Still loving the Berry...

I've been using blackberries since the original 962 model (the one that looks like pager). Ever since that first "brick", RIM has been making these things better and better.

Firstly, the build quality is terrific. The original berries reminded me of the old HP calculators (the colour scheme and the tactile feel of the buttons). No surprise since RIM is located in Waterloo; probably the highest concentration of engineering geeks in all of Canada! :)

I actually have the 8830 model, which is the dual platform version of the 8800. I am with Telus Mobility, so my 8830 is CDMA and GSM.

The 8830 uses the "new" interface from RIM - the "pearl". Having been weaned on the trackwheel, I initially hated the pearl. However, a trackball is undoubtedly the better way to go given the more complicated functionality of the current models. Imagine using a trackwheel to navigate a website?

The buttons on Berries have, IMO, always been the best in the market. The 8830 has a "full-size" keyboard with raised edges on each key. The edges make typing much easier (as compared to he smooth humps on my Palm Treo). My typo rate noticeably declined when going to the 8830 from the Palm. There is also a distinct click when each button is depressed. This tactile response also improves typing accuracy.

One thing I do miss from Palm is the touchscreen. That would have been nice to have on the Berry.

The email function, using the RIM server, is as good as always. No complaints here.

There are myriad expanded functions, from the Net browser, MSN messenger to Facebook. The 8830 is much better at browsing than my old Treo 650. The screen is very bright and the colours are vibrant. The resolution is still not terrific, but is adequate for most purposes (see next paragraph).

Downloading attachments (such as Word or PDF) is easily done. However, I have tended to avoid do so because reading them is a joke - the document/text are so small. If you enlarge the image, manipulating the document becomes unwieldy. I suppose, if you're in a pinch, you would edit on a Berry, but I would advise against it for the sake of your eyes.

Note that the install software comes with a migration tool. All of your contacts from Outlook or whatever else you were using previously can be automatically transferred to your Berry.

The phone functions are pretty standard. The speakerphone is surprisingly clear and functional. The only complaint I have is that the activation button is awkwardly place (second last row, second from the right). I have had reception problems while inside my office or condo, but these issues existed for all my other phones as well (high up and steel infrastructure). Otherwise, the phone has been very good at holding signals.

The GPS feature of the phone was initially a major selling feature for me. However, I have found that I rarely use it. The OEM tool is not very good and has limited functionality. I installed Google Maps, which is much better. However, I have had Maps crash on me umpteen times and had to reinstall it three times. The Berry may not like Google Maps?

One particular area of frustration is that the battery life is unpredictable. When I was in Hong Kong, I was able to go three or four days between charges despite HEAVY usage. I have had days in Toronto (my hometown) where the battery drains from a full charge in one day?!?! I'm told that it has to do with weaker signals and the unit constantly searching for a signal.

A final caveat - beware of the USB port. It is fragile. Mine broke (as in came loose and flopped around) after only four months of usage. Be careful when you plug in the cable. (My unit was replaced under warranty).