May 02 2006

RIM’s BlackBerry: shape up or ship out

Published by Eric at 10:31 pm under Blackberry

There’s no doubt the BlackBerry changed how we use mobile phones. In fact, I’ve been a T-Mobile BlackBerry 7100t user for well over a year and I’m hooked. The user interface is well thought-out, super-convenient to navigate with one thumb, and the email features are solid.

Unfortunately that is where it stops. The mobile phone/PDA market is moving on while the BlackBerry stands mostly still, dodging patent blows and holding onto government and corporate contracts with white knuckles.

So where does the BlackBerry fall short? A number of places.

High-speed wireless networks (EDGE, EV-DO). The 8700 finally supports something faster than a trickle of GPRS water. You’re probably thinking that e-mail doesn’t need high data rates, and you’re right, but using the web browser is like watching paint dry. I’d rather call MovieFone or ask a home-based friend to look up a phone number on SuperPages.com.

Fast processor. You’re thinking again that e-mail doesn’t require a 600 MHz Intel processor and you’re right. But a fast processor does wonders for switching between applications, or heaven forbid, run a third-party application.

Software stability. Maybe it’s been a string of bad luck but I have trouble getting third-party applications to run properly. Java errors about “I/O exception” or “Invalid Null Pointer” seem to abound so freely for a Java-based device. Even some web pages will crash the browser (Uncaught Exception: java.lang.ArithmeticException) most recently NewsGator Mobile for HTML which should be nothing more than HTML. Right?

Third-party software. Using Handango as a source I have a multitude of mobile operating systems and software titles to choose from:

  • Windows Mobile Pocket PC: 12,240
  • Palm: 11,052
  • Symbian: 5,545
  • Windows Mobile for Smartphones: 300-700 based on device
  • BlackBerry: 255 to 600 based on device

The BlackBerry has been around a long time so what gives? Have you seen the prices of certain BlackBerry software? For example, a geeky telnet/SSH client for:

  • BlackBerry: $95
  • Palm: $0
  • Symbian: $20
  • Windows Mobile: $50

Let’s try an Office-compatible suite:

  • BlackBerry: $200
  • Palm: $70
  • Symbian: $50
  • Windows Mobile: $0

What’s with the annual recurring fees for certain BlackBerry titles? I’m OK paying an annual maintenance fee which is a percentage of the purchase price, but I’m sorry, the VeriChat IM client isn’t worth $40 every year until I die.

Here’s what we’ve got on the BlackBerry: top-notch e-mail platform with marginal phone features, no voice dialing, no multimedia, no camera, expensive and limited software, and somewhat unstable operating system.

Blame companies like LG, Nokia, Sony, and Motorola for raising the bar on what a regular phone will do. Do we need all of it? Probably not but some features are truly practical (like a voice dialing) or forward-thinking like streaming media.

In contrast, competing PDA devices running Palm and Windows Mobile aren’t perfect but they’re trying. If Palm can deliver a solid piece of Palm OS hardware it will be a winner. If Microsoft can deliver an easy-to-use version of Windows Mobile in less than 10 years from now, it too will be a winner. What’s all this about the Symbian-powered Nokia E61? It does everything a BlackBerry should do, but doesn’t. If you prefer Windows Mobile we’ll see how the Motorola Q works out.

RIM was a strong runner out of the gate but they’re tired and it shows. I considered replacing my 7100t with a new 8700g but I’m not so sure I want to invest in the BlackBerry’s limitations while other devices offer more for a comparable price.

In the meantime I’ll be scanning the mobile device horizon and reading e-mail with a thumb.

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