Editorials
Let’s get down to BIS-ness
Feb 16th
Looks like Today is going to be big in the BlackBerry world, with RIM expected to make a big announcment regarding changes to the way BIS works with your phone. We don’t know too much yet, but we (as always) do have some rumors to work with.
First, it looks like RIM is going to be making BIS work more like BES with “BlackBerry Shield for BIS”. These features (as reported yesterday by BBleaks) are likely to include OTA syncing and remote wiping, as well as al your other BES goodies. I’m on a BES server and I have to say, I think OTA syncing is probably my favorite thing about my BB. No matter where I am, I can add/update a contact and have it sync with my desktop – excellent for when traveling or on business trips. So, for all your BIS users (both consumers and small business users), you’ve got that going for you…which is nice.
Also, RIM is rumored to be announcing a little something called BESX – BlackBerry Enterprise Server Express. This is supposed to include a free, and unlimited, BlackBerry Enterprise Server.
The features are allegedly debuting March 1.
That’s about all we know for now, but we’ll keep you updated. And be ready for big news later today!
****UPDATE****
We just received word that BESX has been confirmed via Blackberry.com
Follow me on twitterWhat is this “deficit” you speak of?
Feb 15th
So what did you do with your bonus cheque from work? Pay debts? Savings? Contribute to your RRSP’s? According to Total Telecom most of you spent it on something cellular related. It’s reported that consumers spent 110 Billion last year on mobile phones and accessories, while globally the number is a staggering for wireless services at 1 Trillion dollars. The research firm also predicted global cell-phone shipments would grow to 1.61 billion units in 2014, up 41% from 2009. They fell a less-than-feared 6.7% last year and are expected to rebound 12% this year, with smart phones rising by the same amount and making up roughly 20% of cell-phone shipments.
Handset makers Nokia Corp. and Samsung Electronics Co. both gained market share last year, said iSuppli. Nokia rose to 38.9% from 37.4%, while Samsung grew to 21.1% from 20.7%.
Last year, three smart-phone makers-Nokia, Apple Inc. and Research in Motion Ltd.-had double-digit shares of the smart phone market, compared with just Nokia two years earlier.
About 30% of all smart phone models introduced this year are expected to use Google Inc.’s Android operating system, more than triple the percentage in 2009.
What do you think?? Did you spend a lot on phones this year? Let us know!
RIM Twitter For BlackBerry Released; Leaked
Feb 11th
The long awaited, long rumored Twitter client from Research In Motion launched today. While initially the application was only given out to a select “Beta” testers via invite code, it certainly did not take long to reach hands of others. Many have downloaded and installed the app and Twitter time lines are filling up with the “Twitter For BlackBerry” branding but most seem to have mixed feelings on it. The UI is kind of alright and it’s certainly laggy to say the least but, the saving grace there for RIM I suppose is that it’s a beta.
Additional features are expected to be added over time but for now, it is what it is. Another option that some may choose but others will pass over while using what is already out there and working fine. We checked it out and have our thoughts on it..but if you were one of the ones that got either the official or leaked release, let us know how you all feel about it. Win or bust folks?
How do you like Twitter for BlackBerry(R)?
Feb 11th
Well this came out of nowhere…RIM released their official Twitter app today to a small number of people. Of course, those people quickly turned around and re-released it to the rest of us so we got to share in all the fun!
I’ve been using Twitter for BlackBerry (TfB) for a few hours now, along side SocialScope (SS) and UberTwitter (UT) and I have to say, it’s a pretty decent start. I’ve used RIM’s Yahoo Messenger, GTalk and AIM apps and, while they get the job done, they don’t seem to be anything that special. Plus, they’re murder on battery life. So, needless to say, I wasn’t expecting too much from TfB the first time through. I’ll admit, it looks a lot cleaner than I was expecting (based on a comparison of RIM chat apps and the desktop versions).
Before I go any further, I have to share my biggest (and I mean BIGGEST) issue I have with TfB – if you hit the Back arrow, it closes out of the app and can’t be reopened with a BB button > pick out of the background. While this isn’t a huge issue, I find it to be incredibly annoying.
The app has all the things you’d expect to find in a Twitter app – separate columns for mentions and direct messages, as well as profile, find people, search and trends. The color selection looks good and the tweets are easy to read. You can set alerts for DM’s and New Tweets, but nothing for Mentions (I guess they figured they fit into the normal messages). There is also an option to include tweets in the “Messages” application on your phone, though I haven’t gotten any so maybe that’s only for DM’s. Sounds like a nice feature, but I don’t really see the point. It’s just as easy to reply in the app.
