I stopped into the local Verizon store today to drool over the phones. I
thought my NE2 wasn't until next May, but the fellow looked up my number
and said I'm good for a new phone on September 22. Something to do with
it being a "primary phone"???
Anyway, I looked at the Blackberry Tour 9630. This is a global phone
with the sim pre-loaded. I'm going to Europe again in November, so I'll
need the GSM.
I checked out the reviews on phone scoop and everyone seems to be happy
with it. I like the qwerty keyboard. I love the fact that it comes with
an SD card that can hold pictures and other things.
I do know that it will cost me an extra $30/month for the data plan
whether or not I want to use it, but with the only method of
communicating with my grandkids being texting, I'm about to cave in.
The phone has everything but WiFi, which seems superfluous if there is
unlimited Verizon broadband. (I will not use the broadband feature in
Europe. I have a netbook)
What I really want are the organizer features of the Blackberry. Some of
the aps, like the free Pandora for music sound tempting, too.
What is the consensus here about this phone? What are the extra-cost
pitfalls I need to avoid?
TIA for your awesome help. Y'all are my phone gurus.
PS. The Verizon store dude said that with 3 years they will be going
GSM, too. Does anyone know about this?
> I checked out the reviews on phone scoop and everyone seems to be
> happy with it.
Check BlackBerry Forums in the device specific sections, there seem to
be some unhappy users in the 8900 section, also look at the 8300
section, several Tour owners have gone back to the Curve. This is all
other's opinions, I've never seen one of the critters.
There are also a bunch of 'em on Craig's List here, that's unusual for
a phone that new?????
Make sure you keep the software updated and exchange it IMMEDIATELY if
you have any problems.
> I like the qwerty keyboard. I love the fact that it
> comes with an SD card that can hold pictures and other things.
Most BlackBerrys do that, my Pearl Flip did, my Pearl did, my Curve
does.
> I do know that it will cost me an extra $30/month for the data
> plan whether or not I want to use it, but with the only method of
> communicating with my grandkids being texting, I'm about to cave
> in.
Well worth it, the BB is one of the most fun phones ever!
> The phone has everything but WiFi, which seems superfluous if
> there is unlimited Verizon broadband. (I will not use the
> broadband feature in Europe. I have a netbook)
WiFi is very nice to have but CDMA BBs mostly don't have it, GSM BBs
mostly do.
> What I really want are the organizer features of the Blackberry.
> Some of the aps, like the free Pandora for music sound tempting,
> too.
>
> What is the consensus here about this phone? What are the
> extra-cost pitfalls I need to avoid?
>
> TIA for your awesome help. Y'all are my phone gurus.
I like my 8330 but it doesn't have the GSM feature so it wouldn't work
for you.
> PS. The Verizon store dude said that with 3 years they will be
> going GSM, too. Does anyone know about this?
XS11E wrote:
> Janet Wilder <kelliepoodle@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
>> I checked out the reviews on phone scoop and everyone seems to be
>> happy with it.
>
> Check BlackBerry Forums in the device specific sections, there seem to
> be some unhappy users in the 8900 section, also look at the 8300
> section, several Tour owners have gone back to the Curve. This is all
> other's opinions, I've never seen one of the critters.
>
> http://www.blackberryforums.com/
>
> There are also a bunch of 'em on Craig's List here, that's unusual for
> a phone that new?????
>
<snip>
"Blackberry" refers to several different models of cell phone plus PDA.
Some models have been around for five or more years!
XS11E wrote:
> Janet Wilder <kelliepoodle@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
>> I checked out the reviews on phone scoop and everyone seems to be
>> happy with it.
>
> Check BlackBerry Forums in the device specific sections, there seem to
> be some unhappy users in the 8900 section, also look at the 8300
> section, several Tour owners have gone back to the Curve. This is all
> other's opinions, I've never seen one of the critters.
>
> http://www.blackberryforums.com/
>
> There are also a bunch of 'em on Craig's List here, that's unusual for
> a phone that new?????
>
> Make sure you keep the software updated and exchange it IMMEDIATELY if
> you have any problems.
>
>> I like the qwerty keyboard. I love the fact that it
>> comes with an SD card that can hold pictures and other things.
>
> Most BlackBerrys do that, my Pearl Flip did, my Pearl did, my Curve
> does.
