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Mobile Barbarian

"Mobile devices are cheaper and safer than mistresses" -- My wife

As reported in The Storm joins the Bold, on November 21, I purchased the Storm on its first day of availability. I’ve since used the Storm as my primary device. Several weeks should be enough time for a fair review. Indeed, one of my pet peeves (I have many) is a review by someone who has had their device for only a day or two. That’s just not enough time to actually use the device in the many real-life scenarios that should be part of a fair test. Or for the initial infatuation (or disappointment) to wear off.

So here goes for my first impressions. I’ll also compare the Storm with the Bold, which (briefly) was my primary device until my wife, like the Communist countries of yore, nationalized it in the name of the people (i.e., her).

First, though, I’ll disclose my preferences that may influence my review. I really like touch screens, especially capacitive ones. Since my reading vision isn’t improving as I age, I also like larger screens. Perhaps it’s also a generational thing, but I don’t

A New YearJanuary 1

Sorry for not posting for a while. In addition to the usual life stuff, and wrapping up a semester by giving and grading final exams, my wife Devvie and I have been coordinating the care of her mom (and my mother-in-law) Rachel, first reported in Windows Mobile in the Hospital.

It’s been a long and hard journey, especially for Rachel. She spent 2 months in ICU, enduring (just to list the most serious issues) pneumonia and (fortunately temporary) kidney failure.

Fortunately, Rachel, with the help of some wonderful doctors and nurses at UCLA/Ronald Reagan Hospital, overcame these life-threatening problems. Indeed, about 10 days ago Rachel was well enough to be transferred to a respiratory hospital so she can receive, for her remaining respiratory issues, care and treatment more specialized than available on the general hospital floor. There still is a ways to go, but to quote Winston Churchill, it is at least the end of the beginning.

I’m now wrapping up grading of final exams, and will be posting shortly on my impressions of the Blackberry Storm.

The Storm joins the BoldNovember 25 2008

Like this picture from Crackberry, I now have the Storm and the Bold. Don’t worry, I’m not going to carry both in my pocket. The Bold is going to my wife Devvie.

Devvie chose the Bold for a reason I would not have immediately thought of. The Storm’s screen is capacitive like the iPhone’s and the G1, not resistive like Windows Mobile devices. Devvie has long fingernails. Fingernails don’t register on a capacitive screen; fingers do. With her nails, she has trouble using her fingers. By contrast, fingernails act like a stylus on a resistive screen. Similarly, she has an easier time typing on the Bold’s hardware keyboard than the Storm’s software keyboard.

I would have been happy with either device. They are both beautiful. While this exposes my geekhood, it’s like choosing between two beautiful women. Nevertheless, while my choice was made for me, some of you may have to make a choice.

I had planned this post to provide some comparisons so you could make a choice.

I got BoldNovember 8 2008

In Bold vs. Storm … Decision Time I told you that I decided to buy the Storm and probably would pass on the Bold. However, I thought further (always dangerous) and decided to replace my aging 8700c with the Bold.

I did not buy the Bold through AT&T because I was going to use the SIM in my 8700c for the Bold (the 8700c relegated to a drawer as a back-up). So instead I bought the Bold unlocked through my usual source for GSM phones, the aptly named GSM PhoneSource, through which I have probably bought close to a dozen phones, always with a good experience. If you call them, ask for Adam, with whom I always deal.

I am very impressed with the Bold. Here are my initial impressions.

First and foremost, the screen is incredibly vivid because of its Half VGA 480 x 320 display resolution. I still wish the 2.6″ screen were larger. However, reading emails is a cinch. I also can view websites and Google Maps without zooming,

Bold vs. Storm … Decision TimeNovember 2 2008

The Bold will be available on November 4, just a couple of days from now. But I’ve decided to get the Storm, which will be available later this month. The larger (3.25″ vs. 2.6″) screen is the deciding factor. I use my device a lot for accessing the Internet. Viewing the Internet on a 2.6″ screen is difficult for my aging eyes. Perhaps denser pixels (480 x 320) makes up for the small display, but I doubt it. Size is size. The iPhone 3G opened my eyes to the difference a larger screen makes in viewing a web page. As an added bonus, the Storm’s screen is capacitive like the iPhone, and while slightly smaller (3.25″ vs. 3.5″), has more pixels (480×360 vs. 480×320).

I thought about buying a Bold also, to replace my aging but still working 8700c. However, having 2 Blackberries really doesn’t make sense, even for me. Also, I can change the data plan for the SIM on my 8700c to work with a Windows Mobile device or a MID. Nevertheless, I will check out the Bold at a local AT&T store to see how well the denser pixels makes up for the small d