View Poll Results: What's the best option for a keyboard loving Palm Treophile?
Motorola Admiral - Use the keyboard to learn a viable OS, later adapt to touchscreen typingl
0
0%
Windows Phone – Treo Pro uses Windows Mobile, so move to a touchscreen in a familiar ecosystem.
6.67%
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 30. You may not vote on this poll
Blackberry Announcement this Week
Sep 18, 2013, 12:35 pm
#16
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 102
I been waiting for a new qwerty from blackberry and got the q10 when it was first released.
I also have a S4 and nexus 4. I sold the S4 today since I do not need that many backup phones and didnt see the benefits of s4 over nexus 4 for over double the price.
I also have a S4 and nexus 4. I sold the S4 today since I do not need that many backup phones and didnt see the benefits of s4 over nexus 4 for over double the price.
Sep 18, 2013, 1:09 pm
#17
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: gggrrrovvveee (ORD)
Programs: UA Pt, Marriott Ti, Hertz PC
Posts: 6,091
Announcements (or just news):
BB Unveils new Z30 flagship phone
BB to slash workforce by up to 40%
BlackBerry's BBM chat coming to Android, iPhone this weekend
BB Unveils new Z30 flagship phone
BB to slash workforce by up to 40%
BlackBerry's BBM chat coming to Android, iPhone this weekend
Sep 18, 2013, 3:29 pm
#18
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: PDX
Programs: HHonors Gold since '02, Hertz President's Circle since '07
Posts: 3,226
4) The event is being promoted globally, and since their strongest markets are overseas (the Middle East, India, and Southeast Asia), they could be hoping the global press will trumpet the "Return of BlackBerry!" with a competitive premium modern (touchscreen :-( ) device.[/INDENT]
This is it, their last great hope for sales: BlackBerry Unveils the Z30 in Malaysia
Sep 18, 2013, 8:52 pm
#19
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Between AUS, EWR, and YTO In a little twisty maze of airline seats, all alike.. but I wanna go home with the armadillo
Programs: CO, NW, & UA forum moderator emeritus
Posts: 35,415
is going to install and use this? While I love the BB, this is another case of too little way way way too late. Someone above said he had gone from 150 BBM contacts to 4. I've noticed a similar decline to near zero (though I never had 150).
Sep 19, 2013, 10:56 pm
#20
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Indianapolis, IN USA
Posts: 2,066
I'm starting to feel the need to give in:
Background:
Blackberry user and then 3 (?) years ago:
Motorola Droid Pro (full keyboard not slide out) - out of production but can still get elsewhere.
Its slowwwwwinnnnggggg down. 3G + apps are getting bulkier and everything is slowwwwing down.
As someone said elsewhere - click on an icon (i.e. Waze) and depending on 3G / GPS connectivity: WAIT.
Its starting to get seriously an issue (was in New York last week Wednesday - Tuesday) and could really feel the slowness when in the city.
Options:
1. Used my co-workers touchscreen Android something and wow - just took forever to text and email.
2. Doesn't leave me with many QWERTY options: Q10???
I might try to survive the slowness for awhile but I know that sooner or later a touchscreen will be only option left.
Background:
Blackberry user and then 3 (?) years ago:
Motorola Droid Pro (full keyboard not slide out) - out of production but can still get elsewhere.
Its slowwwwwinnnnggggg down. 3G + apps are getting bulkier and everything is slowwwwing down.
As someone said elsewhere - click on an icon (i.e. Waze) and depending on 3G / GPS connectivity: WAIT.
Its starting to get seriously an issue (was in New York last week Wednesday - Tuesday) and could really feel the slowness when in the city.
Options:
1. Used my co-workers touchscreen Android something and wow - just took forever to text and email.
2. Doesn't leave me with many QWERTY options: Q10???
I might try to survive the slowness for awhile but I know that sooner or later a touchscreen will be only option left.
Sep 20, 2013, 9:56 am
#21
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Denver, CO
Programs: UA Silver, Bonvoy Gold, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 21,543
If you do eventually go the touchscreen/Android route, please make a real effort (30 minutes at least) learning Swype. Actually, the Google Keyboard has its own version which I've heard works well, too.
Sep 20, 2013, 11:28 am
#22
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: gggrrrovvveee (ORD)
Programs: UA Pt, Marriott Ti, Hertz PC
Posts: 6,091
My BIL swears by Swype. Took him a while to get proficient, but now he loves it.
Sep 20, 2013, 2:44 pm
#23
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: NYC
Programs: UA - 1K, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 86
As someone who's had about 8 different Blackberrys and 3 Treo phones, including a foray into WebOS (still have my Pre phones), and now Android, I would recommend the Q10 over the other choices for a few reasons:
1. The Q10 has the best keyboard I've ever used. I own both a Q10 and a 9930 and love the Q10 keyboard (the 9930 was the best until I tried the Q10). I've owned probably 10 different qwerty keyboard phones.
