This is both true and a horrible rewriting of history. People loved their Blackberries. The term Crackberry was invented before the iPhone was even a rumor. And don't tell me it wasn't mainstream, it had taken over most of the business and government market. It was confined to those markets, but within those huge markets it was utterly mainstream. But even before that other people loved Palm devices.
The capacitive touch screen was a clear advance - but don't tell me there was no "usable" device prior to that.
I admit I prefer the button-less form factor in many respects, but boy do I miss that well-designed tactile keyboard.
I find they're quite fast!
(I use a Das Keyboard for the IBM Model M "clicky" experience, and hate my laptop or other keyboards after getting it. I completely understand that I may be in the minority, but regardless, I loved the response of my Blackberry keyboard).
Now that everyone is on flat-rate plans, burning minutes for voicemail access is unlikely to ever cost you money. Didn't use to be the case.