>
>> I do know that it will cost me an extra $30/month for the data
>> plan whether or not I want to use it, but with the only method of
>> communicating with my grandkids being texting, I'm about to cave
>> in.
>
> Well worth it, the BB is one of the most fun phones ever!
>
>> The phone has everything but WiFi, which seems superfluous if
>> there is unlimited Verizon broadband. (I will not use the
>> broadband feature in Europe. I have a netbook)
>
> WiFi is very nice to have but CDMA BBs mostly don't have it, GSM BBs
> mostly do.
>
>> What I really want are the organizer features of the Blackberry.
>> Some of the aps, like the free Pandora for music sound tempting,
>> too.
>>
>> What is the consensus here about this phone? What are the
>> extra-cost pitfalls I need to avoid?
>>
>> TIA for your awesome help. Y'all are my phone gurus.
>
> I like my 8330 but it doesn't have the GSM feature so it wouldn't work
> for you.
>
>> PS. The Verizon store dude said that with 3 years they will be
>> going GSM, too. Does anyone know about this?
>
> http://consumerist.com/328914/verizon-to-go-gsm
>
> Google will find you more information.
>
>
>
>
>
Thanks for the links. They were very helpful.
"Richard B. Gilbert" <rgilbert88@comcast.net> wrote:
> XS11E wrote:
>> Janet Wilder <kelliepoodle@yahoo.com> wrote:
>>
>>> I checked out the reviews on phone scoop and everyone seems to
>>> be happy with it.
>>
>> Check BlackBerry Forums in the device specific sections, there
>> seem to be some unhappy users in the 8900 section, also look at
>> the 8300 section, several Tour owners have gone back to the
>> Curve. This is all other's opinions, I've never seen one of the
>> critters.
>>
>> http://www.blackberryforums.com/
>>
>> There are also a bunch of 'em on Craig's List here, that's
>> unusual for a phone that new?????
>>
> <snip>
>
> "Blackberry" refers to several different models of cell phone plus
> PDA. Some models have been around for five or more years!
Thank you for stating the obvious.
"Tour", "8900" and "8300" refer to specific models of BlackBerrys.
"Janet Wilder" <kelliepoodle@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:00d5ed6a$0$1385$c3e8da3@news.astraweb.com...
> Hi friends,
>
> I stopped into the local Verizon store today to drool over the phones. I
> thought my NE2 wasn't until next May, but the fellow looked up my number
> and said I'm good for a new phone on September 22. Something to do with it
> being a "primary phone"???
>
> Anyway, I looked at the Blackberry Tour 9630. This is a global phone with
> the sim pre-loaded. I'm going to Europe again in November, so I'll need
> the GSM.
>
> I checked out the reviews on phone scoop and everyone seems to be happy
> with it. I like the qwerty keyboard. I love the fact that it comes with an
> SD card that can hold pictures and other things.
>
> I do know that it will cost me an extra $30/month for the data plan
> whether or not I want to use it, but with the only method of communicating
> with my grandkids being texting, I'm about to cave in.
>
> The phone has everything but WiFi, which seems superfluous if there is
> unlimited Verizon broadband. (I will not use the broadband feature in
> Europe. I have a netbook)
>
> What I really want are the organizer features of the Blackberry. Some of
> the aps, like the free Pandora for music sound tempting, too.
>
> What is the consensus here about this phone? What are the extra-cost
> pitfalls I need to avoid?
>
> TIA for your awesome help. Y'all are my phone gurus.
>
> PS. The Verizon store dude said that with 3 years they will be going GSM,
> too. Does anyone know about this?
>
> --
> Janet Wilder
> Way-the-heck-south Texas
> Spelling doesn't count. Cooking does.
If all you want to do is have a phone and be able to text, there isn't much
reason to buy a Blackberry Tour, and pay the additional charge for a data
plan. Having said that, I recommend you try the Blackberry for 30 days and
see if you like it (although Verizon now charges the restocking fee if you
return it). I recently did just that and kept it. I'm still learning how
to use all of the features....there are many.
First and foremost, the reception and call quality are very good (still
superior to AT&T in my area). The keyboard is full QWERTY, and although
it's a little small it's very functional and pretty easy to get used to.
