It’s already November, and that means it’s time to start shopping for the holidays, if you haven’t already started! I know, I know. You probably think it’s way too early to start thinking about the holidays. I personally like to be prepared and do a little shopping here and there early on. That way it also doesn’t feel like such a hit on the wallet if I do it a little at a time and not all at once!
Finding the perfect gift for our loved ones is very important to me. I put a lot of thought into the gifts we give and want to make sure that the recipients love their gifts. With our nieces growing up so fast, it’s harder to find things that they like. Gift cards are great because they can get whatever they want, but I feel it’s a little impersonal.
The BlackBerry Q5 is the perfect gift for a student going off to college or university.
Of course, when teens go away to school and leave home, it’s always important for them to be able to contact Mom and Dad whenever they need to. It helps parents and their teens feel relieved and more secure knowing that home is always just a phone call away. With text messaging, video capability, and other features, staying in touch is so much easier.
BlackBerry Q5 is an ideal device for those starting off with their first smartphones.
- BlackBerry keyboard – I personally love the classic keyboard that BlackBerry is known for. Users can perform super fast searches with the QWERTY keyboard. Also, users can perform tasks faster with new Instant Action! By entering shortcuts directly from the home screen, you can respond to emails, stay connected with BBM or update your Facebook status in just a few moves. The classic BlackBerry Keyboard has been re-engineered and elegantly re-designed to help you type faster, more accurately and with the least amount of effort.
- BlackBerry Hub – Check out everything that is important to you without stopping what you’re doing. You can quickly peek into BlackBerry Hub from any app you’re in, without having to close any apps! You can just swipe and flow in and out of conversations and messages easily and effortlessly. You can even respond to your work and personal email, or post to LinkedIn, Twitter, Foursquare, BBM and Facebook without leaving the BlackBerry Hub.
- Time Shift Mode and Story Maker – For those who take lots of photos with friends and family and like to share them, Time Shift Mode and Story Maker are two favourite features! Time Shift mode captures milliseconds before and after your photo — so you can scroll back on the dial to open one friend’s eyes and then forward to catch your other friend smiling, before combining it all to create the perfect picture. BlackBerry Story Maker enables you to weave your photos together to create a movie in just a couple of swipes — then share with your friends and family or on your social networks.
Here’s a video I put together with Story Maker:
- BBM Chat and BBM Video – I have to admit that I LOVE BBM. BBM is pretty much the one guaranteed way anyone can get a hold of me. I love that those who have BBM can use BBM Chat and BBM Video. You can talk or video, making keeping in touch a greater experience since you can do it ‘face to face’. When Little One was in the hospital and we were away from Hubby for a week, she was able to talk to her Daddy via BBM Video and felt less homesick. She was also able to see what her bunnies, cat, and dog were up to since Hubby was able to show her via BBM Video! Another great feature is the Screen Share feature that enables you to share a shot of your documents, photos, browser, etc. This way, you can go over documents together, be it for homework or for work, etc.
What’s even more exciting is that now BBM is available for iPhone and Android users as well! BBM is the best way to connect and share instant messages, pictures and more for free, in real time. You can download BBM here.
If you’re looking for a great gift for that special teen in your life, the BlackBerry Q5 is ideal. Not only does it have all the capabilities and features to keep your college/university student equipped for school (access documents, files, images, websites for projects, presentations and homework), but it also keeps them in touch with the people who matter most to them. Ummm…their friends and their parents and family members too!
Get your BlackBerry Q5 device at TELUS here.
Related posts that include TELUS and BlackBerry Q5:
WeDay ~ Inspiring Youth to Lead Local and Global Change
WeDay ~ I wasn’t prepared for how emotional that would be!
TELUS tackles online exploitation with TELUS WISE
We365 ~ Inspiring Social Good in Youth
Disclosure – I received a BlackBerry Q5 device from TELUS, however all thoughts and opinions expressed on this blog are honest and my own.
Hey christine…. Is the bb q10 nd q5 still worth a buy??
I was looking at this phone, so I’m glad to read your review!
As my Blackberry is crying for retirement, I would love one of these for myself!
My Mom was just saying that she wanted a BlackBerry, but was worried it might overwhelm her. The Q5 sounds like it would make a great introductory smartphone for her.
Nicole, definitely! I think the Q5 would be the perfect starter phone for your Mom 🙂 She can do everything she needs to do on there and it’s not too overwhelming at all 🙂
I love the chat feature and I hadn’t heard about the video functionality. I am so glad to hear that you had this phone during your hospital visit. You wouldn’t have wanted to be messing around with phones during such an emotional time.
Besos, Sarah
Blogger at Journeys of The Zoo
So true, Sarah! So true! Thankful for BBM (voice and chat) while LO was in the hospital. She was missing her pets, Daddy, and home, so it came in handy 🙂
Its nice to see blackberry change with the times. My son who’s off to college next year would LOVE to have a blackberry! he broke the last one he had (which I am still paying for on contract!) I’ve not decided if i will buy a new one for him or make him get a job and buy his own! lol
Ah! Can he not get his phone repaired? Good idea to make him work to buy his own. I’m a mean mom and think that a little tough love is good! If they have to pay for something themselves, they often learn the value of money. LOL! Looking forward to hearing what you decide to do 🙂
My previous phone was a Blackberry and it did have a lot of cool features. I see there are a few more since my Blackberry days. Love the storymaker!
Yes! LOVE Story Maker 🙂 Such a great feature 🙂
Love the look of this Blackberry Q5, Christine. Great little video you made on it. I’ve never had a phone with a QWERTY keyboard and often wonder if I would be any good at using one, lol. I am a good typist on a keyboard but not sure how fast my thumbs would be on a BB. Going to show this to a friend of mine who is looking to get a BB. Thanks!
Thanks, Sandy! I admit that I love the physical keyboard that BlackBerry has. I got used to touchscreen and swiping on my BlackBerry Z10, but comfort remains with being able to type on a physical keyboard. I find I make less typos and errors on the physical keyboard. That’s just me though! I know people who can type super fast on touch.
Nice colour! Blackberry devices sure have come along.
Craig, I have to say that I’m in love with my Q10 and Z10! Two of my tech friends just got the Z30 and are in love with it!