Archive for: push
- December 20, 2010 10:50 am
It used to take a high-end, expensive smartphone to get mobile email. And in the earliest days of mobile email, the service and quality were terrible. These days, however, email is no more challenging the standard SMS/text messages. Highlighting this fact comes by way of a press release from Verizon this morning, detailing their new Microsoft Exchange-powered Mobile Email 4.0 app for feature phones. Yes, folks. Feature phones are now officially “smart” too. On top of ActiveSync support, the new email service sports a heavily revamped UI that according to Verizon, will make it easier for end users to navigate and use on a daily basis.
I’m more than happy with my iPhone at the moment, so I’ll forgo this new low-cost push email service. But for those who fit the bill, it’ll set you back $5/month on Pay-as-you-Go plans and bundled in free of charge on all data plans costing $15 or more.
With Windows Phone 7 (and some pretty awesome hardware) right around the corner, RIM’s saving grace, the Blackberry Torch, seems to be all but forgotten. But AT&T is making one last Torch push however, with two new colors: Pure White and Sunset Red. Besides the new paint job, there isn’t anything different to speak of — the hardware internals are identical. These two new color options will join the older charcoal Torch at $499 (sans contract) and $99 if you so choose to give AT&T two years of your time.
Have you been holding out for a more colorful Torch?
Today is going to be a sad day for RIM. Dell has announced that they are replacing all of their 25,000 employees’ BlackBerries with Dell Venue Pros. 25,000! Doing so will supposedly save the company a solid 25% on phone costs. Even more noteworthy is that Dell is looking at creating a Dell eBay page where employees can sell their old, used BlackBerries back to the public.
Speaking rather bluntly on the matter, Dell’s Chief Financial Officer Brian Gladden, stated that they were competing with RIM and “kicking them out”. Speaking of which, RIM has been facing a lot of pressure lately for modernizing the BlackBerry platform. So far, they’ve continue to slip further and further behind. Though the QNX-based PlayBook should give us a good glimpse of RIM’s immediate future, and if they can reclaim some of their past glory.
The final kick in RIM’s side comes with Gladden’s closing statement: “It’s not clear to [RIM] the scope of what we’re doing.” I imagine it will be pretty clear once RIM reads the headlines today.” Ouch.
So first Microsoft (which was a given) and now Dell. Who will be the next company to go all Windows Phone 7?
Update
Sorry folks — it’s not all of Dell’s employees getting Venues right away. The way it’s going to work is if the employee wants to give up their BlackBerry, Dell will reward them accordingly. Also, Dell is reportedly in talks with T-Mobile to purchase a bulk package of minutes and data so Dell employees don’t have to pay for the data plans and added voice plans themselves. Nice!
Update 2
I’m getting a lot of conflicting reports. Some say the what the original post said — That Dell is replacing ALL BlackBerries with Dell Venue Pros, whiles are stating that it’s a completely opt-in basis. If Dell really wants to save money and remove the BlackBerry servers, they’ll have to go full out in removing RIM from the company. However, I can see how certain employees may still prefer their trusted Berry to the new Windows Phone 7 devices. We’ll continue updating as we get more.
- September 7, 2010 11:28 am
Straight up: How’s RIM’s new BlackBerry Torch? If you’re looking for something short and sweet, take this — Late. That’s pretty vague, however. But the BlackBerry Torch is so much more than that as it perfectly illustrates RIM’s ability to improve quickly and decisively while at the same time coming off looking worn down and tired. How can that be?
I’ll come right out and say that the Torch is hands down RIM’s best BlackBerry. Ever. It’s an awesome BlackBerry in fact. But therein lies part of the problem — it’s still a BlackBerry. Yes, some backwards compatibility/familiarity needs to be maintained as well as an overhaul of the platform. But where do you draw the line?
That’s precisely what I set out to do a week and a half back. Over these last 10 days, I’ve put my Droid down as much as possible and made the Torch my daily driver, fully immersing myself in it’s abilities and shortcomings. It’s been quite a ride for sure. Come on in and check it out…
Quick and succinct updates are a good thing — in the software world that is. For hardware, fast updates can also be beneficial. In RIM’s case, it’s a death sentence. Take for example, the slide above showing off the freshly leaked R027. It’s essentially a Bold 9700 with OS 6 coming standard, 512MB of RAM (up from 256), and a 5-megapixel camera ’round back. That’s it. That. Is. It. Nothing else.
