It's no secret I've been chained to my Blackberry for a very long time - it's like my first child (well not really, but the analogy is required for this article), I couldn't go without it - I love it.

So, Blackberry Storm (version 1) was a bit of a Fail in my opinion - just didn't hit the mark, for many reasons.

Then 23 months ago, I signed up for a "new" 3G iPhone - wow, what a device.  But nope, couldn't handle the typing on a screen - I needed that real keyboard.  So the iPhone went to my wife, and after two accidents involving a 2 year old and the iPhone and two subsequent insurance claims, the iPhone was a shelf model used for entertainment while travelling.

And I continued my love for the Blackberry, using the Bold 9000 for a long time, then the new 9700 - easily the best Blackberry available today.

But - the 9700 review unit had to go back - the Storm 2 had just been released, and I made a commitment to myself - and to the good folk at Blackberry that I'd give it a real go.  No test SIM card, my own SIM, my own calls and emails the whole shebang - a good few weeks of real life use.

First few days, I hated it - well, hate is a strong word - more dislike than hate.  After a while though, it really grew on me, and I really was making the most of it.  Twitter, Facebook, Email, Foursquare a few other apps and I was set.

So, after a week or so I found myself saying to people "hey, this isn't so bad - very cool".  A nice big screen, touch interface to scroll etc and after a while it became second nature.  My problem is the number of typing mistakes, the size of the option buttons and the sure-press (the Storm2 screen requires you to PUSH it physically to 'press a key' not just touch it) never felt completely right.  I knew I was overcompensating.

For example, adding an apostrophe or inverted commas on a Blackberry with a keyboard is as easy as one thumb on ALT and another thumb on L or K.  The Storm2 has multi-touch too, but it doesn't feel as natural and typing numbers is near on impossible because the ALT key is right next to the 7 so it’s hard to make that second 'click'.

I was certainly feeling ready to go back to a physical keyboard, but without a device to go to, I was happy on the Storm2 - wow, could it be so?

What had actually happened was that I'd realised I didn't need to spend SO MUCH time with my email, I was actually being unchained from my own addiction.

Somewhere along the line I looked at the iPhone and thought - hmmm - if I can hack the Storm2 - perhaps the iPhone is worth revisiting.  So, I jumped back, full box and dice - SIM and full contact list (I have over 5,000 phone numbers in my contact book).

I spent a little on some fun apps (more on that in a later post), and was getting real satisfaction from my email.  Key difference being I could file my Gmail into the archive - on the Blackberry your option is really to delete from server or device.  And items read on the handset would reflect in your mailbox.  So the iPhone immediately made me more productive with my personal mailbox.

Problem - My work uses Novell GroupWise for Mail.  Works well on the Blackberry, but not compatible with the iPhone.  At this point therefore I am without access to my work email.  This could prove a problem.

I learned some tweaks here and there, and had my frustrations too - searching for contacts takes FOREVER on the iPhone.  Yes, I have 5000+, yes it's the 3G (not 3G S), but surely when I type "tre" it will immediately suggest "Trevor" and variants - THIS is something the Blackberry does ever so well.

Again, not sure if it’s the 3G vs. 3GS speeds, but I have noticed a few moments where the iPhone has 'paused for thought' - even during games (Angry Birds - great game!).

Typing on the iPhone I have gotten used to, its suggestions are helpful as I often make mistakes with the angle of my finger to the screen or something like that!
 
Apps is the area the iPhone really has the Smartphone market covered - and while I'll cover that in more detail later, the one reason I wanted to mention that again is the "GW Mail" app.  This app means I can access my work GroupWise account.  It uses the webmail protocols and addresses to get the data, allowing you to have a separate Work mailbox on the iPhone.  No Notifications, No Push, and not integrated with the iPhone mail application - but that's just fine for me - outside of the office I receive most of my mail on my personal account anyway.

So at this point, the iPhone has really won my heart.  Enter stage left, the HTC DESIRE.  Wow.  This is a "Google Nexus" looking device (because the Nexus too is made by HTC), running the Android operating system.  I've used Android before - on the G1 - good, but not great.

This time round though, it comes with the added layer of HTC SENSE which is basically HTC's take on an improved User Interface.  I must say, I think they've nailed it.

Seven switchable screens for Icons and Widgets, full menu, easy phone access, drop down notification bar - Android + HTC Sense is a real dream.

I don't bother with the harsh technical details, but I will tell you without doubt this device is faster, more responsive and the screen too more responsive than any of the touch screen Smartphone’s mentioned above.

Typing on the Keyboard is 'as' hard and annoying at times as the iPhone, yet it sets off a little vibration when you click - surely a better option to the one Blackberry adopted - even for those new to Smartphone’s.

I still found myself hitting I instead of O more often than not, which is quite a pain.  Certainly something I could cope with though.

After downloading a bucket load of new apps, I realised the Android Marketplace (Google's equivalent to the Apple App Store) was beginning to fill with great content, much of it available now on both devices.  No matter what I tried though I couldn't get a Paid app.  Just refused to login to my Google Account.

No GroupWise app though, so that's going to be a problem for me.

What I love here is the widgets - not just icons to launch a program, widgets showing real time information on your screen, really powerful and impressive.

But, when push comes to shove, can I choose between them.

Getting back to my opening line, this really makes me feel like I'm being asked to choose between three children I love.  One is sporty, another a gifted scholar, another has the potential to be a model (those don't relate to the phones, just bare with me), but each has unique qualities which makes them great to be around, great company, good at what I ask them to do.  It's important to make sure though that I don't ask the sporty one to perform any 3 Unit maths calculations any time soon.

So, back to the question.  The diplomatic answer is - there is a phone to suit YOUR needs here, you need to find out which one it is.

The opinion from me - the HTC Desire is by far and away the most impressive device to use, and hold.  If it fits your needs.

However, without going into the negative points of my three fictional children listed above, each of these three phones has its downsides.

The Storm2 has a very business oriented Application offering, and the keyboard layout and screen type makes fast typing a real challenge.
The iPhone is restricted and doesn't allow an multi-tasking allowing you to keep Twitter open and switch back to the Web, and could also benefit from the addition of Widgets not just App icons to really enhance the home screen and user interface.
The HTC desire is complex, it's heavily customisable, and also sucks a LOT of battery power. I'd barely gotten to work this morning and was 30% down.  It's impossible to go a whole day and night without a charge if you've got a twitter app running, perhaps Google Talk, and use it more than a few times a Day.  And I didn't even try using it as my main phone for calls and SMS's.

On the Positive side:
The Storm2 has an excellent battery life (compared to the other two here), and with Blackberry Push technology in things like Twitter can really harness its battery usage.
The iPhone is easy to use, easy to get new apps for, and has the largest range of Apps on any platform.
The HTC Desire has the most responsive screen and speed of any of them.

For me, I'll probably be sticking with the iPhone now.  However, with the iPad just weeks away, I think I'll revert back to the Blackberry Bold 9700 as my main communication device when out and about, and use the iPad for gaming, and applications other than email - except when I'm at home perhaps lazing around the Lounge room - email on the iPad could be fantastic for those circumstances.


I'm keen to hear what you think, so please comment below, or follow/contact me on twitter @trevorlong