This is a compensated review by BlogHer and BlackBerry.
I’ll be the first person to admit that I was initially reluctant to jump onto the whole smartphone bandwagon. I just didn’t get it, mainly because up until about 2 1/2 years ago, I barely even texted. I just didn’t have the patience to use the keypad on my little flip phone to hammer out an assortment of letters, and as a result of that I texted approximately four times a year. Usually when I needed to say something profound like “Ok” or “Thx.”
But a couple of summers ago, my husband bought me my first Blackberry. I don’t want to overstate it, but it was pretty much love at first sight. The full keyboard completely won me over, and I made a not-so-gradual progression from Reluctant Texter to Texting Machine. In fact, my Blackberry is the very reason why we now have an unlimited texting plan on our phones. Because ever since I’ve had a full-fledged keyboard at my disposal, I LURVE the texting. I love my Blackberry. My husband even upgraded me to a trackball-free model since I gave the first trackball such a workout. I’m an official, devoted Blackberry fan.
I have to say, though, that if there’s one thing I’ve missed since I made the switch to Blackberry, it’s the flip phone option. I used to love ending a call and closing my phone with authorit-TAY. I liked the assurance of knowing that when that flip phone was closed, there wasn’t going to be any pocket dialing, purse dialing or accidental dialing. I’ve even remarked to my husband at time or two that my perfect phone would be a flip phone with a full keyboard, something with all the functionality of a Blackberry and the practicality of a flip. But since there was no such smartphone animal, I’ve been happily content to use my Blackberry Bold.
However.
A few weeks ago I got an email asking if I’d be interested in trying a Blackberry Style for a few months. At first I was sort of non-committal because I didn’t see any need to try a new Blackberry model, but then I read a little bit more of the email. And I saw the part about how the Style is a BLACKBERRY FLIP PHONE. And then I executed a very awkward hitchkick right there in my kitchen because I am deeply mature and not at all TICKLED TO DEATH when my gadget-related dreams come true.
The Style arrived at my doorstep last week, and I’ve had the best time playing around with it. If you’ve ever owned a Blackberry, knowing how to use the Style will be completely intuitive. If you haven’t owned a Blackberry, you’ll be surprised by how quickly you figure out how to use it. It took me less than five minutes to set up my email, Twitter and Facebook on the phone, and I have to say that I think the interface for setting up screen preferences, notifications, etc. is the most streamlined yet (one small exception: the selection of ring tones is pretty scarce, so you have to use the Blackberry app store if you want anything other than the ten or so ring tones that are already on the phone). The menus are specific without being overwhelming, and I appreciate that all of the options have been grouped into easily understandable categories (as opposed to seeing a list with 25 different areas you can customize).
In addition to all of that, there are a couple of things about the Style that I really love: 1) It’s incredibly comfortable to hold when talking on the phone. Because it’s more rectangular and less square, it fits better into the palm of my hand. 2) In terms of using call waiting and three-way calling, the Style is a dream. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve tried to switch from one call to another and accidentally hung up on someone. With the Style there are four options on your screen for the duration of a call (flash, add a participant, mute and speaker), and all you have to do is scroll to one of those options and click. Super, super simple.
In terms of what could be improved, I have a few nit-picky suggestions. I wish the keyboard was just a smidge wider, but that’s something that I know I’ll adjust to over time. I also wish the keyboard was a little bit more raised – it’s not as easy to differentiate between the individual keys as it is on my Bold. If there’s a way to customize the external screen I haven’t figured it out yet (apart from selecting different kinds of clocks), but I think I’d really like that option if it were available (being able to put pictures or text there would be great). And while I don’t know if there’s any such product yet, a colorful skin for the phone would be great. I have a turquoise rubber phone cover for my Bold, and in addition to making it a lot easier to hold the phone, it also makes it super-easy to find the phone in my purse. I’ve had to do some fishing around for the Style, mainly because it’s just not as easy to see when it’s tucked away.
Because the Style is so sleek, you can’t flip it open from the bottom – you have to grab it on the sides and then flip. From a design standpoint I get this, though – one of the reasons one of my former flip phones broke at the hinge was because I would flip it open so forcefully, and that’s impossible to do with the Style. You have to hold it securely in at least one hand (two works even better) before you can flip it open, and that’s not a bad thing in terms of minimizing wear and tear on the phone.
