If you ever make the mistake of asking pretty much any BlackBerry user that you ever meet what they love about their BlackBerry they will spend about 10 minutes telling you all the stuff that has vaulted the BlackBerry to the top of the list when it comes to smartphones and kept it there for the past 3 or 4 years.
Believe it or not, however, there are some things about the BlackBerry that are less than desirable and we’ve decide to clue you in to a few of them.
Here are ten things that we hate about BlackBerrys in no particular order.
1. The BlackBerry Browser is horrible — The BlackBerry is definitely not a device designed to effectively browse around the internet. It is truly amazing to me at just how slow and bad the BlackBerry Browser is and it has little to do with the small screen. Windows Mobile, Palm OS, Symbian, and just about every other mobile OS has a browser that could dance circles the BlackBerry. That’s not even to mention the browser on the iPhone. There simply is no comparison there.
2. The color of the BlackBerry you want is always on another carrier — For the passed couple of years, you have been able to, for the most part, get the same model BlackBerry devices from each of the carriers. The major differences are in the color schemes. I don’t know if it is Murphy’s Law or what, but, how is that that no matter what carrier you are on, the color of the BlackBerry model that you really like is on a different carrier?
3. No native HTML email support — Since 2002 has anyone, with the exception of BlackBerry users, sent an email that didn’t have some type rich text or HTML formatting embedded in it? We’ve heard that BES 4.1 SP5 is suppose to have this, however, this item remains on the list until it is widely available.
4. Can’t play YouTube videos — Why is it that every cool mobile phone except the BlackBerry can play YouTube Videos. I know that the BlackBerry doesn’t have the Flash player necessary to play YouTube videos. The question, though, is “Why?”
5. The Media Player — I never expected that the BlackBerry would ever truly compete with the iPod when it comes to consumers MP3 players of choice. I did, however, expect to to compete with other music phones not named iPhone. The BlackBerrys Media Player is so bad that RIM shouldn’t even list the ability to play music as a feature.
6. CDMA BlackBerrys come out a year after their GSM cousins — If you are like most Americans you probably don’t care and may not even know if your mobile device is GSM or CDMA. Outside of North America, however, most of Earth uses GSM. GSM BlackBerrys come out about a year in advance of their CDMA counterparts, but, seeing how most BlackBerry users (over 70%) are from North America and the majority of them are on CDMA networks, I don’t get why RIM makes such a large segment of it’s total user base wait so long to get new gear.
7. Too many frigging BlackBerry outages — I don’t know if the BlackBerry is becoming a victim of it’s own success, but, over the passed year or so, the number of major BlackBerry service outages has gone up dramatically. It seems like there is a major outage about every other month or so.
8. Way too many frigging BlackBerry outages — we know that we’ve already listed this, however, we hate continent wide BlackBerry outages so much that we decided to list this one a second time.
9. BlackBerry clock doesn’t automatically adjust to different time zones — I know that some BlackBerry users like that they have to manually change their time zone but I had cell phones back in the 90s that at least gave you the option to change time zones manually are have the network do it for you.
10. What do you hate about BlackBerrys? — We know that this list is going to differ from BlackBerry user to BlackBerry user so we will leave the tenth thing we hate about BlackBerrys to be discussed in the comments.
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{ 40 comments… read them below or add one }
Paul 02.22.08 at 4:32 pm
1. I hate that it’s up to my carrier to give me my upgraded firmware.
2. I hate that my 8830 is capable of A2DP but I can’t use it because the OS doesn’t have code for it. 3rd party anyone?
3. I hate that I can backup and restore individual files to the blackberry, but there is no way to quick install an app. I have to use the java program on the desktop or use my air time.
4. I hate that I can’t write anything to the media card from the blackberry. Why can’t I save files there? Why can’t I run games from there?
5. I hate the media player too!
Tom 02.22.08 at 4:37 pm
No Sent E-mail folder on BIS. BES does have one. The work around is to set up an auto BCC when setting up your email account and have that sent to a dedicated email address only used as a “Sent” file. The email accounts are free through google or yahoo.
Michael 02.22.08 at 6:00 pm
Regarding browser, that can be corrected by using Opera Mini. Moreover, you can manage your Opera Mini bookmarks by using Opera (desktop) 9.5 beta, since Opera 9.5 beta synchronizes (using Opera servers) with Opera Mini on your blackberry. Brilliant.
I don’t get the lack of HTML email support. I assume its just part of RIM’s general strategy of never doing things first, but making sure its implemented well when they do. hmmm, but then what about the blackberry browser? or the the voice notes? or the inability to sync passwords to a desktop?) …. never mind.
bluehorseshoe 02.22.08 at 7:07 pm
Some of the reasons listed aren’t big issues for me because the are more media functions. The browser is one area they can improve, but opera mini is pretty damn good at taking care of that area. Sure, no outages would be nice, but I can live with it.
