Newbie with Blackberry qns .. Pls be patient with me =)

[winebroker]

Hi seasoned users of Blackberry,

I am using an iPhone currently. Friends have been bugging me to change to Blackberry and the more I read about it, the more interested I am. Please help me with some of my questions. Your assistance is greatly appreciated.

Questions:

1. Singtel / M1 / Starhub. Any difference?
2. I know that BB can do excel and word, however, do I have to purchase the software?
3. The 1 thing I like most about BB is that I can be on MSN and Yahoo Messenger all the time. Do I have to purchase any MSN / Yahoo Messenger software?
4. Is Skype available on BB?
5. Can I transfer my SMS from my iPhone over to BB?
6. What is the fastest way for me to transfer my contacts from my iPhone?
7. I am using Mac. Is Synchronization available?
8. Is RSS feed available on BB?
9. When I am overseas, do I have to pay overseas BB rates? To read my emails and surf the internet.

I've tried reading through the many posts here, however, cannot find the information I want in detail.

Thank you for your help.

[heaveboy]

Hi winebroker,

1. With all the telco, price will be the main issue and the price are pretty competitive.

2,3,4 Software wise. check out. www.blackberry.com all your answer is there.

5,6,7,8 Google on the third party software available.

9 Yes u have to pay oversea rate (Bridging Data roaming)

Hope it helps.

Google to find more information. Cheers.

[winebroker]

Hi heaveboy,

Which BB are you using?
for me, the battle is between the curve and the bold.

Any suggestions?

[heaveboy]

What's your main objective of owning a bb?

Mail on the go?

They are pretty much the same but u should try the design of the unit itself at the store to have a much better feel of it.

I have a curve that is provided by my company.

[kennyg1969]

1. Singtel / M1 / Starhub. Any difference?

No much price difference unless you are at some IT show like the recently concluded show.

2. I know that BB can do excel and word, however, do I have to purchase the software?

Bold has a built in word and excel which allows you to view

3. The 1 thing I like most about BB is that I can be on MSN and Yahoo Messenger all the time. Do I have to purchase any MSN / Yahoo Messenger software?

By default, MSN and yahoo messager is included in the BB

4. Is Skype available on BB?

Skype is supposed be be available in May but due to some reason, it is being delayed

5. Can I transfer my SMS from my iPhone over to BB?

No

6. What is the fastest way for me to transfer my contacts from my iPhone?

Use google sync to sync your info into your gmail's contact.. Follow this instruction on how to set up for iphone:- http://www.google.com/mobile/apple/sync.html

and install google sync on your bb :- http://www.google.com/mobile/blackberry/

7. I am using Mac. Is Synchronization available?

I believe there is but you need to check with someone using a mac

8. Is RSS feed available on BB?

RSS is available as a 3rd apps. I use viigo and the built in rss

9. When I am overseas, do I have to pay overseas BB rates? To read my emails and surf the internet.

You pay oversea global data roaming. That not going be cheap

[kennyg1969]

Hi heaveboy,

Which BB are you using?
for me, the battle is between the curve and the bold.

Any suggestions?

1) Curve - 2G/GPRS
2) Bold- 3G

If you plan to surf alot, Bold is the better choice. Has faster cpu than the curve but comes with 2MP camera but coming from an iPhone, that should not be a problem with the camera=:p

[winebroker]

heaceboy,

main attraction of the BB ..

1. MSN / Yahoo / Skype on the go
2. emails

What's your main objective of owning a bb?

Mail on the go?

They are pretty much the same but u should try the design of the unit itself at the store to have a much better feel of it.

I have a curve that is provided by my company.

[winebroker]

1. Singtel / M1 / Starhub. Any difference?

No much price difference unless you are at some IT show like the recently concluded show.

2. I know that BB can do excel and word, however, do I have to purchase the software?

Bold has a built in word and excel which allows you to view

3. The 1 thing I like most about BB is that I can be on MSN and Yahoo Messenger all the time. Do I have to purchase any MSN / Yahoo Messenger software?

