Category: Uncategorized
March 16th, 2008
Russell Shaw, rest in peace
Editor’s note: Russell Shaw passed away on March 14. For more information, see Between the Lines. His family requested that we post this notice so people know that all scheduled meetings are canceled.
December 6th, 2007
RIM shares dip- but this could ultimately be good news for BlackBerry users
In recent days, several analysts who cover BlackBerry-maker Research In Motion have turned negative on the stock.
Lest you think this is all a buncha hand-wringing, I need to tell you that through the close of yesterday’s trading, RIM stock declined 17% over the last six days. Up today a bit more than 2% in heavy trading, but today’s spike is not enough to invalidate the tend lines.
I know, I know. We’re not a financial blog. But still, the trend that some of them see could have ramifications for BlackBerry users in general.
Expertly gathered and vetted by Information Week’s Richard Martin, the trends that are leading analysts to be less enthusiastic about RIM stock have several root causes. Among them are:
Less demand from a stressed-out financial sector. Talk about the law of unintended consequences; the subprime loan mess has been dragging down most financial sectors of the U.S. economy. And should this trend continue, support service purchasing decisions (such as maybe a bunch of new BlackBerrys for your brokers or sales staff) becomes that much more of an elective decision.
A move toward open standards, which allow developers to create compelling third-party applications for those devices that allow it. BlackBerry’s rather closed and controlling Operating System is a harder nut to crack. So the fear seems to be that competing devices more amenable to open platforms will be able to tout important third-party content as a reason to buy those handsets and PDAs.
And not BlackBerrys.
In an odd twist of fate, these developments could actually be good for BlackBerry users. Faced with lower-cost competitive devices stuffed with coolness, BlackBerry and its carrier partners may fight back with discounts and promotions.
October 30th, 2007
Sending out an SOS to BlackBerry SMS: messages bottled
Enduring props to Sting for the melodious metaphor.
Hey I am not a big texter. Maybe if I was 14, had an X chromosome instead of a Y and hung out at the mall, then maybe yea.
Instead I am a boomer with a BlackBerry Curve.
This morning, whilst (not a Brit but I love typing that word) on the Acela train from Providence to Boston for Fall Von I decided I would actually send an SMS via my Curve. Target: the actual X chromosomal unit back home in Oregon.
Sending out an SMS via BlackBerry is OK, but apparently, one of life’s minor mysteries goes like this. Why, when incoming SMS messages come in, do they wind up in my general Messages box?
I’m not the first one to notice this. Was talkin’ with my brother-in-law a couple of months back and he resented the fact that incoming texts from my sister wind up in the same Messages box as work orders, spams, scams, and well, you know (insert a Beavis cackle here).
A simple request from a not-so-simple man- wouldn’t it be easier if there was a special SMS box where incoming SMS’s could be received, and responded to from there?
October 1st, 2007
BlackBerry Pearl 8130 formally announced-due next month
As was widely expected, Research In Motion formally announced the CDMA-compatible BlackBerry Pearl 8130 today. It will be available in silver and amethyst beginning next month on Verizon Wireless.
The BlackBerry Pearl 8130 has a 2 megapixel camera, 5x digital zoom, offers digital capture and playlist editing.
The device also has built-in GPS and navigation with built-in BlackBerry Maps built in collaboration with Google. It also offers a headset jack,microSD/SDHC memory card slot for additional storage of music, videos and pictures.
One of the most welcome features include wind and echo cancellation for calling while you are in noisy environments.
Which, if you are often on the go, is almost the native environment for BlackBerry users.
September 27th, 2007
New BlackBerry Patent app describes puncutation-mark selector for text
A BlackBerry Patent application just published this morning describes how BlackBerrys could be enabled to pre-select the best punctuation mark for a block of text.
The Patent app is entitled, Handheld electronic device including automatic preferred selection of a punctuation, and associated method.
The Patent Abstract offers a helpful, if somewhat rudimentary description about how this functionality is supposed to work:
A method of enabling input on a handheld electronic device, which includes an input apparatus having a number of input members that are capable of being actuated, wherein at least one of the input members has a plurality of selectable output alternatives, includes detecting as a first input an actuation of an input member, generating a first output, detecting as a second input an actuation of an input member having a plurality of selectable output alternatives comprising at least a primary punctuation and a secondary punctuation, determining that said first output has a predetermined characteristic, preferring as a second output said secondary punctuation, and outputting said second output.
