Blackberry Now

Is there something i have to do? right now my blackberry can’t receive pictures. Do i have to enable something?

rporate world it seems like everybody these days is doing business from their cell phones, but which option is right for you. There used to be only one name you heard when it came to cell phones for business use, Blackberry. RIM has done such a good job of marketing the Blackberry as an all-in-one corporate device made by and used for the corporate world. But what if the Blackberry just isn’t your thing? What if the buttons are too small, the menus are too confusing or maybe you just don’t want to be like everyone else in your company? What do you do then? Have you considered an iPhone?


I have been using Blackberry cell phones in my business for years until recently, that being when the iPhone was released. I have nothing against Blackberry as a phone and RIM as a company, I never had any problems as far as service or the phones not working how they were supposed to, but the Blackberry interface always annoyed me. I’m a very tech savvy person when it comes to cell phones, computers, and all sorts of new technology so it’s not like I’m some old guy that has never used a computer before that is now forced to use a Blackberry (ala Michael Scott in The Office), but I just never liked the way things were setup and presented in the Blackberry interface. I understand that it was created for the corporate world and that’s their excuse for trying to jam so many options into pop-up menus and sub-menus, etc. It just has sort of a clunky feeling to it, which always made me not want to use it, but it wasn’t all bad.

There are some things that the Blackberry offers that the iPhone does not, although the iPhone is trying to change their software to catch up with the rest of the world. For example, Copy and Paste. If you’re going to try to market a cell phone to corporate users you’re going to need to implement some sort of copy and paste function. I don’t know how many times I was on the road and had to either send an email address to someone or copy a snippet of text out of one email and paste it into another email (since I didn’t want to forward the entire thing), or copy/paste passwords for people. The copy and paste function may not seem like it has much use to most users, but believe me, I don’t think I could have lived without it at the time. Another one of the great features is Push E-mail. In the corporate world these days e-mail is extremely important and sometimes a sale or partnership can rest on them (granted I still think people should just use the phone, but it’s starting to move away from that). Push email is the ability for a server to “push” a new email message to your mobile phone as opposed to having the handset request new email at certain intervals, usually every 15 minutes. The iPhone is starting to implement this feature with some email services, but it still doesn’t have them all worked out. And lastly one of my favorite things about the Blackberry (which I miss dearly) is the Blackberry Messenger application. I didn’t use it so much for business, but the ability to text other people with Blackberry’s without using text messages, that can be pretty costly, as well as sending pictures, etc through it, was an amazing addition to the phone. Obviously it has more use in a personal setting, but I can still see some situations where it could be useful in a business sense.

Now onto the iPhone. Apple has really outdone themselves with this piece of technology and I have no doubt that one day it will overtake Blackberry in terms of corporate use, but it’s not quite there yet. The iPhone has a very simple interface with a lot of potential, it’s very easy to use, easy to find things and extremely easy to figure out if you’re not that tech savvy. All of these things are great for the normal user who just wants to pick up a phone and go without having to spend hours trying to figure out how everything works. And that is why I chose the iPhone over the Blackberry for my new corporate phone. The mail app is also 100x better than the Blackberry mail app, it works well, has all the necessary functions and looks nicer overall. I do wish it had copy and paste functions, but I haven’t had too much trouble getting around that issue, especially if you jailbreak the phone. Apple will be introducing copy and paste into their latest version of the iPhone software, version 3.0 later this summer, so that will take care of that. Push email still needs a bit of work, but at least i have the ability to force the phone to check the server for new email, where the Blackberry can’t do that.

So which one should you choose? Ultimately that decision is up to you. If you need to be connected to your work’s network and get work email instantly without delay and most of your office uses Blackberry’s, then I would suggest the Blackberry. Just be wary of the learning curve that comes with some of the models. A few of the more recent models of Blackberry’s are a little easier to figure out due to re-doing their operating system. For example, the Blackberry Bold and the Blackberry Storm use a new version of the OS that looks a lot better than say the Pearl or the old Curves. If I had to choose a Blackberry, one of those 2 would be my top choice, it all depends if you want a touch screen or not. As for the iPhone, it’s currently a great phone for personal use yet it’s still lacking in the way of corporate features, but that’s not to say Apple isn’t working on it. I like the iPhone for the sheer amount of possibilities that come with it. With the introduction of the App store, there are literally thousands of things you can do with the phone and while Blackberry did (or is) recently launched their version of the App Store, it’s still going to take some time until we start to see good quality applications.

And if you’re a little leary about which one you may or may not like, you can always check out sites like http://www.unlockedfone.com to test one out before you commit. Just remember to find out which one your company supports could be the deciding factor. Don’t get over anxious and get one before you know it will work correctly.



