Should I dump my BlackBerry 9650 for the Shift??

[richardah]

What kind of email server do you have? If it is Exchange, try TouchDown for Exchange (fully functional 30 day trial, then $20). I tested it against Motorola's Corporate Sync and against K-9 on a Droid X, K-9 was missing a few too many little features (this was in December).

Also, Exchange ActiveSync "push" email works by opening a connection to the server and listening for incoming traffic over an extended period of time, rather than polling the server at set intervals. I suspect Blackberry works that way as well. When I tested K-9, it did not have push for Exchange.

At the moment I'm still using HTC's email client. The things that annoy me the most are: cumbersome to change folders (e.g., to Draft and back to Inbox); absurd to have a huge long flat list of folders (rather than a hierarchy) when I want to move a message; and unable to read embedded Outlook messages (forwarded as an EML attachment).

The server is not an Exchange server. It's at a hosting company but it supports IMAP. It works fine for my Blackberry. I get emails seconds after it shows up in my inbox. Sent emails from my Blackberry are added to the Sent folder on the server. It works perfectly. That's why I have a hard time seeing an Android phone as a true business phone. It just isn't. Android phones are great for all the "fun" stuff but they are seriously lacking when it comes to actually getting business done.

I don't mean to put down the Android phones. It's just that people can't pretend they're something they're not. Some people really need to have phones they can work from. I'm also hoping I'm wrong and there's a solution that I don't' know about but it doesn't seem that way. Well, maybe in 2 years when I can renew my contract they'll have models that can do these basic things. Hopefully.

Richard

 

[david2g]

So I to have left my bold 9650. It was hard to put down. Tried evo and was to big and also palm pre and was to small. Loves all the kwel stuff but always made my way back to a blackberry. Now now I have the evo shift and love it. Didn't like the gmail app so i use HTC mail. So I turned off sync to mail only; and left contact and calendar on. Then entered gmail as exchange on htc mail for push email. Use m. Google. Com. Next I use the SwiftKey app and it's awesome.

Sent from my PG06100 using Tapatalk

 

[Tonay]

My sister just switched from BB to the Shift and she loves it!!

Its like a new world for her lol

 

[dtreo]

I just switched from the Bold 9650 to the Shift on the 11th. I LOVE it! I am a big keyboard person as well. I have always had a physical keyboard. I too was very concerned, as I have tested out touch keyboards in the store before. It once took over 5 minutes to send a text. I DON'T have that problem with my shift. As indicated in the other posts, I too have fallen in love with the touch keyboard. I LOVE it (The landscape one more than the compact portrait). I find myself using it more than the actual keyboard.

The only thing I really miss now is the ability to word substitute. I had tons saved in my 9650. I used u=you, pic=pictures, etc. I have been looking for an app and haven't found I like yet.

I am VERY glad I made the jump. Best of luck with your decision!

What's funny about all of these responses is that everyone would be better off with an EVO rather than the EVO Shift. If you end up using and enjoying the touch kb and swype on the Shift, then you would like the EVO that much better simply because of the increased ease with more space. The EVO touch kb is wonderful and after using it for a couple of weeks when the Shift came out, I tried out the Shift. It's way too small, especially in portrait view. Just my opinion and I've had years of happy use on old Treos, a BB Tour and Touch Pro 2. I loved all of those physical kbs, but after a short time with the EVO, I don't see a need anymore. It's that good.

 

[YoungCorruption]

What's funny about all of these responses is that everyone would be better off with an EVO rather than the EVO Shift. If you end up using and enjoying the touch kb and swype on the Shift, then you would like the EVO that much better simply because of the increased ease with more space. The EVO touch kb is wonderful and after using it for a couple of weeks when the Shift came out, I tried out the Shift. It's way too small, especially in portrait view. Just my opinion and I've had years of happy use on old Treos, a BB Tour and Touch Pro 2. I loved all of those physical kbs, but after a short time with the EVO, I don't see a need anymore. It's that good.

most evo shift users go for the evo shift because of the size. i myself fine the evo too big and i don't need a huge phone in my pocket

 

[dwaynewilliams#WN]

Even though I have an Android device now, I still like BlackBerry smartphones. The 9650 is still an awesome phone in my opinion. The BB keyboard is still the best in business. And features like auto text make it great. I love my Droid 2 Global. But BBs are still awesome in my book.

 

[mtbykr]

most evo shift users go for the evo shift because of the size. i myself fine the evo too big and i don't need a huge phone in my pocket

I agree. I have been looking for a long time for my next phone and thought the shift was it, however after a lot of searching I think i will be fine with a touch keyboard. The EVO is just too big for me, but I don't want the shift if i'm not going to use the keyboard. I stopped at a Verizon store and the HTC Droid Incredible seems perfect for me (other than being on Verizon). I'm hoping Sprint and HTC come out with a comparable phone in the near future.

 

[davimich75]

It all depends on what you use the cell phone mainly for? If mostly all you do on a phone is text and email. Stick with Blackberry. If you love web browsing and downloading apps. Then the Shift is the way to go. Shift is much heavier than the blackberrry. Android texting is ok but none beats the blackberry. I have the Shift now. The keyboard on it is ok. Next phone I get will be an android and i will lose the keyboard for a larger screen.

 

[mscottfl]

It all depends on what you use the cell phone mainly for? If mostly all you do on a phone is text and email. Stick with Blackberry. If you love web browsing and downloading apps. Then the Shift is the way to go. Shift is much heavier than the blackberrry. Android texting is ok but none beats the blackberry. I have the Shift now. The keyboard on it is ok. Next phone I get will be an android and i will lose the keyboard for a larger screen.

Couldn't agree more...former BB user on the shift now- I still miss the berry- but I do love the android options. The shift was my half step (toe in the water) to android - next phone will dump the bulk of the qwerty and probably go larger screen for easier on screen typing. OR back to the berry- but it will be one way or the other.