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Dear BlackBerry Users - I Get It, But It's Time To Switch

By Sara Bonert

Services for Real Estate Pros with Zillow

December 14, 2010 02:12 AM

I get it, you love your Blackberry. So did I. I had the first one ever made and upgraded models almost every year. I looked so cool boarding planes with that thing strapped to my belt loop. I was a whiz at typing on it and could dominate BrickBreaker.

So what happened? I got app envy. I finally went for it and switched to a Droid. Here is my story.

Day 1 - How fun is downloading apps! I actually don't know how to use any of them, but saving that for another day. Right now, all I care about is downloading all the things I've seen my iPhone friends use over the last year.

Day 2 - OMG, what did I do!! I am never going to be able to figure this thing out. Quick, put my SIM card back into my Blackberry. Darn, it doesn't work anymore. Stayed up for hours trying to figure out how to navigate this darn thing, yearning for the simplier days of my Blackberry.

Day 3 - I'm going to throw this thing out the window. It doesn't work at all like my old Blackberry. I'll never get this...

Day 4 - Actually swipe typing isn't that bad, I still make a lot of mistakes, but as I learn the shortcuts, it may even be faster. Maybe I can get this. A fellow Droid user spent 15 minutes with me and my phone- huge help. It is starting to make sense.

Day 5 - Learned a few more tricks. Got my screen organized, so I feel a little better about what this phone can actually do. Called Droid friend again for some more help (took him 5 minutes to explain what would have taken me 5 hours to figure out on my own). Starting to understand the power of this device.

Day 6 - Bad day. Droid usage regression. Deep breathes....

Day 7 - Okay, back at it. I'm determined to conquer this thing.

Day 8 - I used the talking navigation app, it was awesome! Also, tonight for dinner found a restaurant, made a reservation, and got directions - all in under 5 mintues. My Blackberry could have never done that!

Day 9 - Ok, this thing is seriously cool.

Day 10 - Mad dash to the airport, in the car rental bus - I'm going to miss my flight. If only I could check in right now.. wait I can! Done. Droid just saved me from missing my flight - just paid for itself.

Day 11 - My old Blackberry is staring at me on my desk. Man, that things looks old and not cool. Now I get why Droid and iPhone owners are such fanatics. They know what they can do and Blackberry users can't. Glad I made the switch. I still have a lot to learn, but I'll get there.

Bottom line - the transition is painful. Stick with it though, it is totally worth it.

My new phone: the T-Mobile 4G MyTouch.

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Gail Fabiani

Right at Home Realty Inc., Brokerage - Burlington, ON

Sara, good for you. I have only had my blackberry for 2 years and am still trying to figure some of it out. However, do like the convenience of checking my emails. Does this mean I am a dinosour?

Dec 14, 2010 02:22 AM

Anonymous

John De Souza

Sara, my BB 9700 is being replaced by a Nexus S when they release on Thursday. Hope t-Mobile can handle the newer loads.

Dec 14, 2010 03:16 AM

Pam Sitterly

RE/MAX VINTAGE - Magnolia, TX

CRS Magnolia-Tomball Texas

I so love this. Had to re-blog and share! Thanks for telling the story so well.

Dec 14, 2010 03:20 AM

Sussie Sutton

David Tracy Real Estate - Houston, TX

David Tracy Real Estate for Buyers & Sellers

I have an iPhone and had the same issues on learning how to use my apps...still do.

Dec 14, 2010 04:59 AM

Song San

Coldwell Banker Dynasty - Rosemead, CA

Broker, MBA

Good for you. I had my BB for many years and am thinking to add an iPhone also to work with my MacBook Pro and iPad. Can't see myself with a Droid yet.

Dec 14, 2010 08:03 AM

Charles Gardner-Realtor/Investor

ZIP Realty, Inc-Houston District - Humble, TX

Hi Sara,

I guess I'm the dinosaur. I still use a cell phone, no apps, no gimmicks. Maybe someday i come into the next century.

Dec 14, 2010 08:37 AM

Missy Caulk

Missy Caulk TEAM - Ann Arbor, MI

Savvy Realtor - Ann Arbor Real Estate

Sara, I was a long time BB user too, finally gave it up for the Iphone in July. Since I had switched to the Mac a year and a half ago, it made sense.

Of course there is a learning curve like with all or any new software. But, once you get it, you fall in love never to go back.

Dec 15, 2010 01:29 AM

Karen Crowson

Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage - Rancho Bernardo, CA

Your Agent for Change

Sara, I could be you! I have a BB now, and really am ready for an upgrade. I have been dreading it though. Would consider an IPhone if Verizon was a carrier. But I switched from a PC to a MAC in November, and just as you have experienced, it comes with a learning curve, and a fair amount of pain. It's not about the MAC, it's about how to do all these new/cool things and getting all of my programs to work together. Bought a new car with a fancy computer that is currently not working. I need to get a little farther along in conquering these two things before I can embrace yet another technology upgrade. But first quarter - I'm there.

