A Blackberry Lovers Dilemma...

emkwan · 07-10-2009, 06:16 AM

Hi Y'all...

So many of you that may know me, will know how mch I luv and adore my blackberry's particularly my blackberry Bold. I thought I'd post this following a number of different comments I had received from my regular readers (see http://emkwan.wordpress.com) and viewers (see http://www.youtube.com/emkwan) on why I seem to be less and less blogging or videoing about blackberry os/platform or on any of the new devices or hardware.

The reason for this is I feel RIM is missing what consumers what and need. Over the past 6 months, after my decision to try out other handsets etc, I've been impressed with the blackberry platform and see its great benifits particularly seamless push email etc. However I am also begining to feel with the new devices being launched, that RIM is not doing enough to innovate its OS. Enhance the OS to compare to the likes of Android or even the 'evil' iPhone OS.
This was recently highlighted with an uncle of mine who was overly excited with the purchase of his Blackberry curve 8900! With much help from me and spending considerble time trying to get used to the curve his frustrations with how 'geeky' the os was made him return the handset and purchase the iPhone 3Gs. Simply he commented: "I don't have time to learn how to make blackberry's simple for me".

This is just one of many examples I get emailed to me. Having owned an ipod touch 2G now for over three months I feel I'm using that now more for the items related to web and even email at times. It ease of use clear UI and simplicity in operation make it less of an eye sore to use over extended periods of time. YES without a doubt I miss the comfortable querty keyboard, and the 'mutlitasking' however I must admit, after a month of use of the ipod's keyboard I am able to type with minimal errors. Also this 'hype' about multitasking, though true in many way is irrelevant in my opinion as majority of times its a simple push of 1 button to go back to where all the other applications are for me to select which I want next.

One of the most frustrating things for me with the bb is how its basicly a non-useable online device. What do I mean by that?! Well for all the 'multitasking' hype the BB browser strugles to load even the simplest of pages as well as being limeted to only one page. I have tried everything in my power to use it to view Youtube and have been unable to successfuly do so. This frustrates me considerably as it feels RIM has done nothing to address or work on these vital areas.

All in all, I luv the blackberry but I'm getting more and more attracted to the other options out there. I'm holding on tight to the hope that RIM would quit adding to their portfolio of hardware running 'old' OS's and start focusing on new OS's.

I wanted to share my thoughts with you all. Its early morning here and hope I have not offended any of the more loyal and 'hardcore' BB fans. As a side note this community has been unbelivably supportive to me both around my BB as well as during difficult personal times. I luv how BB has made people so pasionate about a Phone be able to also support eachother.

So... What are your thoughts guys?! :-D

Peace n Blessings Y'all...emkwan

stevetaz · 07-10-2009, 07:11 AM

BlackBerrys are not for everyone.

Do I think they could do better? Sure. Should they try to go head to head with other consumer handsets? That is what they appear to be doing with the Storm and look how well that worked out so far.

The core issue with BBs, in my opinion, is that they still must maintain a level of security that other manufacturers are not bound by. There was talk and speculation that RIM might begin producing two different OSs. One that will continue to meet DoD standards and be used on more basic devices and a new OS that could compete with the iToys of the world.

In my opinion, trying to be all things to all people will be the kiss of death for BlackBerry. Their success began as a very secure platform accepted by governments, corporations and the like. The fact they have been able to adapt to a broad range of consumers, but still maintain the core of what they are is no small feat, but there has to be limits.

I am not a programmer and certainly not a computer engineer so maybe I am all wet in what I am saying, but I do believe there are limits to what RIM can do with the basic OS and the RIM servers everything is funneled through.

While many people have "discovered" BlackBerry I think there is a certain percentage of recent converts who will move away from the BB platform simply because it isn't cool and new anymore. Once the Hollywood types were seen with BBs that is what help the growth to explode. Sad that a manufacturer's fortunes are tied to being seen in the hands of a "star", but it is what our society does. When the "stars" move on, which they will because another manufacturer will offer them billions to endorse their product, the followers will quickly move on too.

Of the groups that convert and move on to the next big thing there will be a number who realize that the BB is their chosen device and will remain. They tell two friends, and they tell two friends, and so on. BB growth will be back to what used to be normal, slow and steady. I don't know what RIM's business model and projections are and only they know where they need to be in order to remain a viable business entity.

BB should continue to explore new functions and features, but that should not become the primary objective and if it does, they will no longer be BlackBerry.

I hope it works out well for them and I also hope that they are able to work out some of the quirks that BBs have. It will be interesting to see where they will be five years from now.

Enough of my pontificating....

cellwiz09 · 08-26-2009, 11:33 PM

Yeah, I feel like they really need to enhance the web browsing ability of their phones if they really want to dominate all market places.

stevetaz · 08-27-2009, 07:02 AM

Originally Posted by cellwiz09

Yeah, I feel like they really need to enhance the web browsing ability of their phones if they really want to dominate all market places.

Can you tell me exactly what that means? Enhance it how? What is it that you need a BB to do that it does not with the current browser? It is not a laptop.

If web browsing is a critical need for you then you may want to look at moving over to an iToy. They have set the bar for all other devices with a wonderful browsing experience.