PERSPECTIVES

My Favorite Accessory…the BlackBerry 8800
By Angelique Faul, May 2007

In the beginning of this year, I vowed to get down to one device…I think I was one of the only souls left in the high-tech world still using one device for wireless email and one device for voice. Not to mention that my BlackBerry had phone capabilities. It actually became a joke with some of my colleagues—“come on, Angelique…make a move to the 21st Century.” All joking aside, I knew it had to happen but the thought of sitting in the phone store for what I knew could be hours on end kept me from making that step.

Then on one of my worst travel experiences to date…I won’t even bore you with all of the details, my gorgeous pink Motorola Sliver fell into the airplane toilet…yes, airplane not airport! With no excuses left, I stood in line at the Cingular store and patiently waited my turn knowing exactly what I wanted. Of course the sales person tried to sell me on an earlier model, but I knew what I wanted…there it was in all of its glory…the 8800. I know it’s just a phone. But not to me…it’s changed my life.

OK a little over the top, maybe. But who knew that having one device could be so amazing…the integration…the ease of moving from email to dialing a number, getting so much accomplished on the way to Pilates. No more thumbing through my BlackBerry to find numbers and then dialing my phone while I’m trying to drive. Because not only is the phone/email integration amazing, the BlackBerry 8800 has voice-activated dialing. And if I happen to get lost while I’m driving, it also has GPS capabilities…what more could you ask for!

Now I finally understand the joy of carrying around only one device, especially one with so many extras. All the grief I’ve gotten from so many was finally justified.

The BlackBerry 8800 is now my official favorite accessory, yes even over my pink Louis Vuitton handbag. I can live without the purse, but not without my BlackBerry 8800.

Now if it only came in pink…