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.