20,000 Jamaican teachers to get BlackBerry smartphones in new partnership with RIM

Research In Motion has teamed up with the Ministry of Education to provide approximately 20,000 teachers in Jamaica with Blackberry smartphones for the new academic year. The Canadian High Commission is supporting the initiative, which is aimed at improving communication and increasing technology awareness.

Under the partnership with RIM, the company will be making two of its newest technologies available to teachers – the Blackberry Mobile Voice System, which will reduce costs by having one phone extension for multiple numbers; and the Blackberry Pushcast to enable distribution of content such as PowerPoint presentations, videos, or audio files.

The New York Times tackles BlackBerry versus iPhone

 

http://graphics8.nytimes.com/bcvideo/1.0/iframe/embed.html?videoId=100000000970010&playerType=embed

 

Oh my stars, folks; someone got it right! The debate over which smartphone is better, BlackBerry or iPhone, has raged since the dawn of…well, the iPhone. In this video from The New York Times, assistant technology editor Sam Grobart, and Dealbreak editor Andrew Ross Sorkin finally have it out. Mano a mano, suits versus khakis, iPhone vs. BlackBerry.

The two swap smartphones (and their clothes transform, apparently to great surprise), and hilarity ensues. Well, no but the pair do come to a bit of a realization. The phones both have nice features and are great pieces of technology, but the borrowed devices just “weren’t right for” them.

At CrackBerry.com, we’re firm believers that there is no one smartphone perfect for each and every person. Kevin’s Hierarchy of Smartphone Needs explains this in much greater detail (it’s classic Kevin, but it’s a good read).  The video up there gives a great demonstration of the hierarchy in action. The best smartphone is the one that best delivers what the user wants to do. Communication and security are the BlackBerry’s forté, media and entertainment are the iPhone’s.

In the end, the question isn’t “What’s the best smartphone?”  It’s “What’s the best smartphone for me?”

Thanks to Jake-44 

via: cb

 

The 7 Solid Reasons To Keep Your Faith And Hold On To Your BlackBerry

CIO’s Al Sacco wrote a great article on the 7 Solid Reasons To Keep Your Faith In RIM, BlackBerry which I wanted to share with our readers. The article outlines some great points why BlackBerry is strong and not going anywhere. Despite what negative comments fly, the truth holds strong. Check it out…

 

Al’s honesty and truth doesn’t make excuses for BlackBerry, and he does go over the rough points, he also points out the best of BlackBerry.

What are the 7 Solid Reasons?

1. Love that BlackBerry QWERTY Keyboard. I have to agree with Al on that one. I’ve tried touchscreen devices, but I really love my BlackBerry keyboard and can’t use simple phones anymore. I’ve played with the phones and the Apple iPhone, but I really love the BlackBerry’s keyboard for it’s ease of use and functionality.
2. BlackBerry Battery Life Can’t Be Beat. This is another truth to be said. Compared to the Android devices, the BlackBerry’s battery life is longer. Though many of us keep our BlackBerry on the charger most of the day anyways. I find that most people who move to the Android are shocked by the battery life difference.
3. Enterprise Security and Manageability. Even though the gap is being filled, BlackBerry is still the dominant business phone. Even overseas they hold the majority of the Enterprise use. Secure and efficient, there’s Enterprise and BES Express.
4. BlackBerry Messenger and BBM Social. BlackBerry Messenger is definitely unique and it’s my favorite means of communication. And with the apps connecting with BBM v6, even better. You can connect with Foursquare, Facebook, games, and the possibilities go on. BBM is definitely a strength of BlackBerry.
5. The Future Is Bright With the BlackBerry PlayBook Tablet. While the BlackBerry PlayBook came out without the native email, it really was a neat device. With the QNX system powering the Tablet and the ability to load apps via the Android player, and the BlackBerry Bridge, it has a lot of potential. I know native email to me isn’t a big issue, and I’m loving the apps and how easy it is to use. And to be honest, I’m checking World three times a day looking forward to the next updates and newest apps.
6. Seven New Handhelds In 2011, Promise Of QNX-Based BlackBerry Devices. We will see seven new devices, and we’ve seen the leaked photos of them, with RIM even displaying the 9900/9930 on it’s very site. All will have the OS 7 which is a transition OS preparing for the QNX-Based devices to come. More memory, more power, thinner. From what we’ve seen, they’re very nice devices.
7. BlackBerry Data Compression. With the unlimited data becoming a legend known only to those grandfathered with their carriers, and limited data plans for the new customers and those choosing to go to a smartphone, the BlackBerry’s compression of data makes it easier to be online as much as you want without having to worry about your data. Sure one can argue about turning on wifi, but how many of us are fortunate to have wifi with us 24 hours a day? With the BlackBerry, it’s peace of mind and wallet.

