I’ve been using my Blackberry Curve for about two years now. I’m still amazed at how useful the device is. Of course there are all the standard reasons for loving a Blackberry like getting your email but there is a lot more to it than just email.
You may have a different list or you may prefer some other device. Here is my list of 10 reasons why I love my Blackberry.
- It has a real keyboard. You have to use your thumbs but once you are used to that you can pound out short messages very easily.
- The built in camera is very handy. I’ve used it to take pictures of my kids, grab pics of a whiteboard diagram, everyday dramas. It just comes in so handy, especially on the social web.
- Geocaching software. Don’t know what geocaching is then jump over to Cachemania to find out – What is Geocaching? Not only is it paperless geocaching it also allows you to geocache anywhere, anytime without preperation. Get to an intersting spot where you think there might be a geocache? Spark up the Blackberry and Geocache Navigator to find out.
- Google Maps. I can’t count how many times I’ve used Google Maps to either help me find where I”m going or even to help me find a place that I didn’t realize I needed to go until I was in a different city. Buying roses for my wife comes to mind. I was out geocaching and realized I needed to get the flowers for our 15th Anniversary the next day (give me some credit it wasn’t a last minute decision). I dropped florist into a Google Map search and it lead me over to the Florist in Barrie. That was handy.
- Google Latitude. This one creeps a lot of people out but it is not as creepy as you might think. Google Latitude allows me to share my location with my friends. I chose who gets to see where I am and when. Adoption on this feature is bound to be slow. I”m sure some people don’t even realize but I know use it to automatically post what city I”m in to my Google Talk status.
- Twitter Tools. Whether it’s Twitterberry or Twitpic both of which beneifit from being accessable from my Blackberry. I posted pictures from a major traffic jam on the 401 to my Twitpic account. That wouldn’t have been possible without the Blackberry.
- Bright enough to be an impromptu flashlight. My wife and I were at concert featuring Squeeze when she managed to knock her glasses off. Try finding those on the dancefloor of a club without illumination!
- Speaking of music, now that there is a Blackberry Application store I’ve been able to install Shazam for my Blackberry. So to all you iPhone users that thought you were special, not anymore.
- Even more music. RIM has updated their Blackberry synchronization software so that now I can sync playlists from my iTunes directly to my Blackberry. That has been so very helpful. I still use my iPod as my main music listening device, in the old days we called them Walkmans, but having a subset of my music everywhere I go has allowed me to carry two devices less often.
- I can get email, addressbook and calendar while I’m mobile. We shouldn’t underestimate how powerful it is to remain that connected when your business is you. I have no receptionist, I have not assistant, it’s just me. The need to stay connected is compounded when your business runs on Internet time. There are no timezones, there is no business day when you are operating on Internet time.
So what did I miss? I’m sure you have your reasons for liking the Blackberry or for you Apple fans your iPhone. Tell me what you think I missed by posting a comment.