The one thing that I didn’t see listed that I hate and wish they could increase is memory capacity. Is it that hard to double up on the memory? I’m so loaded on contacts and calendar events I need to keep an eye on it.
bluehorseshoe 02.22.08 at 7:11 pm
And when I say memory, I mean the internal memory. There’s no way to save email on the card, or contacts, or calendar.
Jon 02.22.08 at 7:17 pm
Some of these issues can be taken care of by caring a slim ipod touch. I carry a ipod nano 3rd gen, and I forget I have it on me. I haven’t experienced any outages, so enough of the whining please. CDMA, oh please. I don’t lose sleep. My 8700 is still going strong.
twitch3 02.22.08 at 7:21 pm
I think the BB browser smokes the browser that was on my Treo. I do wish it was possible to store and view PDF’s from the card and also save attachments to the card.
JB 02.22.08 at 8:17 pm
I hate that I have GPS but I don’t have it thanks to Verizon’s stinginess.
rallanr 02.22.08 at 10:40 pm
I’ll second the clock issue and add the fact that when you do manually change your time zone all your appointments shift as well. I’d much rather have a way to disable time zones in the calendar app and have the BB take it’s time from the local network just like a celphone. Strange that in Options – Date/Time there seems to be a way to tell it to take the time from the network even though it doesn’t.
I’ll add the lack of decent Mac connectivity. Yes there are third party options and PocketMac is officially a RIM solution for Macs but none of them are as complete as solution as real desktop software like there is for Windows.
Oh and I’d like a quicklist of phone numbers to which you can add numbers that you need fast access to rather than having to look them up individually, or a way to list contacts by catagory so that they act as a mini-phone list.
Oh and could we please not have the calendars force linked to the e-mail accounts.
And could we have an alarm setting that is just for a reminder rather than a it always having to be a daily occurrence. Sometimes I’d just like to set a quick reminder to call someone or do something without making it a daily alarm.
And could it please vibe and ring at the same time rather than alternating. My old Motorola cel worked that way and it was great – especially since the ring would escalate as well. Yes the BB has some version of this but not exactly what I just described.
steveo 02.22.08 at 10:54 pm
I’m probably going to get ripped for this…. but I really feel the trackball sucks. I think RIM tried to do too much with it. Because it rolls and you push it – things can get behind the ball and then its difficult to clean.
Maybe the ‘ball’ should have been an optical pad or the push button should be separate from the ball. Apples touch solution is a better experience and feels more reliable. So I predict the BB trackball will become extinct, or at the very least will in corporate some of the solutions mentioned.
GaryR 02.23.08 at 12:06 am
Breaks the cardinal rule of ‘User’s data above all else’. There have been multiple instances when my emails and text messages have been deleted because my device (7130/8130) ran out of memory. And this is working memory, so an external memory card didn’t help.
All I’ve heard is talk about RIM working on a fix, and all I can do is swear/stomp/swing at my pearl. Thanks RIM!
David 02.23.08 at 2:12 am
All of my pet-peeves have been mentioned except for the SMS problem where if network connectivity is lost or not active when sending, the message fails and doesn’t try to re-send. It should be like emails.
Also sometimes when you compose an SMS and save it, you can’t delete it from the message list. If you want to clear it, you need to send it.
Albert 02.23.08 at 2:47 am
3) No native HTML email support? How many devices currently have this feature out of the box?
9. BlackBerry clock doesn’t automatically adjust to different time zones? I set the right timezone and then set the clock to network time, and then update time, and wham correct time am I missing something here?
The Blackberry needs the ability to view shared calendars or synchronize multiple calendars wirelessly.
kanebb 02.23.08 at 9:57 pm
i have to agree with #4 no youtube is just plan wrong and not having a native word and excel program this long is a crime
blackberryluvr 02.23.08 at 10:57 pm
judging for the recent posts, why not just change this website name to: ihateblackberry.com..? [as he deletes the bookmark from his favorites]
Jon 02.24.08 at 8:48 pm
Good list. I agree that if these things aren’t fixed in OS 4.5, I will probably have to go iPhone, after being a die-hard blackberry aficionado for the last 4 years.
To add to the list:
-you hit the “unlock” button, but it tells you to push * Call anyways. Stop making me jump through hoops!
-Right… Vibe & Ring Don’t work. Wow. That’s a joke.
