Originally Posted by gfunkdave

The question in my mind is, why do you need to back up your phone? All your data is stored on Google servers. COntacts, app purchases, etc. I could see backing up the SD card, though Lookout backs up photos from there automatically if you set it to do so. So I'm unclear why anyone would want to back up their phone. You're essentially backing up an image of your Android installation, which as has been noted is only useful for restoring to the exact same model phone.

For example, I did eventually use a custom ROM for my Nexus One - after having had the phone for about a year, I wanted to get rid of Google-installed apps that I couldn't otherwise delete but were taking up space. I also wanted T-Mobile's wifi calling to work. I didn't back anything up. I just unlocked the bootloader and installed the custom ROM. Then I logged back in to my accounts and as if by magic my contacts and apps were repopulated.

In any case, people should use a phone they like most. My perspective is just that Android can be just as user friendly and easy to use as iOS, and that the bulk of the perceived difference is in peoples' minds because of corporate marketing departments.

@CR1970 - please don't inline quote. I can't quote your reply when you do that because the BBS software ignores everything in "QUOTE" tags when replying. In any case, I find it highly unlikely that anyone hacked either phone. As jfe pointed out, it's probably just a catchall excuse that the tech used because he didn't know what the real problem was. It seems like either a badly written app or an app that wasn't well tested on that particular phone model. Yes, this problem wouldn't happen with an iPhone because there are so few iPhone models and Apple rigorously controls code that runs on iOS. Saying that someone hacked a phone or a computer implies that the device was worth the time and effort to hack it. Unless it's Barack Obama's Blackberry or something equivalent, I doubt anyone would bother.

All the above notwithstanding, my next phone may very well be an iPhone. I like Android but want to play with iOS a bit. And my bf is very excited about the possibility of abandoning Whatsapp and communicating via iChat or whatever the new BBM-like thing is called.

Originally Posted by typical (Post 17267071)

...is there any Android device with a) a decent QWERTY keyboard (not soft - no matter how much I like swype) and b) no compatibility issues with Android marketplace apps due to screen shape/resolution?

Originally Posted by CR1970 (Post 17267423)

I liked the Droid Pro keyboard, and considered that early on, but since I have never owned one, I am not sure about your second requirement.

While nothing can match the BB keyboard, especially the new Bold 9930, the Droid Pro was the closest I found. The only drawback was that the hardware specs were way behind the current offerings from Samsung, Motorola and HTC.

Originally Posted by BearX220 (Post 17273297)

The Motorola Droid Global, if it's still out there. Very good slide-out that is easier than the BBerry hardware.

Originally Posted by typical (Post 17273345)

These are both previous-generation phones, right?

Originally Posted by typical (Post 17273345)

These are both previous-generation phones, right?

Honestly, if that's the best the world of Android has to offer I might be tempted to go with Symbian and the E6 (although need comfirmation that Notes Traveler works on it, and giving up BBM would be a pain). Or just get another BB.

Originally Posted by CR1970 (Post 17273819)

As I mentioned earlier up thread, I would have stayed with BB had they offered WIFI hotspot and a focusing camera. I would have had no problem passing on the apps as a trade off for Blackberry's superior e-mail, messaging, keyboard, and up until recently their rock solid network reliability.

Now, after experiencing the massive blackout we BB users had to deal with the past week, I am not sure I would put the BB network on any pedestal.

Originally Posted by DeafFlyer (Post 17279138)

Blackberry outages have been so rare over the 6 years I have been using one. Why is this one outage causing problems for RIM?

Originally Posted by DeafFlyer (Post 17279138)

Why is this one outage causing problems for RIM?

Originally Posted by cbkcc1 (Post 17226369)

...you can set up Gmail for use with your domain for free (for up to 10 people).

Originally Posted by GoingAway (Post 17282056)

I always got gmail over the bb. What other apps are you looking for?

Originally Posted by CR1970 (Post 17225301)

I have been contemplating a move from Blackberry Tour to either the new iPhone 4S or an Android phone and I thought I would run it by this forum to see if I could possibly get some feedback. I have checked many forums, and it seems that the only things posted are from fans on either side putting the other side down for copying technologies, form factors, etc., and not really making a case for their preferred phone. I really don't care who copied, or created, I just need it to work.

I am a business owner that travels quite often. My company uses both Macs and PCs. Among staff members, by a large margin the Mac is preferred. Even the initial self proclaimed Mac haters. I have an iPad and a Macbook Pro that I also travel with on occasion. I am not an Apple fanboi by any means, I just prefer to travel with the Apple products.

We also have a number of staff members and clients with iPhones, Droids, Blackberries, Samsung, etc. From what I have gathered, people really like their Androids early on, then it kind of dies off and they start complaining about apps not totally shutting down, battery life, or apps that work on one Android phone but not on their new Android phone. They also said that data or complete OS backup and syncing was not seamless or more tedious on the Android.

I was originally leaning towards an Android phone because of their impressive specs and LTE, although they seem to be getting larger and I don’t really want to carry a larger phone around. But, if I focus on reliability and functionality vs. raw specs, the Apple seems to win.

Am I missing something? There are a lot of Android users/fans out there and the new offerings are VERY impressive, spec wise. But, I am more focused on reliability, ease of use, security, and the seamless synchronization with our office workstations. It doesn’t have to have a large screen and doesn’t have to be customizable. It just has to work and be secure.

My contract is up and while I LOVE my Blackberry keyboard and e-mail; the new Bold with the non-focusing camera fell far short of the mark. I do use the camera regularly and I really like the idea of taking pictures on the iPhone, or making an appointment and having it automatically sync with the iMac workstation back at the office. I also like the integration of voice recognition software to make calendar appointments and reminders, as well as basic phone operations without having to use an app. Are any of these things possible on any of the Android phones, or would I need 3rd party apps to do it?

Any input would be appreciated.

Originally Posted by bpo26c (Post 17282614)

I posted a similar threat about two months ago. Just made the switch this week from the Blackberry to the Android (Samsung Galaxy S2).

Quick observations: Its amazing in all aspects (screen, browsing, speed, reception, etc) and is slightly overwhelming. It will take awhile to learn all of the features.

The only downside thus far has been the battery life. With the BlackBerry, I could charge every 2 to 3 days. This phone needs to be charged daily; maybe there are settings that I can adjust.