Blackberry vs. iPhone

Posted in Law ::: March 1, 2009 7:48 PM

Lawyers are big nerds when it comes down to it and I'm no exception, especially when it comes to technology.  I love a good gadget especially when it helps me manage my practice and keep more clients happy at the same time.  The Blackberry has certainly done that for me.  I'm on my third or fourth upgrade and have loved them all, especially for the phone, calendar and e-mail functions.  It's done wonders as far as allowing me to keep in contact with my clients in a responsive fashion. I can't count the amount of times I've been able to take advantage of "dead time" such as waiting for my case to be called, waiting for a train, etc. and return client e-mails, plan my schedule, search the Web, etc.  It's been an invaluable practice tool. 

Yet, I've got a problem.  I've yearned for the iPhone since the day it was released.  First, I'm an Apple convert.  I truly believe they make a better product.  Even though my office is still networked with PC's, for now, I itch for opportunities to get on my MacBook Pro and learn new ways to unleash its awesomeness.  Second, the damn thing is just so cool.  It's just more fun than the Blackberry and I've wanted to convert from Blackberry to iPhone for a while now.  But, and it's a big but, I am not one to switch horses when the old one has done just fine. I'm still rocking my original iPod even though it looks like a dinosaur because I can't kill the darn thing.  The Nano is way more runner friendly but there I am running races with the equivalent of an old Sony Walkman strapped to my arm because it still works just fine.  As does my Blackberry.  

Which leads me back to the Blackberry vs. iPhone struggle. My contract is nearly up on my existing Blackberry and my drug dealer, errr my wireless tech guy Sam, is pitching me hard on the new Blackberry Bold.  He tells me for what I use it for and my profession, the Bold is much better suited for me than the iPhone.  He extolls the virtues of the full keyboard, the calendar and so on and so forth.  And I know he's probably right.  Yet . . . I really want that iPhone!  And now I run across this article courtesy of the American Bar Association which is just a great resource for all things legal, including technology.

 www.abajournal.com/magazine/smartphones_which_is_best_for_you

They do a nice comparison but don't really talk about e-mail which is crucial for me.  Yet, the comments on the article cover that topic nicely and it looks like the Blackberry is still winning in that department.  Clearly the browser and Web capabilities along with all the cool applications are superior on the iPhone but boy does that touch keyboard scare me compared to the full, "real" keyboard on the Blackberry.  So much so that I can't bring myself to pull the trigger on the iPhone.  Nor can I bring myself to say, well, maybe I'll just have both.  One for phone and e-mail, the other for Web and fun.  Even for me, that's a bit excessive.  So where does it leave me?  Not sure, I'm going to continue to research it and seek out other lawyers using the iPhone and get their views on it.  If you have one, feel free to post it here.  It's amazing though. When I started out as a law clerk for the first firm I ever worked for in Buffalo, we all had pagers and used pay phones when we got paged.  In 14 years, I've gone from that to agonizing which smartphone to utilize, it's really incredible when you think about it.  It is for a big nerd like me anyway.  

 

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Comments on this Entry

  1. Posted :: March 2nd, 2009Lindsay Mahoney

    I have an iPhone, and personally, I LOVE IT! I feel it’s e-mail, calendar, contact capabilities (etc.) are great and it’s the best phone I’ve ever had. I, too, am an Apple convert, so, if you had to ask for my opinion, GET AN iPHONE! Hope this helps!

  2. Posted :: March 4th, 2009Michelle McCarrick Truett

    You know what I think about the iPhone, Greg… and I know you’d be happy with it. My family said that they were going to have dress like iPhones to get any attention from me after I first got it � but I tell you, it’s fun and games and virtual bubble wrap fun for a while, then you get in sync with it and it becomes a powerful work tool, too.

    I highly recommend the “cowbell” app if you do get one… I got a feeeev-ah!

    Good luck!

  3. Posted :: March 9th, 2009Sam Serianni

    When you look at the two devices and use both PDA’s, they really expose themselves to their origins. The iPhone is an iPod that has evolved into a phone. Yes, the cool gadgets, the browser along with features like the "pinch" all point towards what has made Apple an Apple (and Steve Jobs loaded in the process). Blackberry was born a communicator that has transitioned into a phone and some neat applications that work on it. The apps on a Blackberry point themselves primarily to a business application or some function of business. The bottom line? What is most important to you will determine what device is best suited for your needs. If you want a PDA for business communications and organization primarily, Blackberry rules in this space because that is what they do best. If you want a device with cool applications available, a good browsing experience (social networking, full HTML) and the ability to get your mail, the iPhone may be better suited for you.

  4. Posted :: April 27th, 2009Joel Samitz

    As a blackberry 8830 user with Verizon, I am waiting for Verizon to offer the Bold (if it ever happens), but am intriqued by the iphone. Big question… Can it synch with Outlook. I use mail, calendar, contacts constantly and would hate to give that up.

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