Dec 15, 2010 03:14 AM

Sara Bonert

Zillow - Atlanta, GA

Real Estate Internet Marketing

Verizon is coming out with the iPhone one of these day, they said not this year though. In my opinion, they need to, otherwise Android is going to squash them, simply because of the carrier.

Good luck to everyone!! Today's big Droid win for me- figuring out how to make my phone ring with Christmas music! :)

Dec 15, 2010 03:52 AM

Lynda White

Bluegrass Homes & Farms Realty, Agent Know How - Louisville, KY

Admin. Mgr., Keller Williams Realty

Enjoyed this post. I got a Nokia smartphone with apps about 10 days ago, but I'm still in the Day 2 stage. It has GPS but I haven't had time to figure it out. Between working and going to the fitness center and Christmas shopping...oh well, maybe on Christmas vacation I'll make the time. It is nice to be able to keep up with Twitter and Facebook on the go, though.

Dec 15, 2010 06:13 AM

Leslie Prest

Leslie Prest, Prest Realty, Sales and Rentals in Payson, AZ - Payson, AZ

Owner, Assoc. Broker, Prest Realty, Payson,

I tried a BB Storm for about 5 days,- HATED it. I switched it for a Droid and loved it from day1.

Dec 15, 2010 06:16 AM

David Cahill

Century 21 Cahill Associates - Boston, MA

Thanks for the insightful post! I'm going to get one next week or so and this helps a ton!

Thanks,

David in Boston

Dec 15, 2010 04:08 PM

Robert Schwabe

Herron Real Estate - Orange Park, FL

Orange Park Real Estate

Sara - Thanks for the post. Now it just has me more confused on which to get an android phone or iphone.

Dec 17, 2010 07:11 AM

Sara Bonert

Zillow - Atlanta, GA

Real Estate Internet Marketing

Robert- That is a personal decision, but I don't think you can go wrong either way. iPhone has more apps, but I don't think that will be the case much longer. They'll be pretty even soon.

For me the decision was a financial one. I have an awesome contract with Tmobile. To get the same program with AT & T would have cost $50 more a month, plus the iPhone is about $100 more than the model I got. On top of that, TMobile has better service where I am (my husband has AT&T and he loses calls all the time). So it would have cost me about $700/year more for the iPhone - I just didn't see that many more benefits. Plus, I like being associated with the Droid platform which is more open, than being tied to Apple. But I know there are many people out there are super loyal to Apple. You'll be fine either way, IMO.

Dec 17, 2010 12:41 PM

David O'Doherty

Clayton, NC

Clayton NC Homes, Raleigh, NC

Hi Sara, I am ready to make the switch, my wife got an iPhone in the Summer and that is her new love! I like the Droid myself.

Dec 18, 2010 08:07 AM

Bob & Carolin Benjamin

Benjamin Realty LLC - Gold Canyon, AZ

East Phoenix Arizona Homes

Soon as our contract allows it this will be what we get (unless something greater comes along before then.) - thanks for the info.

Jan 12, 2011 05:29 PM

Jon Sigler

Coldwell Banker Realty - South Windsor, CT

Sigler Sold Another! 860-306-8029

I've been madly in love with my Blackberry for one thing the battery. It has been the only phone that has a battery that can last all day... But there are so many things my new Driod CAN do that the BB could not, so many things it CAN do that will make me more productive. I'll find a charger and a larger battery and be more productive. The love affair with my Driod is just starting, but I suspect it will be more than a fling, or a one night stand.

Jan 23, 2011 12:38 PM

Vince Sadler

Dream Town - Chicago, IL

Sarah I'm about to get this phone, I am so excited about it. The switch from blackberry will be hard, but I am also used to using the iphone so it shouldn't be to bad.

Jan 28, 2011 02:04 PM

Paul Gapski

Berkshire Hathaway / Prudential Ca Realty - El Cajon, CA

619-504-8999,#1 Resource SD Relo

Have you tried the Iphone 4 it is abolutly the best phone i ever had. I love it way more than the droid and blackberry. It is so good the graphics and have 3 times as many apps.

Apr 07, 2011 04:45 PM

Sara Bonert

Zillow - Atlanta, GA

Real Estate Internet Marketing

My husband has the iPhone 4. The biggest pro I see with it over a Droid is that there are more accessories. I get much better phone service in our house though. For the most part, I can get any app that he can. I know there are more in the apple store, but the main ones I use both companies have. The biggest thing I like about my phone better than his is that I think the driving navigation system is better. But both are great phones. The Droid was just a lot cheaper each month for me.

Apr 08, 2011 12:21 AM