A PR Pro’s best friend

By on June 28th, 2010 In Hype!

Dang it! All this recent Apple hype has me contemplating a move from my Blackberry Bold to the new iPhone 4. What does a PR gal who is addicted to her email and the internet do?

I know what you are going to say “But, the dropped calls and terrible service!” Um, actually, I really like AT&T. I have had AT&T service since I moved to Arizona eleven years ago. Never had a problem with customer service and other than some dropped calls while driving on the 101 and at Arizona Cardinals games, I can’t really complain. So now that I am nearing the end of my contract, I am wondering what to do. One thing I do know for sure is that I have been grandfathered into some decent data plans, so those costs aren’t a problem for me. When I called customer service to go over the price of a new BB 9700 versus the iPhone 4, it is matter of about $50 difference after discounts and rebates.

So now that I have tackled the two things most people consider (coverage and costs) I want to know what my colleagues use and like. The phone is pretty important and essential to a PR pro’s life, so what makes sense for you to effectively do your job?

I use my Blackberry a lot for emailing and reading documents. I am wondering if I am not maximizing it to its full potential, though. What else is on a Blackberry that a PR pro should be using? And, what applications are on an iPhone that you can’t live without for your job?

Comments

Marketing Sociologist Says:
June 28th, 2010 at 12:48 pm

Ms. Shaff:

Personally, I recommend you wait until 4G is available. Right now, I believe, only Sprint offers it in Phoenix. I’ve been told Verizon does too, but could not confirm this.

Apple just released the iPhone 4, not 4G. Look for WiMAX. Thought this technology was dead, but it looks like it will come back to life in 2011 thanks to 4G.

I believe the (an)Droid iPhone wars will resolve like the Beta VHS videotape wars – DVDs and BluRay won. So there will probably be a new technology beyond SmartPhones. iPad or similar devices?

Lastly, as a PR professional, you’ll want to learn how to develop and write QR Codes, the Facebook replacement of late 2010 and early 2011. Recently downloaded the program, but do not remember which site I got it at. Barcode for the 21st Century!

Len Gutman Says:
June 28th, 2010 at 1:00 pm

Char,

I love my Blackberry and I plan to stay with it. It makes great calls, manages email and text nicely, syncs with my online calendar, lets me check in on Foursquare, Tweet and check/change Facebook status, and it’s lightweight. Really, how much more do you need?

Len

Stu Robinson Says:
June 28th, 2010 at 3:49 pm

I love my iPhone and plan to get the new model once the rush dies down. I haven’t found AT&T to be better or worse than any of the other wireless providers.

I do believe everyone in the valley should shun Blackberry in response to the way the company’s owner tried to undermine and steal our Coyotes. I suggested the team stage a promotion in which fans could hurl their old Blackberrys onto the ice, but the team demurred because AT&T is a sponsor and sells both phones.

kate Says:
June 29th, 2010 at 9:27 am

I have to say, for quick typing and other professional purposes, I still really like my blackberry, but for music and what not, I love my i pod touch. Plus, my blackberry plan is much cheaper.

David Weissman Says:
June 29th, 2010 at 9:30 am

If you love your BB for texting and email, consider staying with BB. The iPhone (and I have an older model)does not have a tactile keyboard which makes it more difficult to text and drive–not that I do that, but if I did, it would be harder. On the flip side, the iPhone is an incredibly integrated tool and even more so in the new version. I’d go for it and just plan on adjusting the way you use your phone in the car. I did!

Loren Yaskin Says:
June 29th, 2010 at 9:50 am

I’ve had mostly good success with AT&T. I downloaded many apps but find few important in the long run. But here are some ideas. In addition to apps for Twitter, Facebook and Foursquare, you may consider the AP Mobile app. It notifies you to breaking news and, thus, possible opportunities for clients. The ABCts Lite app allows you to email groups of contacts. The DirecTV app allows you to record, while away from home, TV appearances that might include your clients. Business apps allow you to track hours and miles for certain projects.

