Apple announced the release of its 3G iPhone today. Rogers will be carrying the Apple iPhone 3G July 11th. In the same month we are expected to receive the Blackberry Bold (9000) as well as the Blackberry Thunder, RIMs response to the iPhone – so eloquently dubbed “the iPhone Killer”. Super original.
Personally, I am a Blackberry fan and have been for just over two years. Not to say that the iPhone hasnt impressed me, because believe me it has. It just seems that the first incarnation of the iPhone was flawed in so many ways. At the time, RIMs response was the Blackberry Curve, although I dont think this was a “real” response as much as it was decent timing. Realistically, other than the reputation RIM has built thus far with its handheld devices the Curve really didnt offer much to the savvy, youthful business user, it was merely less buggy than the iPhone and was supported on Canadian networks such as Rogers.
Am I anxious for the release of the Blackberry Bold? Hell yes. However, that excitement was clouded today by the news of the 3G iPhone coming to Rogers around the same time and for significantly less. They will be selling the 16Gb version for a mere $299. The Bold, which boasts a 1Gb internal memory, is selling for $499 plus!
My original reason for buying a Blackberry was the full QWERTY keyboard. It was difficult, not mention very unsafe, to respond to emails while driving without the tactile feel of a keyboard. After playing with a friends iPhone however, it seems that the trade off for functionality is tremendous. Wi-Fi, GPS, Push mail and a slew of features that Blackberry is just touching upon now are things that have been mastered by Apple in the past year. Im torn.
In the end, the decision will not be an easy one, and since I have unlimited data either way I doubt very much that the price plans will be the determining factor… Unless Rogers decides to do something
really stupid and create a data package specifically for the iPhone which will allow them rape us, yet again.
Owner of Thottfield Inc., a small multimedia and communications consultancy based in Toronto, Canada. Always on the hunt for innovative and exciting ideas and technology.