The Contacts list allows you to put in multiple phone numbers, multiple
street and email addresses, and much more, all under one name. It's very
convenient. The Calendar feature is much better than the one on my old
phone. But the data plan is what makes a Blackberry a Blackberry. It's
easy to set up mulitple email accounts (Blackberry still reigns at this), or
you can connect to the web using Blackberry's own browser, or others such as
Opera Mini or Bolt (both free). Web speed isn't anything to brag about, but
it's ok. There are countless other applications you can download, most of
which can be downloaded directly to your Blackberry, and many of which are
free. For example, I prefer Google Maps to the Maps application that comes
on the Tour. I haven't tried Pandora radio, but Slacker radio works great.
Although I don't use them, Facebook, MySpace, Twitter and others come
pre-loaded on the Blackberry.
So, as you can see, if you will use the features and functions beyond
texting, the Blackberry is a better choice. If you don't use them, why pay
the additional monthly charge. To further confuse you, the Storm 2 is
supposed to be out in couple of months. It is supposed to have WiFi and a
much improved keyboard from the current Storm. I might look at it myself.
Try Crackberry.com or BlackberryForums.com for all sorts of additional
information. Good luck.
>
> "Janet Wilder" <kelliepoodle@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:00d5ed6a$0$1385$c3e8da3@news.astraweb.com...
>> Anyway, I looked at the Blackberry Tour 9630. This is a global
>> phone with the sim pre-loaded. I'm going to Europe again in
>> November, so I'll need the GSM.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
> If all you want to do is have a phone and be able to text, there
> isn't much reason to buy a Blackberry Tour, and pay the additional
> charge for a data plan.
"XS11E" <xs11eNO@SPAMyahoo.com> wrote in message
news:Xns9C7A5FEEADE1Cxs11eyahoocom@127.0.0.1...
> "stevev" <stevev@addlebrain.com> wrote:
>
>>
>> "Janet Wilder" <kelliepoodle@yahoo.com> wrote in message
>> news:00d5ed6a$0$1385$c3e8da3@news.astraweb.com...
>
>>> Anyway, I looked at the Blackberry Tour 9630. This is a global
>>> phone with the sim pre-loaded. I'm going to Europe again in
>>> November, so I'll need the GSM.
> ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
>
>> If all you want to do is have a phone and be able to text, there
>> isn't much reason to buy a Blackberry Tour, and pay the additional
>> charge for a data plan.
>
> Please read her comment above.
>
>
> --
> XS11E, Killing all posts from Google Groups
> The Usenet Improvement Project:
> http://twovoyagers.com/improve-usenet.org/
There are less expensive ways of handling the European trip than signing up
for two years of an additional $30 per month data plan. I'll stick with my
earlier comment....ask if you can use it for 30 days and return it if you
want.
stevev wrote:
>
> "Janet Wilder" <kelliepoodle@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:00d5ed6a$0$1385$c3e8da3@news.astraweb.com...
>> Hi friends,
>>
>> I stopped into the local Verizon store today to drool over the phones.
>> I thought my NE2 wasn't until next May, but the fellow looked up my
>> number and said I'm good for a new phone on September 22. Something to
>> do with it being a "primary phone"???
>>
>> Anyway, I looked at the Blackberry Tour 9630. This is a global phone
>> with the sim pre-loaded. I'm going to Europe again in November, so
>> I'll need the GSM.
>>
>> I checked out the reviews on phone scoop and everyone seems to be
>> happy with it. I like the qwerty keyboard. I love the fact that it
>> comes with an SD card that can hold pictures and other things.
>>
>> I do know that it will cost me an extra $30/month for the data plan
>> whether or not I want to use it, but with the only method of
>> communicating with my grandkids being texting, I'm about to cave in.
>>
>> The phone has everything but WiFi, which seems superfluous if there is
>> unlimited Verizon broadband. (I will not use the broadband feature in
>> Europe. I have a netbook)
>>
>> What I really want are the organizer features of the Blackberry. Some
>> of the aps, like the free Pandora for music sound tempting, too.
>>
>> What is the consensus here about this phone? What are the extra-cost
>> pitfalls I need to avoid?
>>
>> TIA for your awesome help. Y'all are my phone gurus.
>>
>> PS. The Verizon store dude said that with 3 years they will be going
>> GSM, too. Does anyone know about this?
>>
>> --
>> Janet Wilder
>> Way-the-heck-south Texas
>> Spelling doesn't count. Cooking does.
