When I hear/read negative comments on blackberry phones, my blood boils because of very subtle yet critical detail that most people don't get:

All smartphones do *something* really well. But what the blackberry does really well is EMAIL, specifically Microsoft Exchange Server email (which one would typically find within a business, not a home).

Don't get me wrong, the Blackberry will do other things:
  • Yes it will browse the internet, but there are better phones for internet browsing (Palm Pre)
  • Yes it will play music, but there are better phones for that (iPhone)
  • Yes, its sort of easy to use once you get the hang of it, but there are far easier phones out there (any HTC phone).
Nope, the blackberry is made for business, the business of sending and receiving emails. So, if your primary objective is to check an exchange based email account, then the BB is your phone, welcome to the club!

If your objective is to browse the web, listen to music, instant message, etc, etc. Then get another phone. Get a windows based phone, get an iPhone, get a Palm Pre, but dont' get a blackberry.
 
 
Some interesting stuff over the last few days:
  • Started working on the GPS project again. I have all the parts/equipment on hand, now I just need to get it working! Started drawing up the enclosure, will order if from Shapeways soon.
  • Ponoko (ponoko.com) finally cut my parts for the CNC machine. Im hoping to see those by the end of next week. With my lab cleaned out and semi-organized there should be plenty of room to assembly the X & Z Axis.
  • The more I play with the arduino, the more project I come up with. That thing is amazing and I'm an amature, i wonder what professionals think of it? I'm pretty sure that I can use it to run the new CNC along with the EasyDrive v3 from sparkfun.
  • New bike parts came in for the Fisher. Handlebars, Stem, Grips. Its really turning into a nice bike. I think my next upgrade will be either disk brakes or a new crank.
  • Tons of new in the world of blackberry's. From what I'm seeing the Storm 2 will definitly be out right around the end of the year/beginning of the year. I think I'll hold out until it drops. Although I'm pretty sure that the Pre will be available then, so it will definitly be a tough call... get it? "tough call"..... anyway
That's about it for now. Bobby and I are going to ride about 10 miles in the morning to test out the new setup.