First impressions of a BlackBery Bold (from an iPhone 3Guser)

Ok so I had to take a break and play around with the new BlackBerry Bold when it came through our offices, even though I have surprisingly adapted well to my new iPhone 3G. I was just curious to see what the hype is all about.

I have never been as dedicated a BlackBerry follower as some of you others out there. And yes, as someone in an executive-level position, I have been able to live without email on the go for the past five years. At least, I used to be that way. The iPhone has changed all of that for me now but that’s a whole different story.

Anyway, back to BlackBerry. My only other experience with BlackBerry series has been with the 8700 which I used for a year and it was actually a decent device but I realized it wasn’t for me at that time.

The truth is that many of my emails require more long & thought out replies which couldn’t be typed on that little keyboard in a manner of seconds or few minutes. I also get lots of emails with attachments and all file formats which was difficult to download and view on such a small screen.

However, today when I played around with the new Bold I can say the following: 1) yes, the screen is impressive 2) the keys have been laid out and molded nicely for typing and 3) the device is easy to handle. But that’s where it stops.

I will not rant and rave my comparisons to the iPhone 3G except to make this one comment – the browser experience does not even compare. I know that the Thunder/Storm are coming soon from RIM and maybe that will provide more of a satisfactory experience.

The Bold is a nice-looking new device from RIM but when all is said and done it’s pretty much more of the same of what I expected from them. The hype surrounding the device is real alright but this blogger with stick with her iPhone 3G for now (at least until Android /Google phone gets out later this fall).