One key feature of BlackBerry devices is the QWERTY keyboard. Even with scaled-down ones like the Pearl series, there will still be a QWERTY layout with physical keys. That’s why it can be difficult for some people to switch from a BlackBerry to another device. Of course, there’s a lot more to RIM’s products than just the keypad. The simplicity of its pushmail service as presented to the user is one of its biggest draws.
But the BlackBerry is not perfect. For one, if you want HSDPA connectivity, the only viable model in Asia is the Bold, and that may be a bit too chunky for some. The desire for a touchscreen display is also another factor–most BlackBerrys don’t come with one. So if you really need to switch to another device, here are five possible alternatives. Each one of these handsets comes with the requisite physical keypad laid out in a way that’s similar to the famous BlackBerry email device you’ve grown to be dependent on. And with a bit of work, you can get pushmail on each one of them, too. So don’t worry about having to wean off having anytime, anywhere email.
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1. | Nokia E71 The good: Slim and stylish design; solid build quality; full range of wireless features; works right out of the box; snappy performance; excellent battery life.
The bad: Counter-intuitive camera autofocus; media browser could do with a little upgrade; Easy Dial feature not available.
The bottom line: The Nokia E71 is easily one of the best QWERTY smart phones that combine strong features as well as a good balance between business and entertainment, at a competitive price.
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2. | Samsung SGH-i780 The good: Attractive price; good QWERTY keyboard; convenient shortcuts; slim design; extra battery included.
The bad: Square screen may not work well with third-party programs; optical joystick not as fast as regular directional pad; bundled GPS app not optimized.
The bottom line: Though not perfect, the i780 is an excellent choice for those who want the most features in a sub-S$1,000 (US$736.25) PDA-phone.
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3. | Palm Treo Pro The good: Compact size and lightweight; convenient Wi-Fi switch; 3.5mm audio jack; simple setup with PC; full range of connectivity options; GPS built in.
The bad: QWERTY keypad not as good as previous Treos’; fingerprint magnet; micro-USB port instead of more common mini-USB; 2-megapixel camera.
The bottom line: Finally, a HSDPA Treo with built-in Wi-Fi and GPS. It’s a pity the keypad doesn’t live up to its predecessor’s high standards.
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4. | i-mate Ultimate 8502 The good: Compact form factor; likeable design; full set of connectivity options; TV-out for presentations.
The bad: Lacks user available RAM; no bundled GPS software; lower screen resolution compared to rest of its product line.
The bottom line: The 8502 does what it’s supposed to do and is easy on the eyes though we did wish for more in its software package and customizations.
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5. | HP iPaq 912 Business Messenger The good: Excellent battery life; good keypad; lots of connectivity options; bundled GPS maps.
The bad: Design not great; too expensive; lack of software enhancements; less-than-perfect voice quality.
The bottom line: A no-nonsense PDA-phone that will get the job done. But with other less-expensive options out there with more features, it’s hard to recommend this HP iPaq.
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[By John Chan]
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