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ewmoda

Thinking of getting a Blackberry - advice pls

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3863

Posts

EW MASTER

Latest post on 21 November 2011 - 10:34

There are other messenger programs on the aed 49 package such as Yahoo Messenger and Google Talk. I assume that if I have them installed on my iPhone we should be able to message each other for free. Can anyone confirm either way please? I have MSN Messenger on my IPhone and SKYPE too I dont use the other ones

460

Posts

EW EXPLORER

Latest post on 21 November 2011 - 10:15

I have had a BB for 18 months and it is OK - but I think that I will get an iPhone or similar next. The BlackBerry is great for BBM but Whatsapp does the same job so I can use that on a different phone. I find the BlackBerry internet to be poor, probably due to the small screen, iPhones etc are much more user friendly for the internet and the apps seem to be a lot better. I used to be on the 49 AED package and could not get on the internet to download whatsapp - I have now upgraded to the 99 AED package as having whatsapp saves me a fortune texting friends and family at home because none of them have BlackBerries.

3804

Posts

EW MASTER

Latest post on 21 November 2011 - 10:14

There are other messenger programs on the aed 49 package such as Yahoo Messenger and Google Talk. I assume that if I have them installed on my iPhone we should be able to message each other for free. Can anyone confirm either way please? The that should work. You can only try SD, even try downloading whatsapp, if it doesn't work then you know you need to subscribe to a higher package. Or just call Etisalat and ask, their BB services guys are very helpful.

5499

Posts

EW MASTER

Latest post on 21 November 2011 - 10:11

There are other messenger programs on the aed 49 package such as Yahoo Messenger and Google Talk. I assume that if I have them installed on my iPhone we should be able to message each other for free. Can anyone confirm either way please?

3804

Posts

EW MASTER

Latest post on 21 November 2011 - 10:09

The you'll have to go for the next package up, to access whatsapp, at least that's how I'm looking at it. For every smart phone you have to subscribe to some sort of data package, with BB's it's Blackberry services, with iphones, data packages. They're all monthly subscriptions then the messaging apps work free within that. My friend pays 99AED per month and gets internet, Whats APP, BBM and FB There you go! If you use the 49dhs package, I don't think you can use whatsapp.

3863

Posts

EW MASTER

Latest post on 21 November 2011 - 10:06

The you'll have to go for the next package up, to access whatsapp, at least that's how I'm looking at it. For every smart phone you have to subscribe to some sort of data package, with BB's it's Blackberry services, with iphones, data packages. They're all monthly subscriptions then the messaging apps work free within that. My friend pays 99AED per month and gets internet, Whats APP, BBM and FB

3804

Posts

EW MASTER

Latest post on 21 November 2011 - 10:01

The you'll have to go for the next package up, to access whatsapp, at least that's how I'm looking at it. For every smart phone you have to subscribe to some sort of data package, with BB's it's Blackberry services, with iphones, data packages. They're all monthly subscriptions then the messaging apps work free within that.

5499

Posts

EW MASTER

Latest post on 21 November 2011 - 09:56

Ahh..... didn't realise that. DD wants a BB and we thought of getting her the social package. I have an iPhone so I want a messenger service that wil work on both for free.

3804

Posts

EW MASTER

Latest post on 21 November 2011 - 09:45

Although you can't download Whatsapp on the social packages, can you do it (and access the internet) via wifi? Yes, but then if you don't have connection to data away from the wifi, you still can't use the app.

1280

Posts

EW OLDHAND

Latest post on 21 November 2011 - 09:37

I have a blackberry but I've been very resistant to doing anything but calls and texts on it because I don't want to be tied so much to a phone but if it's only 49 dhs a month to send free texts to my sisters at home, I might as well go for it. Now, how do you that exactly? Just call etisalat and ask for it to be activated? Sorry to hijack thread OP. :) I just phoned Etisalat to have it set up, really easy, like someone said just make she you have aenough credit in your phone as they will deduct AED 49 for the set up and each month after that.

francescaevans44713

11

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 21 November 2011 - 09:00

If you go buy one i would suggest getting them from an axiom shop or somewhere like that, They may be locked to the network if you go to an Etisalat shop. We bought ours from the carphone warehouse then, new ones from the axiom shop, so when we do go home we can use orange or which ever we prefer. We use Du for ours, i bbm all my family in the UK and use what's app. Plus i get my emails to the phone. They are great. hope this helps and you find a good deal ;)

5499

Posts

EW MASTER

Latest post on 21 November 2011 - 06:36

Although you can't download Whatsapp on the social packages, can you do it (and access the internet) via wifi?