Wendy Hafen Says:
June 29th, 2010 at 9:55 am

I had a Blackberry and recently switched over to Sprint’s HTC EVO 4G phone. Best decision I could have ever made. It has all the capabilities of the iPhone 4, but better and more affordable. That’s the reason they came out with the iPhone 4 in the first place, because the EVO was a serious threat to them. I can do all the same things I did on my blackberry – email, sync with my calendar, have all my contacts on there, twitter/facebook/4square, etc. Plus so many helpful apps that I didn’t have on my blackberry. Just a thought – might be worth adding it to the mix when deciding on what phone to get…

Rachel Brockway Says:
June 29th, 2010 at 10:00 am

I love my Blackberry! As much as I want to “want” to change to the iPhone I just can’t!

On my Blackberry I can email, check into Foursquare, Facebook and Twitter (Twitterberry rocks)!
Plus I have an iPod touch (not a fan of the touch) and it does everything that an iPhone would, including Texting and Tweeting and I can even Skype on it.

Amy Linert Says:
June 29th, 2010 at 10:07 am

I’ve been a long time blackberry user. It’s easy to use, the keyboard is fantastic, and it combines all my needs (calendar, notes, gmail, gtalk, skype, twitter, etc) all into one comfortable hand held device. Plus, being a forever Verizon customer, it’s just the way it is for me.

However, I feel that everyone needs to expand their horizons and with Apple leading the way from moving desktop computers to hand held devices (iPhone, iTouch, iPad), I am significantly more curious to try out the iPhone. I don’t think Blackberry has the capability or foresight to compete with the evolution Apple is creating. The moment Apple expands out of AT&T, I will be switching over.

I still heart my blackberry though. : )

Jared Bodnar Says:
June 29th, 2010 at 10:38 am

Charlotte,
It really comes down to personal preference. If you’re used to the way the Blackberry operates, you may find it difficult to adjust to the iPhone. However, I prefer the iPhone for may reasons. I love my new iPhone 4 and haven’t had too many problems with AT&T from a reception or customer service standpoint, and there are a ton of apps that make my job easier.

Jim Veihdeffer Says:
June 29th, 2010 at 10:39 am

Rachel: How do you get Skype on your iTouch? (Sorry to contact you this roundabout way but your name links to an organization without any names attached to it.)

Adam Nollmeyer Says:
June 29th, 2010 at 12:05 pm

Char,

I’ve had a blackberry for 4+ years, and am actually feeling this way towards switching to an android. Google “Samsung Galaxy S” It’s coming out on all 4 carriers.

I’ll admit that the iPhone is slick, but a ton of people have been fed the kool aid.

Not insulting you, but poking fun of the extreme ppl who have fallen into the trap is…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FL7yD-0pqZg
(Crazy funny, NSFW due to language fbombs)

Look into Android.

Leslie Sonnenklar Says:
June 29th, 2010 at 1:20 pm

Hey Charlotte,
I just got the new 4G Evo from Sprint and really like it. It takes getting use to the touch screen but you’d have the same issues with iPhone. And, Sprint has some GREAT Everything plans. I am on one for $69.99 that includes everything(data, text, local/long distance, roam, etc.). The only limitation between that plan and their $99 everything plan is that you get unlimited mobile to mobile but only 450 anytime minutes to landlines but it’s free nights and weekends starting at 7 pm. Really it only matters if you call a lot of businesses with landlines during the day in which case I’d recommend the $99 plan which includes absolutely everything for only $99. That’s my two cents :)

Adam Nollmeyer Says:
June 29th, 2010 at 3:12 pm

@leslie,

I’ve been w/ Tmobile for about 8 years, and was sad that TMO was behind the curve w powerful smartphones.

Sprint lowered their pricing on many things and I was almsost ready to jump. (1500 landline minutes + all data, txt and calls to any cell phone for $130)

I almost switched to Sprint just for the EVO. However the “everything” is not “absolutely everything” But am not a fan at all of the “just because fee” for the EVO. You buy a device, then they tax you on the features for a “wicked fast processor, kickstand, and oversized screen”

http://explainthefee.com/

It’s a good read from a PR prospective as well. If you can tell me what you’re paying for with the “Premium Data Add-On” I would really love to know.

@AcmePhoto

Diane Leifer Says:
June 29th, 2010 at 11:55 pm

Let’s be honest, both phones do just about all one needs to do for work. However, the iPhone is much cooler and certainly more fun !!

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