A couple of months ago, my Blackberry died.  And I mean died.  As in I was getting a White Screen of Death.  Though my carrier said that they’d fix it, I was in a hurry to have a smartphone for an upcoming event.  I purchased another Blackberry (no contract) because it was more affordable and because the next iPhone will be coming out in a matter of months.  However, this means that I currently have an uncool phone (which is even MORE uncool now that BlackBerry’s issues are even worse – their new BB10 phones have been delayed until 2013).  It does most of what I need to do – I can tweet, Facebook, email and take reasonable pictures with its 5 megapixel camera, but I also have to deal with lags, constant auto scrolling and an unreliable touch screen (the 9900 is a touch screen/traditional keyboard hybrid).  I can technically renew now, of course, but I’m not sure if I want an Android and why pay full price (contract or not) for an almost year-old iPhone?

The author’s Blackberry, a 9900 touch screen-keyboard hybrid

I’m trying to make light of the fact that I still have Blackberry – sometimes I joke about it – calling it my Crapberry (especially with the temporary freezes and lags) and other times, I take the patriotic route by telling people that I’m “buying Canadian.”  However, as a blogger, I find that the Blackberry is a little bit limiting – especially when it comes to camera functionality and image sharing.  I recently started an Instagram account for both DelectablyChic! (screen handle delectablychic) and Shorty Stories (screen handle shortystories), but for now, I have to email pictures to myself to upload via my iPad.  It’s just not as instant as someone with iOS or Android with them at all times. Really, the only advantage of my Blackberry is the physical keyboard and MAYBE BBM.  However, as more and more of my friends are dropping RIM for other devices, I’m beginning to use other messaging apps to keep in contact with friends and family.

I’m really hoping that the next iOS device will be released sooner than later so I can make my decision as to whether I go with iPhone or Android.  It’s definitely imminent now that iOS 6 has been announced, but the question really is WHEN?  Rumours are all pointing to some time between late September and late October, so unfortunately, I’ll have to deal with my Blackberry for another three to four months.