2012 marked for me ten years of usage of mobile phones. It's a good opportunity to have a list of devices I used over the years as a reminder of the evolution of these devices that have become such a big part of our daily lives.
 |
| Nokia 3310 |
Nokia 3310
This was my first cell phone. I purchased it in 2002 in Montreal, with a 2-year contract with Fido (before the company was acquired by Rogers). The phone was released by Nokia late 2000. Here are the specifications of the 3310:
- Dimensions: 113x48x22 mm (HxWxD)
- Weight: 133g
- Screen: 84x84 pixels pure monocrhome
- Networks support: GSM, TDMA
 |
| Motorola V551 |
Motorola V551
My second cell phone was a gift I received end of 2004, it was a V551 flip phone by Motorola. I loved the flip cover! Here are the specs:
- Dimensions: 87x44x23 mm (HxWxD)
- Weight: 121g
- Screen: 176x220 TFT Color 65k
- Camera: VGA 640x480 color
- Networks support: GSM quadband
 |
| BlackBerry 8700r |
My First BlackBerry!
In 2007, I moved to Toronto for a new job where I received my first BlackBerry device at work, the 8700r (aka Electron) on Rogers network. This was the first time I was able to access my emails on the go, and it was a great feeling of not having to be connected to a PC to check my messages, at least my work emails. It also introduced a major change in my behavior, creating a "need" to be connected, even on the go, something I've been trying (with relative success) to keep under control.
- Dimensions: 87x44x23 mm (HxWxD)
- Weight: 134g
- Screen: 320x240 Color (2.6 inches)
- Camera: VGA 640x480 color
- Networks support: GSM, EDGE, CDMA
 |
| BlackBerry Curve 8300 |
BlackBerry Curve 8300
This was by far the device I've kept the longest. Another phone provided by my company in 2008, and I used it until 2011 for work. BlackBerry OS was still decent at the time, but I started to feel embarrassed when I was with friends and family members using an iPhone 3G! Still, it did what it was supposed to do: phone + emails. The other reason I kept it was because iPhone devices were not approved by my company IT department and I didn't want to carry two devices. Here are the specs (from GSMArena.com):
This was by far the device I've kept the longest. Another phone provided by my company in 2008, and I used it until 2011 for work. BlackBerry OS was still decent at the time, but I started to feel embarrassed when I was with friends and family members using an iPhone 3G! Still, it did what it was supposed to do: phone + emails. The other reason I kept it was because iPhone devices were not approved by my company IT department and I didn't want to carry two devices. Here are the specs (from GSMArena.com):
- Dimensions: 107x60x15.5 mm (HxWxD)
- Weight: 111g
- Screen: 320x240 Color (2.5 inches)
- Camera: 2MP (still and video)
- Networks support: GSM, EDGE, CDMA
 |
| BlackBerry Torch 9800 |
BlackBerry Torch 9800
Early 2011, I decided to no longer carry my work phone after hours; that's when I chose to buy my first personal smartphone. I was divided between switching to iPhone or stay with BlackBerry, especially that I wanted a touch screen and I started to feel frustrated with lack of apps on BlackBerry and awful slow software and browser on the phone. The main reasons to stick with BlackBerry at the time were: BlackBerry Messenger that I was using with friends and family around the World, iPhone 4 "antennagate" but most important for me at the time, a physical keyboard. Torch 9800 was a good improvement integrating a good touchscreen technology and decent browser. But that's the issue, everything was decent, but not great, and yet, the prices were not much cheaper than an iPhone.
This marked a consumer mistake I made of signing a 3 years contract with TELUS, which I regretted later when better plans were on the market. Never again contracts for a device. Here are the specs for Torch 9800:
- Dimensions: 111x62x14.6 mm (HxWxD)
- Weight: 161g
- Screen: 360x480 Color (3.2 inches)
- Camera: 5MP still, VGA @24fps video
- Networks support: 3G, EDGE, GSM, CDMA
 |
| BlackBerry Torch 9810 |
BlackBerry Torch 9810
This was my third work phone. I received it in 2011. Minor upgrade from 9800, adding HSPA+ to the device. When BlackBerry 6 was out, only 9810 was able to handle WiFi Hotspot support. Specs can be found on GSMArena.
 |
| BlackBerry Bold 9790 |
BlackBerry Bold 9790
This was my last BlackBerry! It was a personal device I purchased in June 2012 after I lost my Torch 9800 in a cab from the airport after a business trip to Europe. This phone (specs on GSMArena) was light, had a touchscreen, but multiple pocket calls, awful software, lack of apps just had it for me. I guess I stayed with BlackBerry for that long because the pride of RIM was a Canadian company. As a consumer, I regret it a bit, I'm so happy with my iPhone 5. Thanks Steve Jobs!
 |
| iPhone 5 |
