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Email And Cell Phone In One From RIM
ericmc42 writes: "Research in Motion anounced a new Blackberry this morning, and it has a GSM cell phone in it! It looks great! Email, PIM, Phone all in one. The best part about it is that the email still uses the same packet switched network that all other Blackberrys use. This means the email connection is 'always on' and the battery life should be good. Also interesting is that it runs Java 2 as its operating system."
The most base function of an operating system is to provide an abstraction layer to the hardware, for applications. The J2VM provides this virtual machine. While the 'OS' might not provide all the bells, whistles, icons, and security holes which we have come to expect in a modern bloat package, it still abstracts, and allows people to write for the phone in a decent language.
Maybe I am wrong, but dosn't the Treo provide all of these features, and the benifit of a widly adopted OS with programs and a computer sync feature? It seems to me to miss alot of the features of the Treo, and not provide a whole lot in return. Save money, maybe, but you still have to cary your palm around.
Yawn.
Actually the photos moved to here.
"i can never say no to anyone but you"
Hmmm...Maybe it's just me, but I don't think it looks that great. I think it looks like crap. As far as PDA/phone combos go, I think that this model from Samsung looks great. Plus, it's got the useable size and shape necessary for both PDA and phone use, unlike the new blackberry.
Well, it's also Virtual Machine Standard, which could be interpreted as OS standard in this context.
Sun should create better names to distinguish between Java as a language and Java as a platform.
(-% TwistedMind %-)
You'd be better off long-term with a PDA and a GSM card of some kind, or one of the newer phones marketed with built-in PDA functionality.
The way development is moving, the VERY near future should see ALL PDA's (Palm, Pocket PC) GSM equippable - why bother then with an expsensive and proprietary coporate solution ?
Can you write an email, and call someone at the same time? That way you'll see blonds driving down the road, talking on their phone, writing an email, and brushing their hair at the same time.
It is advisible to stay off the road until all of them wreck and the device is outlawed.
"And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Savior of the World"
1 John 4:14
Why someone would develop a product with GSM/GPRS that doesn't have a tri-band (900/1800/1900Mhz) radio chipset is beyond me. For sure, it costs a little more but mean less hardware localization. And when carriers actually get their shit, together...it gives you potenitally global roaming.
I'm sorry, but the Treo just seems to make the Blackberry range look pretty lame.
Just my $0.2.
Read the press release. They do support POP3 and IMAP.
Actually the new puppy uses GPRS for packet data, not Mobitex like the 957 and other older models.
This actually troubles me somewhat. Read around on the 'Net about what mobile devices worked on 9/11 in NYC, and you'll generally find that Blackberries on Mobitex worked fine while other networks were jammed. Don't know if GPRS (which is really new) would provide the same reliability... anyone know?
"The cup... the drop... it's a YES!"
An ear bud? Excuse me? Is that an advance in design?
Other than that, it looks like the previous model.
There's nothing to see here. Move along, folks...
FUD. Blackberry's come in 'Internet' editions which don't need exchange. You just setup a .forward to your Blackberry email address and go. Setup is done via a web interface to set your From email address (so folks don't know it was sent from the BB), filters to filter what goes to the Blackberry, signatures, etc.
The Exchange stuff is nice since it controls when email is sent to your BB based on when it's plugged into the dock or not, but I don't mind having most of my email copied to my Blackberry. A coupel quick keystrokes and I can delete most/all the email every couple of days.
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The big difference between this device and most of the others being mentioned in a lot of the replies is that it is G3 network compliant. As far as the J2ME as an OS, I think that was a bad decision. Integrating the Palm OS gives you support for a lot of existing software AND the J2ME environment. J2ME is a virtual machine; it isn't intended to be a full-blown OS platform.
My $0.02 will always be worth more than your â0.02, so
The Treo matches this RIM feature for feature and surpasses it in a few important areas: Unlike this new Blackberry, the design is such that it is actually useful as a phone--it looks like a phone, talks like a phone, etc. Always-on email is coming with GPRS later this year, and the available Qwerty thumboard is also just as good.
The Treo is smaller (RIM: 4.6 x 3.1 x 0.7 inches, Treo: 4.3" x 2.7" x 0.7"), it has a touchscreen, runs PalmOS, has 16 megs of ram (RIM: 8 + 1 sdram). There may be more. I can't tell, but it looks as though you may need to use the headset to use the voice capabilities. Treo offers you all three: handset, headset, speakerphone.
It looks as though the RIM uses GRPS [blackberry.net] instad of the Mobitex network. This should mean faster download times than the treo. However, as soon as Handspring gets the firmware update out, it will also be using the same network.
I just got myself an Ericsson T68, but without getting the GPRS service - I'm just not out of reach of a real internet connection often enough for it to be viable. Keep in mind that you always can use the normal internet my phone company offers: you can get the odd email on the phone even with 9.6kbps!
