T16 Group 4: YunJu, Heidi, Arvind, Andre

Introduction

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The BlackBerry was developed by a Canadian company by the name of Research In Motion (RIM), a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of innovative wireless solutions for the worldwide mobile communications market who was founded in 1984. The company is headquartered in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada and has many offices in North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific. The BlackBerry is cellular device that was introduced in 1999, originally as a two-way pager. With progressing technology, the device was released in 2002 as a smartphone which presented many more advanced functions that were much more similar to a PC. Specifically, the BlackBerry is not only a mobile phone that is able to make calls as you would on a regular cellular device but people are also able to e-mail, browse the web, view documents and many other functions that can be done over a PC as long as their device plans with service providers allow. (Continue reading under Technology) Numerous applications are also available to BlackBerry users to download at a cost (varies depending on what application and who created it) or for free on various websites. Consistent updates on the device are available to the users through sites such as http://crackberry.com/.

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The device consists of a wide screen that originally was black and white but color is available on all current BlackBerry models. Unlike the majority of mobile devices that have the standard layout of nine keys consisting of three rows , the BlackBerry has a QWERTY keyboard as well as the keyboard that is a cross between the regular tradition phone keypad and the QWERTY which uses a keyboard technology called SureType. A trackball often called the pearl, is located in the middle of the device, above the keyboard and under the screen to browse through the BlackBerry menu. Older models have track wheels on the side that carry out the same function.

The BlackBerry was once viewed as a work phone due to the fact that it carried out functions that are not necessarily a need for everyone such as e-mailing but has recently gained popularity to the rest of the public. Approximately 2.6 million net new BlackBerry subscriber accounts were added in 2008, increasing the total BlackBerry subscriber account base by approximately 14% to an estimated 21 million.

Functions and Technology

The Blackberry is a well-known smart phone that many people put to use in business aspects because of so many tasks the phone is able to handle. It carries out the regular functions of a cellular phone such as making and receiving calls and text messaging but it also provides functions such as web browsing, e-mail and many others through applications.

The basic functions of a Blackberry are as follows;

Email* : One of the primary functions of the blackberry
Phone
Browsing* : Web surfing can be easily done on the blackberry - a basic browser comes preinstalled onto the phone but other web browsers such as Opera Mini are available for download at no cost
Camera and Video Recording : Most, if not all, of the recent models of the phone has a 2.0 megapixel camera but varies depending on the phone
Instant Messaging and Social Networking* : Applications are available for download such as Facebook, Twitter, MySpace and etc.. Many messengers provide applications for Blackberry users as well (ex. MSN Messenger)
GPS : Allows your device to be tracked through satellites
Organizer Tools : Calendar, calculator, contacts, notes, alarm clock, tasks etc..

* These functions require a data plan

The Blackberry also has a technology called the BBM (short for Blackberry Messenger) that allows Blackberry users to text back and forth like regular texting (SMS – short for Short Message Service) but it also lets users share media such as files, voice messages, pictures and others. Unlike SMS however, BBM uses the Blackberry’s RIM servers and uses push technology which allows faster delivery of the messages.

Pros & Cons

Pros

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In Canada, BlackBerry phones are available on ten carriers. Comparably, the iPhone is only available on Rogers and Fido carriers.
Since 2007, unlimited data plans have been available to consumers.
There are currently twelve BlackBerry models available, including the worlds first touch screen BlackBerry, the Storm. Its competition, Palm and Apple offer at most four models.
BlackBerry software is not only available on BlackBerry phones. Companies like HTC Mobile, Motorola, Nokia, and Palm are licensed to use Blackberry’s push technology, and its patented BlackBerry Connect software.
BlackBerrys are synonymous for their full qwerty keyboard as well as adapted “SureType” keyboard (as featured on models such as the 8100), making it extremely easy to email, text message, and surf the internet.
RIM and Blackberry have won nearly a hundred awards in notable competitions. Some respective awards include:
- GSMA’s Chairman’s Award for there “outstanding contribution to the growth and development of mobile communication around the world.”
- Most Innovative Wireless Device in Andrew Seybold Choice Awards was given to the BlackBerry Pearl 8130.i
- In PC World’s Top 100 Products of 2007 the BlackBerry 8800 ranked fifth.
BlackBerry has teamed up with internet super-giant Google in creating an application that activates voice commands on the device. This is just one of the many applications BlackBerry’s are able to run.
Developers can now create and sell applications on BlackBerry’s upcoming “App World”.
BlackBerry’s average battery life is much better then its competition. When PC World tested average battery life of popular smart phones, Blackberry’s ranked the highest.
You can use your BlackBerry as a “tethered modem”, meaning that your Blackberry can be connected to computer to access the internet wherever you get cell phone service.

Cons

Apple’s App Store contains over 25000 available applications for the iPhone, and BlackBerry’s “App World” has yet to be released.

BlackBerry’s infamous trackball has become a nuisance to many users. Some user comments on the popular “Crackberry” forums include:
- “I just got a new 8830 after only 6 weeks. Trackball was not working…” – scarywilson
- “My trackball was sticking in the down direction after only 3 weeks of use.” – WarER4X
- “My 3 day old Curve had a trackball that refused to scroll to the right. “ – BBCherry

BlackBerry’s are not shipped with a large amount of onboard memory. The maximum onboard memory is 1 gigabyte, although there is an expandable microSD card slot on most models.

Some features BlackBerry’s are not unlocked until you purchase a data plan;
- You can not access the internet browser without a data plan.
- Data fees for those not on a plan are extremely high.
- Push emailing, calendar synchronization, and many applications simply will not work without a data plan.

