Blackberry Storm mini review

Today I was curious to check out the new Blackberry Storm at the Verizon store, and I must say I was quite fond of it. My initial impressions match most opinions in the reviews I've read. The screen is bright and beautiful, and the innovative clicking touchscreen mechanism they've put in place feels really solid. Web browsing seemed super fast on Verizon's network. I was surprised that typing was much easier in the vertical position than in landscape, full QWERTY mode (the letters are just too narrow). Ironically, I find this to be the opposite on the iPhone.

In my opinion, the Storm's biggest drawback is that its operating system is not quite as smooth as the iPhone's. For example, scrolling doesn't quite have the finesse that Apple is able to achieve so well. But it's only a minor detail, and the slight sluggishness could easily be fixed in a future software update.

All in all, I think the Storm is a nifty little device. Launching at just $199, it's priced very competitively to give the iPhone a run for its money.

P.S. I love the song in this Storm commercial: "I Believe" by Simian Mobile Disco.

Smartphones

I've been encouraging my graduate arts administration friends to consider investing in smartphones as we all finish up school and take brave steps into the 'real world.' Whether it's an iPhone, Palm, Blackberry, or Windows Mobile device, the convenience of the internet in your pocket is something I've found to be infinitely useful.

Buying an iPhone in September of last year was definitely the scariest purchase of my life; I'd never spent that kind of money on myself before. I deliberated for a long time whether or not to splurge, felt incredibly guilty for spending $299 after swiping my card, but soon discovered what an incredible investment it was. Having my calendar, email, facebook, news, weather, Wikipedia, Google Maps and even YouTube on my iPhone keeps everything I want to access throughout the day right at my fingertips. If I'm lost on the road, need to look something up right before an exam, or confirm a group meeting time, I don't have to worry at all.

Alas, smartphones do become addictions, and I'm the first to admit that I feel completely lost without my phone on me (I was freaking out at a basketball game once because I left it at home). The term 'Crackberry' is definitely applicable. But is it REALLY such a bad thing? Think of the costs (both financial and physical) people waste on cigarettes. Smokers should quit that awful habit and buy a smartphone as a reward for their success. They'd find a new addiction that's at least useful, and probably even end up saving money.

We've all worked so hard the past year and half in our graduate program. Reward yourself for a great accomplishment with an investment that will help keep you organized and connected as you start your career. Smartphones for all!