smartphone

Windows Mobile 6.5 to challenge BlackBerry and iPhone

Hello again! Windows Mobile 6.5 is released! And the world went crazy……ummm…yeah….no, not really. I think Windows Mobile 6.5 has been released without much fanfare actually. It’s not like all the hype around the iPhone or the BlackBerry Storm.

I think what has happened is Microsoft has seen declining market share surrounding their mobile products for one good reason……they’re not that great. I can list countless good things about BlackBerries and iPhones, with only a few downsides. But I’ve had no end of issues with the many Windows Mobile based phones I’ve owned in the past. As a matter of fact, it was my horrific experience with Windows Mobile that actually pushed me right into BlackBerry’s waiting arms a long time ago.

Now hopefully this new version is a lot better so the Windows Mobile users out there can get a better experience, but they always claim things are better with the next version and it never really has been that great. If Microsoft wants to really get serious about this, they better really focus on what makes BlackBerry and iPhone so successful and see if they can do something about it.

For now, I will continue to recommend either BlackBerry devices or iPhones to my corporate customers based on their needs as those two devices are both proven in my opinion.

-RP

Microsoft Direct Push Technology

Hi folks, so I wanted to talk a little bit about push technology as it relates to mobile devices. This is something that RIM has had for a long time with it’s BlackBerry devices. This was one of the major things that set RIM apart from the competition.

For example, push technology is when you get a new email or a new calendar appointment and the server side pushes down the changes to your mobile device without your device having to continously poll the server for changes.

Microsoft introduced this tech to Microsoft Exchange 2003 with service pack 2, and it also exists in Microsoft Exchange 2007. No longer do you need to worry about polling the server for changes, instead you can get instant updates as they happen thanks to push technology.

Unfortunately your older Microsoft based phones will not support this as you require newer Microsoft Windows Mobile software which is usually only supported on newer devices. The new Palm Pre for example also supports this technology and is poised to be quite the phone based on all the hype I’ve been hearing. It will be very interesting to see what portion of the market share Palm can steal from the iPhone and the BlackBerry Storm!

-RP

RIM doing well despite the iPhone

Hi folks, so recently RIM has been claiming more market share due to their BlackBerry phones. Recent reports have pegged RIM at having 55 percent of the smart phone market share in the industry.

This is more than any of the competing companies going against RIM. Even Apple! So despite the poor showing with the new BlackBerry App World store, how is RIM doing it? I suspect they’re doing it with the inherent usability of the BlackBerry devices.

RIM has always made great smartphones, and now by expanding their offerings by including the Storm and the Javelin, it’s easy to choose RIM. I love the iPhone as a personal use device, but not for business. I still personally prefer the BlackBerry. I carry around an iPod Touch for other functionality I need that my BlackBerry doesn’t provide. It will be interesting to see how this competition turns out.

For more information see this article here.

-RP

The BlackBerry Curve 8900 AKA The Javelin

Hi folks, you might recall how I was really wanting to get my hands on a BlackBerry Javelin. Well I just picked up a BlackBerry Curve 8900 AKA the Javelin!

After having used the BlackBerry Curve 8300 for a long time, I have to say I am suitably impressed. The Javelin is smaller, sleeker, and lighter. It fits well in your hand and the keyboard is great. The camera is 3.2 MP and the phone has WiFi and supports UMA (Unlicensed Mobile Access) which allows you to automatically switch to use your data on WiFi instead of on your normal cellular network as well as make voice calls over the WiFi network you’re connected to.

I wholeheartedly recommend the Javelin and if you are thinking of buying a Curve, please pass on the 8300 and go straight for the 8900. This phone is better in every way! It even knocks the Bold off of it’s pedestal! It is also one of the lighter BlackBerry phones, with the Pearls being the lightest. I can see this phone quickly becoming the staple of the BlackBerry lineup.

-Cheers, RP