Blackberry Tour 9630
My wife has the cousin of the iPhone, the iTouch. It is just like the iPhone, but no…phone. She browses the internet at home, check’s email, Facebook, and seems to be always downloading applications (many of which my sons choose…games). There is a lot of flexibility when it comes to the devices, but as you’ll see that is where the flexbility ends. In this post I’ll share why I decided to go with another Blackberry, and the main reasons why. I’ll also discuss options for both devices when it comes to integrating it with your ACT! database.
3 Reasons Why I Chose the Latest Blackberry over the Latest iPhone
To her own admission, My wife is not super tech savvy, but she was glued to that iTouch like white on rice. She loves the fact that she does not have to fire up a laptop or computer, to check email, or Facebook. I knew our cell phone contracts were coming due for renewal, and it was time to do some shopping. I was strongly considering the iPhone. There were several reasons I did not go with the iPhone, that I’ll share with you here.
Reason #1 for Not Going with an iPhone
Coverage: as I surveyed other iPhone users, both locally and across the USA, a constant theme was in each conversation. We love the device, we don’t love the coverage. It seems that AT&T (currently the sole cell service provider for the device) has much to be desired when it comes to coverage. As one who travels often, and recently drove across the country with no issues on cell service (Alltel) during the recent ACT! by Sage software promotion, this benefit was fresh on my mind. I found it hard to believe that I could be talking to someone on their iPhone in New York City, and the call would drop (multiple times). Even in the Denver area where I’m at, the coverage map was spotty.
After I went with the Blackberry, I saw this commercial, which resonated with me:
If for some reason you cannot see it on this page, go here.
Reason #2- What about That Big Screen? What if it breaks?
I’m pretty rough on things. My travels have me bumping into things, multi-tasking, car keys and a phone in the same pocket (when it’s not in the holster grinding against something), etc. Therefore, it is a realistic consideration. I understand there are screen protectors for the iPhone, but I didn’t ever have this concern with the original Blackberry, and if the Blackberry screen were to shatter, the keyboard still works…not so sure with the iPhone which is a complete touchscreen.
Reason #3- What About Syncing Information with the ACT! Database?
This is not only a question for me, but for my clients also. The same solution offered for syncing ACT! with the iPhone is avaiable from these guys with the Blackberry, but I liked having more than one option. Hey this is a tough economy and companies do go out of business. I’m a big fan of syncing wirelessly (when I’m not in the office), so I prefer that option. However, this product is more of a conduit that syncs with the address book function of the given handheld, and does not have an actual ACT! application for the device. This may work for most people, but not for all.
Then there is these other guys, who will sync over the air to an application that they have designed specifically to have ACT! on the Blackberry. This application has matured over the years, and having used it for nearly two years, I couldn’t walk away from it now. Shortly after getting my new Blackberry Tour 9630 in the mail from Verizon, I had nearly 2000 contacts sync’d to my phone using their application.
What About You? Blackberry or iPhone?
If you are concerned about coverage (which AT&T really needs to improve), or the possibility of the touchscreen breaking, you might want to rethink whether the iPhone is for you. For ACT! users needing the data portability and sync capabilities, there are options. If you are like me, syncing over the air to a native application is the best course, and the only option at this point is available for the Blackberry.
Note: I may do a comprehensive review of the ACT! on the Blackberry if there is enough interest. I may even have a bonus for those who are need to jumpstart their training on the Blackberry device. If that interests you, let me know in the comments below.
Resources in this Post:
- Coverage Map Ad Hits AT&T
- Handheld Cradle and Over the Air Sync for ACT! and iPhone Users
- A Fair value for those thinking of going to the Blackberry with Verizon
- Sync Your Blackberry with ACT! over the Air
Hey! It’s Your Turn: This conversation is incomplete without you. Take a moment and chime in using the comment boxes below. You have an iPhone or Blackberry? Chime in with your own experiences below.
Hi, my name is Travis Campbell, I operate this site. A key to success in any business is to effectively manage your relationships. ACT! is a software product helping millions when it comes to doing just that. This Website is designed to assist both those considering ACT! software for their business, as well as to provide insight to ACT! users who want to effectively use it in their day to day operations. So login, post, browse and enjoy.
