I’m trying to bring the technology of my remodeling business into the 21st Century, and am going to get a phone that will let me easily do email from the field, among other things. I have only had basic cell phones up till now, however, and I am looking for some helpful advice about which type device may be the most useful. Durability is a big factor, as well.
thanks in advance
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I am using the Blackberry Curve and I really like it but in the process of getting excited about upgrading to the new Storm I ended up doing alot of research. The results told me that the I phone was the better bang for the buck.
That being said the Blackberry is very intuitive to use and my service provider has a great packagee for me.
I will probably stay with Blackberry......
Sorry for not providing a definitive answer but it really is not a simple question.
On a hill by the harbour
Loving my iPhone.It's been in my front pocket every day in the field for 6 months now, and no durability problems. I just put it in my pocket with the screen facing my thigh.The phone is so easy to use it's not funny. I've never even looked at the manual and use it for everything. I store all my work photos on it and can reference them at will. e-mail is a no-brainer.Have a couple of dozen apps on it. The ones that see the most use are the web browser, the facebook app, accuweather for checking the radar, a construction calculator and a highly addictive game called Bejeweled. over 100 thousand applications are available for it now.Steve
I have a blackberry and I find it easy enough to use for the basic call and text. When I see you I Phone guys whipping through the email process and other apps, I realize that I made a mistake getting a blackberry. If the money is the same, I'd grab the I phone simply because it has such a nice big screen.
Thanks for the input, guys. The screen size on the IPhone is very appealing, as well as the landscape format keyboard. It does seem like there are alot of construction related apps for the IPhone, too.
If your main use is email, get a Blackberry. A real keyboard is faster than a touchscreen keyboard even though Apple's is pretty good. That being said, the iPhone has a better interface and a much larger screen, so it may be the choice if you use a lot of the add-in applications and the web browser.
Also the Blackberry is a better phone than the iPhone and the speakerphone works well.
Another consideration is the quality of the phone service, which depends on where you are located. With iPhone you get AT&T. With Blackberry you can choose from many phone service providers.
I suggest you play with each of them to help make your decision.
Billy
You can get "jailbroken" and "unlocked" IPhones that will work on (almost) any network.
There are cautions in going down this path, but it can be an alternative to the pricey AT&T service.
>>"jailbroken" and "unlocked" IPhones that will work on (almost) any network.<<Well, any GSM Network, which in the US consists of mainly AT&T and T-Mobile. Worldwide most networks are GSM, but not here. Here is a list of all US GSM carriers:http://www.gsmworld.com/roaming/gsminfo/cou_us.shtmlMost are small. The two big ones are AT&T and T-Mobile. What counts is what network works where you live. I'm in a rural area that happens have better coverage by AT&T in the areas I work. I can't get any Verizon service at my house at all.Steve
Edited 11/9/2009 7:10 am by mmoogie
Thanks again, guys, for all the input. You've given me a lot to think about.
In the entertainment business that I work in, everyone got the I phone the day it came out. Everyone in New York I work with complains about the bad AT&T service. Everyone from LA says how great the AT&T service is on the left coast and in turn they love there I phone. A lot of people in NYC are going back to the BB and Verizon. Before you decide on a phone check who is the better service provider in your area. That will go a long way towards helping you decide.
I have no direct info on Iphones for you but have been using blackberry phones for about 6 years.
What I like a LOT about them is this: I drop them at least once a month - on parking lot asphalt, on airplane floors, on ceramic tile in my kitchen - etc. And the dang things keep on tickin'!
so there's a vote for their durability...(and I'm still learning to use more of their features every week cuz something new seems to come up and then I learn - oh hey, it CAN do "this" action too...)
"I'm a work in progress; still learning every day!"
Agree with Billy.
Initially emailing was easier on the blackberry due to the keyboard versus touchpad. I think the blackberry is more durable, at least it seems and looks more durable.
Other than that the iPhone wins due to the apps and the display. I'm pretty good at typing on the iphone now.
At this stage of the game I'd recommend the iphone over the blackberry.
I got mine yesterday, the S, 16 gig. ohhhhh, man.Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations
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bubbalicious:
I got a Palm Pre and I like it better than my wife's Blackberry, although I've not used hers much.
The other day I was at the shop. I took a picture of a piece of solid surface and emailed it to a customer for approval for an inlay. He emailed me back with approval. All this in minutes. How much gasoline and time did that save?
Now when a customer calls when I'm on a job, my schedule is in my left front pocket, not hanging next to the refrigerator. I can access my schedule without losing the call.
You really don't have a choice. This is how business is being done these days.
Good luck,
Kowboy
I have the Blackberry Storm and am very happy with it for all uses. My deciding factor was the coverage of my provider - Verizon had great service here in the boonies, AT&T was lousy, so it was a Blackberry. If you're urban that might not matter - if you're rural it very well might.
shreddie.... my daughter convinced me to go iphone... and i got an armadillo case with a hip holster ... the case is pretty indestructibleMike Hussein Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
Somehow after reading your post I had a vision like the movie "High Noon" and you and OP walking towards each other from opposite ends of dirt street between saloons...with your hip holsters containing iphone or bb or pre...
(don't ask me where this "vision" sprang from...perhaps I got up and drank a cuppa crazy today)
BTW - happy belated b'day Mr. Mike! Give the lovely Helen a hug for me.
