Moving from BlackBerry to Note 1

[thoots]

Folks,

My first post here, though I've been active over on the corporate BlackBerry board....

While I've been happy with BlackBerry, and I can't imagine that I'll be able to manage without a hardware keyboard, "I want a bigger screen." In fact, I want about the biggest screen I can fit into my pocket. Which basically boils down to how I've used the BlackBerry PlayBook tablet, and how I would rather just lose the tablet, and manage with a bigger-screened phone.

I have been thinking in terms of waiting for the Note 2, but after spending a lot of time with the Note 1 in the store, I certainly found that it met my needs quite well. The big difference for me would be the screen aspect ratios -- I think I would be surfing the Internet in landscape orientation, and thus the Note 1's "wider" screen would be worth every extra pixel.

My needs are really quite simple: I actually rarely use one of these things as a "phone" -- I make or receive only a call or two per month. Truly. I don't "text" or do "messaging." Of course, I want to use the web browser, which will be my heaviest use. Otherwise, I just want to "keep information" on the thing -- a few small spreadsheets, some notes, and so on. I'm not really going to spend my time "playing games" or "watching videos."

So, I sure don't think I need any of the "new features" the Note 2 will have, nor will I need "more power" or whatever it might have. A bigger battery would be nice, but, again, it's not like I'm going to be like these young kids who spend every single minute staring into their smartphones. I get the impression that Samsung phones tend to do better with battery life than a lot of other alternatives, but so long as I can get through a day on a battery charge, that should work fine for me.

Anyway, I thought I'd pop in and tell my story, and ask everyone what they think -- any thoughts about sticking with the Note 1 versus waiting for the Note 2? Any reasons why the Note 1 wouldn't serve my rather minimal needs? Any advice for someone jumping into Android for the first time? I would appreciate any sage words of advice you could send my way.

Thanks!

thoots

 

[randall2580]

Hey there and welcome to Android. I originally added a GNote to my lineup to give me some of the things that the BB9810 doesn't, and with the delay in BB10 I decided I could no longer wait for a phone that may or may not come. Originally I expected to keep the 9810 as my "daily driver" and just use the GNote for Skype, browsing etc and like you I didn't think I would ever get used to the on screen keyboard.

WIth in a month I had the SIM cards changed on my daily driver is now the GNote and I use the 9810 only for BBM. IMHO the GNote is the equal of the things BB does well, and has many features the BB does not. I whole heartedly recommend you get SwiftKey and use as your keyboard. You can even program it to insert the period after 2 spaces just like we do on BB. I think you will find as you use it - their predictions get better and you will find you are better on the on screen keyboard than you thought you would be, at least I am finding that to be true for me, and the big screen on the GNote makes for a nicer sized keyboard than you would find on say an iPhone.

I love the GNote 1, but it will take you some time to get used to Android and it will most likely be a little frustrating at first if you have been on BB for a while, but IMHO its just that it's different and once you learn the ways of Android I think you will find it works very very well. Stay with it it will be worth it.

From what you say above are your primary uses, I think you will take to the Note right away. If you use Chrome on your desktop you will love the integration with Chrome on the mobile browser, you can transfer all your bookmarks.

The last recommendation I can give is use this tool (Android Central) for any questions you have along the way. There are quite a few former BB users like you and I who are here and have worked through the transition, some are 100 perecent sold on Android and would never go back, and some can't wait for BB10 to get here. Like on CrackBerry the are willing and eager to help!

 

[thoots]

Thanks for your reply!

I've generally looked at the teenagers with their fingers flying over touchscreens, and figured that if they can manage typing on the things, I should be able to learn how to do it. I do care about stuff like accurate spelling and grammar usage, though.

I'll check out SwiftKey as you've mentioned, and, indeed, I hope that the bigger Note screen will help with the typing.

Again, thanks for your words of encouragement, and indeed, I know that I can always pop in here and get the help I need. I've spent plenty of time on CrackBerry, and that's why I decided to come over here. And I'm definitely going through the old messages here, trying to learn as much as I can before I get my note, which should be about a week from now, as I write this. I'm definitely looking forward to a big change in my technological life!

thoots