You know, I know, we all know how crazy we are about our BlackBerry(s). We sleep with it, we eat with it, heck we do all stuffs with it.

So, to all members who owns a BlackBerry 8800, tell us what made you decide to own this blackberry and what did you have to do to get it.

I'm giving away 10 OEM BlackBerry 8800 SKIN to the best answers picked by our very helpful moderators. Since this is totally free, this is just for US members only (no international shipping).

Good luck and have fun!!!

[boedarnez]

The 8800 converted me to a BB user. I was a Nokia candybar-style phone guy up until this month. The form factor and trackball were the deal-sealers for my switch, and I'm lovin' every minute of it!

I went into several different Cingular stores to try and find one in-stock, but after a few days I resorted to their customer service number for my order. I went back into a two-year contract for the 8800!

[hey]

I decided to upgrade to the 8800 because I am an incurable gadget freak and new blackberries satiate my appetite more than anything else. C'mon, what other device offers so much gadgetness?

Who could resist the built in GPS? Now I never have to worry about getting lost ever again.

With the new trackball, the 8800 should come doctor recommended. Now I don't have to worry about thumbular tendonitis anymore.

The push to talk feature and the voice dialing, I never have to worry about dialing numbers again. In fact, I can have a more productive conversation with my phone than with my wife.

Everybody should be buying the 8800! It is the best gadget invention since the espresso machine!

[kasperapd]

I upgraded just because I'm a true addict and I wanted the newest device. I really liked my Pearl, but thought it was just a bit too small for my hands. I then switched to the 8700, but then missed the trackball. The 8800 was a perfect match for me in size and use of the trackball. Now of course, there's the 8300 floating around... that's another thread and another contest for a later time.

[b00st3d]

RIM forced me to buy it.

[ezrunner]

I had to go to Mexico and sell a kidney on the Blackmarket in order to get my BB8800!!!! Not sure which was riskier losing a kidney or Having the procedure done in Mexico.


Wait I still have my 8700, that must have been a dream

[paulmac]

Having owned a 7290 then the 8700 I ended up with the Pearl when I switched carriers to T-Mobile. I enjoyed the Pearl, but missed the full keyboard and size of the 8700. So once the 8800 came out I knew I had to have it. Plus people that I work with I think had a pool going to see how long before I had one, as I always seem to get the latest model. I was fortunate to catch a good deal for phone only at Letstalk, and purchased the 8800 and had it unlocked to accept my T-Mobile SIM. Now I have the thinness of the Pearl, but the full keyboard and screen size of the 8700 and enjoying the additional features as well like GPS. Should keep me happy for a while, until the next model comes out I am sure

[Obsidiank]

Was sitting in my coach seat on NW flight to LAX when my 8700 buzzed at 10,000ft (never really turn it off), on February 19th, 10am.

It was an invite to the Blackberry 8800 launch event for the 20th, in New York. I cursed loudly in my seat, fellow passengers looking at me strangely, a little scared. I had spoken to my cingular rep about a month ago asking if it was possible for me to get an invite and he had never emailed me back. So this was a nice surprise. What's a guy to do when he's stuck in LA for a conference but there's a Blackberry calling his name in New York? Oh the sheer irony of it all. As soon as I got off the plane, I called everyone I knew in NY would could possibly be "me" at the event. Unfortunately, anyone I called wanted the BB for themselves and no one would go. Just when I thought all hope was lost, I logged into the reg page and low and behold.. Thank god for the event in San Fran !

Took half of Thursday off and rented a car from avis and drove 6hrs to San Francisco. Got to the event 15 minutes before it started. Ate some food, mingled, got my BB, drove 6hrs back.

12hrs of driving, tank and half of gas. Loss sleep, all for the love of BB goodness. I am BB obsessed.

[Stinsonddog]

All these replys and no one is just plain turned on by their gadget. Shame o Shame.

What's your story Stins?

[Vlex]

I upgraded to an 8800 so I could breathe underwater. I had to sleep with the Cingular sales guy to get mine.

[Outrigger]

I swapped my wife for the new 8800 cause it was calling me in my dreams. I still go see her every now and then though.

[Tres]

I upgraded from a VZW V710- Originally I looked at the 8703e, but while doing research for that I discoverd the all mighty 8800. I himmed and hawed over switching carriers... I am just an all around techie and the 64mb of space on the 8703 was never gonna be enough! Plus. I like the latest and greatest.. couldnt let the trackball slip away.. Now.. I just have to try and convince verizon not to bang me with a cancellation fee.

[mjcostajr]

I converted to BB on Dec. 27 when I bought the Pearl for Cingular...after reading these forums and learning about the 8800, I checked everyday to find out the release date. On Feb 21st at midnight I went on the Cingular website half expecting that it would be ready for purchase. Low and behold, at 12:01am on the release date, I ordered the phone, went to amazon and ordered a 2gb microsd, and then went to shieldzone and ordered the full body skin. Spent $450 within 4 minutes. Also think I was one of the first to officially order one from Cingular (Eastern standard time). Love the 8800!

[brucejr]

Originally Posted by Vlex

I upgraded to an 8800 so I could breathe underwater. I had to sleep with the Cingular sales guy to get mine.

Hahaha!! Do tell Vlex! Did you get turned on by his Gadget??? Sorry for the hijack. Continue.......

Okay.. tomorrow is the last day to post your entry.

Winners will be picked on Monday, the 19th.

[John Clark]

Originally Posted by chinesecatt

What's your story Stins?

Seeing as how we get to choose, we would automatically win. I think that might look bad!!

Haha.. if you pick Stins, they will boycott

[mdlissner]

I am a total newbie to the Blackberry world. Have had Palm based devices for about 10 years.

Have been with Verizon about ten years also.

Corporate pushing everyone to Cingular so had to make the move. Couldn't stand taking a step down from the 700p to the 680. Wouldn't make the move to the 750 (Win Mobile).

Played with a couple of pearls and 8800's while out at the corp headquarters two weeks ago and fell in love with the 8800 form factor.

Thought I would give it a whirl with the 30 day return policy at Cingular. Well after less than a week I am sold. The device just works - only one add one was really needed - PocketDay. Major improvements I see over Treos:

> Bluetooth works flawlessly
> Bluetooth Voice Dail - Palm has not figured this out yet.
> OS Stability - no device just reseting by itself
> Excellent radio quality
> Built in device profiles - another thing you have to have add on software for in Palm world.

I don't see myself doing anything buy keep this device until a newer sexier blackberry takes the streets and I have to have that too!

[MSATech]

I work in an IT Dept and support many of our BBs across the company. I have had a 7280, a 8700 and my current 8800.

How I ended up with my 8800 is a funny story....

My friend just bought a new puppy and it was crawling on my back while I was laying on the floor. I had my 8700 in the belt clip on me and it had a little 'poo' accident while climbing off me. Worst part is that I didn't realize till a little later when I went to use my phone. I scrubbed and scrubbed my phone, but every time I tried to use the BB it was still bad news, or smell in this case. I actually admitted it (was too funny to not admit) and was on the list for the new 8800 when it came out in a week or so. I used a loaner 8700 till then. I had to thank that little 'Shitzu' puppy (yes, believe it or not that is actually what breed it was) the next time I saw it for my new BB I probably wouldn't have got that earlier otherwise.

I love my new 8800 and would like to say it was all the new cool featues that made me get it, but it was all due to that little Shitzu....