Just my 0.02kB...
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From their press release it says that the new unit is based on an Intel 386 processor. Now from that point of view how long until someone gets linux/bsd/your favorite opensource OS running directly on it.
I know that myself I would love a wireless handheld with a keyboard that is running linux.
Telcos have alot of dark fibre in the States. Most people assume that's optical fibre...but it's actually moral fibre.
Is it just me or does it look like some new MP3 player design. I don't know about the rest of the world, but I don't want to clip my phone/PDA on my belt and walk around like some G-man.
But it still looks like the killer device will be one that is based on existing networks but is fully programmable, with a half-decent keyboard and screen.
What I'm _really_ dying to make is a mobile controller for my home P2P box. I think of a search while I'm on the train... I send off a message to my P2P box, which does a search and returns the results. I choose one or two and tell it to start downloading.
I believe I can do this today with SMS and two phones, one of which is linked to my P2P box. But it would be so much nicer with a mobile Gnutella app!
I think technology only becomes really popular when it can be used to do illicit things.
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OK, I actually had a RIM 850 for a while (still have it actually, but it's not activated now) and there are a few BIG problems with them: 1) Signal "penetration" - Don't go 6 steps inside a building and expect to carry on a conversation (not that my Sprint POS phone is any better) 2) Frequent crashes - The thing crashed soooo much, you would think it was a M$ product (worked better after I took the slow-a$$ browser off) 3) Range - If you live more than 12 miles from a tower, forget about it, and I'm in a pretty big metro area. My $.02: A great toy, but don't make it your only cell phone, especially if you travel.
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Anyone know the ballpark price for these? I am not going to call an AT&T rep to ask. Is it $200? (probably not) $700? It isn't the most elegant looking device, but for the right price, I would get one.
;)
Try reading the linkage. $399 w/ service activation (Cingular or VoiceStream) or $549 without new service activation. This is likely to be a bit les for volume.
Talk to your IT Manager and see if you can talk him/her into beta testing the devices before they start popping up in VP's hands. That's how I got my Blackberry
- Dan I.
this is going to put a big crunch into the always on crowd.
What are the current vibes on this?
"It is a greater offense to steal men's labor, than their clothes"
842817038667023228730#4022609748302063772430948406 630670896667307737737263084281702551***
:o)
Or for those of you without a nokia 6210
That's funny because I can write a message with one or two more presses and that's all!
M@t
Matt Thompson - Actuality - Insert product here.
How does this compare to the Motorola V101? Has anyone used this phone yet? Supposedly a GSM phone, can do email, sms and all that... and it's only $99.00 CDN with subscription
As an aside, it's funny how a replacement battery is 99 bucks too, in light of the battery discusion posted earlier.
--
Some weasel took the cork out of my lunch.
A friend of mine works at RIM, and I saw one of these things while it was still in developement. And I have to admit it's one great device. His did not have the Internet enabled, so I couldn't test that, but he said it's identical to the older Blackberry.
If you liked the Blackberries, then you'll love this thing. It's pretty much identical, only it has a headset jack where you plug in the handsfree mike and earphone.
Has very good reception (at least in the Toronto and Hamilton area). Also, it has good battery life, although it's far shorter than the email-only Blackberry.
All in all, a great cellphone, email, internet, PDA. Much better IMNHO than anything out there (Treo, Kyocera, even Nokia)
Sheer perfection. This device does exactly what it intends. It bridges the scheduler/phone/wireless email world perfectly. Nothing one the market is simpler or more functional.
Kudos to RIM - Im plopping down my $$$ the moment its available.
Over here in Waterloo we've known about this Blackberry for quite a while (among us UW programmers and all). What we also know about is that RIM really needs this Blackberry to succeed or it's gonna dive.
They've spent a lot of money buying out other buildings in the area and building a brand new building of their own. Again, like dot coms they've been getting a ton of money and not been producing as much (that's the buzz round abouts).
I hope for RIMs sake that the new Blackberry's sell really well, I think that price is the only obstacle but it will sell well among their corporate customers.
internet like monkeys'
What, are you kidding me? Game Boy Advance goes for 14 hours on it's AA batteries. This is due to advances in efficiency, not batteries. Isn't that what we should be more concerned about?
Remember "Bring 'em on"? *sigh
Actually, I did follow the links, and couldn't find any mention of price. They just said to contact ATT or Voicestream. Went there, you had to fill out a request form. Usually in press releases for new items, companies will give you some kind of idea for the price, even the retail price. I went back and checked the links, and still couldn't find the prices you mentioned. Well, it is Monday, and the temp is below zero here in Chicago, so maybe my brain hasn't thawed yet. Thanks for the info fellow /.er
My beliefs do not require that you agree with them.
