Blackberry Maps vs Google Mobile Maps

I've played with Blackberry Maps and also used Google Maps.

While both have very good content, I have a preference to Google Maps for it's satellite views and current traffic views.

I have had to use satellite view to get where I'm going (when the cab driver didn't). I zoomed into my Blackberry and was able to count buildings and parking lots to get to my destination.

Traffic views has been a handy timesaver for when I am in New York. I can see where traffic is snarled due to construction and accidents. While I can't change the situation, it helps me cope with traffic on the way to the airport or suggest alternate routes to the cab driver.

Let me know if you have had similar experiences with maps on your Blackberry. Which do you prefer?

Day 5 - What Do I Like Most About the Blackberry Pearl

It's been five days since making the purchase and I can't really narrow down what single feature I like the best. So here are my top 3.

1. Size
- The unit is very slim and lightweight but has a solid feel. It measure a mere 4" x 2" X 0.5"

2. Pearl Trackball
- An amazing way to navigate the applications. I've changed my trackball sensitivity to 50

3. Screen
- The crisp clarity and resolution of the screen. It is made even better by an auto adjusting light sensor for indoor/outdoor use

Let me know what your top three are.

Humorous Blackberry(Crackberry) User Article

I recently read a post from The Onion (www.theonion.com) that I am sure a number of us can laugh at. Take a read for yourself and tell me if you can relate to any of the content. The article can be found at: http://www.theonion.com/content/node/55369 .

Take a read and enjoy!

Blackberry Live Large Promotion, Free Airfare

As an added bonus for purchasing my Blackberry Pearl this past weekend, I just realized that I qualified for a free flight. Blackberry has created a promotion (just in time for the holiday purchases) called "Live Large, Fly High". If you purchase a Blackberry Device between October 16, 2006 and December 11, 2006 you qualify and are eligble to receive a buy one get one free airfare. There are terms and conditions, so you may want to check www.blackberrylivelarge.com for more details.

I reviewed the conditions and determined that I can take a much needed vacation (Blackberry optional) with my wife to a warm sunny place at 50% of the cost. Another reason to confirm that an upgrade to the Blackberry Pearl was warranted :-).

I am enjoying my new Blackberry Pearl with all the new features and options. I'll write more about that later today so check back or better yet, link to the feeds (chiklets on the side so you get automatic updates. Post comments, I welcome your feedback!

I Just Purchased My Blackberry Pearl

I have been looking into upgrading to a newer Blackberry. After researching and vacillating, I settled on the Blackberry Pearl 8100 Smartphone (www.blackberry.com). The Suretype keyboard took a little getting used to (about 2 hours) but now I can't recall life on the traditional keyboard.

Prior to my purchase, I researched a number of blogs and bulletin boards and the biggest downfall from what I could see was the smaller keypad and the SureType keyboard. I overcame these concerns by comparing those two issues with the size of the device. It is very compact, the screen has great resolution and the device comes with tons of functionality to help make me more productive.

The "Pearl" trackball has made the flywheel a thing of the past. The unique trackball is a great, efficient and precise way to navigate on the device. It also doubles as an ergonomic (non carpal tunnel producing) replacement to the flywheel.

I welcome your comments to this post as I update the many features I have learned on the device. I also welcome your thoughts and your experiences.

Just Ask Matt

As a frequent traveler that also is raising a young family I have had to learn juggle priorities and ensure that my work life balance stays in check. I do that through use of my Blackberry. I started with a Blackberry 7250 and now use a Blackberry Pearl.

In my circle of friends and colleagues I am referred to as an early adopter of technology. When they have a question they generally "Just Ask Matt". If I don't have the answer, I am able to find it for them.

I have a passion to share my knowledge and learnings with people so they too can be more efficient in their lives.

One area of focus for me is training Executives in Career Transition on Blackberry use. I conduct monthly 2 hour seminars for individuals enrolled in an Executive Transition Program in Toronto, Ontario with the goal to help them be more efficient in their job search.

I hope find this blog useful for your work life balance too.

Why A Blackberry Blog for Road Warriors

As a Road Warrior for over 20 years, I can appreciate how hectic life was pre-Blackberry devices and compared to life today. I was an early adopter and learned a number of tips and tricks on my own through trial and error. I am always asked by peers how change their device settings to help them increase their productivity. Last summer I helped a relative at the cottage who was floundering with duplicate messages in her inbox. With a quick change in settings, she finally started enjoying the productivity savings these devices were meant to provide.

I can relate to flying through the skies on myriads of aluminum tubes, endless delays at airports, staying in countless hotel rooms and dealing with a domino effects of small travel plan changes. I used my Blackberry to check gates, get driving directions, check-in to hotels, check into flights, check weather, find alternate flights when the pilot advised us of bad weather in Chicago, the list goes on.

By creating this blog, I look forward to sharing my experiences to help fellow readers and fellow road warriors. I also welcome you to link to this site as I expect to make multiple posts a week and welcome your comments on topics, your experiences and your tips as well.

Until my next post, have a great weekend!