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September 21st, 2009 
BBerryNews 
Here at BlackBerry Cool, we thoroughly enjoy making BlackBerry and iPhone comparisons due to the transition that is occurring over at RIM. As RIM is dealing with an increasingly large consumer base, the device is constantly being compared to the iPhone, and RIM must think about how it’s going to create a BlackBerry device that satisfies consumers, but remains true to its enterprise user base.
In the end, enterprise will always be a focus of RIM’s products, because it gives them a competitive edge. This doesn’t mean that RIM can’t satisfy two different types of clients, it just means they’re going to have to get creative and innovative – fast.
CNet recently published a piece regarding the switch from BlackBerry to iPhone, and then the revelation that made the author, Adam Richardson, switch back again.
According to the author, “Basically it comes down to the fact that the iPhone is really good at the stuff I do 10% of the time, but pretty poor at the stuff I do 90% of the time.”
Again, it all comes back to the fact that RIM makes an enterprise device with its core values being security, reliability and efficiency. These are the features that have the author converting back to BlackBerry.
Here is what the author describes as lacking in the iPhone:
General Usability
- Typing – The iPhone has a very frustrating typing experience.
- User Interface – While the iPhone is a simple interface to learn, the BlackBerry interface is far more efficient once you learn it. Shortcuts make the BlackBerry experience much faster, while the iPhone experience remains consistently slow and simple.
- Cleanliness – As with any touchscreen device, the iPhone’s screen soon gets covered in grime.
- Memory – While BlackBerry users often complain about the amount of available application memory, it is a clear benefit of the BlackBerry that it offers the opportunity to expand at a relatively low cost.
Form Factor – The device is too thin to be held close to the ear for a long period of time.
Battery Life – The iPhone has a much shorter battery life than the Bold.
Generally, the issue here goes back to the fact that the “iPhone is really good at the stuff I do 10% of the time, but pretty poor at the stuff I do 90% of the time.” Here are some issues with the iPhone’s email:
- Separate Email Accounts – Going back and forth to get email from separate email accounts is not only inefficient, it is incredibly frustrating.
- New Emails – You have to unlock the iPhone to see if there is a new email. This is ridiculous if you’re checking your email every 3 minutes.
- Sent Folder – The sent folder isn’t populated in real time, so you have to wait for the server to find an email you just sent. This time could be crucial if it’s an important business email.
- Font Sizes – The iPhone has no ability to customize font sizes, therefore impeding your ability to view multiple emails at once without scrolling.
Calendar
Again, the calendar is a feature that is used by smartphone users on a regular basis so it’s crucial to have a system that is both efficient and easy to navigate. The iPhone, being a strictly consumer device, is lacking in calendar functionality in many respects:
- New Appointments – Creating new events on the iPhone is a slow process. The iPhone’s UI means it takes several navigation clicks to create a new even, versus only 2 on the BlackBerry.
- Weekly View – The iPhone does not provide a weekly view for the calendar. This is crucial and the BlackBerry offers it because they understand the need for a good calendar.
- Snooze – You can’t snooze for meeting reminders.
- Date Navigation – You can’t navigate to specific dates on the iPhone calendar system. On a BlackBerry, it’s incredibly easy with the simple G (go to date) shortcut.
- Event Comments – The iPhone calendar system doesn’t let you add comments to accepting or denying event requests.
Phone
While many BlackBerry users are always on email, having a decent phone is an important part of a quality smartphone. The iPhone lacks the following:
- Dialing – Dialing specific contacts on the iPhone is tedious if they are not in the contacts.
- Muting – Muting the call on the iPhone requires looking at the screen. On a BlackBerry, muting the call if you’re on a conference call is as simple as pressing the top button.
Adam Richardson said it best, “I’m not trying to bash the iPhone and say no-one else should like it; this is a very personal choice. But at least for the time being, the Bold is a much better match for my needs.”
Read the article for a more personal look at each of these gripes with the iPhone.
[Twitter: @LouTreize RT @AlanMoote: Goodbye iPhone, hello (again) BlackBerry http://bit.ly/dlKO3]
© BlackBerry Cool for BlackBerry Cool, 2009
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More on Wired’s 5 things article from BlackBerry Cool readers
Yesterday’s article had a great response from BlackBerry Cool readers, and it’s important to follow up with some points to consider. Special thanks goes out to Peter Werry from Multiplied Media for help with the article.
On RIM and the Consumer Space
It’s important to note that the consumer space is getting an incredible amount of internal focus at RIM. This is evidenced by the fact that RIM refer to themselves as “BlackBerry” rather than “RIM” at trade shows, they release numerous updates for App World, and they have expanded the BlackBerry Developer Conference to almost twice what it was last year. Last quarter alone, we saw RIM nearly double their total sales in the consumer space. All signs are pointing towards the consumer space being a key market for the smartphone industry and RIM isn’t about to ignore it.
On Security and the BlackBerry Browser
In everything they do, RIM never forgets that security and reliability are the key to a successful enterprise product. However, just because there needs to be a focus on those two features doesn’t necessarily mean the browser and other aspects of the device have to suffer.
RIM has made public comments about their intentions to improve the browser. TD recently released a speculative report on the subject as well. While security and reliability no doubt remain a key focus of the platform, RIM has made obvious moves towards improving their browser and making it more consumer focused. This is evidenced by their acquisition of Torch Mobile for their WebKit software. We could all agree that RIM’s browser tends to fall short in the consumer world, and we can be fairly confident they will be able to bring it to a level that will make them an industry leader in the mobile browser space once again.
On the Issue of WiFi and Pricing
In yesterday’s article, it was suggested that WiFi is left out as a feature on some devices in order to allow for price flexibility. The truth is that it can actually become more costly for RIM to create two versions of a device, one with and one without WiFi. This is because of the costs associated with developing for different hardware configurations, and the administrative costs of treating them as separate entities. The decisions to go with or without WiFi are mainly driven by the carrier. Generally, RIM is very constrained by carrier demands.
On the Topic of App World
A few BlackBerry Cool readers have been very adamant that App World has essentially been a development disaster. The theory is that management got freaked out that they were missing some huge opportunities for growth and they pushed the application to release before it was ready. RIM has done a good job of upgrading App World to fix the bugs, but much of this should have been happening before launch.
The question for the future is: will RIM step up its game as it has been doing so far to meet the consumer market demands?
RIM may have to essentially re-write most of their key components, and expose much more of the device capabilities to 3rd party developers. Eventually, it’s all going to come down to which device has the best apps, the best network, and the best device capabilities. Look to the first quarter of next year to see if RIM will continue to lead.
© Kyle for BlackBerry Cool, 2009