Blackberry deals...

slickdeals.net is a better version of fatwallet- bigger and better deals IMO.

The phone requires either a 1 or 2 year contract.

Thanks buddy

Here's some Amazon/AT&T deals: https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=pe_24630_95 ... 3%3AAT%26T

BlackBerry 8100c Pearl (AT&T)
Buy new: $0.01 (when purchased with new service plan)
BlackBerry 8820 Smartphone (AT&T)
Buy new: $149.99 (when purchased with new service plan)
Rebates: $50.00
Price After Rebates: $99.99
BlackBerry 8310 Curve Titanium Smartphone (AT&T)
Buy new: $0.01 (when purchased with new service plan)
Rebates: $75.00
Price After Rebates: $-74.99

What would you pick? And another question - do you really need a BB for the b-school? Can you live without it?

I would just avoid the pearl. The weird keyboard sucks.

It's two letters per key keyboard, right?

I had the pearl- just gave up on it after using it for about 5 months. It is a nice phone for the casual text messager but try typing out a 2 line email- it takes forever.

Helg- the Amazon prices are good most of the time but they usually require a 2 yr contract vs 1 yr in the deal I posted but if you dont mind the time period, they are good/better.

Tmobile vs ATT
Tmobile- cheaper plans, no GPS but has wifi and you can make calls using the UMA network
ATT- has GPS, so you can use your phone as a navigator

I am sure bherron is an expert on this topic and he can chime in if I have it wrong.

FWIW: I am with TMobile and am pretty happy with the network.

I was sold on BB before, but the Apple 3G Iphone with GPS and loads of inbuilt applications sways my decision...

I might go for Apple Iphone depending on the reviews

Nothing can beat the visible Voice mail...

Loyal tmo customer for a long time and it's pretty darn unlikely I'll ever leave.

I`m an all in one device guy, so N82 is what I`m currently using with a particular bias for camera and video recording. This bias came through after I became a Dad. The ability to be able to capture and share moments became a key driver for the type of mobile phone I wanted, plus i didn`t want to give up what I was already used to (browsing, e-mail, installing 3rd party apps, games and music). GPS was a bonus for business trips. it was great when I was in India at the start of last year, because I was able to navigate the streets and not get lost when I strayed too far from my hotel. (I had the N95 then).

FWIW My phone is vanilla, so i can use any network with it

Maps( GPS) are available for india now?

Maps for parts of India are fine.

In major metro areas pretty much every carrier is fine. Outside of those areas Verizon and AT&T are clearly superior in coverage. On the west coast AT&T is better than Verizon (my wife has a verizon phone as well as an ATT phone, the ATT phone gets much better coverage), Verizon is probably better back east.

Sadly when we were ATT Wireless I could not recommend our product. Our coverage was poor, customer service was awful, and the company was shaking itself apart. Since the Cingular merger I would say that (for the customer) things are much better. Considering the significant advantage of rollover minutes and the premium Verizon typically charges, I will probably go with AT&T once I start having to pay for my own cell coverage (which I have never had to do in my life, im not going to enjoy it).

T-mobile coverage sucks...

Travel outside the NY city and with in 3 hrs your coverage is screwed...I went to Lake george and couldnt use the phone at all...........what's the point of having a cell and not be able to use it to make reservation/book tickets...

My next carrier would be Verizon...

I've been on T-Mobile for a while and although coverage does suck outside of NYC, inside of NYC the coverage can't be beat. However, I do have problems in some high-rise buildings. T-mobile said this is due to the fact that their signal stations are directed towards street level and when you are in a building that is far above the signal station, reception becomes poor.

Verizon is good but their plans are over priced. But if coverage outside of nyc is what you're looking for, then go with Verizon. Otherwise, t-mobile ain't so bad


I rarely leave the 5 boroughs so I have not had any problems with my phone or coverage. I've been to New Hampshire, North Carolina, California, NJ/PA/DC and didn't experience any problems.
- tsd

I went back and forth between the Treo and Blackberry, and both have their positives and negatives. I decided to go with the BB, and the kicker for me was that most businesses use Blackberry, so why not get acclimated to it during b-school if in all likelihood I will be using one when I get out of school.