My main problem with the Blackberry is security. The PKI is badly formed, and in fact two RIM engineers could not explain the method used to exchange keys. In examining the protocols, it looks like some of it is in plain text!!
Out of the 5 security criteria a client of mine looked for, Blackberry only passed 1 so it was discarded as a choice.
Depends how paranoid you are, though, and this only applies to the email side. (For Info - the winner came out to be iPaq with SecuRemote)
I am considering buying a Treo, but want to hear from early-adopters first. Why don't you post a little more detail about your experience?
Here are some specific questions:
What is your GSM carrier and plan, and how are you liking it? I will be using VoiceStream in the Kansas City area, so would be especially interested if that is your carrier. Can you get VoiceStream iStream service on the Treo?
How annoying is the short battery life? I am not a road warrior, so I can charge my phone nightly. Is that good enough?
How bad is the rumored problem with "face oil" on the screen from talking on the phone?
How are you carrying the thing? I am thinking I'll need a belt case, since it isn't going to fit into a hip pocket like my little cell phone.
Have people gotten tired of you answering the phone by flipping up the cover and saying, "Kirk here?"
"Rub her feet." -- L.L.
ATT is taking info for recall backs - it sounds like they got surprised by the release.
Currently, it only works in some of ATT's markets - GPS/GPRS ATT coverage or where they have roaming agreements - which means you won't get service everywhere - unlike their current phones - at least not at a no-roaming fee plan, assuming the phone works. Since no mention is made of it being a multi-band phone, I'm guessing it won't be a replacement for existing phones.
Now, can I get attachments on emails and then beem word/excel documents to my Palm or 568 for editing, and then back to retransmit?
I'm a consultant - I convert gibberish into cash-flow.
Its interesting that they seem to have skipped the traditional earpiece/mouthpiece and went straight for hands-free (earbud/microphone). I think this is a good move since it removes size as a restriction.
Mea Culpa. I'm a dumbass. Those are the prices for the Treo, which I read moments after the RIM stuff, and confused the two. Cnet says: (at the bottom of this article.)
"The new BlackBerry is expected to sell in the neighborhood of $499, plus monthly network fees of about $40 depending on use. This compares with the Treo at about $400 plus monthly network charges, or $550 without. "
Again, my apologies.
- Dan I.
I'm not sure what was meant by the remark:
This means the email connection is 'always on' and the battery life should be good.
Now, I love my Blackberry (although, please consider whether you ever want to be this wired), but my reaction is very much to the contrary.
My experience with my blackberry is that I need to replace the AA almost every other week, even with the "battery saving" option that turns it off at night. I cannot imagine how I could use it in connection with a telephone and expect things to be any better.
I'd replace "Palm" with "Sony" in the above sentence since Sony seems to be the true innovators in the PalmOS camp lately. A Sony PalmOS smartphone is what I'm waiting for, but it most likely would be geared for the Japanese market (GSM).
Yes, that's a pretty good deal. Sprint recently lowered the MSRP on the 6035 since sales have really dropped (competition from the Samsung i300, upcoming Treo devices, etc). The 6035 is larger than the i300 and has no color screen, but Kyocera has actually released an SDK (unlike Samsung) and there is a fairly large user community supporting the phone (www.qcp6035.com). But at that price, it's a cheap way to get a pretty slick PalmOS smartphone.
I think Danger's new product, the hiptop, is much cooler.
She sat at the window watching the evening invade the avenue.
I thought Java 2 was a platform not an OS. Can someone enlighten me!
The Danger Hip-top seems a much better melding of PDA and phone. The new blackberry just has voice tacked on, and doesn't have the ergonomics of a phone.
Other advantages of the Hiptop are compatability with instant messaging clients (AIM and Yahoo Messenger, possibly others) and beatnick software for music on-the-fly.
All this in a smaller package with a smaller monthly fee. The thing looks pretty sweet to me. Now if they'd just get done beta-testing and start shipping, I'd be very happy.
Oh yes, and it's a lot cheaper too. ($199) Just another cool product from Apple expats.
Kevin Fox
Unless the speaker and microphone are on the back, it looks like this thing needs a headset. Can you imagine how frustrating it would be to get a call on this thing and not have your headset ready? You could perhaps try Morse code to get short messages through to your callers. Dit, dah, dah, ...
I wonder what this guy is smoking. It's ugly, just like the original Blackberry.
I do love mine, and wouldn't give it up for the world, however iPaq and Palm V are great looking, but certainly not the RIM. That and the UI is sub-par, compared to just about anything except for a Casio watch.
Those little Kyoceras running PalmOS looked interesting. I almost got one last time around, but didn't feel like spending quite that much money, and it was kind of huge for a cell phone. I think Sprint has a device like this out too, or something. I'd love to see a true Palm combo device, though, especially if they could make it about the size of an m505, or even a III body.