Given that most of us (including the guy writing this post) sometimes includes semi-colons or em dashes (–) when maybe a colon or comma might be more appropriate, I certainly see the need for such functionality. Almost extends SureType to the grammarian domain.
September 19th, 2007
Here's a T-Mobile BlackBerry 8320 spec sheet
On PDAstreet, my old BlackBerry blogger colleague Melissa Oxendale posts a T-Mobile BlackBerry 8320 spec sheet originally posted by BlackBerry user community/message board Pinstack.
Rather than ramble on, I thought I would just show you the specs.
Nice work, Mel.
September 10th, 2007
BlackBerry 8820 now on Amazon for $199
The much-anticipated BlackBerry 8820, which has some improved email capabilities over its immediate 8800 ancestor, is now available on Amazon for $199.
Of course you need a new AT&T Mobility two-year contract, and two to four weeks of patience.
July 31st, 2007
NASA: iPhone isn't "enterprise-ready," but BlackBerry 8800 sure is
Information Week’s Paul McDougall reports that NASA’s Outsourcing Desktop Initiative for NASA (ODIN) has determined that:
The iPhone is not enterprise ready, but:
The BlackBerry is. At least the BlackBerry 8800.
Hey you are looking at it.
Minutes of a NASA meeting held July 10 point to a decision by acting ODIN project manager Jeff Stephens speaking to the decision.
Stephens is not alone in his perception. Gartner wrote a report earlier this month citing the iPhone’s lack of support from major device management and mobile security software suites, lack of removable batteries, and Apple’s exclusive contract with network provider AT&T.
But plainly, NASA employees need their smart phones.
Information Week notes the July 10 meeting minutes indicate that the agency is planning to support the BlackBerry 8800, as well as the Palm Treo 750.
July 31st, 2007
Hey, how about a BlackBerry loyalty program-with gifts?
I’m back here after finishing a book project.
According to a survey of 935 business cellphone users by research firm In-Stat, even the most frequent of these customers feel their cellphone carrier doesn’t appreciate them.
“Of those who spend at least $150 a month on service, more than 60% say they don’t think their carrier appreciates them,” writes Michelle Kessler in USAToday. She notes In-Stat says that about 1.8% of this group switches carriers each month, In-Stat says.. “That’s 40% more turnover than among customers who spend less than $50 a month.
There may be an easy answer to keeping some of these folks around. Loyalty programs, similar to airline frequent flyer programs.
In-Stat analyst Bill Hughes tells Kessler that since most heavy cellphone users are also travelers- some 89% of travelers on the road more than half the time spend more than $75 a month, he says.- they are liable to be used to loyalty programs from airlines, rental car companies and hotels.
So what about loyalty programs for users of BlackBerrys and other devices? Here’s how this could work. Maybe a free extra day for a rental car, or a given amount off one night’s room stay- when you exceed xx amount of BlackBerry data or minutes in a calendar year?
July 13th, 2007
Industry group: BlackBerry #10 ecommerce innovation in last 10 years
According to the Software & Information Industry Association, BlackBerry is the tenth-most significant eCommerce innovation of the past ten years.
About BlackBerry, they say:
The BlackBerry makes communication instantaneous, and mobile. A comprehensive communications device creates a new mobile business culture. Giving road warriors the freedom to move to any location and maintain connectivity increases cooperation and efficiency. By having the web in the palm of your hand, Internet connected devices enable ecommerce anywhere, anytime.
I suppose you want to learn the rest of the Top Ten?
Well OK then:
1- Google (Sept. 1998)
2. Broadband Penetration of US Internet Users Reaches 50% (June 2004):
3. eBay Auctions
4. Amazon.com
5. Google Ad Words
6. Open Standards
7. Wi-Fi
8. User-Generated Content
9. iTunes
You know what’s even more significant. With the exception of Open Standards and iTunes, you can either experience or actualize all of the above on your BlackBerry.