>
> If all you want to do is have a phone and be able to text, there isn't
> much reason to buy a Blackberry Tour, and pay the additional charge for
> a data plan. Having said that, I recommend you try the Blackberry for
> 30 days and see if you like it (although Verizon now charges the
> restocking fee if you return it). I recently did just that and kept
> it. I'm still learning how to use all of the features....there are many.
I want it for it's personal management capabilities. I need a calendar.
I would love to have a decent address book. The texting is secondary. Of
course primary is the phone.
> First and foremost, the reception and call quality are very good (still
> superior to AT&T in my area). The keyboard is full QWERTY, and although
> it's a little small it's very functional and pretty easy to get used to.
> The Contacts list allows you to put in multiple phone numbers, multiple
> street and email addresses, and much more, all under one name. It's
> very convenient. The Calendar feature is much better than the one on my
> old phone. But the data plan is what makes a Blackberry a Blackberry.
> It's easy to set up mulitple email accounts (Blackberry still reigns at
> this), or you can connect to the web using Blackberry's own browser, or
> others such as Opera Mini or Bolt (both free). Web speed isn't anything
> to brag about, but it's ok. There are countless other applications you
> can download, most of which can be downloaded directly to your
> Blackberry, and many of which are free. For example, I prefer Google
> Maps to the Maps application that comes on the Tour. I haven't tried
> Pandora radio, but Slacker radio works great. Although I don't use them,
> Facebook, MySpace, Twitter and others come pre-loaded on the Blackberry.
>
> So, as you can see, if you will use the features and functions beyond
> texting, the Blackberry is a better choice. If you don't use them, why
> pay the additional monthly charge. To further confuse you, the Storm 2
> is supposed to be out in couple of months. It is supposed to have WiFi
> and a much improved keyboard from the current Storm. I might look at it
> myself. Try Crackberry.com or BlackberryForums.com for all sorts of
> additional information. Good luck.
Thanks for the help. I really appreciate your time and effort.
--
Janet Wilder
Way-the-heck-south Texas
Spelling doesn't count. Cooking does.
stevev wrote:
>
> "XS11E" <xs11eNO@SPAMyahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:Xns9C7A5FEEADE1Cxs11eyahoocom@127.0.0.1...
>> "stevev" <stevev@addlebrain.com> wrote:
>>
>>>
>>> "Janet Wilder" <kelliepoodle@yahoo.com> wrote in message
>>> news:00d5ed6a$0$1385$c3e8da3@news.astraweb.com...
>>
>>>> Anyway, I looked at the Blackberry Tour 9630. This is a global
>>>> phone with the sim pre-loaded. I'm going to Europe again in
>>>> November, so I'll need the GSM.
>> ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
>>
>>> If all you want to do is have a phone and be able to text, there
>>> isn't much reason to buy a Blackberry Tour, and pay the additional
>>> charge for a data plan.
>>
>> Please read her comment above.
>>
>>
>> --
>> XS11E, Killing all posts from Google Groups
>> The Usenet Improvement Project:
>> http://twovoyagers.com/improve-usenet.org/
>
> There are less expensive ways of handling the European trip than signing
> up for two years of an additional $30 per month data plan. I'll stick
> with my earlier comment....ask if you can use it for 30 days and return
> it if you want.
I have a Motorola Global (Z6cx) phone right now. All I would need to do
is switch it over to GSM when I get to Barcelona. I don't like the
phone. It's a slider and there are buttons on the sides. Even with the
keyboard locked and the phone in a case, the buttons seem to get pushed
in my purse. The phone performed flawlessly in Europe, it's just not my
style. I realize that the Blackberry will cost me extra but it's for all
the toys it brings with it.
I have been in love with Blackberries since I saw my son's business
provided one a few years ago. I used to have a little Sharp brand
hand-held organizer. It was my best friend. When the screen died after 5
years, I tried to get another but the newer ones used a stylus. I missed
the QWERTY!!!
Since Verizon is not going to charge me for the phone, I think I'd like
having the extra features like the music and internet to check sports
scores for DH who is a baseball (NY Yankee) freak.
The extra money isn't a real issue. I just wanted some insight into the
quality of the phone and I've received so many helpful posts.
> I don't like the phone. It's a slider and there are buttons on the
> sides. Even with the keyboard locked and the phone in a case, the
> buttons seem to get pushed in my purse.