By default, MSN and yahoo messager is included in the BB

4. Is Skype available on BB?

Skype is supposed be be available in May but due to some reason, it is being delayed

5. Can I transfer my SMS from my iPhone over to BB?

No

6. What is the fastest way for me to transfer my contacts from my iPhone?

Use google sync to sync your info into your gmail's contact.. Follow this instruction on how to set up for iphone:- http://www.google.com/mobile/apple/sync.html

and install google sync on your bb :- http://www.google.com/mobile/blackberry/

7. I am using Mac. Is Synchronization available?

I believe there is but you need to check with someone using a mac

8. Is RSS feed available on BB?

RSS is available as a 3rd apps. I use viigo and the built in rss

9. When I am overseas, do I have to pay overseas BB rates? To read my emails and surf the internet.

You pay oversea global data roaming. That not going be cheap

Thank you for your help .. I've googled and managed to find more answers. For qn7, Yes, it is available. and by doing that, i can sync my contacts over.

Thank you once again.

[winebroker]

1. Singtel / M1 / Starhub. Any difference?

No much price difference unless you are at some IT show like the recently concluded show.

2. I know that BB can do excel and word, however, do I have to purchase the software?

Bold has a built in word and excel which allows you to view

3. The 1 thing I like most about BB is that I can be on MSN and Yahoo Messenger all the time. Do I have to purchase any MSN / Yahoo Messenger software?

By default, MSN and yahoo messager is included in the BB

4. Is Skype available on BB?

Skype is supposed be be available in May but due to some reason, it is being delayed

5. Can I transfer my SMS from my iPhone over to BB?

No

6. What is the fastest way for me to transfer my contacts from my iPhone?

Use google sync to sync your info into your gmail's contact.. Follow this instruction on how to set up for iphone:- http://www.google.com/mobile/apple/sync.html

and install google sync on your bb :- http://www.google.com/mobile/blackberry/

7. I am using Mac. Is Synchronization available?

I believe there is but you need to check with someone using a mac

8. Is RSS feed available on BB?

RSS is available as a 3rd apps. I use viigo and the built in rss

9. When I am overseas, do I have to pay overseas BB rates? To read my emails and surf the internet.

You pay oversea global data roaming. That not going be cheap

kennyg1969,

You mean the word and excel on BB is only for viewing? How about editing?

[kennyg1969]

kennyg1969,

You mean the word and excel on BB is only for viewing? How about editing?

Viewer only. I just tested a filled excel.. cannot edit:look:

[theblueark]

Kenny, I can edit leh. I open the file then press BB key, select "Edit mode" then can edit. I saved and exited, then came back in. Confirm edited.

[winebroker]

Kenny, I can edit leh. I open the file then press BB key, select "Edit mode" then can edit. I saved and exited, then came back in. Confirm edited.

Oh, so can edit. Got it.

Thanks.

[ringrain_78]

For the default Doc-to-go programs (word, excel and ppt), only limitation is that you can't create new documents...editing is fine

Work-around, is to email to yourself, a blank copy of word, excel and ppt...

[winebroker]

smart move ..

For the default Doc-to-go programs (word, excel and ppt), only limitation is that you can't create new documents...editing is fine

Work-around, is to email to yourself, a blank copy of word, excel and ppt...

[Extremme]

its either you email yourself or sync an old document into your BB. Yes you cannot create new but the work around is to edit and Save As. Its as good as creating a new document.

[ting11]

msn is in blackberry bold by default??? but i can't see it... or u meant the bb messenger, not the windows one..??

[gabong]

msn is in blackberry bold by default??? but i can't see it... or u meant the bb messenger, not the windows one..??

you should see msn in the instant message folder.
just go online to download it again.

[ting11]

you should see msn in the instant message folder.
just go online to download it again.

hmm..wad i see is only bbm...maybe i shld dl on the bb website.. tks for the info!

another noob question.... if i on msn 24/7 but seldom chat, mostly idle.. is the charges high??cos i only got 1GB limit... but i google and they say if phone doesn't auto refresh den the cost is minimum... but how do i noe if it's auto refresh???