Posts Tagged ‘Smartphones’

Comparing Smartphone Keyboards Highlights Bold Advantages and Storm2 Disadvantages

March 12th, 2010 BBerryNews

Paul Ockenden of PC Pro put together a test comparing smartphone keyboards. The test was pretty basic, and while we can argue about the accuracy of the results, I think BlackBerry users can agree on the conclusions. The test involved typing the first couple of verses to Lou Reed’s “Pale Blue Eyes”, a telephone number, a web URL and a username/password. In each case, the operation was timed and accuracy noted. The results of the tests are shown in the above table.

Each phone was in its default mode, as it would be out of the box. One error is logged for each wrong word in the main text and for each wrong character in the phone number, web address, username and password. In each test, Paul tried to not look at the screen, and type as fast as he could, allowing the phone to correct any errors. Overall, the goal isn’t to type the fastest, but to get an idea for the speed to error ratio.

Obviously, the results we’re particularly interested in are those related to BlackBerry. According to the results, the Bold 9700 clocked in at 1M 44S with 0 errors. This was actually the best score across all the smartphones tested. These results are definitely something to be proud of, and as a Bold 9700 user myself, I can stand behind the results.

Now lets take a look at the Storm2 results: 3M 24S and 9 errors. These results show the Storm2 to have by far the least efficient character input across all smartphones tested. Again, as someone who has used the Storm2, these results are on par with my own experiences.

Personally, I think these results highlight how RIM made a fatal error with the Storm2. Their attempt to keep up with the Johnsons led them to develop a product that lacks the competitive advantages of a BlackBerry: speed, efficiency and productivity. While I love the Storm2 for its ability to open up the market for new apps and its large screen that makes rich media look so good, I can’t help but think SurePress was the Achilles Heel.

If Paul were to redo the test, I would ask he try the Bold 9000. I bet its large keyboard would beat the 9700’s by a significant margin.

© Kyle for BlackBerry Cool, 2010



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AT&T Gets Its First Android Phone; The Motorola BackFlip

March 7th, 2010 BBerryNews

AT&T has finally embraced Android based smartphones and is introducing their first Android phone the Motorola Backflip.

AT&T is making the leap in just over 2 weeks. The Motorla Backflip will be available both online and in stores. The Backflips features include:

3.1” touch screen

5.0 Megapixel autofocus camera

Full QWERTY keyboard

Social Networking Suite

Runs on AT&T’s 3G Network

Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g

20,000 Applications via the Android Marketplace

The Backflip will stand out with being able to operate when in different positions. Having a touch screen on the front side when closed, a full QWERTY keyboard when flipped open, and a partial open mode for viewing videos, photos or as a bedside clock.

The Motorola Backflip will be available March 7, 2010 and is slated to be priced at $99.99 after a $100 mail in rebate on a two year contract.

To sign up for more information directly from AT&T on the Motorola Backflip follow this link.

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Zoompass Announcements Bring Us Closer to Mobile Payments

March 3rd, 2010 BBerryNews

Zoompass have made several announcements today that position them as leaders in wireless payments. With the Zoompass Tag, and the Zoompass app for BlackBerry, the company is helping to push the industry away from paper and onto our smartphones.

The Zoompass Tag is a sticker that you put on the back of the device, allowing you to make payments by swiping your smartphone rather than a physical card. The 43mm by 33mm sticker is currently accepted where MasterCard’s PayPass is offered, such as Tim Hortons, McDonalds, Petro Canada and Loblaws.

Another initiative related to this venture is the news that TELUS are pushing the Zoompass BlackBerry app. All of the major Canadian carriers are on board, and we’re going to be seeing this app on more devices. The app can be used to send, receive, and request money, instantly and securely, on your mobile phone. While it’s free to register, there are still fees associated with the service.

[Pic from MobileSyrup]

© Kyle for BlackBerry Cool, 2010



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Opera Mini 5 Beta 2 now available for download

December 7th, 2009 BBerryNews

Opera_mini_5_beta_2

UPDATE: I’ve been reading a lot of the feedback and it seems this build isn’t stable on the 9700. If you’re a 9700 user, consider waiting until the next release.

Opera Mini 5 is a great BlackBerry browser alternative, especially for the Storm. The pages look much more crisp, and the browsing experience is something a little more on par with the rest of the smartphones on the market. The downside is that there are some serious limitations to how well a third party browser can integrate with the device. Personally, I would like to see RIM give Opera much more access to their platform. It would give Storm users a much better browsing experience and something to tide them over until the WebKit-based BlackBerry browser is released.

Opera Mini is mainly for the dumb phone market, as the company has an enormous user base in places such as Russia and Indonesia. The BlackBerry experience isn’t as fine-tuned as it could be so while this is Beta 2 of Opera Mini 5, it isn’t without its bugs. Nonetheless, it is definitely worth trying out.

Opera Mini 5 Beta 2 can be download by visiting http://m.opera.com/next from your BlackBerry browser.

© Kyle for BlackBerry Cool, 2009



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Research In Motion Releases MySpace 2.0 For BlackBerry

December 7th, 2009 BBerryNews

MySpace for BlackBerry Smartphones 2.0

Rumor has it that MySpace still has well over 100 million users.  I personally don’t know any of them and, other than the time I created an account last fall to test MySpace for BlackBerry Smartphones when it was released, have not even visited the site intentionally.

That being said, MySpace for BlackBerry Smartphones 2.0 is now (or will soon be) available.  You can find a list of new features after the jump…

MySpace for Blackberry Smartphones 2.0 features:

  • Blogs: You can post blog entries, edit blog entries, and delete blog entries. You can also view your friends’ blogs.
  • Notifications: You can choose which MySpace email notifications you want to receive. You can also choose to stop receiving a new item indicator on the Home screen of your BlackBerry device when you receive a new MySpace profile comment or friend request.
  • Custom Moods: You can type a custom mood for your MySpace profile.
  • Fixed issue: Previously, apostrophes do not display correctly in your friends’ names and comments.

I am still seeing MySpace for BlackBerry 1.5 on AppWorld and on the BlackBerry homepage but we have it on good word the MySpace for BlackBerry 2.0 will be up soon.

Download MySpace for BlackBerry Smartphones 2.0

Research In Motion Releases MySpace 2.0 For BlackBerry is a post from: RIMarkable



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