Balcom Agency

At this agency, I am the black sheep. I am a PC lover in a Mac world. I am a Blackberry user in a sea of iPhones. I am the only girl on a team of six people. There are plenty of reasons for me to feel out of place, but rather than shy away from my differences, I embrace them. In the words of someone I used to know: you just gotta own it.

But as we dive into summer, I already have my sights set on fall. What could I possibly be looking forward to so far in advance, you wonder? My cell phone contract renews.

Almost two years ago, I heard over and over, "Get a Blackberry." I protested. It was more phone that I needed. They are too expensive. I'd never use all of those features!

I. Was. Wrong.

My Blackberry is my brain. It remembers my schedule and my phone numbers. When I'm lost, not only does it tell me where I am, but it also tells me where I'm going and how to get there. It delivers my tweets and texts. It even remembers what I need at the grocery store. How did I ever live without this little guy?

My electronic friend did not come cheap, and his newer, fancier, upgraded brother is even more expensive. There's something about a $300 price tag that makes me wince despite knowing that it'd only cost me $13.53 per month (assuming I keep it for 2 years). I can even come out cheaper than that if I trade in my current Blackberry thanks to the Blackberry Trade Up Program.

Still, there's something alluring about the iPhone. For starters, it's different. When you buy a new toy, you don't want it to be just like your old one, do you? Where's the fun in that? Beyond that, it seems like everyone is catering to this new kid on the block. It's got all sorts of bells and whistles. I don't necessarily want bells and whistles; I want functionality. However, if everyone is going to cater to the iPhone, does that put it ahead in that game? And as far as the bottom line goes, the iPhone slides in ahead of the Blackberry by $100.

For those wondering where I currently stand on this argument, I'm still leaning towards the Blackberry because it has tangible keys.

But how do you make this switch from Blackberry to iPhone? How do you determine which is the right fit for you? I think that smartphones offer a lot to consumers. I feel like the iPhone is flashy. Look at me! Aren't I pretty? I do all sorts of neat things, too! I feel like the Blackberry is geared toward productivity. I'm attractive, and I mean business. I will manage your life, and I will do it well, but I'm going to cut out all of the b.s., too. And I have tangible keys.

Have you made the switch? What do you think?