I have a NE2 upgrade available and am going to replace my 8830, but need help deciding on the replacement. I use it for business mostly, email is the main thing. I also will use it as a tetherd modem, which I have not done with the 8830 yet - or is there a better way to get internet access while I"m travelling?
I was waiting for the droid because I liked the idea of the keyboard and the free google navigation - but I didnt like the keyboard at all. The 8830 board is just OK - I'd rather have bigger keys (old eyes and big fingers) Is the google nav option likely to be made available on BB or other phones?
So, I'm not real worried about cost and want to know what the best options are for a good sized keyboard (physical) and the best overall performance, etc... advice?
If your primary use of the phone is email, then stick with Blackberry over other smartphones. Blackberry has perfected the email push service and is integrated seamlessly throughout different applications on the phone.
The Tour 9630 would be fine for you. There is rumor of a Tour 2 coming, but no firm date or announcement from VZW. It could come out next quarter or next year -- no one is saying for sure.
Tethering is probably the best option for Internet service on your laptop when traveling. For $30 extra a month for Mobile Broadband Connect, you'll get a 5gb allowance of data to use, more than enough for business and occasional personal use. Plus, you can cancel this feature anytime, while a USB modem/aircard or Netbook requires a new line of service with two year contract for $59.99 a month.
Don't hold your breath for Google Navigation on a BB phone. Google maps comes free with Google OS 2.0, which is on only the Motorola Droid for VZW (though there is talk that the Droid Eris will see an upgrade from 1.5 to 2.0 in the Spring). Even though its free with the $29.99 data plan, I like VZ Navigator better for ease of use, and voice commands have never impressed me as easy to use.
As for bigger keys, I'm not sure there is an option for a smartphone presently (other than the Mot Droid) with bigger keys than your present phone. The Tour will be similar to your 8830.
Thanks for the detailed reply. Really appreciated! I was leaning towards the tour already, though I'm disappointed about not being able to get the Google nav. Does VZ Nav work well? Is it GPS based or running off of cell towers?
I guess I can live with the smaller keys - oh well. I am thinking that I'll wait and see if the new tour comes along....any idea how I can find out more about when it might be released?
Thanks again... Appreciate your help.
LaneW wrote:Thanks for the detailed reply. Really appreciated! I was leaning towards the tour already, though I'm disappointed about not being able to get the Google nav. Does VZ Nav work well? Is it GPS based or running off of cell towers?
I guess I can live with the smaller keys - oh well. I am thinking that I'll wait and see if the new tour comes along....any idea how I can find out more about when it might be released?
Thanks again... Appreciate your help.
Yes, VZ Nav works well. It's GPS based, however you must be in the VZW National Access (Enhanced) Coverage Area for it to work. VZ Nav will still function if you start your navigation in the coverage area and travel to the extended (roaming network), but if you make a wrong turn VZ Nav won't be able to recalculate your directions again until you travel back into the coverage area.
With VZ Nav, I can save many favorite addresses to my phone and on the web and sync them (I have over 30 favorites -- not sure what the limit is). I get spoken turn-by-turn directions from about six different voices,male and female, from which to choose. I can pull up maps on my GPS location, address, intersections, airports, get traffic alerts along my route and detours, get movie and events, local business searches (like yellow pages on your phone), find the cheapest gas, weather, and even send a map location via a message to another VZ Nav subscriber on his phone or your location to an email address. There is even a $19.99 VZ Nav Global Service for travel in select international destinations.
As for when the Tour 2 will be released, VZW is hush-hush on release dates. Typically they don't announce a new phone until just a few weeks before it's available to customers. But that doesn't stop leaks and rumors from circulating on the Internet.
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