As much as I’ve loved my Blackberry Bold, the Style definitely gives it a run for the money. The flip feature is something that I’ve really, really missed, and being able to have a flip with a full keyboard just delights me. And even though the screen on the Style isn’t quite as wide as what I’m used to, it’s a mighty small trade-off in the long run. The Style sounds great, is easy to use and offers all the conveniences of a smartphone (calendar, GPS, mp3 player, 5 MP camera, etc.) in a tiny little package. Plus, you get to end your calls with authori-TAY by flipping it closed.
Surely I’m not the only person who loves that feature.
Here’s the best part: I get to give away two (TWO!) Blackberry Styles so that two of you lucky people can head into 2011 all organized and sassy and dare I say flippy (hooray for the flip!). The phones will come with a month of Sprint service, and at the end of that time you can transfer the phones to your own Sprint plan (these particular phones don’t work on any other network). If you’d like to enter to win, just leave a comment that answers the following question: what kind of cell phone user are you? Are you totally dependent on it – to the point where you’ve contemplated wearing it on a chain around your neck? Do you use it sporadically throughout the day and keep it tucked away in your purse most of the time? Or would you be hard-pressed to know where to even find your cell phone – and if you found it, it might not even be charged?
This giveaway will run from 1/6/11 until 1/18/11.
Good luck, everybody – and Happy Blackberrying!
Visit the Exclusive Offers section for even more chances to win!
Rules:
No duplicate comments.
You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry
methods:
a) Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post
b) Tweet about this promotion and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment
on this post
c) Blog about this promotion and leave the URL to that post in a comment on
this post
d) For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about
an alternate form of entry.
This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older.
Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail.
You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be
selected.
The Official Rules are available here.
I use my phone all the time now. I resisted getting a phone for a long time but could never find a payphone anywhere when I needed a call. Then I got a pay-per-use phone and constantly ran out of minutes..right in the middle of a conversation..ugh! Now my phone is tethered to my purse, I never go anywhere without it and find myself having to recharge it at least twice a day.
what kind of cell phone user are you?
EVERYDAY, ALL the freegan time.
Are you totally dependent on it – to the point where you’ve contemplated wearing it on a chain around your neck?
Um, yeah!
Do you use it sporadically throughout the day and keep it tucked away in your purse most of the time?
Yes. or in front of me, or on my lap.
Or would you be hard-pressed to know where to even find your cell phone – and if you found it, it might not even be charged? (my lame husband is like this).
=)
I’m a Sprint customer and have a SCP-2700 by SANYO. I keep my phone with me at all times. It’s horrible, but I can’t be without it. I love being able to check my messages at anytime.
Tweeted http://twitter.com/#!/chipdip2010/status/25232161250484224
What a great giveaway. I love the style, and features of the phone. The colors are great too!
http://twitter.com/#!/misselj/status/25234615526490113
I’m not totally dependant on my phone. I use it for calls, texts and social media updates. I am not one who “feels naked without it”
I’ve never won a contest before, I hope that this will go to the most deserving person out there, congrats in advance!
I LOVE a flip phone, too! I don’t use my phone for anything except phone calls. I don’t twitter or Facebook so I’m not constantly on it in that respect. I do make a lot of calls though. I wish people would be kind enough to ignore a phone call every once in a while when you’re talking to them, though. That was more than an answer to the prompt, but you know.
I am pretty dependent on it, text, talk and check email daily!
I hate my cell phone – it’s old & you can’t really text on it … and I’m always FORGETTING IT! If I got a new, “fancy” phone, I bet I’d be carrying/using a cell phone more!! Especially for texting – frankly, I hate talking on the phone.
I would be so excited….I don’t even have a cell phone….so to get one of these…would be wonderful…and if I win one and get one free month….then my husband would have to get me a plan, right?
I’d LURVE this flip phone! Time for an upgrade!
I usually leave it in my bag, mostly because it has NO features and is pretty useless for anything except phone calls.
My cell phone is like an extra appendage – it’s always attached to me and I don’t want to live without it!
I am devoted Sprint customer and am currently using a Droid smartphone. It’s been a tough transition from the dumb phone, and my dream it to have a Blackberry – the best deals just never seem to line up with my contract dates. Winning the style would be a dream!
http://twitter.com/#!/juliannefogt/status/25327965755678720
I text a ton …. not so much talking though.
I am not addicted, but my phone is always within arms reach…maybe I am addicted :)
I have mine with me constantly. I would be lost without it!
I have the Blackberry Curve and I love it, but would like it to be a bit smaller to fit into my pocket when I don’t want to carry a purse.