If it sounds like I’m a bit distraught…well…it’s because I am. I’m putting the BlackBerry Torch through its paces right now and am actually quite impressed. It’s not earth shattering to the point that it’s going to upset Android or iOS. But it’s easily RIM’s best product. I’ll even miss this little beaut when I have to return it in the coming weeks. So why return to this half assed refresh mumbo jumbo right after the Torch? Honestly RIM, that line about the “powerful 624MHz, (two-year old) processor” has got to go. You’re not fooling anyone.
It’s disappointing to see RIM getting stuck in a Nokia-esque syndrome, believing that fast and furious small (very small) updates are going to bring in the loyal followers and cash. But it’s not. There really isn’t any reason to upgrade to the R020. Simple as that. Please, RIM. Create something new and original. Wow me.
With all of the hoopala surrounding the impending release of RIM’s greatest BlackBerry yet, the Torch, it’s easy to understand why some lesser handsets from the Waterloo-based manufacturer might go unnoticed. For one thing, we tend to gravitate towards the biggest fish in the pond — in this case the Torch. But truth be told, there’s plenty of other fish to be had.
That’s where the BlackBerry 9300 slips in. The 9330 highlights a perfect example of RIM simply forgetting about the low end market and instead focusing solely on the Torch — the 9300 Curve hasn’t been officially acknowledged or announced, yet it’s already up for sale on Rogers’ website for a mere $79.
The 9300 is essentially the Curve reborn…again x2. Besides some minor cosmetic changes, it’s the exact same phone save for two fairly big upgrades: a new trackpad replaces the old trackball and 3G. Yes. The 9300 will be the first GSM Curve to receive the 3G treatment. It’s been a long time coming (frankly, too long). But even those who need a no-nonsense, low end BlackBerry for basic email can now do so with faster 3G data and move past the maintenance troubles (read: dust nightmares) that plagued the trackball of Curve’s past.
With BlackBerries such as the 9700, Torch, and Storm, are these low end Berries worth the price anymore?
As we all knew, the BlackBerry Torch arrived today, officially revealed at RIM’s quaint little keynote. But that’s not all. BlackBerry OS 6 was just as big for RIM. But before we get to the new OS, let’s recap the new hardware — BlackBerry OS 6, 624MHz processor (that’s it?), 3.2 inch 480 x 360 screen, 512 MB RAM, 512 MB Flash (+ 4 GB Flash + 4GB micro-SD card), Bluetooth 2.1, Wi-Fi b/g/n, 5 megapixel camera, and 1300 mAh battery.
The hardware is certainly a nice breath of relatively fresh air. Can the new software deliver? Stay tuned…
That love-it-or-hate-it 9760 *fat* clamshell Berry that’s been seen in leaked photos here and there took a big step today. Highlighting OS 6 on non-touchscreen devices, the 9670 clamshell spent a solid ten minutes in front of the video camera giving us not only a fair amount of info on OS 6, but on that 9670 hardware as well.
The verdict is still up in the air for me. I’m a sucker for “out there” styles. But this extra wide load clamshell is definitely pushing the envelope for what I’d consider “stylish”. Feel free to disagree after giving the two videos inside 1/6 of an hour of your attention…
Get out your salt shakers folks. It’s that time again. Today’s grain-o-salt rumor revolves around the BlackBerry 9700. Specifically, a refresh of the 9700. From what can be gathered at this point, it looks like the refresh will be extremely minor — a bump up to 512MB of RAM, 5-megapixel camera, and OS 6.0 on board.
Granted, the jump from 256MB to 512MB is large jump in the smartphone world. Though it’s the rest of the hardware (and BlackBerry OS overall) that doesn’t necessarily make the best of all that power. Still, for someone who’s looking at picking up a 9700, perhaps it’ll be worth your while to hold off a bit longer. We’ll see what comes of this.
Would the aforementioned hardware and software changes keep you from upgrading?
