Posted by Mauricio on Sep 3, 2009 at 7:30 AM | Comments
Sometimes it’s good to hear an objective point of view about BlackBerry and its development. As hardcore BlackBerry fans, many of us may have a biased perspective. I myself always talk about how awesome my BlackBerry is, but I do recognize that there is room for improvement (which I’m sure RIM is working on).
On that note, Priya Ganapati of the Wired Gadget Lab put together an article with 5 things that RIM needs to fix in its BlackBerry devices.
Apple may get all the press, but the venerable BlackBerry is untouchable when it comes to sales. Three of the top five best-selling smartphones in the first quarter of the year were BlackBerries, according to research company The NPD Group.
So why aren’t the devices better? Sure, BlackBerry users rely on their physical keyboards to pound out e-mails, as they always have, and Research In Motion’s longstanding support for push notification and corporate mail servers means you’ll never miss an urgent message from the boss.
But even though BlackBerries have been adding gee-whiz features like multimedia playback and touchscreens, the devices still seem like a mishmash of undercooked ideas. Here are five things RIM needs to fix if it wants to maintain its lead.
Summary of the 5 things:
Browser
Touchscreen
App store
Wi-Fi
Desktop software
So…do you agree/disagree? Is something missing from the list or are you satisfied with your BlackBerry?
Feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments as I’m sure RIM would love to read them .
Posted by Mauricio on Aug 25, 2009 at 1:57 PM | Comments
Yesterday I posted about RIM’s acquisition of Torch Mobile and even included some info about WebKit and the Iris Browser. To the average user, none of that info may make sense or they may not even care as long as all it means is them getting a new BlackBerry Browser.
Sometimes it’s important to understand how things work and what they mean so you can get the most out of your BlackBerry experience. My buddy @ASacco has put together a great article explaining what RIM’s acquisition of Torch Mobile means for the BlackBerry Browser, and for you, the user.
Ask BlackBerry power users for their number one complaint about Research In Motion (RIM) handhelds, and nine times out of ten you’ll get the same answer: The BlackBerry Browser.
RIM’s BlackBerry browser ships along with all BlackBerry devices and is the “mandatory-default” web-browsing software for BlackBerry smartphones–you can’t set third-party browsers as the default…at least not yet.
The problem, errr, problems? The BlackBerry browser is slooooow, to say the least. Javascript-heavy pages consistently bring it to a standstill–unless, of course, you leave Javascript turned off. And the BlackBerry Browser frequently has problems rendering many common Web pages, so simply browsing the Web for a quick recipe or to answer a question can be like pulling teeth.
I raised the subject of the troublesome BlackBerry Browser to RIM’s Manager of Developer Relations Mike Kirkup last February, and Kirkup openly told me that RIM was well aware of the problem and that the company was working to address it.
Posted by Mauricio on Aug 17, 2009 at 12:18 PM | Comments
We’ve already seen a full list of features for OS 5.0, the new BBM 5.0, a video of OS 5.0 running on the Curve 8900 and a Storm, but it’s always good to hear what others have to say about it. Zack Whittaker of ZDNet did a nice writeup with screenshots of OS 5.0.
News is spreading quickly within the underground BlackBerry community of a leak within Research in Motion, the company that makes the phone, of the latest BlackBerry operating system. Designed for the Curve, the new OS (which has been rumored for some time) could easily be the upcoming release for other models such as the popular Bold.
Intrepid student that I am, I downloaded it and installed it on my Curve 8900, and through the perfectly seamless upgrade transition, I have discovered a bunch of new features which not only progresses what these devices can do on a software level, but also show a little more about where RIM is going and the connections it is making with other companies – Google, for example.
To be honest, it’s not easy seeing what’s new in the settings unless I constantly switch back and forth between the latest released BlackBerry OS and the leaked one. I can’t be bothered with that, so some of what you see below may already be old-hat (and evidently, I haven’t noticed since owning my phone).
Check out the gallery here or head on over to ZDNet for the full article and Zack’s breakdown of features.
Posted by Mauricio on Aug 10, 2009 at 9:16 AM | Comments
I always find myself conversing (nearly arguing haha) with certain people about why the BlackBerry is better than an iPhone.
Many people look at the BlackBerry and an iPhone’s features that are visible on the surface, but not too many take the time to seriously look into why they should get one or the other. Don’t misunderstand, I’ve played with an iPhone on a few occasions and it failed to impress me each time. Yes the UI looks nice and is sleek, but you can customize your BlackBerry with both free and premium themes to look just as sleek if not sleeker. Don’t even get me started on their App Store…
I can tell you now that there aren’t just 26 advantages that the BlackBerry has over the iPhone, but here’s a good starter list to arm yourself with in case you ever find yourself verbally dueling with an iPhone enthusiast like I do .
The BlackBerry Curve 8520 hit U.S. shelves earlier this week, and though it certainly won’t send hard-core CrackBerry addicts rushing to T-Mobile stores to scoop one up–it’s an entry-level device, meant for new smartphone users–the handheld actually has more “new” BlackBerry features and hardware tweaks than any other device Research In Motion (RIM) has released in a year.
