I have been a BB user for 10 years now and currently use the BB Curve through AT&T.

With my company cutting back expenses they are requesting I switch fro BB to something like the Blackjack II which will allow me to still pick up Outlook emails but I will save by not have the extra costs of the BB Plan.

How dissapointed will I be with the Blackjack II and is there another option you would recommend?

Thanks

You might not be disappointed at all. Maybe you'll like the Blackjack better.
It's all a matter of what your specific needs/wants are... which you haven't described.

Sounds like you really have no options. If this is a corporate decision, then you have to follow it, or seek employment elsewhere.

Thanks for the reply.
My main needs are: access to Outlook email, qwerty, thin/small design, camera,. Not too concerned about the extra's, music, video, etc. Just good solid business phone with the above.

Sounds like you should be OK with the Blackjack. Give it a chance, and if it's not working out for you... start polishing up your resume.

Have you discussed paying the difference for the BB Data Plan from your own pocket.

Maybe they are getting rid of BES, in which case its probably a lot to
chip in for

Only $5 difference in a BB data plan vs PDA plan. Not saving a bunch considering you have to get a new phone.

BES could be thousands, not to mention somebody maintaining it.
Still a bad move though

You should look into BIS if they are dumping the BB's due to the cost of running a BES. If you company provides OWA access to your email it may be a option that you can run and maintain on your own.

Good Luck!

E-

Wirelessly posted (positive thoughts!!!)

Blackjack 2 isn't a bad device

Many built in features

I still personally prefer a BB but the BJ2 is not that bad of an alternative

just keep an eye on your battery life

that is the truth

I had a BJ2 for a little bit. Wasn't too bad. Battery life was an issue.

This is what I do. I have company email, but no company issued blackberry. With the freedom I have on BIS, I feel like I have the better option.

Thanks for all of the replies!
After speaking with AT&T my $30.00 mo. BB Personal Plan is the same as what I would be paying for the Blackjack to be able to pick up my Outlook Email so it looks like I'm sticking with BB after all!

Whew!
That was a close one.

If you must go to a windows mobile device (anytime in the future), I would suggest the att 8125 or tilt version of that (I think the blackjack and tilt cost the same for monthly charges). I realize it costs more to buy then a blackjack but my father owns one and feels it is superior to blackberry and the iphone. It has little flaws and the only real problem is it is big. Good to here blackberry is the same price.

I tested the Tilt out for about 2 weeks and while it does have some nice features. The OS was too buggy for me, the battery life was WAY less than stellar. Maybe if I have never used a BlackBerry I may have liked the device more. Coming from a BlackBerry and going to that device just didn't cut it for me.

But everyone has their own preference.

This is the #1 returned smartphone for ATT

reasons

to complex

battery life

size

Whew, that was a close one! Welcome back! hehe...

Tilt? TyTn II? shuuudder :(
In my opinion it does not compare to a Curve. Well it does have 3g but thats about it. See my brief comparison on my blog at:-

Here we go with another mobile phone rant/rave post! at Mike Dent’s ‘ickle Home (thing)…

Mike

I went with an iPhone for a year, but the email was horrible. Some emails would take forever to open and then on some occasions it would say it was not able to download from server even though I could see the first couple of lines in the summary screen. It's a nice phone with lots of cool features, but in the end it was the email, ring volume and battery life that forced my to drop kick it out of my life. I found despite all the nice features, the core need for email and to hear my phone when it rang was paramount.

I only wished I could have waited for the Bold to come out, but the itch was horrible and I got the Curve.

Mark

My TyTn II is sitting under my desk unused. Great hardware, let down by crappy software, and the keyboard, IMO, is poor.

My Curve however is a wonderful device and there is no way I will go back now.

Most likely his business is dumping BES - I don't see good alternative with Exchange Push on its own, yet with "Microsoft System Center Mobile Device Manager 2008" it gets close (1 platform of course). I'd rather not use Microsoft smartphones (just preference of ease of use and navigation and simple features lacking: oh yeah the OS just supported copy & paste hehe Smartphone Edition).

Another possible solution is thinking of the newly announced Nokia E71 (technically its on par with the BB Bold); however rumor has it this caused RIM & Nokia a tussle and BBConnect will not be rebuilt for it. You have the ability to switch homescreen profiles and links for Personal / Work (Email accounts also switch: Both support MS Push and still come through regardless of the profile your in). Thousands of useful applications, VPN support built-in, VoIP also, and those updates occur every few mths so its good.

Check out a few articles on various platforms: what software options/abilities they offer that'll suit ur work & personal needs (its your device now), and narrow it down to 3 devices (mix up the form-factor as well keyboard, slider with keyboard, touchscreen, touch+keyboard etc). Once you've got UR final 3 ask the admins if they'll be supported to corporate needs.

If the change seems so arcane and unbearably difficult, there's always a chance for a lateral move to another company that KEEPS their BES. ;)

Sounds like the company doesn't want to pay for another anual support license for their BES server. Considering the cost per license, this can run into hundreds of thousands of dollars, depending on the number of employees.

Not totally familiar with the BJII, but I have used the Moto Q and I loved it. It works directly with Exchange, via OWA, and syncs email beautifully. It is, however; a lot different that the BB.

I did switch to the Curve (for work), but I basically have a dozen BES licenses sitting around and I just moved away from the Q to try something different for a little while. Admitedly, I like the Curve's battery life MUCH better than the Q. The Q and the BJII are so similar, I would imagine you'll get about the same performance.