[Brad00111]

I am sure a lot of you have witnessed this already but I was really taken aback during a recent business trip. While I was in 3 seperate airports over 90% of the cellphones I saw were BB's (mostly of the 87xx variety) but then also seeing the demographic of who had them finally made me realize just how far BB's have penetrated the marketplace. From the soccer-mom to the college student to the other business pro they all had them. Now some may say well when you are looking for something you tend to notice it more, well that could be the case but I was still in awe of all the BB's out there especially since I have yet to se one RIM ad out there!

[brucejr]

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry8703e/4.1.0 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/105)

The BB does all the advertising by itself. They have come a long way since their two way paging days. Their stability and versatility have made them the essential tool to have. Now with the 8100 you will see a larger demographic introduced to the world of the BB. IPhone be darned, RIM has a real good product on their hands.

[moosehead]

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry8700/4.1.0 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/102)

Check out the demographic thread created in the 8700 series section. Less then a handful actually are goverment employees. I'm not one of them. It is quite amazing as u noted considering the lack of advetising...tv etc..

[LunkHead]

I think the BB's sell themselves, people see them, ask what it is and play with it for a few minutes... They see what it can do, and off they go to purchase one....

[cmpugh]

Originally Posted by LunkHead

I think the BB's sell themselves, people see them, ask what it is and play with it for a few minutes... They see what it can do, and off they go to purchase one....

Then once they use it for a week it becomes a part of their life, and they can't live without it...

[LunkHead]

Originally Posted by cmpugh

Then once they use it for a week it becomes a part of their life, and they can't live without it...

Yep!

[NJBlackBerry]

I sure am glad to hear that BlackBerrys are not just for government anymore.

Film at 11?

[martin_j001]

BlackberryCool's ThoughtPiece from today kind of covers the same thing (more about what kind of advertising is already out there for bb).... They also covered this a bit in this story a few days ago. I'm always amazed at how many different types of people I see with bb's when I'm out....

[takeshi]

I know at least three professional bellydancers with Blackberries...

[Dawg]

Originally Posted by cmpugh

Then once they use it for a week it becomes a part of their life, and they can't live without it...

You can live with out them I did with out mine for over a year had it back 6 months and now its gone again. I find I get twice as much done by not being constantly connected to the outside world. Only time I miss it is when I need to check my email.

[ndub33]

Recently took my family to Disneyland. Being the wireless geek that I am, I notice what kinds of phones people use when I'm in large crowds like this. Most of the folks who used PDA type devices had Berrys. I don't recall seeing a single Sidekick, which surprised me given their popularty within certain demographics.

To Dawg's point, my Berry and I are inseperable right now, as I am on my company's BES and use it a lot for work. But when I retire, will I really need to respond immediately to the five e-mails a week I get from freinds and family? Or will my addiction be so deep-rooted that I'll ask to be buried with my Berry in my hand?

[Scarlett]

I am a State Government IT employee provided with a 7290. HOWEVER, since I can do a lot of extras I also had my own BB. It drove my husband crazy because one or the other is making noise all the time. Too solve that issue I bought me a Pearl and gave the 7290 to my husband so he can't complain that I'm making all the noise. Can't live without mine!!

[SteveRoss]

I see lots of ad's for BB. I get Business Week and News Week and I see ads frequently.

[virtualman]

non govt, non business user here.
I purchased the BB so my emails will hunt me down where ever I roam, in the lower 48. Haveing contant access to the net has led me to make text pages online with information that will not fit on the BB. I only have one friend with a BB but two more are looking at them. The rest use the sidekick, treo, etc.

[SteveRoss]

I do the same thing! I load text documents to web pages etc. so I can access them without storing on the BB. Geeee and I thought I was clever.

[takeshi]

Originally Posted by Dawg

You can live with out them I did with out mine for over a year had it back 6 months and now its gone again.

Of course one can live without one -- considering that the basic needs to live are just air, water, food and shelter (to avoid death from exposure)...

Guess you haven't heard of hyperbole? :P

Even without mail or internet I'd probably hang on to mine. Having the same address book on my wireless device and in Outlook is really nice. Granted, there are plenty of other options for phones and wireless devices that will sync with PIM's. I'd just rather not make address book or calendar entries with a phone's keypad. In any case, I heavily use my personal email accounts and don't see that changing in the future.

[Baggman]

Originally Posted by takeshi

I know at least three professional bellydancers with Blackberries...

I know one, uh, how should I say it, uhm, 'Exotic Dancer'?, that has one. Uses it for school, work, and play.

[c3po25]

I agree. both my wife and I have BB's and we are non Gov nor Business. Before BB it was ok when I went out to get some food right quick and forgot my phone. now I have to have my BB all the time, so does my wife. we both have 8700's now and will stay with BB for good (unless they come up with something betterm but I highly doubt that). Really can't live without one...