CrackBerry asks: What is an appropriate age for children to get their first smartphone?

A recent study conducted by SodaHead revealed that most people feel kids shouldn't get their first smartphone or tablet until at least 16 years of age, though regular cellphones or feature phones are ok for the younger crowd. Interestingly enough, it wasn't just adults that felt that way; teens surveyed shared that opinion. A Mediamark survey in 2009 showed that more than a third of 10-11 year olds had cell phones already. Our oldest son is almost 11, and he's been asking for a phone (specifically a BlackBerry, shocker) for a couple of years now, but I've been putting him off until it's more of a necessity, not just a luxury.

We want to know, CrackBerry nation: At what age do you think a child/teenager should get their first smartphone? Vote in the poll above, and drop your comments below. The full infographic from SodaHead has some other interesting info, which you can check out at the source link below.



Source: SodaHead

If RIM were to push one native application to the BlackBerry PlayBook developer version of OS 2, which would you prefer?

As we all know, we unfortunately won't see the official release of the BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0 until February of 2012, but we were still fortunate enough for RIM to allow developers to take part in a beta version. The beta doesn't contain any of the native applications that we had hoped it would, but that led me to some interesting thoughts. If RIM were to add just one of the native applications to an upcoming developer build, which would you want to see? Would you like to see Contacts, Calendar, Email, BBM, Tasks, Password Keeper or Notes? Odds are we won't see any of them until the official release, but it never hurts to use our imagination a little, right? Let us know your pick in the poll above, then tell us why you chose what you did in the comments.

Which method do you use most when communicating from your BlackBerry?

BlackBerry is a communication tool -- no doubt about it. Email, SMS, BBM, IM and phone keep us in touch with nearly everyone when on the go. I find that I use some services much more than others, and I'm curious to know just what the CrackBerry Nation does. I honestly don't make many phone calls from day to day, but I do send loads of emails and a few SMS messages here and there. What we want to know is what method of communication you use most on your BlackBerry. Do you primarily send/receive emails? Make phone calls? Text your family and friends? Pick the option in the poll above that best fits you, then leave a comment letting us know why what you do works.

BBM Music is available now, but will you keep using it?

BBM Music hit the streets yesterday in the US, Canada and Australia. Many users that didn't get in on the beta have signed up and are checking it out for the first time. So far the reviews are petty mixed -- some love it and some flat out hate it. While I was one of the lucky ones that got a chance to check out BBM Music when it was first released in the Beta Zone, I unfortunately didn't last too long with it. I'm not a big mobile music listener to begin with, so that app didn't really do much for me. It was cool at first, but the novelty quickly wore off for me.

So what we'd like to know is if you will continue to use BBM Music at the $4.99/month premium price tag? I can see how many would use it if it were free, but I'm just not sure it's worth the $4.99/month with so many other music apps out there. So let us know in the poll above, then leave a comment with your thoughts.

How do you use your device: Do you prefer native or 3rd party apps for Memos and Tasks?

There are several third-party apps for taking notes available for the BlackBerry and for the BlackBerry PlayBook. Some of these sync between devices and your computer, some are stand alone apps, and they come in different styles and levels of complexity.



It seems to never fail, whenever we post about one of these apps, such as Evernote for example, there are always comments about why people don't use the native Memo Pad and Tasks instead of bothering with a 3rd party app. So this is our question for you today. Do you use the native Memo or Tasks apps on your BlackBerry or Playbook, or do you prefer a 3rd party app with extra bells and whistles? After you vote in the poll above, go ahead and leave a comment below explaining your thoughts on the subject!

CrackBerry Asks: Do you use full web sites or mobile versions on your BlackBerry PlayBook

The BlackBerry PlayBook is a great tablet for browsing the web. I find myself using it as my "couch computer" more often than not for quickly checking out web sites as opposed to firing up my latop. I like it because I can get the full browser experience in a small package, and usually have no trouble loading up full sites. I know however that some users much prefer to view mobile versions of their favorite sites instead of a full site. This could be for various reasons like load times, navigation or what have you. So I'm curious to know just how many of you choose a mobile version of a web site over the full version when using your PlayBook. Think of sites like Facebook, Twitter, ESPN and the like (obviously if a mobile version isn't available you'll use the full site). Let us know in the poll above what your preference is (Mobile if you visit mobile sites more often than full, or Full if you stick to full sites) then drop a comment below letting us know why you do what you do.