I attended RIM’s Curve 8520 launch event on Tuesday in Manhattan, and I’ve been using the device constantly since then. Here’s my list of nine Curve 8520 features you won’t find on any other current BlackBerry device–though some will no doubt make their way to upcoming BlackBerrys.
Posted by Mauricio on Aug 5, 2009 at 2:02 PM | Comments
If you’ve been wondering whether or not the new BlackBerry Curve 8520 from T-Mobile is right for you, my buddy @ASacco has put together a great article you should definitely read.
Today, Research In Motion’s (RIM) brand new BlackBerry Curve 8520 goes on sale in the United States, through T-Mobile. The Curve 8520, RIM’s third iteration of the Curve, falls directly in the middle of both RIM and T-Mobile’s Curve product lines.
After T-Mobile initially released the Curve 8320 in September, 2007, it quickly became one of the carrier’s best selling smartphones. More than a year later, T-Mobile was the first U.S. carrier to release RIM’s second-generation Curve, the BlackBerry 8900. And today, the carrier is first to offer the next Curve, the BlackBerry 8520.
Yesterday, I attended RIM’s Curve 8520 launch event in New York City, where the company showed off all kinds of up-and-coming wares along with the new device. I spent quite a bit of time with the new Curve and was able to mostly size it up.
Now, on to the Curve 8520 features and technical specifications, as well as my breakdown of why the new Curve could be a perfect fit for you–or not.
And if you’re interested in additional BlackBerry devices, check out my takes on the BlackBerry Curve 8900 or Tour 9630.
Posted by Mauricio on Aug 4, 2009 at 3:26 PM | Comments
@ASacco has done it again with yet another great article, this time focused on BlackBerry Desktop Manager (BBDM) for Mac.
Research In Motion (RIM) recently announced that it will finally release Macintosh-compatible desktop management software for BlackBerry handhelds this fall. I was lucky enough to get a quick hands-on demonstration this morning from RIM Product Manager Andrey Feldman at an event in New York City, and I dug up a few previously unannounced tidbits about RIM’s upcoming software release for Apple computer users with BlackBerrys.
Summary of the four things covered in the article about BBDM for Mac:
Will not come with the Curve 8520
It is aimed at consumer users
Will be compatible with Apple PCs running Mac OS Leopard 10.5.5 and higher
Not easy to load leaked BlackBerry Operating Systems
Experiencing problems with that new BlackBerry Tour? Is your tried-and-true Curve 8300 acting up on ya? Have no fear; you don’t necessarily have a “lemon” on your hands.
BlackBerry devices, and smartphones in general, can be a “finicky” bunch of gadgets. But thankfully, there are some quick fixes for common problems, many of which I’ve covered on CIO.com before in my BlackBerry Bible.
However, BlackBerry-maker Research In Motion (RIM) was kind enough to post its own set of 10 BlackBerry smartphone troubleshooting tips and tricks earlier this month. While there’s nothing groundbreaking–like I said, I’ve covered most of the material before–any and all CrackBerry addicts will benefit from a quick refresher of the basics
What follows is RIM’s recent list of BlackBerry troubleshooting tips, along with comments of my own, where necessary or relevant.
Overview of the steps:
Check Wireless Signal Strength
Pull Your Battery or “Hard Reset”
Check Wireless Network Settings
Register Your BlackBerry the Wireless Network
Check your BlackBerry’s Connection to a Computer
Confirm BlackBerry Can Receive E-Mail
Confirm BlackBerry Can Send E-Mail, PIN Messages (BlackBerry Messenger)
Posted by Mauricio on Jul 15, 2009 at 8:05 AM | Comments
Image via Google Image Search
Here’s an article where a kid asks RIM’s Co-Chief Executives Jim Balsillie and Mike Lazaridis if they are planning on making a BlackBerry that is suitable for kids.
TORONTO (Reuters) – It took a child to stump the creators of the BlackBerry, one of the world’s top selling smartphones and a part of most executives’ attire.
“Are you going to make a phone more for kids so that my Mom will let me get one?” the child said from the packed audience at the annual general shareholders’ meeting at Canada’s Research in Motion on Tuesday.
That kid knows a quality smartphone when he sees one. Very good choice .
Posted by Mauricio on Jun 24, 2009 at 9:36 AM | Comments
I’ve heard stories of people in business meetings making believe they’re checking official emails and instead are playing Brick Breaker. I haven’t personally seen such a thing happen so I can’t tell you from experience, but it definitely wouldn’t surprise me if it were true.
Some people ask if there is such a thing as a BlackBerry addiction, or is it a general addiction to technology and having to stay connected? I think it’s because of how a BlackBerry allows you to stay connected that it is in fact a BlackBerry addiction. Not all cell phones or smartphones can keep you as connected like a BlackBerry can.
Subscribe to the BBRocks! Store Feeds to stay up-to-date on the latest BlackBerry software, accessories, special offers, best sellers and the deal of the day!
.
.
What follows is RIM’s recent list of BlackBerry troubleshooting tips, along with comments of my own, where necessary or relevant.
.