While these are actually my additions, you should read Al’s article and his points as he goes into detail. I would have to say it’s even more than just that. The ability to bank on your phone, the security of the phone, the convenience of the apps and the native apps of BlackBerry. I don’t game really, but I do socialize and use Twitter and BBM most with my email. So for me the BlackBerry is my device. I bank on it, never worry about data usage, and love that my BlackBerry and BlackBerry PlayBook work hand in hand together.

I don’t dwell on what it lacks, because there’s always way when there’s a will. I’m happy with what I have but I’m so grateful when changes are made and new apps and features are available. Rome was not built in a day, but nonetheless it is an icon.

[via: CIO.com]

via: bbsync

AT&T partners with universities, brings campus applications to mobile devices

AT&T has announced that they will be partnering with 2,000 campuses across the country to bring mobile applications to the attendees instead of handing out campus maps and other paperwork. The applications are designed to enhance the experience of the people attending, giving them easy access to campus maps, phone directory, courses, and campus events. AT&T is working with DubMeNow to provide this service to the students, and users can even customize the application to reflect their school colors, change the banners, and much more. Not only will your BlackBerry be the key to your communication throughout college, but also your one stop shop for what is going on at campus.

Source: AT&T

via: cb

BlackBerry PlayBook First Tablet Certified for US Federal Government

(Originally posted on the Inside BlackBerry for Business Blog)

We have very significant news to share with our government customers – today the BlackBerry® PlayBook™ tablet officially received FIPS 140-2 certification, the first tablet to ever have received this certification. With FIPS 140-2 certification, the BlackBerry PlayBook tablet can now be used by the U.S. federal government with confidence, knowing that it meets their policy requirements for securing and protecting sensitive data.

This absolutely underscores the commitment by Research In Motion® (RIM®) to building products that meet stringent security requirements of the US Federal Government.

There are a wide variety of smartphone and tablet products available on the market today, many of which don’t meet the highest level of security standards that government agencies demand. The BlackBerry PlayBook tablet and BlackBerry smartphones are clear exceptions.

The BlackBerry PlayBook tablet is a natural extension to the hundreds of thousands of BlackBerry® smartphones that are used in the Federal Government today. With the BlackBerry® Bridge™ application, the BlackBerry PlayBook tablet can be paired with a BlackBerry smartphone to provide secure access to information on the larger screen while keeping the data stored safely on the BlackBerry smartphone. Secure network communication is also extended to the BlackBerry PlayBook tablet in this manner, designed to allow the government to be assured that they can securely access applications and other critical data.

I’m pretty excited about the opportunities that the BlackBerry PlayBook tablet presents for government agencies. Pilot projects to use the BlackBerry PlayBook tablet are already underway across the government and the use case scenarios are impressive. Give me a shout in the comments if you would like to discuss how the BlackBerry PlayBook tablet would fit into your agency or department.

Games Are the Most Downloaded App Category

Nielsen recently released some statistics showing games as the most downloaded app category. Users on iPhone and Android tend to download games and apparently most BlackBerry users are similar to feature phone users in that they tend to play what’s preloaded. This speaks volumes to the fact that there is still a significant number of BlackBerry users out there that don’t know or care about App World and are using the device simply for communication. It also shows that RIM needs to do a better job of both promoting App World or updating the device with better game preloads.

