If you have been following this blog for a while you realise that I do follow the mobile phone technology quite closely. The proud owner of one of the best camera phone N82, and the first Symbian S60 touch screen phone, the 5800. (I do use both of them with separate phone lines)
However, ever since Mellissa started to use a Blackberry, I’ve been thinking of getting one for myself too. Blackberries are pretty unique and offer two biggest distinctions from other phones:
- real push mail services – unlike most other “pull” services that drains the battery faster
- blackberry messaging services – with blackberry services and unlimited data plan, you can message your friend essentially for free. It works somewhat like between SMS and Instant Messaging
There are only two service providers in this country currently offering Blackberry plans for general consumers and not only for business customers alone.
Of these two, Celcom seems to have the better deal out there. The package for Blackberry Storm are:
- RM 1699 with Celcom Exec 50 – RM 148 monthly commitment
- RM 1399 with Celcom Exec 250 – RM 250 monthly commitment
Both packages comes with unlimited internet and Blackberry email usage for a contract period of 12 months. More information here.
Telco M, on the other hand, has the same phone priced at RM 2199 with their Value 150 plan with a 24 months commitment. While they are some differences in call rates and minor details, it seems that in this case, Celcom is providing a better deal when you put two of them together.
About the phone:
As for the phone, well, Blackberry Storm is the first phone from the company that comes with a touch screen rather than a QWERTY keyboard. There is always a debate on whether the lack of physical keys is a good thing on mobile phones in general, and even more so with a messaging centric device like Blackberry. At the end of the day, it boils down to personal preference.
The reviews are somewhat mixed, my friend Terence who has been using the Storm for a while really loved it. I’ve played with it for a few minutes and found that the touch screen tactile feedback is pretty different and needs a bit of getting used to. The display itself though, is gorgeous. 3.25″ with 360×480 pixel makes viewing webpages and email a breeze.
Comparing it to the iPhone (which is the most common comparison out there), the Blackberry does offer quite a few functionalities not found in the competitor. The messaging functions alone, with the two mentioned features above and full sms/mms functions, is clearly superior. The ability to carry and change battery too is always welcomed.
With the unlimited data plan (the only way to go with a device like this anyway), you can also use the phone as a tethered modem to a netbook or laptop like how I used to do with the Nokia. Very useful especially when streamyx isn’t the most reliable thing lately.
I’m seriously thinking of making the switch, what do you think?
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By tl on Jun 19, 2009 | Reply
I tried the demo unit at the Blue Cube in Sunway Pyramid. Very tempting but their HTC packages are good too.
BTW I was told they are out of stock and only available end of the month. Call up the stores before you go.
By sicksand on Jun 19, 2009 | Reply
eh i tot you using iphone, last time your post like crazy worshipping iphone. now blackberry pulak.
By Adi Wong on Jun 19, 2009 | Reply
actually digi also got blackberry now
http://www.digi.com.my/business/promo/promo_item.jsp?section=blackberry
newly launched
By Adi Wong on Jun 19, 2009 | Reply
but it seems to be only for business users
By KY on Jun 19, 2009 | Reply
tl,
ooo thanks for the tips.
sicksand,
Hahaha no la that one was the iPhone package that I talked about.
Adi Wong,
Yah that one just launched but the deal’s only for corporate customers, not normal consumers.
By Mellissa on Jun 19, 2009 | Reply
Can’t compare the iPhone with the Blackberry, and I use both so I would know!
The Blackberry is in a class of its own, though I really dislike the Storm!!! BOLD FOR THE WIN!
By ShaolinTiger on Jun 19, 2009 | Reply
Bold wins at life! Hope the packages come down in price though when they realise more consumers want a BB – don’t just limit it to the corporate sector.
BTW iPhone has MMS/SMS functions now since 3.0 update yesterday.