For as much as I like this app, there’s definitely still room for work. First, and without a doubt foremost, why doesn’t this app have push? I mean, RIM WROTE IT. Yes, the people who champion push email like a street vendor trying to sell t-shirts to tourists somehow manage to not include the most important BlackBerry feature in their own Twitter app. Maybe that will come at a later date, but still. I’m dumbfounded as to how that’s even possible to leave out. That would’ve been a game changer. As far as I know, there is only one push Twitter app, and that’s @BritishTurbo’s Tweetissimo – though it hasn’t been released to the general public as of yet. Not only does that mean someone beat RIM to the punch, but they did so AT THEIR OWN F#%*#NG GAME!! That’s like you, me and 9 guys we picked up along the way beating the Saints at football. (No disrespect to BritishTurbo whatsoever, I’m just saying an entire corporation, who designed the software to begin with, should be able to keep up)
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…and Verizon Wireless bringing up the rear
Feb 11th
Why does it take so long for Verizon to make an OS official? Are they always the last one? Literally dozens of OS’ came out for the 9530 before VZW moved up from .75; the only reason 5.0.0.320 went official was to prevent S1 owners from torching stores on the S2 release date; and now, even Sprint has an official Tour 5.0OS before Verizon!
I have a few theories as to why a US carrier would be slower than another carrier – the size of the coverage area. Sure, there are millions of users in the UK, but the country is slightly smaller than Oregon! (England itself is the same size as Alabama)* So it would makes sense that with such a large area to cover, it would take longer to test, well, anything. That’s still no excuse. I know I pay a fortune to VZW yearly, so it’s not like it’s a lack of funding. Are they just that picky about an OS? If you’re familiar enough to know about a leaked/other carrier’s OS, then you probably know enough to load it onto your phone…or know where to find out.
The most frustrating part of this is that, as the “tech support consultant” for my family, it’s not easy teaching my mom how to do something on her phone when her OS (Tour 4.7) is so different than mine (9550 5.0.0.428). I’ve finally gotten my dad up to 5.0 (with his new 9700), but my mom and brother are both VZW Tour users without the knowledge or desire to load a non-official OS.
So, what’s the deal guys? Why does it take so long?
Weigh in with your comments, theories and knowledge.
*Source
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Facebook Not Working On Your BlackBerry? Here’s Why
Feb 10th
Having issues with Facebook on your BlackBerry today? You’re not alone by any means. Lots of Facebook’n BlackBerry users have been left in the dark when it comes to making use of the Facebook application on their BlackBerry devices. The issue at hand here as reported by Mashable is that Facebook recently has been having an issue with some of their APIs which allow mobile applications to interact with the social networking site.
The official word from Facebook:
We’re currently experiencing issues with our APIs, and as a result, some users may be unable to access the site from their devices at this time. These APIs are designed to make it possible for mobile partners to provide users with their respective Facebook applications. We are working to resolve this issue as quickly as possible.
Best we can say is that Facebook and Research In Motion are certainly aware of the happenings and are working quickly to resolve the issues but this is not solely a BlackBerry issue as much as it is a Facebook issue. In the meantime, you can sit and ride it out…or join us on Twitter, lol.
Google trying to Monopolize the Internet?
Feb 10th
If this were the army, now would be the time where Google was in your face yelling, “From now on, I’m your daddy and your mama!!” Seemingly unsatisfied to be your search engine, RSS reader, phone’s OS creator, phone seller and virtually everything else involving the internet, Google wants to be your broadband service provider. Yes, you read that right, Google has been trying to unify everything you do online for a while now so being your service provider sort of makes sense.
Google plans to test their coverage in a small number of locations from anywhere between 50,000 and 500,000 people with speeds up to a blistering 1GB per second.
Who knows how this will work out, but it definitely has the ability to change the way people use the web. With stupid-fast speeds, all Google needs is competitive pricing (something they’ve had no problem with in the past since virtually everything they do is free) to really shake up the broadband service industry. They’ve also claimed the service will be available through a variety of service providers.
Here’s how it will all go down.
…OK, not really. But it’s still funny!
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Who wants a digital camera that makes phone calls?
Feb 10th
I love technology as much as the next guy. Even seemingly useless technology catches my eye; I want to be able to control my PS3 from my laptop, my car from my phone, my lights and speakers from my iPod Touch. But still, sometimes I see technological “advances” that I just don’t understand.
Sony, makers of all things fancy, quality and expensive, has gone all out with their new XPERIA X10 phone. It has all the features of a high-end smart phone: huge touchscreen, Wifi, the Android OS and an absolutely absurd 8.1MP camera with up to 16X zoom. Yes, a phone with a camera better than many people’s stand-alone digital camera. While I don’t see why someone would need an 8.1MP, 16X zoom camera on a phone, that’s not even the technology I don’t get.
The XPERIA X10 has the coolest, less-practically-useful feature I’ve seen in a while: facial recognition software. Apparently, with this phone, when you take a picture of someone whom you’ve photographed in the past, the camera picks up on the face and gives you immediate access to all the other pictures of that person you’ve taken in the past. It also groups them together in the media folder. This sounds like a great idea and, according to the video I saw of it working, seems to function just as described.
Still, I can’t imagine a scenario where this would we necessary. If you take enough pictures to want an 8.1MP camera on your phone, why wouldn’t you just buy a decent digital camera? I take a decent number of pics from my phone, but simply using folders seems like enough organization for me.