Most BBs have a "Lock the Keyboard" app, I move mine to the extreme
upper left making it the first icon displayed and lock the phone every
time I put it in it's holster/case/pocket. That prevents unintended
button pushes and it's easy to unlock.
> Since Verizon is not going to charge me for the phone, I think I'd
> like having the extra features like the music and internet to
> check sports scores for DH who is a baseball (NY Yankee) freak.
YANKEES? Sorry, didn't realize you were one of those EVIL people. ;-)
"stevev" <stevev@addlebrain.com> wrote in message
news:h7ljcn$31e2$1@adenine.netfront.net...
>
> First and foremost, the reception and call quality are very good (still
> superior to AT&T in my area).
Regarding the above snip: some people have had serious problems with other
people having difficulty hearing you when you call them. Several
discussions on various forums, such as:
Some of the discussion suggests that this has been corrected in units
produced recently. I made a test at a Verizon store and found the outgoing
call quality to be quite poor. I would be interested in anyone's take on
this issue, as this is the only thing preventing me from getting a Tour.
Thanks.
Janet Wilder wrote:
> Hi friends,
>
> I stopped into the local Verizon store today to drool over the
> phones. I thought my NE2 wasn't until next May, but the fellow looked
> up my number and said I'm good for a new phone on September 22.
> Something to do with it being a "primary phone"???
>
> Anyway, I looked at the Blackberry Tour 9630. This is a global phone
> with the sim pre-loaded. I'm going to Europe again in November, so
> I'll need the GSM.
>
> I checked out the reviews on phone scoop and everyone seems to be
> happy with it. I like the qwerty keyboard. I love the fact that it
> comes with an SD card that can hold pictures and other things.
>
> I do know that it will cost me an extra $30/month for the data plan
> whether or not I want to use it, but with the only method of
> communicating with my grandkids being texting, I'm about to cave in.
>
> The phone has everything but WiFi, which seems superfluous if there is
> unlimited Verizon broadband. (I will not use the broadband feature in
> Europe. I have a netbook)
>
> What I really want are the organizer features of the Blackberry. Some
> of the aps, like the free Pandora for music sound tempting, too.
>
> What is the consensus here about this phone? What are the extra-cost
> pitfalls I need to avoid?
>
> TIA for your awesome help. Y'all are my phone gurus.
>
> PS. The Verizon store dude said that with 3 years they will be going
> GSM, too. Does anyone know about this?
>
Sorry if this is repeat info- I didn't have time to read all the replies-
but do be aware that unlimited texting will be an additional $10/month above
the $30 data fee. Otherwise you'll pay a fee per text message. If your
grankids have BBs, then you can use BB Messenger for free. Or you can all
use AOL IM for free if their phones will run it.
stevev wrote:
> "XS11E" <xs11eNO@SPAMyahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:Xns9C7A5FEEADE1Cxs11eyahoocom@127.0.0.1...
>> "stevev" <stevev@addlebrain.com> wrote:
>>
>>>
>>> "Janet Wilder" <kelliepoodle@yahoo.com> wrote in message
>>> news:00d5ed6a$0$1385$c3e8da3@news.astraweb.com...
>>
>>>> Anyway, I looked at the Blackberry Tour 9630. This is a global
>>>> phone with the sim pre-loaded. I'm going to Europe again in
>>>> November, so I'll need the GSM.
>> ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
>>
>>> If all you want to do is have a phone and be able to text, there
>>> isn't much reason to buy a Blackberry Tour, and pay the additional
>>> charge for a data plan.
>>
>> Please read her comment above.
>>
>>
>> --
>> XS11E, Killing all posts from Google Groups
>> The Usenet Improvement Project:
>> http://twovoyagers.com/improve-usenet.org/
>
> There are less expensive ways of handling the European trip than
> signing up for two years of an additional $30 per month data plan.
Actually, not in my albeit limited experience. Not both less expensive AND
RELIABLE. My experience with renting a Verizon global phone (Vodaphone) for
a 2 week trip to Europe was both expensive and, as it turned out,
unreliable. I won't do that again.
Carl wrote:
> stevev wrote:
>> "XS11E" <xs11eNO@SPAMyahoo.com> wrote in message
>> news:Xns9C7A5FEEADE1Cxs11eyahoocom@127.0.0.1...
