ROUND 1: THE LOOK HOOK
BLACKBERRY: There are plenty of BlackBerry appearances to pick from, including the sleek BlackBerry 8800, the silver BlackBerry Curve, and the slimmed-down BlackBerry Pearl which comes in black, white or red. Sadly, however, the BlackBerry’s user interface makes it look like a generic mobile phone.
iPHONE: Meanwhile, once you lay eyes on the iPhone, it’ll be love at first sight. The iPhone has the incomparable polished look of an iPod with a glossy colour display and OS X graphics. Simply put, the iPhone is iCandy.
Next to the iPhone, the BlackBerry doesn’t look nearly as delicious as it sounds. The iPhone scores!
SCORE: BLACKBERRY – 0
iPHONE – 1
ROUND 2: FUN FUNCTIONS
BLACKBERRY: The BlackBerry, or “CrackBerry” as it is affectionately called for its addictive character, is a smartphone that combines a camera, email, web browser, and media player. Nevertheless, it has nothing the iPhone can’t match, save for voice-activated dialling.
iPHONE: Apple’s iPhone is a triple threat: It makes phone calls, has the most advanced internet browser on a mobile device, and it’s the best iPod ever made all-in-one. When it comes to music, video, internet, YouTube, and maps applications, the iPhone has the BlackBerry beat.
You can’t spell “functional” without “fun” and that’s exactly what the iPhone is. The BlackBerry begins to decompose…
SCORE: BLACKBERRY – 0
iPHONE – 2
ROUND 3: THE DURABILITY DISPUTE
BLACKBERRY: Many portable gadgets can be easily broken. If you drop your BlackBerry, don’t panic – your smartphone might be bumped and bruised, but it will probably still be in one piece.
iPHONE: The iPhone’s beauty comes at a price. Regardless of how tough the toy actually is, you’ll find yourself being extra careful while handling it. The screen itself is rather resilient, but, since the iPhone weighs more and costs more than a BlackBerry, you have a lot more to lose if you drop this baby.
The “CrackBerry” doesn’t crack in Round 3! The BlackBerry makes a comeback.
SCORE: BLACKBERRY – 1
iPHONE – 2
ROUND 4: MONEY MELEE
BLACKBERRY: So, exactly how much more does the iPhone cost compared to buying a BlackBerry? Rogers offers the Pearl for $399.99 CAD, while the Curve costs $449.99 and the BlackBerry 8800 will run you $599.99, all with 2-year contracts. Service plans begin at $45/month.
iPHONE: Rogers has confirmed that it will be the sole provider of the iPhone in Canada, although it has yet to set a price for the device. In the US, Apple is selling its 4GB iPhone for $499 and the 8GB model for $599 with a 2-year contract. Monthly phone rates start at $59.99 USD.
The iPhone monopoly will dig deeper into your pockets than the Canadian-born BlackBerry. The score is tied!
SCORE: BLACKBERRY – 2
iPHONE – 2
ROUND 5: CONTROL PATROL
BLACKBERRY: Most BlackBerry models, with exception to the Pearl, are controlled by a full-sized QWERTY-style keypad like the keyboard on your PC to make emailing easy. Plus, it’s not difficult to navigate your BlackBerry in one hand using just your thumb and the trackball!
iPHONE: On the other hand, how you control the iPhone is what sets this smartphone apart from the competition. The phone is entirely controlled using an intuitive 3.5″ touch-screen, allowing users to scroll through photos with the flick of a finger or to delete emails by simply striking them out!
The iPhone is truly a smarter phone. Game over!
SCORE: BLACKBERRY – 2
iPHONE – 3
ROUND UP: Hey, BlackBerry, the iPhone is calling and it’s bad news. The BlackBerry may have revolutionized the way we do business, but the iPhone has set the new standard for innovative and smart technology. Today, gadgets are only as good as their age and the BlackBerry has lost its juice, making the iPhone the “Apple” of my eye.
Web Links:
www.blackberry.com
www.iphone.com