CrackBerry Asks: Do you use your phone as your main camera?

Since the release of the BlackBerry Bold 9930 / Bold 9900 many have been upset at the quality of the camera. Gone is the auto-focus we have been used to and here we have the EDOF camera to put to use. Some have had nothing but trouble with taking photos on their new devices, while others haven't made out too poorly. While I personally don't mind the camera, I know some of you that are furious at the poor quality and lack of auto-focus.

We're curious to know just how many of you use your phone as your main camera? When you're out and about running errands it's one thing, but when you go on a weeknd trip, to a show, sightseeing or sporting event -- do you use your phone as your only camera or do you bring a "real" camera along? Let us know in the poll above then sound off in the comments.

CrackBerry Asks: What do you do with your old BlackBerry smartphones?

Back in my pre-CrackBerry days, when picking up a new device I would always sell my old one to try and make up for some of the cost. It was a pretty good plan and made the pain of shelling out a bunch for a new phone a less painful process. Now I have a massive amount of old devices in a drawer "just in case". I never know when I'll need to use one again, so I keep them in my BlackBerry drawer for safe keeping.

What we want to know is what you do with your old devices? Do you sell them? Give them to a friend/relative? Keep them just in case? Something else? Pick the option in the poll above that best suits you, then leave a comment below. 

CrackBerry Asks: Do you wear a watch, or is your smartphone your timepiece?

The battery in my watch died about a year ago so I decided to just retire it to my nightstand drawer.  I'm never out of reach of my BlackBerry so it didn't really bother me nor was it something I spend much time dwelling on.  Last weekend I was up camping on an annual father-son trip we do with some other guys and I began thinking about this no watch situation.  One day while the boys were playing soccer the dad's were sitting abound and I asked if anyone knew the time.  There were about 8 of us around the campsite and the response was unanimous, "my phone is in the car."

At that moment it hit me, how many people use their smartphone or cellphone as their timepiece.  We all know our fearless leader CrackBerry Kevin is a huge (like huge ... HUGE) watch fan. While chatting on the phone with Kevin he admitted that his watch is jewelry and he uses his BlackBerry to tell him the time.

So we're interested in what the CrackBerry Nation has to say. Do you wear a watch, and if you do is it to tell you the time or is it just a piece of jewelry? Cast your vote and let us know, then sound off in the comments!

CrackBerry Asks: How many BBM contacts do you have?

BBM is one of the great things about BlackBerry smartphones. It keeps you in touch with friends and family and truly is one of the great things about being a BlackBerry user. One of the great mysteries however (well maybe not so great but still a mystery) is how many BBM contacts is too many? Some users (like myself) only have a handful of BBM contacts, while others have hundreds. There was a time I tried to add everyone that wanted to chat, but after a while it just gets too hard to keep up. Kevin has even killed a device or two adding too many BBM contacts. So our quetion today is this: how many BBM contacts do you have? Pick the option that best fits you, then leave a comment telling us about your BBM use. Thanks @ABoldGuy

CrackBerry Asks: How long have you been a BlackBerry user?

I've been a BlackBerry user for around 4 years now. I got into the action when I picked up my 8830WE from Verizon and I'm not sure how I ever got by without it. I had always been a geek when it came to phones, but how I made it without a BlackBerry I'll never know. I picked it up on my own simply because I wanted something powerful that could do more than just make calls and text. I fell in love and have never looked back.

What we want to know is how you, the CrackBerry Nation, got into BlackBerry and how long you've been a BlackBerry user. Was it for work? For fun? Just because? Cast your vote in the poll above and let us know just how long you've been using BlackBerry (pick the option that best fits) and then drop a comment letting us know what got you started. 

CrackBerry Asks: What features are most important in your BlackBerry smartphone?

 

Each of us use our BlackBerry devices for different purposes. Some because it is a work device, others because it's the easiest way to keep in touch on the go with family and friends, and a few simply because of the overly awesome keyboard on the device. While we all have our own reasons for using the devices, we wonder which of the features do you find to be most important on your day to day use? We know that there has been quite some negativity towards RIM and BlackBerry users lately, but most of you are still holding loyal to the device, so let us know what is most important about it to you? Is it that stunning keyboard, the ability to change themes on the fly, the simplicity of keeping in touch, or the secure messaging allowing it to double as a work device as well? Cast your vote in the poll above (you can choose more than one option) then leave a comment with your thoughts.