[fishon_gethenet]

I have a 7520 that finally crapped out on me. I really like how the kbd keys are separated on the 7520. I'm thinking about getting a Pearl but the keyboard looks a little tight. What are your thoughts? Is it easy to type?

Thanks in advance,

[mike_187]

its pretty good if you can deal with suretype, it takes a few days to get used to it, but I love it now. if you like the full qwerty keyboard you may want to check out blackberry curve (8300) that should be out this month.

[brucejr]

Had it with the 7105t. It takes some getting used to but once you do it is fine. Qwerty is still faster, but ST is still good.

[Liv]

I will always prefer QWERTY keys, but I have had several SureType devices. I got used to it quickly, and because I have small hands I didn't have any issue with the keyboard.

My guy has big hands and fingers and somehow or another is able to tap stuff out on his suretype keyboard just fine.

So it is all a matter of getting used to. Definitely something that is a good trade off if you want a smaller device.

[fishon_gethenet]

The Curve looks really nice and the Qwerty kbd is great. Our company doesn't use a BES so I'm currently running the Redirector for my 7520. It looks like the Curve can forward mail with a BES or the BB Internet Service? Would you guys happen to know if the BB Internet Service is the same as the Redirector? If that's a dumb question I apologize in advance..

[PhillyGuy]

BIS will poll your email account ever few minutes or so. I can't use it as it does not play very well with MS Exchange 2007. Redirector essential forwards your emails to the BB. You won't have to leave your computer on if you use BIS.

Neither allows wireless sync of appointments, contacts, etc. I think that is changing on newer releases of BIS.

This is my first BB and it didn't take long to get used to the sure-type. I think it is pretty good and rarely do I have a typo. I use it for short messages and replys.

[AfterWord]

To start, i have HUGE nba sized hands, and i rarely have any trouble typing on the pearl, even with the occasional pushing of two keys, i still find the keyboard quite easy to use, and i love suretype! In fact i have found myself giving tutorials to some of my less experienced cohorts.

[fishon_gethenet]

Thanks for all your input I appreciate it. I'm still on the fence between the Curve and the Pearl. It sounds like you can't go wrong with either device. The only difference is that I can order the Pearl now whereas, with the Curve, I'll need to wait awhile. Not having a BB for more than a week can cause me physical and emotional stress...kidding of course (not really).

[SharifTK]

Hate it. I will dump this phone for the Curve as soon as the price goes down on it after its release.

[Impaler80s]

This topic's been covered tons of times. You'll get every response imaginable. It centers primarily whether you like SureType or hate it. Try one out at the store first, and see if you like it. I happen to like SureType...it learns words as I go and over the course of the two months I've had my Pearl, it's gotten to know me better.

[thk]

Had QWERTY based smartphones for about 4 years so I was skeptical about the Pearl Suretype keyboard. Took about 10 or so e-mails and SMS messages to get used to it and it's not bad at all. Heck, I even look at it as a free spell checker since it tends to guess the word I'm trying to type fairly well.

Personally, I think it's an excellent compromise between functionality and space. It's really nice to have a smartphone in a normal cell phone form factor that has a great keyboard.

But I do have my eye on the Curve also. If anything, the 3.5mm headphone jack is the draw for me and not the QWERTY keyboard and the additional size increase over the Pearl.

[Neverl8]

Originally Posted by SharifTK

Hate it. I will dump this phone for the Curve as soon as the price goes down on it after its release.

I'm on the fence myself. Instead of suretype, I still use the multi-tap. I find that much faster myself. I'll have to touch and feel the Curve when it hits the stores.