what I would do without it. My device keeps me up to date not with just email, but it my calendar, newsreading, task management epicenter when I am away. I’ve used many PDAs and none are as easy and efficient as the BlackBerry. I actually tried not using my BB for one week – cold turkey. My co-workers watched in disbelief and my wife with joy. After the week ended a co-worker presented me with certificate of achievement to say “I can’t believe you did it but great job!”.

Questions #2: When it comes down to it, does your favorite mobile device make your life better or worse?

Professionally I think it does make my life better. As Jeff Baker pointed out, when a “critical” communication comes your way it is good to have it right away. I can honestly say my BB has saved my job a couple of times because of my ability to respond while not at the office. I think the more important thing to realize is that not every email that comes to your device must be acted upon immediately. I’ve taught myself to be very selective with the emails I reply to and just browse through others. It has took me awhile to get to this point but it has been well worth the effort.

Question #1: Do you really need your BlackBerry?

I’ve thought long and hard about this to be quite honest. As an avid BB user for the past 5 years it is hard to imagine NOT using the device. In the grand scheme of things I don’t need a BlackBerry, but I don’t know what I would do without it. My device keeps me up to date not with just email, but it my calendar, newsreading, task management epicenter when I am away. I’ve used many PDAs and none are as easy and efficient as the BlackBerry. I actually tried not using my BB for one week – cold turkey. My co-workers watched in disbelief and my wife with joy. After the week ended a co-worker presented me with certificate of achievement to say “I can’t believe you did it but great job!”.

Questions #2: When it comes down to it, does your favorite mobile device make your life better or worse?

Professionally I think it does make my life better. As Jeff Baker pointed out, when a “critical” communication comes your way it is good to have it right away. I can honestly say my BB has saved my job a couple of times because of my ability to respond while not at the office. I think the more important thing to realize is that not every email that comes to your device must be acted upon immediately. I’ve taught myself to be very selective with the emails I reply to and just browse through others. It has took me awhile to get to this point but it has been well worth the effort.

I too am in a Love/Hate relationship with my BB. I am a member of a support staff for these devices and we are now at 800+ units. I LOVE the device because it keeps me in touch anytime and all the time. I love the fact that I can stay on top of things in REAL TIME… Its also nice to see a piece of technology that I can give to my customers tha does improve their lifestyle…

On the other hand…I HATE the device because I use it so much I have actually developed what is commonly called “BlackBerry Thumb”. The Docs just call it a severe case of tendonitis…
They’re telling me I need to curtail my use before I do some serious damage…
So here I am… needing to type… and yet it hurts like heck to do so…. I’m getting to be like a junkie that needs a fix… you know its bad for you but you just have to have it!!!

So I guess that answers the question about whether I could live without it or not.. the answer would be ….. NOT!!!

Have a great week!!

I am such a Blackberry addict…oh my gosh! I’m getting ready to go on vacation and have called Blackberry 4 times to make sure that I can get my email at work while I am at the beach! I rest easier knowing that I can get in touch with staff and others. My husband thinks I’m nuts. BUT..he is the one who got my Blackberry for me for my birthday, so actually he is the one who created the monster!
Sammi

I guess I could live without my BB, but why? And even if someone came along and snatched it from me today, I would still need a cell phone, and I could NEVER return to a regular cell phone again. I tried to use my brother’s phone to send a text message the other day, I thought I was going to scream while trying to type on a phone keypad.

My wife and I are both busy REALTORS, and we are both BB addicts. To be quite honest, we don’t care. The BB enables us to increase our level of client and customer service by handling situations and questions as they arise; and it gives us real-time access to the market. I run a blog, and the BB allows me to post new entries whenever and wherever I like.

Stac brought up a good point about using “phone only.” If you don’t use it, the constant notifications and/or vibrating will drive you insane.

I actually dropped my BB in a toilet (a CLEAN toilet) not too long ago. I tried to dry it out, but alas, my BB had drowned. I had to go without for a week. I did it; but man, did it suck.

The immortal band, Air Supply, said it best (sort of): “I can’t live, if living is without BlackBerry.”

I need my BB, and could not get by without it. I could live without reaching those at work, but it connects me to friends and family. My hubby sent me a PIN today to tell me how the sick baby was doing.
Ok, and let’s not forget the text and email alerts, weather updates, and web surfing… plus directions. I might have never heard about the cruise ship coming back to port today or remembered the shuttle was coming back Tuesday without my BB.

My wife now refers to our family as me, her and the Blackberry. Something about me using it all the time. I probably should kiss her first when waking up instead of reaching for my BB to read the new emails, blogs and get a round of Texas Hold ‘em in before breakfast. When she sent me the email about the Chicago hotel that takes your BB away, I told her that I didn’t think that was one bit funny.

I think I need my BB, but then again, admitting that you have a problem is the first step in recovery right? I think everyone else has a problem and I’m just fine.

My wife thinks it’s a nusiance until we’re out and she wants to know what the score of the Yankees game is…

My PC at home can do everything you mention in this post. I’m astonished to see that people need to be connected EVERY time and everywhere. I feel like a dog in lead when my cell phone ring while I am doing hobbies or something else than working and It’s a real challenge to turn off the machine. This is why I prefer to keep a normal phone with less function… This is my view of liberty.