I finally keep my cell phone in my bag all the time but I often forget to charge it (because it accidentally gets turned on). I love the WiFi feature though.
I have my smart phone on me all the time. always on, always charged or plugged into my laptop to keep contacts in sync. keeps me organized.
I’m more of the sporadic type
tweet-http://twitter.com/jillyrh/status/25464643195502592
I’m a fairly low key phone user. Quick calls to the hubby and a few chats with friends. But if I had one of these smart phones, you better believe I would be on the texting bandwagon in a split second!
When I started using my BB Curve from work, it didnt take me long to figure out why they called it a CrackBerry! Now I want one for my very own. :)
I use my cell phone very little for conversation, but I use it constantly for the phone numbers stored in it. I usually keep it in my pocket, so if I’m out and about I have it with me and I don’t have to remember to bring it along.
I am totally dependent on my phone and tend to get very anxious when I can not find it.
I love my old flip phone. But then it died and had to get the new, big, clunky smart phone. Which is kinda cool but I still miss the flippyness of my old phone. The blackberry flip looks perfect!
I text all the time, but need a smart phone so I can answer email while on the go. This would be perfect!
i would love to have a blackberry or a cell phone of any kind really. im sure i could learn to text. after all im finally learning how to use this keyboard on my computer!
I’m one of those people who is attached to my phone. I keep it with me at all times. I’d love a new Blackberry!
I am a “crackberry” addict. I have it with me at all times for calls, emails, and texts. I even read blogs on it! I sleep with it by my bed and use it as an alarm clock. I would be lost without it. I need a new one for my son! Thanks for the chance to win one!!!
I keep mine tucked in my purse. Everyone knows to call the house phone if I don’t answer my cell phone because odds are that I didn’t hear it. But, pure panic sets in if I leave home and realize that I don’t have it.
I use mine all the time! My oldest girl ia a freshman in college; so we text a lot.
totally dependent – just started texting about a year ago have an older style flip phone that takes forever to pound out a short text-would love to have email capabilites.
I’ve always been super low-tech, and attempting a touch-screen phone just made me crazy. I’d love to try the blackberry as it’s a smart phone without the annoying touch screen.
I have a panic attack if I realize I don’t have my phone. I have to tell myself people lived for years without cellphones.
I’m a lite cell phone user, but I know if I had a smart phone, I could easily become a very heavy user.
Totally dependant… use it for work.
I really like a pretty phone. It needs to be easy to use though.
I’m an old fogie who has never learned how to do anything but dial and answer. I get a kid if I need to turn it on or do anything fancy. I have no numbers programmed and I’ve only tried to read the first characters of a text, I have never sent a text.
ky2here at msn dot com
Will tweet for a new phone: http://twitter.com/#!/ky2here1/status/26060727886286848
ky2here at msn dot com
I am sporadic, because I don’t like when people are so attached to their phones that they can’t eat a meal or play with their kids without constantly checking it… I’m just not that way.
We currently use AT&T service but would love to be entered in this giveaway.
We currently use AT&T service and would love to be entered in the giveaway.
Tweeted about this at http://twitter.com/bryantfamfarm.
Please enter me. I don’t use the cell much but it certainly is a handy tool!
Tweeted about this giveaway for a second entry: http://twitter.com/sarahlee_photo
I lose my phone about twice a week….
I am not a big cell phone user, it’s certainly no hobby or pastime for me as it is for some people. But I do depend on my cell phone being with me and working well. Looking good like the BlackBerry Style does is a big, big plus!
dchrisg3 @ gmail . com
Tweeted
http://twitter.com/#!/DchrisG3/status/26201503781883904
dchrisg3 @ gmail . com
I want to win :)
My phone is a $19 phone that does nothing but call and text. I use it mainly for emergencies, but always keep it with me. This BlackBerry Style would be amazing! Thank you for the chance to win.
I totally want this!
I have a blackberry bold and would love to win the Style for my hubby so me can BBM – right now the poor thing only has a tracphone and he can’t even text. He’s so jealous of my blackberry.
I’m not addicted to my phone, but i have become VERY dependent on using it to check my email. Some days I don’t even turn on my computer – I just use my phone.
I’d LOVE to move up from my old crackberry! This would be amazing!
Tweet:
http://twitter.com/#!/ayeejen/status/26520595717951488
I’d love to upgrade to this phone! Looks so awesome. I text a lot and I’m always on my phone. This would be an awesome upgrade.
