I’m a big cell phone user, but I don’t make many calls at all. I use cell phones for the features that go beyond making calls. Of course I am planning on getting an iPhone once it launches in June, but I’m sick of my BlackBerry Pearl. Mainly, I hate the SureType keyboard on it. Next Tuesday, T-Mobile is launching the BlackBerry 8800 with GPS and a full QWERTY keyboard. I’m switching to that for sure.

The Sidekick ID, a slimmed down version of the Sidekick 3 comes out Wednesday.A BlackBerry is great for email, but I’ve always preferred to SMS and IM through the Sidekick. With the Sidekick ID coming out next weeks, it seems like a cheap way to get back into the Sidekick world of IM’ing. The Sidekick service by itself runs $30/month. BlackBerry service from T-Mobile also runs $30/month with no voice plan. I’m already paying $60/month for 1,000 minutes and unlimited BlackBerry usage on my Pearl.

I am also testing the Samsung UpStage for Sprint with unlimited usage for 6 months. I can use this phone as my primary “phone call” phone for that time.

Is it worth it to have 2 data phones? I would use the BB 8800 for Google Talk, GPS, and Email, while the Sidekick ID would be for AIM, MSN, Yahoo, and SMS. I just really liked the ease of use on the Sidekick. Thoughts?

Okay, if this keeps up I will have 3 separate cell phones. I REALLY want the iPhone, but I don’t know that I could give up my CrackBerry, and guess who might be throwing their hat into the ring? Well I’ll give you a guess, its one of my favorite companies in the world, and the title of this post might of given it away as well.

The rumored Google phone is code-named Switch, and it’s either a joint partnership with Samsung or their own phone. What makes me think that if they do release a phone that it is going to be amazing, is that they hired the guy (Andy Rubin) who created Danger.

You might not know what Danger is, since the company name isn’t that widely talked about, but I’m sure you know the main device they produce, the Sidekick. Personally, I’ve owned every version of the Sidekick since the first black & white screen stage with the external camera. It was one of the best user experiences I’ve had on a phone device.

Will we be seeing a Google phone? I hope so, but until there is something more concrete, this gets filed under rumors.

It’s about time. Google Talk and Yahoo! IM have been on the Blackberry since (honestly) the first day I got my Blackberry. The one major issue when switching away from the Sidekick II to the Blackberry 7290 when I did, was AIM. I used AIM all the time on the SKII.

Well it looks like MSN and AIM (along with ICQ) will be headed to the Blackberry very soon. There have been countless 3rd party alternatives, which I haven’t been impressed with. I also don’t feel the need to pay a company a yearly fee just to use AIM on my phone.

According to BlackBerry Forums Super Moderator, jibi, these will be BB native applications, that run as smooth as Google Talk does.  I can’t wait!

This weekend I should be picking up my new BB Pearl, it would be nice to finally have a good AIM client to go with it.

Over the weekend, I was given a Blackberry Pearl to play around with for about an hour. I wasn’t allowed to take any pictures, but let me tell you what…if you are a fan of the Blackberry, but have always wanted a few extras, this is it.

My first impression was on how sleek it looked. It is shiny, smooth, thin, and has a “cool” factor that BB has missed out on for quite some time. It is thinner than the RAZR (while the RAZR is closed). It certainly has the “candy bar” look and feel to it.

The main feature that I noticed right off was the scroll button in the middle of the device. It is the same scroll button as the new Sidekick 3. This will help attract people that went to the SK3 and are only marginally happy with it. It will be an easy transition. There is no more sidescroll, thus getting rid of a lot of the “blackberry thumb” syndrome. This also makes the Pearl a great device to use with just one hand. I know for me it will take a while to not type with both thumbs, but this device makes it easy.
This is the first Blackberry that is going to be widely accepted from others outside of the standard “business user” market. The key feature it is missing, is a good AIM client. Gtalk and Yahoo work like a champ on this phone.
I am still not used to the SureType keyboard, but every word I tried to type out, it seemed to recognize.

If you are on a 7100 series of the Blackberry…UPGRADE!!! For 8700 users like myself, if you can get past the SureType, this is the best BB ever created. Finally a BB that can easily slip into your pocket and not cause the “Blackberry Bulge.”