"I'm a work in progress; still learning every day!"
hugs back....you should come visitMike Hussein Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
Hugs is good, THANKS.
As to coming to visit - thanks for the "written invite" (LOL!) and I'll keep y'all in mind when I search for places to do a quick "mental health getaway weekend" now and then!
"I'm a work in progress; still learning every day!"
weren't you gonna come to NYC and buy me a steak at Peter Lugers?fair winds and following seas
I have an Ipod touch (which does many of the same functions as the Iphone - minus the phone part obviously) so when I was faced with getting a new phone I decided on the blackberry thinking that there was little point in duplicating much of the functionality that I already had via the Ipod.
My wife has a blackberry and she is very happy with it, but to be honest I wish I had gone the route of getting the Iphone. With so many applications available for the iphone , I see it as a much more robust tool, although I suspect as others have pointed out that it is likey somewhat less durable than the blackberry.
I've never had a durability issue with my iPhone. I carry it my front pocket everyday. Like any phone you have to have some common sense. Like when I'm jack hammering I leave it in the truck.
My wife hates you now, but I could almost kiss you for talking me off the edge. Man, the voice command? I can just say, "call gunner" and boom, it's dialing, or Play McMurtry, and the Ipod plays..
Still figuring out the tapping numbers for Zoom, and the camera settings, and Google Earth. The Guitar App. is insane, it has EVERY chord, tuning modal, for every strummed string instrument, except Harp I think.
Between it and here, I forget I have home. happily I'ing along.Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations
I was looking at a banjo app last night. Something to drive the Amish nuts on the next adventure.How do you like the otter case? That's something I haven't got yet.
It's OK. I don't know from anything else tho. It's sticky, so no quick draw. I want something like a clear cover for the screen , or so I think. I noticed it don't work with thin gloves on, like I use on the copper.
I also must have Spock ears, I can't get the buds to stay put, I'll try some PL next.
I finally figured out gow to get old wma. music converted and loaded in the phone...took awhile to do tthat. I'm flat broke, no more goodies till next pay. I just dropped a wad at a Physical Therapist, who advises some weight work, headphones are part of the prescription ( as I yold Rosiee...shhhh) LOLSpheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations
My favorite ear piece is made by Sony. I'll try to find a link. The earbuds that came with the phone worked nice for me but I ruined them packing them in my pocket. The other styles don't work well on me either. What kind of weight work are you doing? Gym or at home?
It's gonna all be Lats, Traps and Pecs to start out. They hve a nautilus and universal there. At home I'm gonna have a gallon jug with water and a pulley thing that hangs on a door. I didn't get to much past the initial eval. yet, and one session.
I have to, get this, eat even MORE fat, it's back to my body eating itself agin,it eats muscle and then atrophies or spasms..which wrecks the spine alinement and rib problem.
Hey, I wanna invent a hat that has built in flippable ear mites that blue tooth wireless...I'll hold still, you solder this to my head.Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations
That's really gonna cost if you have to keep going back. Can you join the Y and go back for reevaluations once in awhile? Just wondring.
I'll b glad to solder a hat to your head. A buddy was showing me a bluetooth head set he bought for his iPhone. Cost a hundred bucks. I'll stick with what I have. LOL
Yeah, I hope to do something like that. A few visits and take over on my own. I'll see how it shakes out.
Loading the phone with more tunes..this is fun.Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations
Here's a link to the earbuds that I was talking about. I can do full workouts with no problem with these guys. Shoulders, back, legs whatever. The behind the neck over the head wrap is great. The buds stay put the whole time.
http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&productId=8198552921665376473#additionalImage1"
Sweet.
maybe next payday.
Thnx.Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations
I forgot to add. I didn't pay 50 bucks either. You can find them cheaper at Best Buy.
View ImageSpheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations
Well, the deal is done...I went with the I Phone. It just seemed to be the most versatile for my situation, and it will interface with my I Mac without any problems. Does anybody have any links to apps for the I Phone for construction? Thanks for all the input, guys.
If you need to track/manage time sheets for employees or contractors this is a pretty cool program for doing that. It works with iphones.. or from a computer.
http://www.timexchange.net
Go to the apps icon on your phone and do a search for construction.
I too have an I-touch and wish i'd have gotten the I-phone but i'm not leaving Verizon.
Still wishing the I-phone would come there.
Family.....They're always there when they need you.
I'm sure they have unlocked ones on Ebay.
>>"....a phone that will let me easily do email from the field,...."
I've thought about that concept too, and I recently changed from a cheapo flip phone to a blackberry.
Yes, it "does" email, both send and receive. In addition, it has a "web browser", and a bunch of other stuff (Apps).
For me, the small screen of a blackberry is not a problem -- my glasses are strong enough that I can read emails.
But the keypad is a little awkward for my thumbs -- those keys are TINY, and my thumbs aren't. As a result, I end up making a lot of type errors, and taking time ot correct them.
And because that can get frustrating and time consuming, I am thinking about getting a bluetooth keyboard that is normal-sized. I could leave the keyboard in the truck, and use it when needed......
And yes, my customers are using email to contact me a lot -- probably equal to phone calls.
I won't be laughing at the lies when I'm gone,
And I can't question how or when or why when I'm gone;
I can't live proud enough to die when I'm gone,
So I guess I'll have to do it while I'm here. (Phil Ochs)
and to think that to date, I have neglected that honor ...
"I'm a work in progress; still learning every day!"