-Why can’t I edit my contacts in an excel spreadsheet and then upload them? When you have 400 contacts in your phone you don’t want to edit them all manually to add photos
-Why do I have to pick between GPS, a Camera, or Wifi? Can’t I have all three, damnit?
-Excel spreadsheets in Blackberry are just unmanageable. Seriously. I’d rather the font be 2pt than have to expand each cell individually. Unbelievable.
Still a die hard blackberry fan… for now.
Ben 02.25.08 at 2:44 am
Robb,
Sorry, I hate to do this, but it’s “past”, not “passed” in the context that you are using it.
Robb Dunewood 02.25.08 at 8:28 am
I fixed it.
Brian 02.25.08 at 9:34 am
-The built-in BB browser blows. Opera absolutely destroys it in terms of speed, and functionality. And what the HELL is the deal with NOT letting users delete the included bookmarks?
You learn to live with it sure, but that has always annoyed me.
-I was a fan of the wheel. The trackball isn’t bad, but the wheel was better for one-handed navigation.
-I hate the fact that on the curve, pressing ‘c’ under the messages menu opens a new email. I would love to be able to change that back to ‘compose sms’ like on the 7290.
-The ‘Profiles’ menu is entirely way too convoluted. I can’t imagine one needing to set different volume levels, LED, number of beeps for SMS, MMS, email, level 1 messages, emails, new gmail messages etc. They should at least include a “apply to all profiles” function or something.
I’ll get flamed for this I’m sure, but it seems like overkill to me.
-No youtube access isn’t a huge deal for me, as I primarily drive to the places I need to go. I imagine this would be a pretty handy time waster for backpackers though.
Still, all in all I love my Blackberry. I’ve used many different smartphones across many different platforms and while the BB OS is far from perfect, it’s still the best out.
hellno 02.25.08 at 12:43 pm
The BB browser and the lack of html email.
The problem that each and every BB becomes a paper weight when their one source for data goes down.
The BB OS and UI is showing it’s age.
http://gizmodo.com/360276/jon-stewart-bored-with-oscars-pulls-out-iphone
FrozenCricket 02.25.08 at 3:42 pm
my VZW Pearl 8130 plays youtube videos. granted, it’s on the crappy browser, and the quality isn’t the greatest, but they play for me.
hellno 02.25.08 at 6:25 pm
Verizon To Censor YouTube For Cellphones
http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/cellphones/verizon-to-censor-youtube-for-cellphones-217565.php
“it’s important to note that you won’t be paying $15 per month for the YouTube you know and love. Nope, the video service will be a part of V Cast, Verizon’s multimedia hub, and won’t be a replication of the content you get on the actual YouTube Web site.”
“No you won’t be getting any of the good crap from YouTube, you’ll get videos that have been pre-screened and sanitized by both companies.”
Ben 02.25.08 at 6:40 pm
Robb,
Still missed a couple (see #2 and #7).
)
FrozenCricket 02.26.08 at 7:53 pm
I also don’t have Vcast either. the Pearl isn’t a ‘vcast’ phone.
Michelle 02.27.08 at 6:13 pm
The biggest issue for me is I can’t use either my weight watcher program or balance log program which I could log food and exercise right on my palm I don’t ever want to go back to palm but a better operating system would work!! Are we asking for too much ? I don’t think so
c m 02.28.08 at 7:39 pm
I wish the BB (the pearl) would stop freezing everytime I open my media folder, which include my ringtones, photos, music, and videos. I also hate the fact it freezes everytime I use the browser-even when it is a simple webpage!
Ben 02.28.08 at 7:46 pm
c m,
I haven’t had either of these problems…ever.
Nickster248 02.29.08 at 9:53 am
The single most thing I hate about the Blackberry is the lousy 3rd party software for things such as PIM applications, not to mention an app that will properly handle MS Office applications as well. DTG for the BB, from DataViz, was something most of us had been waiting for, but is for BES only…and that was a major dissapointment.
RIM may lay claim to one of the most stable OS’s…but that is purely because it is so infantile….so basic. Of course it will never let you down…it never brings you up in the first place!! ;o)
s_rage 02.29.08 at 4:14 pm
I second the comment about not being able to remove the default bookmarks in the Blackberry browser…ridiculous.
Whitney Hess 03.01.08 at 8:18 pm
Just happened upon this article and wanted to share a blog post I wrote recently titled, “Ten Best Things and Five Worst Things About the BlackBerry.” Hope you enjoy: http://whitneyhess.com/blog/2008/01/ten-best-things-and-five-worst-things-about-the-blackberry/
Mike 03.01.08 at 9:02 pm
BB Browser!!!
I develop mobile web content for a user base that is 90% Blackberry users and the shotty Javascript support, and very poor standardization of overall HTML and table sizing from one browser version to the next is shocking.