By: John Oliver

I have installed the software on my black berry device called (Color Pearl) and it gives me all the nice colors but the track ball stays with a solid color when I get a call instead of having the blinking effect along with the ring tone. Does anybody know how to fix this on the phone’s track ball? My phone is a BlackBerry Pearl 8100c. I will appreciate the help very much.

Blackberry made by Canadian company Research In Motion Ltd. (RIM), is among the most popular mobile platforms. The blackberry solution consists of smart phones integrated with software that enables access to a variety of data and communication services. It is a platform that shoots e-mail to you instead of making you go fetch. It provides a variety of solution to meet your every need whether it is business and professional solutions, productivity tools or entertainment. It helps you simplify your communications and streamline your lifestyle so you get more accomplished and have more time to do what is important to you.

The facilities

The blackberry mobile phone sits on a high pedestal due to its mobile e-mail capabilities. It has many solid features It’s extremely secure, it combine well with other platforms, it works with several carriers, and it can be deployed globally. It is easy to administer, has a much longer battery life, and has a small form-factor with an easy-to-use keyboard.

Whether the business size is small, medium or enterprise or industry specialization, there is a solution that can power:





Field service and sales force automation





Office productivity





Enterprise data access





Network systems management





Business intelligence and more





Email features

The email provided is fast. Blackberry Enterprise Server that allows the handsets to send and receive e-mail pushes the e-mail out to the device. It also provides good supports for email attachments.

Battery

One remarkable feature about the Blackberry mobile phone is the fact that it takes breaks and nearly shuts down momentarily between keystrokes, this reduces consumption and the battery life is extended. The company holds patents for the thumbwheel and QWERTY keyboard found on the devices.

More features

The blackberry mobile phone comes equipped with maps, organizer, applications, games, the Internet and more. Some smart phones even include a media player and/or camera so you really have everything you need in one stylish device. It can be customized to meet the needs of one person or an entire enterprise, to any scale, in any industry. There’s a Blackberry smart phone for every need.

Models

The Blackberry® 8700 Series and Blackberry® 7200 Series provide an intuitive interface and QWERTY (typewriter-style) keyboard to let you get started quickly. Blackberry® 7130 Series provide leading Blackberry functionality, but with a smaller, sleeker design and a SureType® keyboard.





By: Dharmendra Chaudhary

I want to know about getting the blackberry 8350i to work completely with its features on the boost mobile service. I have heard mixed reaction but what I want to know is how to get the full constant internet on, send mms, see if skype or vonage can be used with the v-phone and other features normally on the nextel network with bbs. Any other comments welcome. Thanks!

Research in Motion Ltd (RIM) has been so successful with their Blackberry phone that many people now more readily associate the term “Blackberry” with their phone more so than with the original fruit!

Yes indeed, Blackberry has truly dominated the Business market when it comes to mobile phones and mobile email. Their Hosted mail solutions enabling “Email on the Go” has definitely revolutionised Business Communications and increased productivity levels where companies have implemented their solution.

However the playing field is changing and RIM and they may not have it all their own way for much longer. Juggernaut Microsoft Corp. is going to make a major push on the software side of mobile e-mail and lots of new devices are due to hit the Business Market.

The Treo from Palm Inc (who are BlackBerry’s biggest hardware competitor) are due to launch an newly updated Treo. The new phone will run on Microsoft software. Also both Nokia & Motorola, the world’s two biggest makers of mobile phones have Blackberry clones in the pipeline. Hewlett-Packard also has a iPaq mobile device that launched last Autumn.

This army of competitors couldn’t have come at a worse time for RIM as they are currently locked in a legal battle with a company called NTP Inc. over patents. And this legal battle has even threatened to shut down the BlackBerry e-mail system in the USA. However unlikely the court-ordered shutdown is, it has definitely shaken Business users faith in Blackberry and created opportunities for RIM’s competitors. Good Technology, who are probably RIM’s biggest competitor on the lucrative software side of the business, has fielded more than a 100 calls from anxious BlackBerry customers recently.

