Me & My Blackberry

My love affair with Blackberry started exactly two years ago when I was in search for a flip phone for my birthday. My friend promised me to buy me a new phone and asked me to start searching for the model that I want. I was addicted to Gossip Girl at that time and everyone in the Upper East Side use flip phones so I know that’s what I wanted.

I was browsing the Internet and narrowed down to Samsung S3600 and Blackberry Pearl 8220. Back then, both have similar prices and similar design so I had a hard time choosing.

From L-R: Blackberry Pearl 8220, Samsung S3600

I honestly liked Samsung because of the picture quality and its rugged design, but I settled for Blackberry because it has an edgier design and has flash. And maybe partly because well, it’s Blackberry.

When I got my Pearl, it was love at first sight! Everything about this phone is amazing, and I know that I am instantly a Blackberry lover. However, the Blackberry Internet Service (BIS) is only being offered to Business Postpaid Plans so I couldn’t maximize the functionality of my new phone. But still, it was beautiful inside and out.

It wasn’t until December of 2009 when Globe finally offered Unlimited BIS for Prepaid at P1,200 per month. I immediately registered to the service, and because of that, I loved my Pearl even more. I only know two people who have Blackberry’s (and they are big bosses pa), so I mainly use my BIS for Facebook, YM and Twitter. To put it simply, my Pearl allowed me to worsen my addiction to social media since I can go online wherever, whenever.

I keep bugging my friends to switch to Blackberry and no one really paid attention to me because the unit prices are way higher than what they are willing to spend. But when the lower end phones start to come out, people became interested and by June 2010, my BBM contacts increased from two to 12. Now I’ve got more than 30 contacts, already upgraded my phone twice (from Pearl, to Bold 9000 and now I have a Bold 9700), and prepaid BIS plans suddenly dropped down to unbelievably low prices!

Nowadays, more and more Pinoys are switching to Blackberry. While I agree that it is sometimes overrated because of the amount of attention it is getting now, I am absolutely annoyed at people who diss it and tell me that iPhone or Android is better. I love Apple and Android OS, but my Bold 9700 suits my needs a whole lot more than what either iPhone or Samsung Galaxy S can provide. It’s mainly about a person’s preferences, you are into games and I am into business — I hope everyone can respect that.

I am proud Blackberry geek, more power RIM!

From L-R: Bold 9700, Bold 9000 and Pearl 8220

For Pinoy Blackberry users out there, follow @BlackberryPhils on Twitter for useful updates!