Blackberry user thinking of jumping ship...

[Chrispmoto]

Hi all, first post here!
I have an old Blackberry Tour, which, actually, I have liked, alot.
However, it is old now, and I have been looking at Android. I am very new to this, and have a few questions. I am leaning towards the Galaxy S2.
My main priority is email, but I am not a professional.
I like to play music.
I like to browse the internet.
I do NOT play games.

1) On my BB, as soon as I get an email, I am notified. By sound, and a flashing light. Can the Galaxy notify me when new email arrives, or do I have to manually go into a screen to check?
2)Itunes. I have been reading this forum and others, sounds like Itunes doesnt play well with Android. Can I make it work reasonably painless to download Itunes to this phone?
3)Is the keyboard OK? Can i download an application to give the keyboard a comma,or do I have to go into a different screen (shift) to get my comma for typing.

Is this a great phone for playing music and emailing, or should I look elsewhere?
Oh yeah, we have a Mac at home. My wife LOVES her Iphone, but I am wanting to try something different.
The phones I am considering are the Galaxy2, Blackberry Bold 9900, and the Iphone 5.
Any suggestions?
Thank you.

 

[Stuntman]

1) On my BB, as soon as I get an email, I am notified. By sound, and a flashing light. Can the Galaxy notify me when new email arrives, or do I have to manually go into a screen to check?

The email app on my phone (Desire Z) polls periodically for emails. If you poll, then you won't get notified right away, but will at the next polling interval.

What I did was just forward everything to my Gmail account. The GMail app supports push emails and I get notified right away when I receive an email.

I think someone else can speak more about how to get push email with non-Gmail accounts. I believe it is possible.

3)Is the keyboard OK? Can i download an application to give the keyboard a comma,or do I have to go into a different screen (shift) to get my comma for typing.

You should be able to access any, commonly used symbol or punctuation with the on screen keyboard. Depending on the symbol, you may need to press a shift/alt/symbol key to access it. It is also possible to use alternate keyboards if you do not like the default ones on the phone.

 

[whiskeyGirl]

My husband has a BB for work and an Android phone for personal. He always tells me that when the contract for work runs out, he's getting an Android based phone for work. Not sure how big the difference is, but since he uses both , I would say he has his reason. He sur stays on them enough, LOL

 

[cds0699]

Which email service do you use?

The Android Market has several apps for syncing with itunes, but I don't do it much so I wouldn't be much help on this one.

The keyboard is definitely going to take a learning curve for you, it'll probably take you a couple weeks to get used to using a touch screen keyboard. However IMO it works very well.

 

[PressureDrop]

I ditched my BB almost a year ago and have not looked back. I went with a Droid X to start with, then changed to 4G HTC Thunderbolt soon after. More/better apps, and the touchscreen only took a day or 2 to start feeling "normal". I use an iPod for music so I am of no help there, and all my emails are Gmail addresses (which is push - aka 'instant').

 

[Lombardi]

I don't even talk on my infuse 4g. I don't think you will mind droid at all, I would look for something more for the business user. Lol all I do is play games and watch movies, books internet.

 

[Chrispmoto]

Okay. I bought the new Bold 9900. Telus told me today that I can get the new Samsung if I want. I was having a few issues, and now I am thinking of going Galaxy.
I am worried about the learning curve to switch away from BB.though
How hard is it to relearn a new (Samsung) phone?

 

[landovr]

IMO I think android is much easier to learn than blackberry.

 

[Chrispmoto]

Nevermind people......
Just talked to my Telus store, they wont take it back, their store policy.
I am stuck with the BB.

 

[Stuntman]

Okay. I bought the new Bold 9900. Telus told me today that I can get the new Samsung if I want. I was having a few issues, and now I am thinking of going Galaxy.
I am worried about the learning curve to switch away from BB.though
How hard is it to relearn a new (Samsung) phone?

Nevermind people......
Just talked to my Telus store, they wont take it back, their store policy.
I am stuck with the BB.

So, did they say you can take it back and then the store refused, or did they say you could have the Samsung instead before you got the Bold?

 

[Chrispmoto]

On the phone, Telus said I could go get a new phone, anyone I wanted ( I didnt realize the Samsung isnt available, yet) and when I phoned my local store, they said no deal.