1811

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 21 November 2011 - 00:15

you just have to send an sms to etisalat with details of the package you want to subscribe to. I tried to post the link to the etisalat page with details of the packages and codes but it was too long but you should be able to get to from here. http://etisalat.ae If you are on payg just make sure you have enough credit before you send the subscription sms. When you read the details of the packages it sounds like you can't send bbms internationally with the 49dh package but that's what dd has and she's able to contact her friend in the uk. I'm wishing now I'd bought a bb instead of an android phone.

desertbookworm49970

11

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 21 November 2011 - 00:04

I have a blackberry but I've been very resistant to doing anything but calls and texts on it because I don't want to be tied so much to a phone but if it's only 49 dhs a month to send free texts to my sisters at home, I might as well go for it. Now, how do you that exactly? Just call etisalat and ask for it to be activated? Sorry to hijack thread OP. :)

1811

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 20 November 2011 - 23:55

I got the bb through an independent shop - price of the entry bb is same all over at 699dh. The 49dh is to subscribe to the bb service and access to facebook etc from etisalat. I just re read your op and see that you are with du - they have a similar package of 30dh a month post paid of 45dh per month payg. There are more expenvsive packages too with a certain no of texts and downloads included. Once you've paid your monthly fee you can send as many messages as you want and you don't pay any extra.

Get me out of h...

83

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 20 November 2011 - 23:41

I have the Curve 9300 and I love it. Don't use half of its functions but I love that I can BBM for free! And you can also download WhatsApp for messaging friends who don't have BlackBerries. I have an Etisalat PAYG and it also works with my UK PAYG when I go home. So did you buy your BB through Etisalat or an independant shop? Is the 49dhs a charge just to use BBM? Isn't BBM supposed to be free? I don't think my DD in the UK pays a charge to use BBM Sorry to have so many questions but thanks for all your replies ladies x

1811

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 20 November 2011 - 23:36

Thanks for clarifying that - I thought it was something her friends could have downloaded to save me buying the bb but they are all on the 49dh package.:)

spongemonkey980

4329

Posts

EW MASTER

Latest post on 20 November 2011 - 23:04

I got a bb for my daughter as all her friends had them. I asked on here for advice for the best package and as my daughter already had an Al Wasl sim card decided to go for the 49dh per month Etisalat bb service. She gets to use bbm, facebook, etc which is all she uses it for. She now uses her iphone (purchased at great ex[ense when they were first available here :() as an ipod touch. I bought the cheapest bb which is 669dh. Dubai Cat, I wish I'd know about WhatsApp? but you need to have the full package of Internet to download Whatsapp to start with. You can't do it on the 49 dh package... I have the 49 dh package on a pay as you go and it is great for keeping in touch with people at home - instant photos, remind them of here! :D

1811

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 20 November 2011 - 22:46

I got a bb for my daughter as all her friends had them. I asked on here for advice for the best package and as my daughter already had an Al Wasl sim card decided to go for the 49dh per month Etisalat bb service. She gets to use bbm, facebook, etc which is all she uses it for. She now uses her iphone (purchased at great ex[ense when they were first available here :() as an ipod touch. I bought the cheapest bb which is 669dh. Dubai Cat, I wish I'd know about WhatsApp?

71

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 20 November 2011 - 22:11

I was on Etisalat PAYG. I just bought my BB, then signed up for a pre-pay BB package (they take a fixed fee from me at the start of every month for the BB service, then texts and calls are charged as normal). I kept the same sim and phone number. You can sign up via text on Etisalat btw. The BB package includes BB messenger and email service and I have the FB app as well. Internet access is also included, but I find it a bit slow.

2937

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 20 November 2011 - 22:06

I have the Curve 9300 and I love it. Don't use half of its functions but I love that I can BBM for free! And you can also download WhatsApp for messaging friends who don't have BlackBerries. I have an Etisalat PAYG and it also works with my UK PAYG when I go home.

Get me out of h...

83

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 20 November 2011 - 22:03

PS I did ask the bloke in the shop but he didn't know and just wanted to sell the phone offering me extra accessories

Get me out of h...

83

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 20 November 2011 - 22:02

These seem a bit OTT for what I want but all my friends and family are BBMing each other foc while I'm still paying for texts. I'm a complete novice so want to know a few things before taking the plunge? Can I just buy one from Jumbo and simply put in my Du PAYG sim? When I go back to UK can I slot in my Vodafone PAYG sim and continue as normal? Thanks for any help

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