The Official Blackberry Convert Thread

[enilm]

I used to have to Curve 8330, Storm1 and the tour 9630. I couldn't see myself leaving blackberry at all. But I'm also a big Google fan, so I decided to give Android a try. I also owned a Palm treo for about 2 years so I'm not a fanboi of anything in specific. That being said, what I miss the most from BB is the profile settings and BBM.

What I prefer about the Android is the speed and memory that they put in their devices. But I'm pretty sure Blackberry is going to start making their stuff faster. And I don't know how people complain about the OS on the BB. I was running 5.0 on my Tour and everything was what I needed to be. I actually miss the stock icons. Only thing that was a pain was the browser. Other than the browser and speed, the BB is a rock solid device.

I been watching videos on BB 6.0 and it's looking even better. It's also getting a webkit so no more slow browser. I see myself getting another BB somewhere in the future. The new 9800 Slider is looking pretty nice. But for now I'm going to enjoy my Android. As long as Google keeps making google sync (calendar and contacts) it's easy to switch devices every couple years.

edit: Another thing I couldn't stand about BB is their reboot time and that sometimes you had to restart phone when installing an app.

 

[chrisb3]

Ah. Thought I needed that to sideload on the X. Thanks for the info.

 

[heraldo]

sideload=installed manually.

download astro.

then select the file through astro and install it.

Is that in the market?

 

[Brett]

Yeah its free in the market. There's a pro version but all it does is remove the ads.

 

[peargirl]

As a former long time Blackberry user and new Android user I agree on everthing you posted. The thing with me was that I was so tired of the Blackberry and the Android is fresh and interesting for me right now.

I agree with you and the OP (on most points).

What I truly miss is BerryBuzz...I had JUST gotten all my contact/app LED lights to work right and how I wanted them to and then got the Droid.

I really miss being able to glance at the phone and know it was my husband on BBM or just email since my phone is on silent or vibrate while I'm at work.

And of course, I miss BBM since my husband still has his BB, but Google Talk works ok for that.

 

[peargirl]

I agree 110%. I always said I would never leave Blackberry and here I sit. Since I activated my X, I haven't even looked back. I had to use my Blackberry once couldn't believe I ever said I would never leave. I'm a total convert now.

I agree as well. I originally just wanted to get a Droid (was going to get the Incredible before the X announcement came out) to "play" with it because I kept hearing how cool and fast it was.

And well, I'm hooked and not going back.

 

[katrina2475]

I agree as well. I originally just wanted to get a Droid (was going to get the Incredible before the X announcement came out) to "play" with it because I kept hearing how cool and fast it was.

And well, I'm hooked and not going back.

There certainly are things I miss about Blackberry but the Pro's to Android help ease the pain. That being said, I had a HTC Hero that was Android and I hated it. The X just rocks my world.

 

[paulinbna]

I agree with you and the OP (on most points).

What I truly miss is BerryBuzz...I had JUST gotten all my contact/app LED lights to work right and how I wanted them to and then got the Droid.

I really miss being able to glance at the phone and know it was my husband on BBM or just email since my phone is on silent or vibrate while I'm at work.

This is the only thing I really miss, I have a couple of apps that change the color of my texts to blue. With berrybuzz it would alternate between each alert. And the you could make the LED a lot brighter also.

 

[heraldo]

Yeah its free in the market. There's a pro version but all it does is remove the ads.

Okay i downloaded astro and attempted to install but it told me i was unable to dl

 

[richtree]

Pattern lock is built in to the OS. Check under location & security. You have to enable it.

thanks ,


how about an app to block certain numbers from texting, that you can toggle on and off...thanks

 

[Hosehead]

This is the only thing I really miss, I have a couple of apps that change the color of my texts to blue. With berrybuzz it would alternate between each alert. And the you could make the LED a lot brighter also.

I agree with you and the OP (on most points).

What I truly miss is BerryBuzz...I had JUST gotten all my contact/app LED lights to work right and how I wanted them to and then got the Droid.

I really miss being able to glance at the phone and know it was my husband on BBM or just email since my phone is on silent or vibrate while I'm at work.

And of course, I miss BBM since my husband still has his BB, but Google Talk works ok for that.

I found an app called Blink which should allow you to customize your LED colors based on message type. I will give it a try as soon as my device shows up...

 

[Kupe]

There are several apps that come with this device that cannot be deleted/hidden (CityID for example). I believe that is what the OP is referring to.

You mean like Bing on the new Verizon Blackberries? Grrrr...

 

[Kupe]

I agree with you on the sounds profile missing, I use my phone for both work and personal use and like to have a ringtone set specifically to my work email so I know if I can ignore a notification or not.

Also I am missing the bedtime mode feature. Used to use this to auto turn everything except for calls, sms and work email to silent, then turn the volume down. I am using Sound Manager now to auto turn my volume down on notifications and phone calls at night, but not quite what I want it to do.

Check out K-9 mail (free) where you can change the alert and LED color for each email account. Also, check out Profiles for your "bedtime mode." It allows customization of many aspects of the Droid with optional homescreen widgets (all sounds including ringtone, notification- both volume and sound file used, media, headset, alarm; screen brightness; radios on/off). It's very useful.

 

[CarbonOak]

I agree with you and the OP (on most points).

What I truly miss is BerryBuzz...I had JUST gotten all my contact/app LED lights to work right and how I wanted them to and then got the Droid.

I really miss being able to glance at the phone and know it was my husband on BBM or just email since my phone is on silent or vibrate while I'm at work.

And of course, I miss BBM since my husband still has his BB, but Google Talk works ok for that.

Completely agree with you. BerryBuzz and BBM are the top two things I missed. Two apps, MissedCall and Blink are close, but not quite, and they're not running optimally on the Droid X. Google Talk is also close, but not quite.

Otherwise, I'm happy.

 

[rooktdphi]

I think the one area where Google Talk is better than BBM is the fact that you can chat within your email on actual computer. It is convenient to have Talk both on my phone when i'm out, or on my computer when i'm tied to my desk at work.

 

[kj11]

battery pulls were waaay easier on my curve....or maybe i just had a lot of practice

 

[peargirl]

I found an app called Blink which should allow you to customize your LED colors based on message type. I will give it a try as soon as my device shows up...

I tried Blink a couple times. I can't get it to work right. I am using Gmail Notifier for LED customization for email. And I installed Missed Call too.

I'll get used to the changes, I just miss Berrybuzz.

 

[BigAls87Z28]

Here is another Storm 1 convert. It was my first BB, and probably my last. While it was a good introduction into the world of touch phones, it left a lot to be desired. There is so much to do with this new phone, I dont even know where to start...so I came here.

 

[lvnalolife]

Can't believe I waited this long to get a Droid. Wish I would have done it a long time ago. Goodbuy Blackberry, Its a whole new world!

 

[ottscay]

I only had 1 replacement in 2 years which isnt bad really. It's a decent phone but to me hasnt seemed to keep up with the times. Though the refreshed Storm 3 is rumored to come out in fall.

And yes, it is much better after I put OS5 on it.

I only had one replacement too (missed getting a free S2 by 3 weeks ) and it was just that my daughter one day (she was 1 at the time) got it for all of 7 seconds and chewed on the buttons, and the end call button stopped working (to Verizon's credit I told them that, and they still had a replacement sent to me withing 48 hours).

The Storm refresh this fall appears to just be a S2 with more memory so it can run BB OS6...not worth the money IMO. Hopefully the S4 in the spring will be more interesting (what?? I like competition, it's good for all of us!).