Web Learners Blog

As a BlackBerry trainer I have chosen to write about the only two smartphones on the market that I would even consider using.  A BlackBerry or an iPhone.

If you are considering using any other smart device right now then you will be wasting your money.  Especially if you are considering a windows mobile based device.  The smartphone device arena is one area where the Redmond software giant has failed to prevail. However they still get people to purchase their smartphone products based on their strong brand in the computer industry. I always tell people that "If you like rebooting your device everyday due to low memory crashes, then purchase a Windows mobile device. For ease of use and hassle free maintenance purchase a BlackBerry or iPhone."

At the time of writing this,  I do not have enough information to write about the new Google Android phone.  Therefore I am excluding it from this review.

Up until the time of writing this article, RIM, the maker of the BlackBerry did not have a device that had touch screen capabilities. Now they do and it is called the BlackBerry Storm.

The Storm is exclusive to Verizon wireless  in the USA and Vodafone in the UK.  These are two major carriers in the world. However, if you are an AT&T customer, you will have the BlackBerry Bold. Unfortunately for the Bold, there will be no touch screen. However we will be focusing on the Storm and the iPhone for the rest of this review.

Because I am often asked which device is the better of the two, I decided to write the following reasons why the BlackBerry Storm is superior over the current version of the iPhone.

1. Superior syncing and email push technology - The BlackBerry syncing technology is unmatched by any other device on the market and has been proved to be more reliable and robust than the iPhone. The BlackBerry's Email Push technology ensures that you receive your emails instantly opposed to having your device check for new mail every 14 minutes like the iPhone.
2. Longer battery life - The Storm will have 5.5 hours talk time opposed the the 5 hours with the iPhone. 
3. Higher quality camera - The Storm will have 3.2 megapixels; flash; digital zoom; and video capable. The iPhone has 2 megapixels; no flash; no digital zoom;  and no video 
4. Multimedia messages - As with other BlackBerry's the Storm will be equipped with MMS (MMS = The ability to send video, and pics via text message.) The iPhone does not support MMS at the time of this review.
5. Better touch screen technology - The BlackBerry Storm smartphone comes with an innovative touch-screen that actually depresses ever so slightly when the screen is pressed. The user distinctly feels the screen being pressed and released with a gentle 'click', similar to the feeling of a key on a physical keyboard or a button on a mouse. The 'clickable' touch-screen gives the user positive confirmation that they have made a selection and the result is a dramatically enhanced touch interface and a highly intuitive typing experience. 
6. Use as a tethered modem - Like other BlackBerry's on the market and being exclusive to Verizon your device can be used as a broadband modem. This allows you to connect to the internet with your laptop using your BlackBerry.  Unfortunately the iPhone does not have this capability.
7. Higher Screen resolution  - Even though the iPhone has a slightly bigger screen (3.5 "). The BlackBerry has a 3.25 " screen with a higher pixel resolution. (iPhone = 480 x 320, Storm = 480 x 360)
8. Ability to edit office applications - The new Storm will have not only the ability to view office applications, but also edit them.  The iPhone only has the ability to view them.
9. To-do list in the calendar - The iPhone does not support a to-do list in its current state. So if you want to keep track of your daily tasks you had better go with the BlackBerry.