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My new Blackberry. Have I been defeated?

By
Real Estate Agent with Carolina MaxRealty, Inc.

I consider myself pretty technologically savvy.  I text.  I email.  I blog (not as much as I want, but I do it when I can).  I remember teaching myself how to write simple computer programs on my Tandy Computer when I was about six years old.  I created a wireless network in my house before the idea was pretty common.  I often help people around the office when they have computer hardware or software issues.  However, throughtout all of my of my experiences there is one thing I refuse to do unless absolutely necessary...

Tracy Williams Pender, REALTOR Raleigh Knightdale NC Real EstateTracy Williams Pender, REALTOR Raleigh Knightdale NC Real Estate

...read the instruction manual.

I don't know.  It seems to take away the challenge.  I'm a competitive person, and there's something about opening that little booklet that roars defeat.  And I refuse to be defeated - especially by a pink, 4oz piece of plastic!!! 

Tracy Williams Pender, REALTOR Raleigh Knightdale NC Real EstateIt is kinda cute though.

I spent a few hours playing with my new toy yesterday morning.  I must admit, I had to thumb through the manual to figure out the email setup.  I've had a Blackberry before - one of the older, black box, 7xxx devices that I kept for all of two weeks because I could never get the email to work correctly.  Then I moved to a Treo 650, which I used until I couldn't use it any more (see my blog My Treo - Should I Put Her Down or Let Her Die with Dignity?).  Next was an HTC6700. 

God how I hate Windows Mobile!! 

After the HTC and I agreed that a divorce was inevitable I went back and forth between the Palm Centro and the Blackberry Curve.  Remembering my God-awful experience with my old Blackberry I was pretty much sold on the Centro until I went to the store to compare them side by side.  The Blackberry looks and feels so much like my beloved Treo.  It's like it's been reincarnated in a smaller, lighter body without that stupid stump-like antenna thing.  And no more stylus to lose, although I will miss the touch screen.  Nonetheless, I was sold.

But now I need to figure out how to make the best of my new friend - without reading the manual of course.  How are you Blackberry conosours making the most of your investment?  I already see the versatility in this little gizmo, so I've upgraded to an unlimited data package and am ready to go!

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James Avera
AD Photography - Graphic Design - Mobile, AL

Oh how I remember this exact same feeling. I thought to myself "I am NOT going to let this gadget get the best of me!". After going to Blackberry's website, I was able to setup my outlook with no problems. The redirector software is AMAZING. Everything else I figured out on my own....it will take a little patience though. I have the pearl and absolutely LOVE it. Good luck with your new toy!

Nov 03, 2008 01:11 AM
Rob & Jeannie Steward - Realtors®
RE/MAX Advantage - Nashville, TN
We Work TWICE As Hard For You! - Ashton Group

I almost went with a Blackberry when our 2 year contract ran out. I kind of wish I had, however after seeing someones I-Phone up close maybe it's good that we waited. Now those are cool!

Nov 03, 2008 01:21 AM
Bob & Carolin Benjamin
Benjamin Realty LLC - Gold Canyon, AZ
East Phoenix Arizona Homes

We are locked into whatever T-mobile offers in our area as it is by far the best coverage.

Nov 03, 2008 03:27 AM
Bobby Carroll
Jaclyn Smith Properties - Clayton, NC
Clayton NC New Home Happiness Coordinator

Hi Tracy - Awesome post! As you already know, smart phones are a must in our business. They are a powerful tool. Plus, today's tech-savvy home buyer has the ability to use smart phone applications (APPS) like Puluwai, Trulia, and Home Finder on their smart phone to search for homes for sale in the Triangle. How cool is that!

It is incumbent upon the listing agent to know that these smart phone APPS are available to home buyers and ensure their client's properties are uploaded to these portals (Google Base, Craigslist and Trulia). That way listing agents can "skillfully" market their seller's property to the broadest audience possible (even smart phone carrying home buyers).

FYI... Forgive me for getting all "icky" with NC Real Estate Commission Law but, in my mind this "skill" includes having an understanding of the power of these tech tools. It should be the accepted norm under the "LOADS" NC real estate professionals owe to their "clients". I'm sure you remember what "LOADS" stands for. For the sake of other real estate professionals outside the state of North Carolina, "LOADS" stands for Loyalty, Obediance, Accounting (proper handling of money), Disclosure of material fact and Skill, care and diligence. Failure to deliver LOADS to a client can result in serious consequences for the NC real estate professional. All the more reason to be like you and know how these tech-savvy tools impact the real estate transaction for the sake of home buying and selling consumers.

Nov 03, 2008 11:31 AM
Sidney Kutchuk - Realty Works Temecula Kutchuk - Realty Works Temecula
Realty Works Temecula - Temecula, CA
Realty Works Temecula

Tracy, I love my blackberry curve...Just don't let it go dead.....Keep it charged.  This is the only problem that I have had with mine.  When it goes completely dead it has a problem re-configuring all of the computer stuff.  

