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Last week after fighting with my newly installed Blackberry Server (Blackberry Professional Software) I discovered that it wasn’t a problem with the server config. It was a problem with my Telus rate plan. Apparently my rate plan ($15 unlimited data, yeah I know it’s good) can not interface with a Blackberry Server. I was pretty disappointed with Telus for putting this type of block and not telling me about it when I signed up. Now I have my e-mails downloaded from Outlook Web Access automatically with the Blackberry Internet Service. I am told by Telus that I would need to switch to a 4MB $25, 8MB $40, 30MB $60 or 1024MB $100 plan if I want to connect my blackberry to my server. With the type of data that I use I would most likely need the $100 plan. That’s a difference of $85 per month to sync contacts, calendar appointments, tasks and notes wirelessly. I think I will connect my blackberry to my computer to sync for now until I find a way around it, which I will soon.

The other thing that I found was that the screen scratches pretty easily especially if you don’t use the belt clip. I find the belt clip too geeky and bulky so I stick the phone in my pocket. Sometimes there happens to be keys in there but I’ve never had problems with scratches on previous phones.

Also, if you haven’t already done so you should download all of the Google apps for the blackberry. The apps include Gmail, Maps, Docs, Reader, Picasa, Search, Sync, and News.

If you are looking for a way to access MSN Messenger you might want to try BerryVine Messenger.

8830 World Edition, OWA, Technology, blackberry, telus 121, 124, 142, 147, 38, 39, 48, 51, 69, 81, 96, 99

This week I finally decided on the blackberry 8830 world edition from Telus. I chose this one instead of the HTC S730 because a few people at the office will be upgrading to blackberries as well.

Something to know about blackberry in a Microsoft Exchange environment…

If your Exchange server is configured for Outlook Web Access you can use the blackberry internet service to download your e-mail wirelessly to your device. You will still need to plug in the USB cord to sync you calendar, tasks and contacts.

Previously, to sync your contacts, calendar and tasks you needed to spend a few thousand dollars on a blackberry rnterprise server. Unless you had many users it was hard to justify. Now blackberry has released a cost effective solution for small businesses called the blackberry professional software. This software (usually installed on your exchange server) will interface with exchange and allow you to sync your calendar, contacts and tasks. This software comes in either a 5 pack for $499 or a 10 pack for $849 and it can be upgraded up to 30 users. Some of the other nice features that this software includes is the ability to lcok out a lost device, push software to a device and backup a device remotely from the server.

Now the difference between the blackberry and a window mobile device. Well if you are using Exchange you don’t need any additional software to sync your stuff. All you need to do is import a certificate to you mobile device and configure the account. You might have a hard time exporting your certificate the first time but you’ll be a pro for the 2nd and 3rd.

So then why blackberry? Well in my case we will have a few users switching over so the cost of the software is justifiable. Battery life is huge for me. I had a Moto Q before and even with the extended battery I don’t think I ever made it past 10 pm. Yesterday (with excessive use) my blackberry still had over a quarter of it’s battery at 2 am.

The final results.
PROS
- excellent QWERTY keyboard
- great battery life
- easy to use scroll wheel
- gmail app supported
- google talk pre-loaded (you can chat with you gmail contacts)
- blackberry gps works even indoors
- works nicely with this blog

CONS
- no camera (but it’s a business device)
- Live messenger not compatible (from the blackberry site)
- does not support html email
- youtube video’s not supported
- additional software required to sync contacts, tasks and calendar

This post was done entirely from my blackberry

Useless 117, 124, 139, 140, 142, 149, 39, 49, 51, 54, 61, 67, 90