Connected Well

I have an 8830 “world edition” blackberry smartphone from Verizon wireless and I have to note a few things I wish could be improved.

* There’s a GPS built into the device, but VZ disabled it so you can’t use it because Verizon wants you to pay an extra $20/month for their Navigation service. That stinks.

* The 8830 seems to have a severe memory management problem, dumping txts and email, phone and call logs without warning, a few times a week.

* Having no camera is bad enough, but not able to receive Picture messages without using the web browser is kinda dumb.

* Other devices allow YouTube and streaming video/audio but not so on the 8830, presumably so you’ll sign up for “vCast”.

* More of an “I wish” for Verizon itself, the fact that I can’t use just the data plan (or the phone+texting without data plan is pretty ludicrous. Its just money, after all, but while going with Verizon may mean great cellular service (reception) it also means a hefty bite from your wallet each month.

Hopefully, Verizon won’t leave 8830 users behind as they roll out software for the Pearl, Storm and other new Blackberries.

Update: It does appear I am not the only one reporting problems with the 8830.

Rahhb mobile 8830, blackberry, CDMA, mobile, problems, smartphone, verizon

Sharing the things you find as you journey through life is half the fun of being well-connected. And, of course, a picture is worth thousands and thousands of those words. Flickr, the popular online photo storage site, has published a cool uploading tool that allows you to choose and send photos from your blackberry to your account on the Flickr website, but you can also “geotag” photos (adding information to the photo revealing the location it was taken), and even send photos you have already put on Flickr to your Blackberry contacts! From the Blackberry site:

This mobile photo uploader is designed to offer the same features and functions you’re used to using on your computer. And, because of the familiar BlackBerry smartphone keyboard, menus and prompts, it’s easy to learn, fun to use and it’s free. Upload photos easily Snap a picture, put it in the right album, tag it, and even adjust its size. Then post it with just a few quick clicks. Geotag your pictures If you’re using a BlackBerry smartphone with GPS capabilities you can also geotag images so that people who look at your pictures can tell where you uploaded them. Download Flickr Photo Uploader for BlackBerry Smartphones.

Rahhb Tools blackberry, connected, flickr, media, Networking, photo, pictures, sharing, smartphone