I love the e-mail alerts. I have mine set to a bike bell. 

Also, I hate the tilt that also had windows mobile.

Nov 03, 2008 02:18 PM
Paddy (Patricia) Pizappi
Better Homes and Gardens Rand Realty - Pine Bush, NY
Real Estate Associate Broker Hudson Valley NY

I am going through the same thing Tracy.  My Treo is still sitting here but I really need to upgrade. I am afraid to make a move though.  Please let me know how you make out with this.  Have a great week.

Nov 03, 2008 10:17 PM
Jill Watts
Realty Pro, Inc. - Vancouver, WA
A Luxury Experience at Every Price Point!

Nice post. I'm thinking of upgrading to Blackberry. Thanks.

Nov 06, 2008 09:53 AM
Tracy Williams Pender
Carolina MaxRealty, Inc. - Raleigh, NC
MBA, Knightdale & Raleigh, NC Real Estate

Thank you all for your comments.

James - I'm finding Crackberry.com to be a good source of info as well.  Hopefully I'll find some time this weekend to make some customizations.

Rob and/or Jeannie - I've heard a lot of pros and cons for the iPhone.  Plus AT&T's service isn't that great around here once you leave the Triangle.  So unless they make some improvements I'm not planning to cross that bridge.

Bob - I have family who were with Suncom so are now with T-mobile.  Nice phones, but again their coverage sucks once they leave the Triangle.

Bobby - Points well taken.  You can never learn too much, and it's always good to have a competitive advantage.

Jane - Yes, I'm learning to keep a charger on my at all times.  I'm loving the fact that it seems to fully charge fairly quickly.

Paddy - I understand your hestitation.  My husband dropped my Treo in a storm drain a few months ago.  That's right, a storm drain!  And the little fellow kept on on ticking.  I only stopped using it because it was starting to freeze on me from time to time, and I wanted something a little lighter.

Jill - Good luck!

Nov 07, 2008 01:29 AM
James Angelo
Florida Homes Realty & Mortgage LLC - Jacksonville, FL

this is such a great source of info - do not use a blackberry - use other tolls - but will consider it - thanks

Nov 07, 2008 02:01 AM
Bonita Malone
Better Homes and Gardens Mason-McDuffie Real Estate - Sacramento, CA
GRI, SFR, CDPE

I have really enjoyed my BB Curve for the past 7 or 8 months. I like the email service, it is quick and allows me to feel confident that I am not going to miss important emails while I am out of the office. I also am able to pull up MLS listings while right in front of the house. I keep finding more and more things it can do. The one thing I have not had a chance to experiment with yet is tethering my BB with my laptop.

Nov 07, 2008 02:55 PM
Norma J. Elkins
Elite Realty Group - Morristown, TN
Realtor - Elkins Home Selling Team

I have had my blackberry for a few months and I am yet learning - crackberry.com is a great site!

Nov 08, 2008 10:20 PM
Kevin Teeters
Kevin Teeters Realty LLC - Hickory, NC
Hickory NC Realtors

I love my crackberry!!  Now if Active Rain would just allow a way to go mobile with their site - I'm already up and running with mobile banking, email, etc...You'll be addicted in no time!

Kevin Teeters

Nov 09, 2008 06:06 AM
Michele Reneau
Certified Staging Professional (CSP) Elite Instructor - Summerville, SC
Realtor, GRI ~ Charleston, SC Relocation Experts Team

I love technology too, but I admit I'm still a little resistant to change.  I had a Treo before too, but my company email wouldn't do an email push with it.  So after a year of fighting it, I switched to Blackberry. It took about a week to figure out how to use it and about 2 weeks to quit touching the screen.  I admit, I'm addicted now. I agree with Kevin, I wish AR would go mobile too. 

Nov 14, 2008 01:49 AM
Christopher Johnston
The Johnston Team - Metairie, LA

I got one of these last week and like you I did not want to read the manual. I finally broke down and went through it but I had pretty much figured all of that out already by that time. I did download one of the consumer apps (trulia) and it looks pretty cool. I also added all the Google apps that would work on my phone and Qik so I can do live video streaming to the web from my phone. These little things are sooo amazing.

I had a Treo 700p before this and it was NEVER this useful or cool.

Nov 27, 2008 02:22 AM
Lanre-"THE REAL ESTATE FARMER" Folayan
Samson Properties - Bowie, MD
I don't make promises.I deliver results.SOLD HOMES

Seems like everybody these days is always getting some kind of new tech device. I am looking to get a new phone myself since my T-Mobile Dash is on crack. But the Blackberry curve have GPS on it,I might consider it. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.

Nov 27, 2008 11:00 AM
Tom Hall
Coral Shores Realty, 1119 E. Sunrise Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304 954-610-4186 - Fort Lauderdale, FL

Thanks for the info, I get my Blackberry Curve 8530 this weekend

Jan 08, 2010 02:11 PM