Six months: iPhone vs. Blackberry Pearl

Photo: Apple.com

Photo: Blackberry.com

I've been living a dual mobile life with both an iPhone and a Blackberry Pearl for almost six months now, and I thought that before we before we get overwhelmed with new gadgets rolled out at CES and Macworld, I would check back in on my developing relationship with the iPhone. I appreciate its charms much more after working with it for a while, and I have found an important new use for it, but it is significant that I have not come close to setting aside my Blackberry yet.

After the jump, you'll find my side-by-side comparison, written from a busy working Mom's perspective:

Pocketability: For all the whiz-bang features on a smart phone, for me it is still very important to have a phone that I can carry in my pocket. The Blackberry Pearl fits this bill to a T. I almost always have it with me and it's never awkward to carry it. As for the iPhone, I still feel that I should be carrying it around on a velvet pillow. It is not huge, but I find that when I drop the iPhone it is usually a result of some sort of awkward pocket transition.

Whole package, computer away from home: I am much more satisfied with my iPhone when I think of it as an extremely portable computer, rather than a mobile phone replacement. I like having my iCal appointments and contacts sync'd with my desktop computer. The iPhone keeps me connected on a busy day away from the office, but since I am not able to write blog posts on it, for longer trips I need to bring my laptop as well.

iPod and Video: Nice to have on the iPhone, obviously. However, my old combination of Blackberry plus iPod Nano worked very well though, and in some cases was more portable, so I wouldn't recommend switching over to iPhone just for that.

Reading email and browsing the internet: I prefer the iPhone, though the browsing is still more awkward than I'd like. I am hoping that new web apps will improve this functionality. I don't write a ton of email on either device.

Texting: The Blackberry Pearl is the winner. I find the Blackberry SureType keyboard easier to use than the iPhone keyboard, which is surprising since the Blackberry shares each key for 2 letters, and uses intelligent programming to guess the correct spelling. Pressing a physical, tactile key is still more important to me than having a key dedicated to each letter on the smooth iPhone screen. I have been practicing, but the iPhone typing interface still makes me feel like a chimp who hasn't evolved yet.

The bottom line: The iPhone is an amazing, attractive device, but I wonder how many people will be able to use it for their sole mobile contact. On a daily basis I use my Blackberry number as the phone number I give out to people who need to get in touch with me personally on an urgent basis. I almost always bring my Blackberry with me even if I have my iPhone along as well.

However, I see much potential in the iPhone, especially as an element at the center of a virtual office. I am starting a new nonprofit that provides on-site training. We don't have a physical storefront location or office with an assistant on call. I am dedicating the iPhone voice mail to this new endeavor. That way, we can give out one phone number that will reach the person in charge, whether I am at my home office or at a remote location. And I can pass the iPhone to a colleague when they are "on duty" rather than me.

Such flexibility can be key for budding entrepreneurs who have busted out of the office box and use a combination of websites and mobile technologies to pull together a virtual team.

[jayhuck]

I'm wondering just how much you've worked with both keyboards when it comes to text messaging. I've had a similar phone to the Blackberry before I had my iPhone, and I can tell you, of ALL the phones I've ever owned, the iPhone's virtual keyboard wins HANDS DOWN. It does take some time to get used to, but the software the iPhone uses to "guess" your words is above and beyond any other phone's software I've seen. And once you've gotten used to the virtual keyboard and you trust your fingers, you can fly around that keyboard.

I'm sorry, but I have to differ with you on this. The iPhone's keyboard - while it does require a bit of time to master - is the fastest keyboard I've ever used for typing. That plus the incredible web browser, the fact I can watch TV shows, movies and listen to music - that I have all my email and contacts and can take phone calls in one little package makes the iPhone the real winner as far as I'm concerned.

[mojomom]

Thanks for adding your perspective about the iPhone keyboard. I WANT to love it, I am just not there yet, and based on my current experience it's hard for me to imagine getting there. I really like a tactile key that I can press, rather than a smooth screen. (Funny that high-tech often comes down to something so basic.) I am all thumbs on the iPhone keyboard--I literally have a problem aiming at the iPhone keys. I so frequently land on the next letter over it makes even an excellent software spelling program moot. I'll report back in if I ever overcome this hurdle. But it's different strokes for different folks and I am glad it works for you.

[fiadamom]

this is my first comment here - btw - love your blog.
I'm a homeschooling mom of 5, and if you think that means I don't use technology much, you'd be sadly mistaken. I LOVE my iPhone. I'm not a former Blackberry person and don't blog much, but I manage about 5 lists and handle a lot of communications coordination for several groups. I wasn't much of a texter in the past - but love how easy it is. (I wish my mac book corrected my spelling like my phone did!!) I don't have any real difficulty with the keyboard, can check my email, (weather, movie schedule, calendar) almost anytime, and keep a pacifying movie in my back pocket for my little one. It also has better signal access than my Sprint had.
I'd also like to say I appreciate your caution on kids in this digital age. Even though we have better than a computer per capita in this house, we are one of the few that don't allow our children to participate in social networking sites. My husband, (who started his internet business when there were about 100 websites,) has researched them frequently and is convinced that the danger is not worth the "social enrichment".

[EMILatKINGdotNET]

This is a great post. I'm been looking for iPhone and BlackBerry pearl comparison.

Thank you,
EMIL

[lomotbiz]

Thank you for the comparison review. I was having a hard time deciding between the blackberry and iphone. This cleared it up.
www.trendsdepot.com

[hellomynameisboband]

just to let u guys know the blackberry has a video and music player also
if u buy a memory card u can expand the memory up to 4 gigs
its smaller lighter
the web brosing on it is definatly worse then the i phone
but the email is better
plans for the i phone start at 60 dollars
as far as im consirned i would stick wif the battery unless u want a touch screan

[luvnthis14]

Thank you for comparing these two products. I have been evaluating these two options and find your conclusions to be helpful in my own decision process.

[ksfrogman]

I enjoyed reading your candid comparison, especially the part about the not-so-evolved chimp. I come from a long history of Apple products (Apple II Plus, //e, Fat Mac, Mac IIx, Mac IIsi, PowerBook G4, MacBook Pro, iPods, etc.). I too have played with the iPhone, and though it is a fun multimedia tool, I have to agree, that having the practical functionality of a powerful business-oriented, email efficient tool with REAL keys you can feel and push, is more purposeful for business-related tasks. I also owned a Treo 650 (Palm OS), which I liked so much that it compelled me to purchase a Treo 700W (Microsoft OS), which was the biggest mistake of my life. The Microsoft version was trying to pretend it was a computer, which meant that the phone functions were secondary, and always being interrupted by popup windows, "your battery is 75% charged," or "update installed," etc. Steve Jobs was right. Microsoft is fine. They just have no taste, and I might add, no sense of simple elegance and common sense.

The two different comments to your blog were posted by individuals who have not actually owned BlackBerries for corporate or small business activities. If/when iPhones will work with Verizon, and have more storage capacity, I will likely get one, but may still use my BlackBerry for my business.

[ksfrogman]

One last thought: If I were lost and stranded in the forest, the chances of my survival and searchers finding me would be greater with the BlackBerry than with the iPhone based on battery life alone, not to mention its lighter weight and durability.

[iBarack]

love my iphone. I use it to blog on iBarack and divorce saloon too. It's an amazing piece of technology.