Andriod or Blackberry mobile phone? Also, any personal experience with Virgin Mobile

[Crazed Rabbit]

So I'm looking to get a new phone, and wondering what the Org users have to say about the two main types I'm looking at; blackberry and android phones.

I'm looking for something that would, ideally, have good (for a phone) picture, video, and voice recording features, along with web access and the ability to download apps. I also want something I can use a true VOIP service on.

Right now the blackberry bold 9700 is at the top of my list. But I'm not that sure how the newest android and blackberry phones are differentiated (except by OS). Any information you'd care to share would be much appreciated. I've mainly been getting info from cnet.com so far, so if you know a good tech/mobile blog please tell me.

For service providers, I want something without a contract and cheap - which means Virgin Mobile or T-Mobile in the US, I think. Both those offer plans for web access, texting, and limited (but plenty for me) talking time. I'm aware that means I'll have to buy the phone at full price.

CR

[Lemur]

All of the three-way face-offs I've read (iPhone/Android/Blackberry) have come down in favor of the latest Android, which I believe stands at version 2.2. Blackberry is recommended if you are dealing with a large corporate or governmental infrastructure, since it's tops on security for email.

Here's a very long article comparing all three, almost entirely from an OS perspective. Worth a read. I linked to the "print article" page so's you won't need to click through nine screens; just cancel the print message and enjoy.

I'm in a similar boat; for a new job I may have to get a real phone. I'm leaning toward Android, but I really want Android 3, which may or may not launch in time for me. Apple makes a great, slick product, but I'm none too keen on AT&T, and I can't give Apple money when there's a great open-source version right around the bend ...

-edit-

Just noticed that the article I linked was from '09, and therefore woefully out-of-date. Here's a much more recent article, kinda damning of the Blackberry, worth a read.

IMHO, for a pocket-everything-computer-device, it's between the iPhone and Android. Blackberry isn't really in the race.

[Crazed Rabbit]

Hmm, thanks for the article. I'll read through it and reevaluate my choices.

CR

[GeneralHankerchief]

I've been using Virgin Mobile for about 5-6 years now, no real problems with it. If you're using a phone only for the basics and for a limited amount of time, I'd definitely recommend it for you. Yeah, it's a bit annoying when you have to monitor how much time you have left and fork over $20 whenever you need to put more money on it, but all things said this happens to me maybe about once a month. $20 per month is a lot easier than any of the other plans out there, and the phones will do their job.

[edyzmedieval]

BlackBerry is very useful for e-mails and particularly the BBM (BlackBerry Messaging).

I'm looking to get another mobile phone as well as my trusty Nokia 6600 is starting to show it's age, so it's time for a change. BlackBerry Bold 9700 top of my list as well. Second comes the new HTC, interactive and with an amazing screen. iPhone is very useful but I want them to fix the problems of 4G first.

[Whacker]

I just bought a Samsung Captivate (Galaxy S version for AT&T) and I love this phone. Love it. It's the perfect cross between a nerd's handheld wet dream and the hipster I-can't-figure-out-more-than-one-button iPhone wielder. The sheer number of apps available for it easy breaks even with, if not flat-out outdoes, whatever is available for the iCrap.

If you just want a phone that works and you can download a few things for, then I'd say Android. It may take a little bit of time to learn how it works, but the result is worth it.

If you want a phone that you can root and is almost as powerful as a low-end laptop, then again Android. I've rooted my phone and installed a ton of goodies that make it do all kinds of cool stuff. But then again I'm a nerd and like ripping my toys to shreds and putting them back together.

Verdict: Android.

(Did any figure out I hate Apple and all of their miserable products yet?!?! :) )

[Husar]

iPhone is very useful but I want them to fix the problems of 4G first.

If you mean the antenna problems, I hear it's a lot worse in the US because AT&T is a really bad provider, haven't really hard many complaints from people outside the US so far.
I'd advise to use a case for it anyway, it may not look as nice but it will probably look better after slipping out of your hand, in fact my 3G case makes it sit in my hand much better, without it feels like it could just slip out of my hand.