On the downside, it does seem to get a bit slick just from touching it due to the metalic sides it has. The pictures are as good as any 1.3megapixel camera could be. I wasn’t able to mess with the video function to see how well that worked.

All in all, it’s a great $200 phone, and I know it is what I am asking for on my birthday ::cough:: less than one week away 9/11 ::cough::

If you aren’t sure about a Blackberry, this phone is perfect…because it can be used simply as a regular phone, that just happens to have a great keyboard system and instant email. Run don’t walk on September 12th to get yours.

Well it has been 2 weeks with the Sidekick 3….what decision have I come to? Let me run down some of my thoughts about the SK3.

• It is smaller than the SK2 by about 20%, because of this the screen feels very flimsy when flipping it.

• The BB8700 has a bright mode that auto-adjusts to the enviroment and is MUCH brighter than the SK3.

• Gtalk still isn’t avail for the SK3, although Mylo does have it included…maybe the SK3 and Mylo combination would be a good one for me.

• The scroll button is okay, but i seem to prefer the wheel of the old SK’s.

• The buttons are MUCH further spread out on the SK3, and I feel as if I am traveling all over the place just to get out a few lines. Granted this would seem like a good thing for most people, I have just gotten used to the tight kb of the BB8700.

• Music was okay with the SK3, but nothing to write home about.

• I’d put money on EDGE never being sharable with the SK3, but it is on the BB8700 (at least with Windows right now).

• Finally, the straw that broke the camels back…The Blackberry Pearl. It is the next generation of Blackberry’s. Music, camera, voice dial, video, MicroSD slot, etc are all to be included in this new phone. It does have the SureType technology which I am ify about trying…but it goes to show that a QWERTY version should be out soon as well with all these features.

So back it goes…the SK3 is boxed up and on it’s way back to T-mobile. It seemed like it would be a tough call for me to make, since I have MANY times said the SK2 was the best phone I’ve ever used.

Here’s a funny after thought…Try to google: Sidekick 3 icon. My flickr set is the first link. I’m also within the first page of a search for Sidekick 3, yet I’m on the 3rd page if you search for Blackberry 8700g. Who knew you could be the first search result and not even have that product….

So, my time with the Sidekick has come to a close. If they ever release a UMA SK before the BB goes UMA, I might have to upgrade to that, but as for now…I don’t ever see owning a Sidekick again.

Sony unveiled the “mylo” today, a handheld device that lets you instant message, store and play music, photos and video clips, e-mail and make Internet phone calls using WiFi.

The mylo, which slides open to reveal a keyboard, will cost about $350 (waaay too much if you ask me) and debut in September, just in time for school.

The target audience is 18-22 year olds who want to stay in contact. It comes with Yahoo, Skype and Google messaging services (yeah!), but not AOL’s AIM. And while you can surf the Web, sites that use flash technology (such as YouTube) won’t work…but MySpace will (go figure).

It comes with 1 gig of storage, but can be upgraded to 5 gigs with a sony memory stick.

Personally, I think this thing is horrible. A QWERTY device that IM’s, goes to MySpace, and plays music…sounds like a Sidekick 3 (also $350) or Blackberry 8700 ($350). Those devices are both cell phones as well…and wher eyou have to pay for the wireless data ($20/month)…you can use it ANYWHERE, instead of just where there is WiFi.

The VOIP calls adds a bit of novelty to the device, but a MDA (or comparable phone) can also do the same thing, and what about UMA phones coming out soon?

Will I get one? Hell no….The only way I would get one is if they gave me one for free to review… ::cough:: Sony ::cough::

Of course I took photos of the unboxing of my new Sidekick 3. There are a lot of things that I like compared to the previous models of the Sidekick, and things I don’t like. Being a converted Blackberry user, the lack of 3rd party apps, and no Gtalk seriously degrade this device in terms of usage for myself.

This is a great cell phone, and if you are still a Sidekick fan, I highly suggest you upgrade. You won’t be disappointed.

Check out my Flickr set of the unboxing.