New Toy For a Busy Mom

After waiting for a month or so I was finally able to get my new toy!

First off, I was highly satisfied with my HTC Touch Viva, being able to surf via WIFI and GPRS, email here and there. But having to run after a 3-year-old or lug stuff around and text using a touch screen all at the same time was a little bit harder. 

When the QWERTY phone revolution came in, I was immediately interested. 

First, I bought a dual sim card capable unit  which was Blackberry like china phone to house my corporate and business numbers so I won't have to carry 3 phones in total. It was pretty sleek and for the features and price, all was worth it (It had Wifi too).

Then my supplier told me that she'll be having 2 limited edition Blackberry Curve 8520s in White. I was so excited. So finally, I gave in and reserved the unit and sold my HTC phone (as I've said, I'm practical, there's no use in keeping too many phones).

Then finally, I got it, I was so happy!

I was opting or a BB 9700 but I found it too bulky and seriously executive like. I just really wanted the features and the mobility and since I don't rely on the phone's camera, I decided to stick with the Curve.

Upon getting the gadget, I phoned Globe immediately and inquired about their BB plans. I initially just wanted to get the 700 plan on top of my current subscription but accounting that it's quite limited and for an additional 500 a month for the Supersurf Unlimited Plan, I opted to try the 1200 first.

Globe Supersurf for BB Plans:

700 - has 6 month lock-in period

1200 - no lock-in period, cancel and re-activated any time

• Rate will be on top of your existing plan
• You must be able to have your plan + add-on services within your given credit limit (default is usually 2500 for plans 800 and up and 1500 for plan 500). 
• If you go over the credit limit you need to request for a credit limit upgrade and present the following:
• 1 Valid ID
• 1 month Payslip or Copy of front and back of your Credit Card with at least 20k limit
• Letter of stating details of your plan (account number, mobile number), current limit and new credit limit request (how much you want to apply for)
• You can fax, email or bring the requirements to any globe business center (I HIGHLY SUGGEST YOU GO TO A BUSINESS CENTER!)

Initially, I thought the process will be quite easy, but it turned out to be a complete nightmare dealing with customer reps over the phone having to state your information over and over again plus the emails that you have to reply to over and over again as well! (note: 80% of the customer reps were quite helpful, I guess it was their system)

So after 3 days of no service update, I went to Globe in Glorietta and asked for after sales assistance.

It turns out that my plan 1200+499 (superduo)+1200 (bb supersurf) exceeded the default credit limit I had of Php2,500. So I had to submit documents which I actually did via Fax and Email 3 days before I went there and was the root of all the frustration that made me drag myself (my big pregnant self) to Glorietta because that establishment has NEVER failed me (except for the guard on duty who gives wrong number allocations for the wrong departments! Sorry manong but you had me wait for am hour!)

So once I go to talk to the after sales rep, I explained my frustration and she checked on my account. No buts, ifs, waiting time and in less than 5 minutes, she handed me a paper to sign and activated my subscription. She even saw all the emails and fax details I sent and didn't ask me to give copies of my requirements!

My Blackberry Supersurf Plan was activated within an hour! Awesome! 

So a very very BIG THANKS to Ms. Joanne Garcia of Globe Glorietta Business center, YOU ROCK!

So after getting my service up I registered at http://globe.blackberry.com and placed in my 2 main emails and will be placing in my work email as soon as I get the settings next week from our IT. I think you can place as many as 10.

I activated my BB messenger and instantly connected with friends here and abroad. So convenient, you're not only getting unlimited internet access which a breeze to use and pretty much better than regular phone browsers with the BB's built in browser or Opera Mini, you get unlimited messaging capabilities via BBM, YM, MSN, GTalk, etc.

Tweet all you want via UberTwitter or Twixtreme.

Download free applications via Blackberry Apps or other third party providers. I downloaded the BB Bible and My Tube, Flickr and Mini Paint.

You can read MS Word, PowerPoint and Excel Files too. I'm still searching for a PDF reader.

I was able to download a cute Hello Kitty theme with Zebra background. Pretty chic and my daughter loves it.

Got a free screen protectr and clear jelly case from my supplier too and my pink Halo pouch. Now I'm all set and my phone is childproof! hehe

The camera's pretty nice and the screen's resolution is quite ok, despite reviews you see that it's not as good as the other BB phones in terms of screen resolution, I think it's pretty sharp compared to other phones.

The trackpad is so much better than a trackball and the fact that my BB is white makes it smudges and fingerprints less obvious!

Over-all, if you are looking at added mobility without toting a laptop around all the time, get a blackberry. :)

If you already have one and want to chat about parenting, gadgets, shopping and reviews, add me up on twitter: mommygtm or BBM 21A79F4E