It has been almost a week since I have ridden myself of my Blackberry device for the Android based T-mobile MyTouch 4g. So far, I can honestly say that my experience with the device has been amazing—it feels wonderful to be able to rely on a phone that can give me the same web I get while I am online on my PC. Plus the Android Market is killer—the apps I am able to have on this phone versus my Blackberry Bold are wonderful. Now, if I could just wean myself away from Blackberry mail.
Blackberry mail or Blackberry Enterprise Mail was the major reason why the phone dominated business users for so long—the ability to get your email as soon as the person presses send without having to rely on POP3 or push email is an absolute must when running your own business or utilizing your device for business purposes. My Android based phone has the option for me to add multiple email accounts that aren’t web based accounts (ie Yahoo, Google, Hotmail et al), but it is lacking the speed of the Blackberry device. I’d say that I am receiving emails about five to seven minutes after they are received in my Microsoft Outlook inbox.
Does a five to seven minute delay really matter in the grand scheme of things? Possibly. There are times when I’ve received time sensitive information or an email about an opportunity or story that I need to respond to ASAP—or else. I would say that the email is the only thing that I miss about my Blackberry. Everything else is such an upgrade from my Bold.
So how do I wean myself from Blackberry mail? Well, I’m trying to only use my phone for “other” duties when I am at home and in front of my PC. Mail shouldn’t really matter at that time because my Outlook is always open. When I’m out (as my friend @xdwebsolutions) so eloquently stated, “you won’t know that you are getting your email late. When it arrives, it arrives.”
So there you have it. When looking at it like that, it’s easy breezy.
I thought I was going to experience major withdrawals from my old BB, but so far, I’m not missing it one bit. Despite the lag of email receipt on my new Android, it still trumps the Blackberry when it comes to overall useability.
Have you moved from BB to Android? Did you go through Blackberry mail withdrawals? Let’s discuss!
Yes, I have over a year ago to the T-Mobile Samsung Vibrant. Loving it but wanting a new device because I’m a gadget junkie. You can change your settings to have your emailed pulled more frequently.
Kerissa, I have my settings changed to the one that pulls every 5 minutes (which is the lowest setting), but even with that, it lags. It doesn’t matter, though, because at this point, I love the Android MyTouch 4g.
I recently got a Nexus. It’s a samsung, Google phone. I love it! I use gmail for my e-mail, so it’s really nice cuz it’s all integrated.
I’ve noticed that the notification on my phone goes off at the same time I get a new e-mail in my gmail box on my PC, so not much of a delay.
I agree with you, the Android market is great, app-wise. This phone is so versatile and I love that google voice recognition software is integrated as well. I can “speak” my texts, emails, blog comments, etc. I’m becoming so lazy!
I wonder how the Android compares to the iPhone.. Any iPhone users?
My dude has a G4…He loves it…Only downside to it…He has had his phone for probably about 2 years…And in that time frame he has had to replace his phone, I’d say maybe 3 or 4 times, & we are heading on the 4th or 5th one as we speak because his phone is acting up again…Not to discourage you because they really are great phones…He can do almost ANYTHING on them…The only bad part is when something starts to go bad and it needs replace, TMobile will replace it with a recycable phone, a phone that someone else gave them that had a defect…Resulting in you having issues with your phone…Besides that, cool phones…Great price & you can do alot on them…Apps are great also…
Yes I rid myself of my blackberry a year ago. I had the pearl. There are some window based operations I miss, but I love love my adored. I have the Galaxy S. It ROCKS!
I’m trying out Android myself. First I should say that for a true blackberry experience one should be on BES (Blackberry Enterprise Server) and not Blackberry Internet Server (BIS). BES with Microsoft Exchange is a magical experience.
I simply dont’ have that on my Android.
1. Polling (checking frequently) drains batteries, also it is not Push
2. BES can sync, Contacts, Calendar, Notes, Tasks with the BB. Notes and Tasks are impossible on the Android
3. On a BB, I can set up my conference call details for each appt, it will automatically put me into the call. The Android has no such capability
4. When i open an email, I almost can instantly see the information( no fancy formatting). It takes forever on an Android.
Most people who use the blackberry never set up the hotkeys. You have to “Disable Dial from Home Screen” in the phone menu. L Takes you to calendar, T to tasks, A, to the Address book, S to SMS etc. It is simply brilliant.
BUT, THE INTERNET on the BLACKBERRY SUCKS!! That is why I gave it up, but I now realize that I can’t get real work done. What used to take me 30 seconds takes me 90. Not that it is a big deal, but it is aggravating to retrograde.