Models

The RIM Inter@ctive Pager 950 - 1998

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A two-way pager also capable of running email, and could store up to 1000 names in its address book
Ran on one AA alkaline battery!
Has the scrolling wheel that was a staple on the first BlackBerry models
1 mb flash memory

RIM 957 Wireless Handheld - 2000

Was not only a pager/email device, it was also able to browse the internet (albeit on a very limited scale, as the interface only has one color)
Packed with organizer features such as memos, a calculator, even an alarm
Was possible to sync with PC
5 mb flash memory
Internal Li battery

BlackBerry 5810 - March 2002

The first BlackBerry with voice! (A headset was needed to use the BlackBerry as a phone, though, as the feature was not built in to the handset.)
Allowed for voice calls through GSM/GPRS
Java-based; still had email and organizer features but now also featured SMS and its own Web browser – appealed to those who used to carry a separate email handheld device and cellphone
Connected to email through Microsoft Exchange and Lotus Domino email

BlackBerry 6710 - October 2002

The first BlackBerry with integrated speaker and microphone
Operated on world band 900/100 mHz – helping spread the BlackBerry’s popularity in other areas of the world
Email + phone + internet + SMS
Introduction of the BlackBerry Web Client, allowing people to access their existing email accounts (personal and corporate) without having to use MS Exchange and Lotus Domino email

BlackBerry 6210 - March 2003

Very similar to the 6710, only with a sleeker design
Able to open attachments in a lot of file formats, such as MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint and PDF files
Even more appealing to the corporate crowd – users were able to search their organizations’ address lists

BlackBerry 7230 - August 2003

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We have color!
Again, very similar features, but the color display appealed to a much larger group

BlackBerry 7100

First BlackBerry model with SureType
Very appealing because of its sleek design – it was much smaller than any previous BlackBerry model
Had speakerphone, Bluetooth capabilities, quad band reception

Blackberry 7520

Very business-oriented – in addition to the regular BlackBerry features this model can also be used as a two-way radio.

BlackBerry 8700 - November 2005

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Superfast internet browsing through EDGE network
High-resolution screen
Intel processor
Additional call management features like speed dialling, conference calling, etc.

BlackBerry 8100 (BlackBerry Pearl) - September 2006

BlackBerry for the masses
Debut of the BlackBerry trackball, allowing for vertical and horizontal scrolling
SureType keyboard + menu + escape keys
First model to feature a camera (1.3 mp + flash + 5x zoom)
Very multimedia-based: MMS and Blackberry Messenger allowed multimedia sharing; multimedia player let users store music and video on their phone
64 mb flash memory, with microSD slot for expanding memory

BlackBerry 8300 (BlackBerry Curve) - May 2007

Upgraded version of the Pearl with full QWERTY keyboard
Enhanced camera and media player, 3.5 mm stereo headphone jack
320 x 240 display + light-sensing technology for backlighting
BlackBerry desktop software includes Roxio Media Manager for BlackBerry which allows users to manage media on their computer for use on their phone
Better phone features like voice activated dialling
File transfer via USB
BlackBerry maps

BlackBerry 9000 (also known as the BlackBerry Bold) - May 2008

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Ties in use of 3G and Wi-Fi for versatile internet connectivity
Enhanced HTML browser (page view/column view, zoom in/out of pages)
480 x 320 high-res display, allowing users to view Web pages much like they would show up on a Desktop
Bettered all of the features of the Curve
BlackBerry Media Sync let users sync their iTunes with the phone
High-speed USB for file transfer
Real-time streaming of video
Can open attachments within the browser

BlackBerry 9500 (BlackBerry Storm) - November 2008

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First BlackBerry touch-screen phone
SurePress technology – users press down on the screen as opposed to tapping (feedback)
Internal accelerometer follows orientation of the phone allowing users to type on full QWERTY keyboard when sending messages (as
opposed to SureType in portrait), and view web pages/use applications in full screen when in landscape
1 GB storage, with microSD slot up to 16 GB
3.15 MP camera with 5x zoom
Java-based with lots of multimedia apps like a multimedia player, organizer, document editor, BlackBerry maps
360 x 480 pixel screen
Quadband / 3G
V2.0 USB

Popularity

The Blackberry was first given a lot of attention from business men due to the fact that it made e-mail very accessible to people through mobile phones. The fact that it also has the capabilities to function like a PC, running many applications such as Microsoft Word and Adobe is a plus and many utilize these applications. It is commonly used as a business phone for business men and some companies even distribute it amongst their employees.

However, Blackberry are not definitely not off limits for those who aren't business men. The newer models such as the Pearl and Curve are a lot more eye-catching to the younger youths in the market and this is no surprise - these phones consist of media capabilities (such as watching videos or listening to music), easy access to entertainment (whether it is through web browsing or games installed onto the phone), appealing designs and more.

The number of users has been continuously growing since 2002 ; in 2006 there were 7 million users, whereas in 2007 there were 12 million. It is estimated that by 2010, there will be an approximated 199 million Blackberry users.

In the previous year (2007-2008), the cellular device market only increased by a mere 11% - however, the smart-phone market increased by 50%. Being the top seller on the smart-phone market, there is no doubt that the Blackberry had a big part in this increase. The numerous things a Blackberry can do is appealing to all types of groups - business men, teenagers, media junks and more. Although e-mail is the main and most population function on the Blackberry, it is used for other tasks such as easy communication (through Instant Messaging or BBM). The Blackberry continues making fans as the number of users increase with time and perhaps it'll only be a matter of time before everyone has one of these powerful devices in their hands.