>>> "stevev" <stevev@addlebrain.com> wrote:
>>>
>>>> "Janet Wilder" <kelliepoodle@yahoo.com> wrote in message
>>>> news:00d5ed6a$0$1385$c3e8da3@news.astraweb.com...
>>>>> Anyway, I looked at the Blackberry Tour 9630. This is a global
>>>>> phone with the sim pre-loaded. I'm going to Europe again in
>>>>> November, so I'll need the GSM.
>>> ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
>>>
>>>> If all you want to do is have a phone and be able to text, there
>>>> isn't much reason to buy a Blackberry Tour, and pay the additional
>>>> charge for a data plan.
>>> Please read her comment above.
>>>
>>>
>>> --
>>> XS11E, Killing all posts from Google Groups
>>> The Usenet Improvement Project:
>>> http://twovoyagers.com/improve-usenet.org/
>> There are less expensive ways of handling the European trip than
>> signing up for two years of an additional $30 per month data plan.
> Actually, not in my albeit limited experience. Not both less expensive AND
> RELIABLE. My experience with renting a Verizon global phone (Vodaphone) for
> a 2 week trip to Europe was both expensive and, as it turned out,
> unreliable. I won't do that again.
>
>
I got a Motorola global phone from Verizon last year to go to Europe for
a 7 week trip. It worked perfectly. Only charges were the per minute
charges for incoming and outgoing calls. When I got home I switched it
back to CDMA and I'm still using the phone as my everyday phone a year
later.
If I get another phone it will have to be a global. Going to Europe
again in November and to Israel (G-d willing) in May.
I don't use the phone when in foreign countries other than to just check
voice mail and to have it there for emergencies. Last year we had a
medical emergency. The travel insurance covered my phone bill.
Is it still possible to get a PDA that's not a phone? That's what I
really want.
Janet Wilder wrote:
> Carl wrote:
>> stevev wrote:
>>> "XS11E" <xs11eNO@SPAMyahoo.com> wrote in message
>>> news:Xns9C7A5FEEADE1Cxs11eyahoocom@127.0.0.1...
>>>> "stevev" <stevev@addlebrain.com> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> "Janet Wilder" <kelliepoodle@yahoo.com> wrote in message
>>>>> news:00d5ed6a$0$1385$c3e8da3@news.astraweb.com...
>>>>>> Anyway, I looked at the Blackberry Tour 9630. This is a global
>>>>>> phone with the sim pre-loaded. I'm going to Europe again in
>>>>>> November, so I'll need the GSM.
>>>> ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
>>>>
>>>>> If all you want to do is have a phone and be able to text, there
>>>>> isn't much reason to buy a Blackberry Tour, and pay the additional
>>>>> charge for a data plan.
>>>> Please read her comment above.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> --
>>>> XS11E, Killing all posts from Google Groups
>>>> The Usenet Improvement Project:
>>>> http://twovoyagers.com/improve-usenet.org/
>>> There are less expensive ways of handling the European trip than
>>> signing up for two years of an additional $30 per month data plan.
>> Actually, not in my albeit limited experience. Not both less expensive
>> AND RELIABLE. My experience with renting a Verizon global phone
>> (Vodaphone) for a 2 week trip to Europe was both expensive and, as it
>> turned out, unreliable. I won't do that again.
>>
>
> I got a Motorola global phone from Verizon last year to go to Europe for
> a 7 week trip. It worked perfectly. Only charges were the per minute
> charges for incoming and outgoing calls. When I got home I switched it
> back to CDMA and I'm still using the phone as my everyday phone a year
> later.
>
> If I get another phone it will have to be a global. Going to Europe
> again in November and to Israel (G-d willing) in May.
>
> I don't use the phone when in foreign countries other than to just check
> voice mail and to have it there for emergencies. Last year we had a
> medical emergency. The travel insurance covered my phone bill.
>
> Is it still possible to get a PDA that's not a phone? That's what I
> really want.
>
I don't know of a PDA that is not also a phone. If you find one, please
let me know. If I don't find something better I'm going to get a
Blackberry when my "new every two" rolls around in December. The PDA on
that is awesome! Of course all I have to compare it with is my poor old
late lamented Palm M500.
My RAZR V3m has PDA features. What it lacks is a reasonable method of
entering data in the field. Punching the 2-ABC key three or four times
to get a C is too lame to even think about! The Blackberry has a QUERTY
keyboard. It's pretty small but it beats the hell out of trying to use
the 2-ABC route.