I would love this!
I never used to care that much about my cell phone but now as I juggle two internships and a parttime weekend job and classes – I find that it’s rather necessary! it makes my job all that much more easier and this blackberry would be a major upgrade from my 2005 slow phone! :)
tweeted this giveaway @deegee13 thanks! http://twitter.com/DeeGee13/status/26690803657080832
What I look for in a phone is slim and compact. Being able to access e-mail. Large screen with a QWERTY keyboard is a necessity. I like having a camera on my phone. I really could use a new phone that is reliable as I have an LG which keeps shutting down all the time. I have two elementary school children and I depend on my phone in case of emergencies. Thank you. :0)
http://twitter.com/#!/Sienna337/status/26728335207825409
I would love this baby. OMG, I could do so much with this beauty of a phone. I would junk my old one for sure.
I keep mine with me all the time!
I use my phone way to much. Yes, I am addicted. I know it. This blackberry might help :)
I’ll admit that I’m addicted to my cell phone.
i’m just a sporadic user, not very ppl call me usually
I am by no means strapped to my cell phone. But I do use it daily to keep in touch with my children and their schedules. My teens text and call me throughout the day to let me know when they have practice, are going to a friends or are on their way home or elsewhere.
jweezie43[at]gmail[dot]com
I’m a sporadic user – though that’s because I don’t have a sweet phone like this!
I’ve been following your website for four days now and I should let you know I get tons advantages out of your article. and now how I can get information replace from your web site?
i dont use it much when i am with my kids. i try to give them all my attention. now when i am at work, i use it to network and bring ppl to my job to spend money!
i dont use it that much when i am with my kids, moreso at work to network.
I love Blackberries, and have always wanted one. They are such great quality. Thank you for the lovely giveaway.
sewmuchstuff at ymail dot com
Tweet:
http://twitter.com/SewMuchStuff/status/27199952673308672
sewmuchstuff at ymail dot com
I am completely dependant on my phone as I run a home based business, and as I am out making deliveries all day I need to keep up with my email, orders, and schedules!
I am very dependant on my cell phone. I use many of the apps to keep my life organized and often check my email with it throughout the day
My phone stays at my side at all times!! It is my home phone really, although I have a home phone I never use it. Its for backup, My cell is my phone I use all the time. I cant leave it in my purse I have to know if someone called or be able to grab it as needed. LOL
sweokgrl@gmail.com
I tweeted as well
sweokgrl@gmail.com
http://twitter.com/bdiane34/status/27210331457585153
Never had a smartphone. Would love to win one
totally.annoyingly dependant on it
jdmimi at gmail dot com
I use my phone all the time…it is my only phone line…it entertains me all the time, and it’s my alarm clock.
i use my phone sporadically
I am enjoying all the new blogs I find. Thanks for the great contest.
I try to have the phone with me at all times, since that is how everyone in the family tries to get me on the phone, but I miss a fair number of calls because I am not as aware of it as I might be.
I use my cell phone sporadically, it is usually tucked away unless needed.
I keep my phone near me at all times.I have no house phone so need it.Thanks!
lstanziani(at)yahoo(dot)com
I am actually not all that dependant on my cell phone. I use it more than anything for doing web browsing, playing games, and texting.
tweeted about this giveaway http://twitter.com/elangomatt/statuses/27396102869225472
I dont have a cell phone, never used one, wouldnt even know how
I am an emerging cell phone user, I become more and more reliant on it as time passes.
Tweet
http://twitter.com/#!/mail4rosey/status/27480356760330240
I have been a non texting, plain jane cell phone user, BUT my husband has an Iphone and I have suddenly decided I want a “smart” type phone. My current cell phone contract is up in March and I have a job interview tomorrow so I really want to upgrade to something not so basic soon.
My current phone is over 4 years old… soo I’m not dependent on it! It’s not like it does anything cool. I just use it for phone calls and texting.
I would love this new phone, right now my phone is basic as basic!
If I want to talk to my family or waiting for a return call from my sisters or Mom I wear my phone~
Otherwise I am usually e-mailing my husband at work to call my phone so I can find it!
I continue to be surprised at how dependent my sons seem on their phones. It seems like they are always texting or talking on them. They even sleep with them. They use them in place of watches. I guess it’s a generation thing, but I have to share with you that I still haven’t memorized my cell phone number. Just don’t tell my sons that-
I use the phone only when I need to, not obsessed.