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)

blackberry_logo

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.

blackberry storm 9500

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?

Blackberry is the new .. black!
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28 thoughts on “Blackberry is the new .. black!

  • June 19, 2009 at 4:16 pm
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    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.

    Reply
  • June 19, 2009 at 4:22 pm
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    eh i tot you using iphone, last time your post like crazy worshipping iphone. now blackberry pulak.

    Reply
  • June 19, 2009 at 4:39 pm
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    but it seems to be only for business users

    Reply
  • June 19, 2009 at 5:00 pm
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    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. 🙂

    Reply
  • June 19, 2009 at 5:13 pm
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    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!

    Reply
  • June 19, 2009 at 6:50 pm
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    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.

    Reply
  • June 19, 2009 at 8:18 pm
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    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?

    Reply
  • June 19, 2009 at 11:14 pm
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    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.

    Reply
  • June 19, 2009 at 11:17 pm
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    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!

    Reply
  • June 20, 2009 at 12:12 am
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    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.

    Reply
  • June 20, 2009 at 12:15 am
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    I would said “Stay with Nokia 5800″… = p

    Reply
  • June 20, 2009 at 12:24 am
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    eehhhh…u got this phone already. I was just checking out the package last nite!~
    thinking of getting it also!

    Reply
  • June 20, 2009 at 2:27 am
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    this celcom storm package is very attractive, compare to maxis plan

    Reply
  • June 20, 2009 at 9:21 am
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    汉奸!

    you 出卖 Nokia because of girlfriend!

    🙂

    Reply
  • June 20, 2009 at 11:06 am
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    Go and get a BB! Hahaha….

    Reply
  • June 20, 2009 at 4:23 pm
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    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!

    Reply
  • June 20, 2009 at 6:46 pm
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    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. 😀

    Reply
  • June 21, 2009 at 12:02 pm
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    go get the BB n an iphone den u can give away ur nokias to win sern n me…each.. haha..

    Reply
  • June 21, 2009 at 8:07 pm
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    melisa teoh,
    One can always hope and dream! 😛

    Reply
  • June 21, 2009 at 9:46 pm
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    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. 😛

    Reply
  • June 22, 2009 at 9:07 am
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    email2me,
    Hahaha driving and typing isn’t exactly a good combination either way! 😀

    Reply
  • June 23, 2009 at 2:26 pm
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    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..

    Reply
  • June 23, 2009 at 4:58 pm
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    KahSeong,
    Haha yah big fingers aren’t very technology friendly. 😀

    Reply
  • June 28, 2009 at 2:15 am
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    The blackberry storm sucks! Go either Bold or Curve instead

    Reply

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