Motorola’s Q and Nokia’s E61 both launch this summer and both devices feature QWERTY keyboards and are aimed as being direct competitors to the BlackBerry phone and who’s marketing will target Blackberry users. With all this competition going on though, RIM has been busy making plans and has licensed its system to other phone manufactures, including Motorola. The first non-BlackBerry device in the USA using RIM’s network, was the Nokia 9300,which launched in November 2007. For the most part, RIM’s devices are sold to Businesses who in turn section them out to their staff. Employees can then access all of their work e-mail from the road by using their Blackberry’s. Third party software solutions running on RIM’s Blackberry platform allow a host of useful Business applications. Things like GPS and hand held Satellite Navigation are great for those on the road or in the Transportation Business. Lawyers and Doctors can make use of the turn key Time Recording and Billing Solutions. Sales people can do PowerPoint presentations from their phones instead of lugging bulky laptops around. “Blackberry was the first to market with a turnkey solution,” says Richard Scott of BusinessMobiles.com a Business Solutions expert in the UK…. “It’s kind of a one-stop shop.”

“Whatever Business you’re in there’s definitely a software application that will save you time and money on the Blackberry Platform” BusinessMobiles.com is the UK’s largest independent mobile solutions provider. “The company’s ability to offer a complete device, software and hosted service package has been important to its success” Mr. Scott says.”The whole user experience is kind of seamless.” Much as the iPod dominates the music market in MP3 players Blackberry dominates the marketplace in Business Communication tools.. Analysts estimate that RIM has 70 percent to 80 percent of the mobile e-mail market but with all that competition coming who know for how long??

If you think your Business would benefit from all the Benefits of Blackberry – with features like Email on the Go, Sat Nav, Remote Database Access and/or a whole host of other features – then contact BusinessMobiles.com today where we are currently offering YOU a 30 day Free Blackberry Trial. That’s Right! You get up to 5 new Blackberry Mobile phones to use for a whole month - all configured and delivered totally free of charge!





By: Jeff Spires

Blackberry has changed the lives of people in the corporate world, in more than one way. With Blackberry, loaded with applications, the executives can carry their office with them, wherever they go. They can do many things like accessing emails, opening the attachments in the emails, maintaining their calendar and address book etc., all on their Blackberry, itself.

Common Applications

Email: The connectivity of Blackberry to POP3 or Microsoft Exchange servers was the first and foremost application that made Blackberry a hit. The executives can access their office email anytime anywhere on their Blackberry and it is always ‘ON’. Initially, it was not possible to open the attachments in emails but this also got resolved with applications like Mobile Office. You can also access your Gmail account using Google mobile application.

Viewing Documents: As mentioned earlier, with new versions of Blackberry, it has become possible to view your documents, which are in Word, Excel, PowerPoint or PDF format. There are various applications like eOffice, available for viewing Microsoft Office documents. Using these applications, you can not only view but also create office documents. Also, there are applications to check your spellings and grammar while creating a document. Oxford dictionary and thesaurus is also available in a Blackberry.

Messenger Application: Various messenger applications are available to make your life easy. Some of the famous ones apart from the Blackberry messenger are Google Talk, IM+ All in one mobile messenger, IM+ for Skype and Twitterberry. You can chat with your clients, colleagues, or vendors while you are on move using these applications with any of your existing accounts like ICQ, Yahoo, AOL, MSN, Google talk etc. These applications help you to save the cost of text messaging.

Calendar: Blackberry applications act as your personal secretary and remind you of all your schedules, important meetings and events. You can maintain your calendar using Google calendar and use Google Sync to synchronize the same with your Blackberry. So, your Blackberry would ensure that you do not get late for your meetings or miss an important event.

Plan your travel: Blackberry has made life easier for all those people who are always on the move. Not only do it help you to communicate with your colleagues and clients but also helps you to plan your travel. With the applications like WorldMate Live and TravelMate, you can book your hotels, check weather, track your travel expenses and know your flight status etc. Google Maps helps you to know where you are and search where you want to go.

Google Search: The most widely used search engine is available for your Blackberry also. You can use this to search anything you are looking for. For e.g. it can help to search some technical information while preparing for a meeting or a presentation, or any other information required before meeting an important client.

With all these applications and many more getting added everyday, Blackberry has become an indispensable tool for all executives and entrepreneurs. Even organizations are looking at it as a productivity improvement tool and are training their staff on correct and efficient use of the same.





By: S. Kate Hobbs

Here it is! The much anticipated BlackBerry Storm. Noah takes it out of the box and checks out the unique clickable touchscreen. How is it for pointing, clicking, and typing? Find out in part one of our hands-on. Much more on Storm @ www.phonedog.com

It’s the Battle of the BlackBerries. Noah pits the Verizon Storm vs the new Curve 8900 for T-Mobile. Both are sleek and sexy, but what’s more important, a touchscreen or a full QWERTY board? MORE Storm @ www.phonedog.com MORE 8900 @ www.phonedog.com

Music video by The Black Crowes performing Blackberry with George Dougherty [Video Director], Louis Mackall VI [Video Director] (C) 1996 American Recordings, LLC