As a small business owner, email is my lifeline. We run our company almost entirely via email, and we make no bones about it. Oh, we have a phone number, but it's virtual, and it's hardly used. We collaborate via email, we talk to clients via email, we send invoices via email... the list goes on.
Until recently, however, I've had serious issues when I've been out talking to clients, or out to lunch (or out golfing!). Problem was, I had no access to my email! Until now..
Verizon, who is almost always behind-the-times when it comes to the latest and greatest phones, has finally released a Blackberry that I'm comfortable with:
You see, I don't want to carry a separate phone for business and for personal use. I especially don't want to clip some giant PDA thing to my belt. So, this leaves me with precious few options in terms of available models.
I've had the thing for almost a week now, and already I can tell that my email habits have changed... for the better. I've added both my personal email (hosted with Google Apps), and my BrightMix email (also hosted with Google Apps), and interestingly enough, my Blackberry actually gets email FASTER than my browser. So, I find that I don't need to feel like I'm married to my computer any more.
When I've *REALLY* noticed it, is when I'm out and about. I truly have email with me at all times. AMAZING. It really helps for when a client emails and says "Hey, can you meet up at 2?" . Previously, I've actually CALLED THE OFFICE, and had Kevin check my email to make sure I haven't missed emails like these. No longer do I have to do this.
Finally, as the icing on the cake, the thing completely synchronizes with Outlook, and.. AND, when plugged into my laptop, it can act as a cellular modem. Out-freaking-standing.
I knew it was just a matter of time -- when the price and the phone model was juuust right -- when I would move to mobile email.... and never look back.