Russell Shaw is an enterprise computing journalist, analyst and author based in Portland, Oregon. See his full profile and disclosure of his industry affiliations.
SponsoredWhite Papers, Webcasts, and Downloads
- Finally, an easier way for Small and Mid-Sized Companies to Run Their Business Applications: IBM Smart Business IBM From the PC to the Internet to every piece of hardware and software in ... Download Now
- Using Log Messages and Alert Actions in Dell OpenManage Server Administrator Dell Dell OpenManage Server Administrator has an excellent logging feature that ... Download Now
- Spotlight On Messaging ScriptLogic Spotlight on Messaging optimizes the performance and availability of ... Download Now
Essential Topics 
Recent Entries
- Russell Shaw, rest in peace
- BlackBerry with slide-out keyboard described in new Patent app
- BlackBerry Patent app describes “Ergonomic Cursor Controller”
- Remember this, BlackBerry: when it comes to customer communications, it’s NOT all about the carriers
- Numerous BlackBerry BIS service outages reported
Blogs From Our Sponsors
Top Rated
Premier Vendor Content Whitepapers, webcasts & resources from our Power Center Sponsors
- The more you simplify, the more you save
-
When you transition from your existing Red Hat environment to SUSE Linux Enterprise from Novell, you can recognize dramatic cost savings, perhaps as much 50%
- Learn more >>
- New Online Dashboard for IT Leaders
-
Read about top issues IT decision-makers face every day, plus get cost-effective solutions to real-life IT problems.
- Learn more >>
- Keep Up With The Latest In Document Management with The DocuMentor.
-
Doc delivers the scoop on today's enterprise content management, printer maintenance, and all other issues related to document management. It's the DocuMentor Blog.
- Learn more >>
- Reduce risk. Reduce complexity. Increase reliability.
-
A simplified IT environment isn't just less complex. It's also more reliable. Standardize on a single Linux platform with SUSE Linux Enterprise from Novell, and get the world's most interoperable Linux
- Learn more >>
- Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online - Free Six-Month Trial for Eligible Organizations
-
Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online provides fast online access, simple contact management and better sales performance for a low monthly cost - the best value on the market today.
- Learn more about the free, six-month trial offer>>
Archives
ZDNet Blogs
- All About Microsoft
- The Apple Core
- Between the Lines
- BriefingsDirect
- Collaboration 2.0
- Dev Connection
- Digital Cameras & Camcorders
- Ed Bott's Microsoft Report
- Emerging Tech
- Enterprise Web 2.0
- Forrester Research
- Googling Google
- GreenTech Pastures
- Hardware 2.0
- Home Theater
- iGeneration
- Irregular Enterprise
- IT Project Failures
- Laptops & Desktops
- Lawgarithms
- Linux and Open Source
- Managing L'unix
- The Mobile Gadgeteer
- On Sustainability
- Rational Rants
- The Semantic Web
- Service Oriented
- Smartphones and Cell Phones
- Social Business
- Social CRM: The Conversation
- Software & Services Safari
- Software as Services
- Storage Bits
- Team Think
- Tech Broiler
- Technology and the Global Supply Chain
- Tom Foremski: IMHO
- The ToyBox
- Virtually Speaking
- The Web Life
- ZDNet Education
- ZDNet Government
- ZDNet Healthcare
- Zero Day
White Papers, Webcasts, and Downloads
- Email Security and Archiving - Clearer in the Cloud Google The time is NOW for businesses and organizations of all sizes to implement ... Download Now
- Why Isn't Server Virtualization Saving Us More? A Few Small Changes May Dramatically Increase Your Efficiency VMware Companies have rapidly adopted server virtualization over the past few ... Download Now
- Five Steps to Determine When to Virtualize YourServers VMware Server virtualization isn't just for big companies. Entry-level ... Download Now
Meet Doc
-
-
Here to help you with your Document Management Needs
- Check out Doc’s Blog on ZDNet
- Help your company, help the earth I want to share with you the Environmental Defense Fund Paper Calculator, which allows you to gauge your organization's environmental impact.
- Which is Greener: Paper or Digital? The Answer May Surprise You Anything we can do to reduce paper consumption is good. But what about the impact of digital waste?
-
Produced by
ZDNet and -