2. If you have a Treo still, you aren't one of those app people who insist on having Instagram and all the other silliness. BB10 is lacking, for sure, but has many core programs and the catalog is still expanding.
3. It's terrific for messaging - BBM, email, the hub that unifies everything, notifications, etc.
4. Web browsing is actually awesome on it - much better than previous versions.
5. There is no replacement for a qwerty keyboard.
The android phones with keyboard are mostly cheaply made with low end processors that are designed more for ruggedness and industrial use than business professionals - think field techs and the like. I personally would also pick the Q10 over the 9900 just because Blackberry is trying very hard to move to OS10, which is not going to be available on their older models.
As someone else said, if you have a tablet device, you're getting all the same functionality and the app richness from and android/ios device which would give you the freedom to have a phone that does a few things well (messaging and calls). A lot of people talk about the concept of three screens - the idea that you have a PC, a smartphone, and a tablet. I vary that a little bit by having two cell phones - an android phone for music, video, heavy web browsing, reading, and app enjoyment, and the Blackberry for messaging, calling, any email, BBM, and throwing at people. It's worked well for me and I like that I can put both in my pocket.
1. The Q10 has the best keyboard I've ever used. I own both a Q10 and a 9930 and love the Q10 keyboard (the 9930 was the best until I tried the Q10). I've owned probably 10 different qwerty keyboard phones.
2. If you have a Treo still, you aren't one of those app people who insist on having Instagram and all the other silliness. BB10 is lacking, for sure, but has many core programs and the catalog is still expanding.
3. It's terrific for messaging - BBM, email, the hub that unifies everything, notifications, etc.
4. Web browsing is actually awesome on it - much better than previous versions.
5. There is no replacement for a qwerty keyboard.
The android phones with keyboard are mostly cheaply made with low end processors that are designed more for ruggedness and industrial use than business professionals - think field techs and the like. I personally would also pick the Q10 over the 9900 just because Blackberry is trying very hard to move to OS10, which is not going to be available on their older models.
As someone else said, if you have a tablet device, you're getting all the same functionality and the app richness from and android/ios device which would give you the freedom to have a phone that does a few things well (messaging and calls). A lot of people talk about the concept of three screens - the idea that you have a PC, a smartphone, and a tablet. I vary that a little bit by having two cell phones - an android phone for music, video, heavy web browsing, reading, and app enjoyment, and the Blackberry for messaging, calling, any email, BBM, and throwing at people. It's worked well for me and I like that I can put both in my pocket.
Sep 20, 2013, 4:21 pm
#24
Join Date: Nov 2006
Programs: Seniors Bus Pass
Posts: 5,529
The news today is that the announcement had nothing to do with new phones etc. It is slashing staff to try to cut costs.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-24182038
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-24182038
Sep 21, 2013, 6:00 pm
#26
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: PDX
Programs: HHonors Gold since '02, Hertz President's Circle since '07
Posts: 3,226
Reporting on the iPhone release, Katy Tur of NBC News added a footnote about the BlackBerry layoffs, concluding, "It seems, unfortunately, people do not appreciate buttons or keyboards anymore."
She appeared genuinely chagrined as she held up her trusty Bold.
She appeared genuinely chagrined as she held up her trusty Bold.
"Like I really want to update copy on deadline with an iPhone keyboard. Sigh."
Last edited by Rut Dog; Sep 22, 2013 at 8:07 pm
Sep 23, 2013, 11:51 am
#27
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Denver, CO
Programs: UA Silver, Bonvoy Gold, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 21,543
BlackBerry has been acquired by a private equity firm for $4.7B.
http://bgr.com/2013/09/23/blackberry...ancial-buyout/
http://bgr.com/2013/09/23/blackberry...ancial-buyout/
Oct 1, 2013, 4:09 am
#28
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: PDX
Programs: HHonors Gold since '02, Hertz President's Circle since '07
Posts: 3,226
Price Point?
I wonder why none of the coverage this past week has mentioned price point? At $200 subsidized, the Q10 is forced to compete with top selling iPhones and Samsungs.
If you have cash to burn (BlackBerry does) and are desperate for market share, why not slash the price? Sales would surge if BlackBerry gave away phones for the next 3 months, through Christmas.
I know it isn't sustainable, but neither is BlackBerry at this price point. Slash now, grow market share, develop alternate revenue streams (apps!), raise price with growing demand.
If you have cash to burn (BlackBerry does) and are desperate for market share, why not slash the price? Sales would surge if BlackBerry gave away phones for the next 3 months, through Christmas.
I know it isn't sustainable, but neither is BlackBerry at this price point. Slash now, grow market share, develop alternate revenue streams (apps!), raise price with growing demand.
Oct 1, 2013, 7:31 am
#30
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Between AUS, EWR, and YTO In a little twisty maze of airline seats, all alike.. but I wanna go home with the armadillo
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BB is now selling direct. If they were to slash the price I'd probably be up for buying a Q1
... $549 is not a discounted price. But I'm in no rush.
... $549 is not a discounted price. But I'm in no rush.