…I haven’t seen it firsthand yet, but I’ve been told that 4.5 destroys everything all over again. Well, I guess that’s job security…
Kari J. 03.02.08 at 5:30 pm
When I first got my 8130 Pearl I loved it! Now after 2 months of contacting Sprints horrible customer service over 12 times I want to put this piece of trash in the garbage disposal. (run-on sentence,I know)What’s wrong with the 8130 you ask? Pretty much everything!
I will speak on some of the problems, but the ones that urke me the most are:
1. My cell freezes up every other day.
2. I have to take the battery out like 4 times a week after the cell freezes. 3. The hour glass lives on my screen an just turns and turns and turns : (
4. My SMS text messages that are sent/received disappear from the message folder within 20 ministry just leave an can never be retrieved.
5. Half the time I never receive my text messages that are sent me.
6. The other half of the time when the yellow envelope pops up notifying me of a text, when I go an try to retrieve the message the d@*# envelope virgin disappears right before my eyes. (I am not exaggerating!)
I have been hung up on by the reps at Sprint numerous times have been a loyal customer for over 5 years, but after the treatment I have received from Sprint an the unresolved issues I will be switching carries real soon.
Has anyone else had the problem with the disappearing envelope?
Abner 03.24.08 at 8:33 pm
The fact that you can’t manage the address book on your PC is complete crap. Bonus points if you could seamlessly add a phone number to an existing contact.
Rayman 04.04.08 at 3:22 am
to: ***************Kari J.************* sounds like you are having a problem with your carrier NOT the blackberry itself. Text message delays can be attributed to the carrier either due to network congestion or issues with how you are placed in the switch control system. I suggest that you contact Sprint and troubleshoot and if you want results DON’T start compaining and getting mad from the start. Just ask for help and you will get it. As for my things i hate about blackberry hmm
1) no HTML email
2) browser sucks
3) not embedded with a word, excel, PP program such as documents to go
4) Media player sucks
5) no HDSPA models
I used blackberry for years but have changed to windows mobile motorola Q9h and has those 5 points covered
Rayman 04.04.08 at 3:24 am
Correction to last comment
***I meant HSDPA****
The last thing i need is a response calling me an idiot for making that mistake
HAHA
nelson 10.04.08 at 11:38 pm
How do I get videos to play on my blackberry pearl 8130 and how do I get pics that are sent to my phone threw telusmobility crap ?some please help I’ve tring for a long time and no luck. THANKS
EMonique 11.16.08 at 5:50 pm
BB freakin keyboard… sharing numbers and letters is the worst.
H.Steeb 12.11.08 at 9:01 am
Kari J.
i seem to have the same problems as you-
friday my SIXTH replacement BB World will be coming in for me to pick up. i got my original World one year and 3 mos ago.
1. My BB freezes up every day.
2. I too, have to take the battery out 7-8 times a week after it freezes.
3. The hour glass lives on my screen and just turns and turns and turns too.
4. My SMS text messages disappear from the message folder almost immediately as well as any call log history, messenger chat conversations and certain PINS and emails that IT decides to delete (leaving others – makes no sense).
5. I sometimes receive other carrier’s text messages the next day and reveive the same text 3+4+5 sometimes!
6. I also can’t get rid of the messenger happy face notification guy on my screen. I’ve read it – the BB has decided to delete all my conversations – yet it still won’t go away.
i get little to no help from my carrier’s tech support. each time i call or go into the store – i get “i’ve never seen or heard of that happening to THAT BlackBerry” – bull – because i’ve been into this store 10-20 times.
As soon as my contract is done – i’m out. Just rediculous.
Missy 03.04.09 at 3:09 am
I REALLY wish that I had seen this list BEFORE I managed to get my hands on the BB pearl.
Whenever I want to open my camera and take a few pictures the entire screen freezes and then the battery has to be removed and replaced before the screen stops acting up.
With this I would be okay, other then my provider telling me that instead of helping me out in store… they would like to hack my computer and fix it that way.
Overall… NOT recommending this ‘WONDERFUL’ device to anyone anytime soon.
Quia 06.24.09 at 10:58 am
I have every last one of those problems. Every. Single. One. Considering so many people I know have the BB pearl I would have never known that they were such bastards to live with. The memory threshold issue is the worst, though. Despite following RIM’s recommended fixes for disappearing SMS messages, call logs and emails, they still disappear several times a day. One time I missed a call and by the time I went to check it, the call logs had disappeared but the 1 missed call icon was left behind. It’s been there for 6 months… and T-Mobile said it’s not leaving unless the phone is completely reset from both my side and their side. WHY. Why?