Add that to the reported $850+ price tag (I’m sure it’s less with a contract) and I see this as another awesome Sony product that doesn’t quite fit anyone’s needs.
More about the phone here and watch the short video of this feature over here.
Follow me on twitterStop the Presses…for Google Buzz
Feb 9th
Everybody mark today in your calendars, because it’s a big day. However, while we don’t know what kind of day it is just yet, we know there are only two options:
1) Google releases Google Buzz and revolutionizes the way people communicate
2) Google releases Google Buzz that, like Google wave, doesn’t do much of anything.
Google Buzz is basically an integration of Flickr, Picasa, Twitter and Google Reader (wait, what??) into your Gmail account. It also carries heavy Facebook and YouTube tendencies; with it’s pulling of pictures and video off of messages and web links. Like other social networking sites, it gives you the ability to post to everyone, or to a limited number of people. It also includes the ability sent directly to a friend, like an @-reply or a wall post. In fact, you actually type “@your friend’s email”. Why do you need the @ sign? Shouldn’t just entering the email cover it? Also, comments to your posts are sent to your inbox, which is a nice touch and it claims to pull info from posts that you will find useful. If this means that it tracks your use of GB, then that sounds like a cool feature, though I read so much random stuff online I don’t know if it would help me much.
This sounds like an amazing idea, but I really don’t see myself using it. For one, very few of my friends I communicate with regularly have a Gmail account. We use SMS and work email addresses for the most part. I did sign up though – because, well, I’m a geek. I haven’t tried it out too much yet, though maybe that could be a follow up post to this one if you guys want. I’m hoping that it will pull emails and such off of regular emails; I think that could be really useful. And though I don’t understand it at all, I will concede that it’s inclusion in Google Reader makes me more likely to use it, on some small scale. My GR is always open at work and I have the widget on my MacBook Pro, so it’s always readily accessible.
I’ll also have to see how easy this is to use on my 9550. I haven’t been able to track down an app for it yet, so there might not be one for the BlackBerry – though it wouldn’t surprise me if there was one for Android…and who knows about for the iPhone, it has an app for everything, but Google and Apple are competing so hard that the default iPhone search engine is Bing. (Yea, you know, Bing…the MICROSOFT search engine! How crazy is that!? Sorry, way off topic. I just think that’s hilarious!)
For more info, including a nifty video, head over to buzz.google.com
Guru Ricky
What makes a good theme?
Feb 9th
So if you’re reading this I’m going to assume you’re a geek like me. I’m also going to assume that with all the talk of new phones, you usually feel left out of the excitement of not getting the latest and greatest. Who cares if you love your phone, that isn’t the point. I love my 9550. There isn’t another phone I’d want to daily use, but that doesn’t stop me from being a bit jealous of my dad’s new 9700. It’s so sleek and fast and pretty, not to mention that the battery lasts 3-4 times longer than mine. And that’s just within the BlackBerry line. I, like most of you, oohed over the iPhone and aahed over the Nexus One. Not a day goes by that I don’t see a new phone and think, “I want that”.
So, short of shelling out thousands of dollars on phones (then thousands more on coverage), what can you do? Well, I know what I do – I use different themes. Every day I poke around looking for the newest and best theme.
So, what makes a great theme? Obviously everyone has different needs but, as a theme user for about 2 yours, I can tell you what I need to have. First off, I need hotspots for Profiles, Connections and the Clock. Then I need access to, at least, 5 icons on the home screen for my Messages, SMS/MMS, Contacts, Calendar and BlackBerry Messenger. It has to have a Hidden Today and be wallpaper friendly.
So far, I’ve found myself using two themes rather consistently – BeNexus by JMal Designs and the AppleBerry Dark series by BlingBerry Themes. (I’m not going to try and describe the appearance of these themes in detail. Rather, I’ll be discussing why they work for me) BeNexus, as you might have guessed, is based on the Nexus One, where as AppleBerry is based on the Apple Computer line (and, thankfully, not the iPhone…nice phone, hate the icon layout). Why do I like these themes? Well other than having all 3 hotspots I need, plus a Hidden Today, they both offer something I haven’t found in any other theme – though I’ve somehow managed to find it in both of these… quick access to more icons. BeNexus has 2 different home screens of 8 icons each. A simple touch on the bottom corner will slide the icons over to the next set, for a total of 16 home screen icons, without covering up too much background. AppleBerry Dark works on a, I’ll call it a “re-imagining”, of the Spaces concept from Apple. You have your 5 main icons, but a touch on the right or left side of the screen will cause a box of six more icons to slide in. With a box on each side, that’s a total of 17 available icons without leaving the home screen.
That’s not to say I’ve only used two themes. But, no matter how many I try, I keep coming back to these. Lately it’s been all BeNexus, but I’m very curious to see what will happen when ABD gets updated for OS 5.
So, loyal readers, what say you? Do you have a favorite theme? Is there a theme out there you’d love if it just added one more thing?
Guru Ricky
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