By J2Kfm on Jun 19, 2009 | Reply
yeah, just heard bout their free msging system from a fren.
thought he was hallucinating or something, but seems its true. LOL.
of course, the ultimate iPhone still holds the torch for being the coolest gadget, wondering who will be on the receiving end of that same torch?
By eiling on Jun 19, 2009 | Reply
The storm is utterly difficult to use when you have long fingernails! I’ve given up using it. Since it’s recession, I’ll try and get some blueberries or strawberries instead.
By yuetmui on Jun 19, 2009 | Reply
iPhone vs BlackBerry – BB wins!
like the others have mentioned, seems like Bold is better than Storm but I still find Storm damn cool and yeng. Planning to get one too!
By vialentino on Jun 20, 2009 | Reply
hmmm…during last time when do hand set testing for storm … it is better than all the previous bb models, must agree with it. but still, i dun like bberry handset….thou my wife using bold, tried to play with it and gave up, not used to it.
By MyNokia5800 on Jun 20, 2009 | Reply
I would said “Stay with Nokia 5800″… = p
By taufulou on Jun 20, 2009 | Reply
eehhhh…u got this phone already. I was just checking out the package last nite!~
thinking of getting it also!
By kenwooi on Jun 20, 2009 | Reply
nice..
i cant afford an iPhone, what more BB.. lol =D
By epool86 on Jun 20, 2009 | Reply
this celcom storm package is very attractive, compare to maxis plan
By YZ on Jun 20, 2009 | Reply
BB Bold ftw!
By aeroplane1234 on Jun 20, 2009 | Reply
汉奸！
you 出卖 Nokia because of girlfriend！
By JD on Jun 20, 2009 | Reply
Go and get a BB! Hahaha….
By Bel on Jun 20, 2009 | Reply
Been using BB for some time now and recently upgraded from the Pearl to a Bold. Had a choice actually between the Bold and the Storm but was told by a BB technician that the touch screen is problematic. So choose wisely and yes, once you have gone Black, you will never go Back!
By KY on Jun 20, 2009 | Reply
Mellissa,
Cos you use one!
ShaolinTiger,
Yaa, MMS is now on iPhone too I suppose.
J2Kfm,
Yah Blackberry messaging is free, very handy if you have lotsa friends all on BB.
eiling,
Long nails also won’t work with iPhone. lol
yuetmui,
Make it happen.
vialentino,
I guess there’s a learning curve huh
MyNokia5800,
LOL your nick already like that.
taufulou,
I haven’t got yet!
kenwooi,
haha this is cheaper tho
epool86,
Yah I gotta agree
YZ,
Get me one!
aeroplane1234,
LOL nokia is not my boss ok although I do like some of their phones quite a lot.
JD,
Thinking thinking!
Bel,
oOO. ok ok thanks for the comment.
By melisa teoh on Jun 21, 2009 | Reply
go get the BB n an iphone den u can give away ur nokias to win sern n me…each.. haha..
By KY on Jun 21, 2009 | Reply
melisa teoh,
One can always hope and dream!
By email2me on Jun 21, 2009 | Reply
Go for Blackberry Bold …. Storm sucks with their touch screen technology which need to press upon touch. It feels exactly like my Macbook Pro touch pad.
Bold is just perfect. Driving also can type.
By KY on Jun 22, 2009 | Reply
email2me,
Hahaha driving and typing isn’t exactly a good combination either way!
By KahSeong on Jun 23, 2009 | Reply
I use blackberry alot for work reason, used to hate it but now actually thinks that it’s pretty cool (as long as you don’t get work email late at night…)
anyhow, agree. Bold or Curve is better than Storrm. Maybe my finger is too big for the keypad..
By KY on Jun 23, 2009 | Reply
KahSeong,
Haha yah big fingers aren’t very technology friendly.
By Paul on Jun 28, 2009 | Reply
The blackberry storm sucks! Go either Bold or Curve instead
By KY on Jun 28, 2009 | Reply
Paul,
OoOo !