I was definitely looking for a post like this when my cell phone contract came up for renewal last month. Ultimately, I ended up going with the Blackberry Tour. Here's why:
1. Coverage: Very poor to non-existent AT&T coverage in the semi-rural area where I live.
2. Keyboard: Less of a learning curve for me to go with a keypad vs. touch screen.
3. Size: Just felt right in my hand.
4. Attachments: Ability to review business document attachments.
5. Recommended: I talked to 5 people I knew who had used both phones, and each of them had switched or returned to Blackberry after the iPhone. (These were folks who used their phone for work in the same way I use my phone.)
->And, what I didn't know in advance, but now love: how easy it is to keep my Outlook calendar and contacts synched between my computer and phone.
I may be swayed to try the sexy iPhone when they allow other cell service carriers, but I don't think so. Love my BB.
-Mary
Mary-
Thanks for providing your feedback here. It is clear every situation is different. It sound like you and I had more things in common than folks that are in a better coverage area for the (AT&T) iPhone. If Blackberry continues to enhance the product, they have a chance when the iPhone comes out on other cell service providers (I think it'll happen – they'll sell way more phones, and that is what they are out to do!). The biggest issue I have with the Blackberry is the tiny internal memory footprint!
Thanks for taking the time to chime in and share your own experience. Stay tuned for another post about how I'm using the Blackberry with ACT!.
Others? Using considering an iPhone, faithful to the Blackberry? Concerned, hesitant which route to go. Chime in with your thoughts.
Mary- Thanks for providing your feedback here. It is clear every situation is different. It sound like you and I had more things in common than folks that are in a better coverage area for the (AT&T) iPhone. If Blackberry continues to enhance the product, they have a chance when the iPhone comes out on other cell service providers (I think it'll happen – they'll sell way more phones, and that is what they are out to do!). The biggest issue I have with the Blackberry is the tiny internal memory footprint! Thanks for taking the time to chime in and share your own experience. Stay tuned for another post about how I'm using the Blackberry with ACT!. Others? Using considering an iPhone, faithful to the Blackberry? Concerned, hesitant which route to go. Chime in with your thoughts.
I've migrated from my ever dependable Palm Tungsten C to a Blackberry TOUR. I sorely miss the robust PDA functionality, but certainly take full advantage of mobile email capability that I did not have before. Regarding ACT! – the next version must have complete Blackberry synch capability – before somebody else offers that feature. Sure there are TWO great add-on programs currently available that provide this feature, but if ACT! wants to remain relevant to the business marketplace – this must be incorporated into their programming.
Brian-
Old habits die hard, I was the same as I resisted leaving my Palm Treo a couple years ago. I'm hopeful Sage is listneing to customers like and considering your feedback. Time will tell!
I just wish the Tour had more internal memory…
Hi Travis
I have BB Bold and ATT and also travel and not too much problem with coverage. I use HandHeld Contact to auto synch to ACT and love it.
Travis, I use the iPhone with CL to synchronize from ACT! to Google and then sync my iPhone with Google. It works pretty well except once in a while a timeless activity gets the duration set to a full day. But it's a pretty good setup, only price is the cost of CompanionLink express, no monthly charges.
Len-
Thanks for sharing your experience. That is the general feedback I hear from people, they are happy with what they get from Companionlink. iPhone users can learn more here.
Others?
-Travis
I was a Palm Treo user and before that a Kyocera Smartphone (or should I say, Smartbrick!). 18 months ago I bought Act! for my business, then shortly after bought Act! for Palm for when I was on the road. I really struggled going to the Blackberry (Tour 9630, which I bought 6 months ago) because I was told by Act! the only option I had to get the Act! desktop contacts synced with my BB was buying and using Companionlink, which I did when I bought the BB. The BB seems to sync ok with my Act! desktop, but I lose lots of custom created user fields that I'd like to have on my BB. Also, if I want to do a BB lookup by city, zip, office id, or any other field (like I can do on my Act! desktop), I'm out of luck. Sounds like I should dump the Companion Link and get Handheld Contact. Yes?
By the way, I too decided against the IPhone because of coverage, and because I thought it might be too much of a distraction (a toy).
Travis, I appreciate any help or advice. Thanks in advance.
– Kurt
Kurt-
Have you tried the search feature of the Blackberry, it will search local contacts that you have (which CompanionLink syncs to)?
-Travis