Technological advances may not be a major issue for many but the truth remains that the world is changing at an amazing pace. No one would have believed you in the early ’90s had you told them that telephone sets would be replaced by mobile phones. Yet, here we are in an era when a person has at least one cell phone. Can you remember the day when you last left home without carrying your mobile? Must be a long time back!

‘The more (the users), the merrier!’ That’s what keeps the technological advances rising, and that’s more or less what the inventors had in mind when they came up with the BlackBerry device. It is understandable why people went for the new device as it not only does it give you an option of receiving emails all the time, it also gives you a complete control over your usage. You can send free messages via its messengers, anywhere in the world, view documents in any format, join in conference calls, etc.

The advent and rise of this gadget took the business world by storm and everyone with the device became a ‘somebody’. All these services came with subscription of its expensive services which was not an issue considering the elite used these phones. But then, people from all walks of life started using BlackBerry devices, and many just got bowled over by its offerings.

Raza Faruqi, a university student feels BB has changed his life. “My friends gifted me a device on my birthday and my life has changed since. Now I don’t sit on a computer because all the stuff I want to do I can do from my cell phone. Be it sending email, using Facebook or messenger, it’s an all-in-one gadget. I don’t think I would adjust to normal cell phones, ever!”

Raza might have a point, but some disagree. Sajjad Waqar, a media executive feels the same way for Nokia E63 as Raza does for a BlackBerry. “The main purpose of a gadget is to prove itself convenient. I feel my mobile is more convenient than any BlackBerry device mostly because it has the same features and doesn’t need any services to operate. I will only switch to a phone that supersedes my current set and so far none has impressed me.”

Strong words from a loyal customer, but Sajjad’s comments have weight. BlackBerry devices may have excelled as smart PDAs and superior smartphones, they, nonetheless have a drawback due to services. Without these services, BlackBerry is just an ordinary expensive mobile phone. Newer and less expensive phones including the E series by Nokia gives people something to think about. They offer push email services, act more or less as a BlackBerry and all without service charges.

The war between ‘BlackBerry or mobile phone’ is nothing new. The new BlackBerry devices are expensive, but their prices might come down when the competition provides same features for less. When BB phones came, they were endowed with faster processors, however, now all phones are empowered with them. They provided features like web browsing, email, email with attachments now most phones do the same. They have also incorporated the QWERTY or SureType physical keyboard which came with the BlackBerry devices.

There are those as well who stay away from technology. Shakil Khan, a banker, feels staying with the traditional mobile phone is the best policy. “I use my mobile phone for the purpose it was invented for i.e. calling. My set has a camera but since it isn’t of the best quality, I prefer using it solely for communication purposes.’

There might be many gadgets available in the market with applications that will win your heart, but it’s the pocket that should have the final say. If you see going techie get a BlackBerry device and start updating your calendar, checking Facebook while travelling and getting involved in teleconferencing. Otherwise, any expensive mobile phone would do.

There are times when technology leaves us breathless in its efforts to advance. Nonetheless, it is still not possible to decide which phone suits you best. At the end of the day, the truth is that we have become accustomed to the cell phone, and it has become something we don't leave home without.