iPhone vs Blackberry – You Decide!

Through some tears and sadness, I recently put my BlackBerry Bold to rest and purchased a shiny, sparky iPhone. I had been a hardcore BlackBerry defender for years, showing off with my speedy tweets and long email responses (without the standard, I apologize for keeping it brief as I am responding from my iPhone) I felt like I was cheating by making the switch, I felt like I was giving into pressure from  society (which I was) and that I was buying into a flashy item, rather than a useful one.

So, three days in, am I a BlackBerry loyalist, or an iPhone convert?

 

BlackBerry Pros:

• Easy to use keyboard (duh!)
• Light indicating messages – BlackBerry can remain “asleep” and u will know if you have emails
• Nicely amalgamated contacts list. One main list, easy to add and manage
• Easy lock button (top left corner) to lock as you slide it in your pocket
• Easy to add email addresses… very easy! (I remember my iphone partners not having email access to a self hosted account for months! )
• Canadian company – go RIM!

 iPhone Pros:

• Apps, apps and more apps! (although this could be a con as well… due to time wasting)
• The keyboard isn’t as bad as I thought
• Better texting – visually better than a BlackBerry, easier to follow long texts
• Size – the slim shape fits in better to a back pocket.
• Picture quality… it does kick ass!
• Video – who doesn’t love an on the fly video!

So What would I recommend?

I think if you just want to work, go for the blackberry. If you are working from 1 account for tweeting,or Facebook, the blackberry does this really easily. You can attach pics to any of these accounts with one click. Email is super easy! The blackberry seems to have a better wireless range as well. I find with my iPhone I frequently lose a network in places I never did with my blackberry… strange!

If you are looking to manage multiple social media accounts (via hootsuite or tweetdeck, multiple handles and business pages) the iPhone is the option.   The apps are cool (I will never be lost with my magic phone) and the iPhone does replace the need for multiple electronic devices (iPod, GPS, DVD player etc…) Email is fine, but I do keep it shorter than on my BlackBerry.  I think the learning curve is greater for the iPhone, so if you aren’t interested in becoming tech savvy, stick to the BlackBerry. I keep hearing from people how I will “LOVE” this and that app, or function. I am not there yet, but I will keep you posted.

Am I happy with my switch? Sure. I guess. I do miss the ease of my BlackBerry and have wasted countless hours this week playing games, and checking out apps.   I think my kids are happier with the switch than I am … they are loving the petstore app, and Diego videos we now have at the touch of a button.

I am sure I will come to love my iPhone… but for now it still seems that I have another complex device that I will never use to it’s full extent… which makes me feel wasteful and materialistic.  It’s like getting another pet…with all these new options on my phone, my time commitment to managing and understanding them has gone up. Interacting with my phone takes up a lot of time now, where previously the so called “limitations” of my BlackBerry made our relationship short, sweet and productive.

Whatever device you choose, enjoy! And whatever you do, don’t drop it in the toilet!

Julie Nowell is a speaker, writer, avid exerciser and generally happy person. A mom of 3 who has sweat her way through the fitness industry and eventually found her calling in supporting moms in all stages, she loves to inspire, create and help others find their true passion.  She isn`t always on her best behaviour… but that is sometimes part of her appeal. As the owner of momcafe Tricities and co-founder of mom inc MOVEMENT, she is continually looking for new and exciting ways to engage and inspire moms in finding their best balance of business and babies.