The Blackberry seems to have sufficient memory to store 400-500 contacts
plus memos, incoming mail, etc.
"Richard B. Gilbert" <rgilbert88@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:i6OdneGru6HOdi_XnZ2dnUVZ_tGdnZ2d@giganews.com ...
> Janet Wilder wrote:
>> Carl wrote:
>>> stevev wrote:
>>>> "XS11E" <xs11eNO@SPAMyahoo.com> wrote in message
>>>> news:Xns9C7A5FEEADE1Cxs11eyahoocom@127.0.0.1...
>>>>> "stevev" <stevev@addlebrain.com> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>> "Janet Wilder" <kelliepoodle@yahoo.com> wrote in message
>>>>>> news:00d5ed6a$0$1385$c3e8da3@news.astraweb.com...
>>>>>>> Anyway, I looked at the Blackberry Tour 9630. This is a global
>>>>>>> phone with the sim pre-loaded. I'm going to Europe again in
>>>>>>> November, so I'll need the GSM.
>>>>> ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
>>>>>
>>>>>> If all you want to do is have a phone and be able to text, there
>>>>>> isn't much reason to buy a Blackberry Tour, and pay the additional
>>>>>> charge for a data plan.
>>>>> Please read her comment above.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> --
>>>>> XS11E, Killing all posts from Google Groups
>>>>> The Usenet Improvement Project:
>>>>> http://twovoyagers.com/improve-usenet.org/
>>>> There are less expensive ways of handling the European trip than
>>>> signing up for two years of an additional $30 per month data plan.
>>> Actually, not in my albeit limited experience. Not both less expensive
>>> AND RELIABLE. My experience with renting a Verizon global phone
>>> (Vodaphone) for a 2 week trip to Europe was both expensive and, as it
>>> turned out, unreliable. I won't do that again.
>>>
>>
>> I got a Motorola global phone from Verizon last year to go to Europe for
>> a 7 week trip. It worked perfectly. Only charges were the per minute
>> charges for incoming and outgoing calls. When I got home I switched it
>> back to CDMA and I'm still using the phone as my everyday phone a year
>> later.
>>
>> If I get another phone it will have to be a global. Going to Europe again
>> in November and to Israel (G-d willing) in May.
>>
>> I don't use the phone when in foreign countries other than to just check
>> voice mail and to have it there for emergencies. Last year we had a
>> medical emergency. The travel insurance covered my phone bill.
>>
>> Is it still possible to get a PDA that's not a phone? That's what I
>> really want.
>>
>
> I don't know of a PDA that is not also a phone. If you find one, please
> let me know. If I don't find something better I'm going to get a
> Blackberry when my "new every two" rolls around in December. The PDA on
> that is awesome! Of course all I have to compare it with is my poor old
> late lamented Palm M500.
>
> My RAZR V3m has PDA features. What it lacks is a reasonable method of
> entering data in the field. Punching the 2-ABC key three or four times to
> get a C is too lame to even think about! The Blackberry has a QUERTY
> keyboard. It's pretty small but it beats the hell out of trying to use
> the 2-ABC route.
>
> The Blackberry seems to have sufficient memory to store 400-500 contacts
> plus memos, incoming mail, etc.
>
>
>
Had my Tour for a couple months now and like it more and more. True the
keyboard is small, but easy to get used to. Does everything I would want a
smartphone to do. Love the Contacts function. You can have multiple phone
numbers, multiple email addresses, street addresses, etc, all under one
name. Very convenient. Have downloaded a few after-market apps that are
very handy. Plus I think you can now get a micro SD card that holds 8GB.
Others have reported some trackball concerns, but I haven't noticed them on
my unit, and I understand that RIM has fixed the problem in the latest
release.
There is a ton of information available at web sites like Blackberry Rocks,
Crackberry, or Blackberry Forums, in addition to RIM's own site. Check them
out. You can try it for 30 days and return it if you want.
Boron Elgar wrote:
> On Thu, 17 Sep 2009 18:33:22 -0500, Janet Wilder
> <kelliepoodle@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
>> Is it still possible to get a PDA that's not a phone? That's what I
>> really want.
>
> HP still makes them - iPAQ PDAs. They also make a smart phone, but
> they do have units that are only PDAs.
>
> Boron
Blackberry Tour 9630 
Linear Mode