According to the research, the average mobile gamer plays an average of 7.8 hours a month. Those with iPhones tend to play around 14.7 hours each month while those with Android devices play around 9.3 hours per month. Just behind the Games category is the Weather app category, with 60% of users saying they have downloaded a weather app over the past 30 days. In third place is social networking apps, with 56% of users having downloaded one in the past month.

Although the Games category is the most popular when taking into account all smartphones, it probably isn’t the most popular on BlackBerry. In general, BlackBerry users played the least amount of games, and it’s possible that social, weather and utilities would fair better than games.

For more charts and info, head over to the Nielsen blog.

via:bbreview

Connect Facebook, Twitter, and BBM to your BlackBerry Contacts

I think we can all agree that a BlackBerry has one primary purpose: communication. Text messages, emails, and that wonderful keyboard all come together to make the BlackBerry a hub of communication. In these new days of social media, those aren’t the only way to talk to others. Facebook, Twitter, and BlackBerry Messenger are just three newer ways to connect to the world around you.

The contacts application on your BlackBerry isn’t just a place to store your friends’ and family’s phone numbers and email addresses. Anniversaries, addresses, and birthdays are in there too, but that’s not what I’m talking about. Using the official apps for Twitter, Facebook, BBM, etc., you can link people you know from these social applications to their contact on your BlackBerry.

BlackBerry PlayBook – 500,000 units shipped but what could have been done better?

Having both co-CEO’s at Research In Motion on the investors call today was quite a change from the norm — typically it’s just one or the other. That said, having both Jim Balsillie and Mike Lazaridis on the call gave us all a better perspective of things happening within RIM. As it stands right now, RIM has shipped 500,000 BlackBerry PlayBooks but they neglected to mention the number of PlayBooks were sold, even going to so far as to say they didn’t know — shipping items and selling items is totally separate, if we glance back to Kevins predictions on the BlackBerry PlayBook sales they’re starting to sound more accurate as the information comes forth.

When questioned about the launch of the BlackBerry PlayBook, Jim Balsillie stated he wouldn’t have changed all that much, if anything and that RIM wouldn’t have done it any differently. RIM was criticized throughout the media for the launch of the PlayBook and while Jim notes it could have been a more polished launch and the intial product to be better, but there wasn’t anything to gain by delaying it, everyone was working hard as they could to get it out and much of this was lost on the medias representation of the PlayBook. Jim also noted, that the BlackBerry PlayBook has the best in class hardware and with the OTA system they’ve now implemented the product will continue to show it’s strength as it grows but these features which are highlights for the platform was lost in communication throughout the media.

Needless to say, there are few things that could have been done better with the launch of the BlackBerry PlayBook but — I, personally agree that delaying it would not have helped the matter any. What would have helped would have been better forecasting of the situation at hand plus, having all the tools needed to develop on the PlayBook up and ready but that would have come with better forecasting. Waiting for the BlackBerry Player, Android Player and Native SDK has had a negative impact here and wil continue to until those things arrive. By then though — some of the interest will have waned off. I love my BlackBerry PlayBook but there is a tough road ahead for RIM after todays announcements. I realize they’re working on things to improve the situation but evidently — it’s not fast enough to meet demands of the users.

via:cb

Hedy Lamarr – Brains & Beauty

Take a look at that vixen of the ‘40’s up there; that’s Hedy Lamarr in Sampson and Delilah. Appearing in some 35 films from 1930 to 1958, Ms. Lamarr is arguably the most beautiful woman to ever grace the silver screen. So why are we writing about a film star from the last century? Take a look at that CDMA BlackBerry sitting nearby or perhaps your wireless router. Now, take another look at the woman who made all that possible.

Born Hedwig Eva Maria Kiesler in Vienna Austria, Hedy began her acting career at the age of seventeen. After leaving her arms-manufacturer husband in 1937, Hedy emigrated to the United States and Hollywood. There, in the time-honored tradition of actors, Hedwig Keisler became Hedy Lamarr. It was in Hollywood that Lamarr met her neighbor, George Antheil. Little did either of them know, this chance meeting would change the future of electronics for decades to come.

 

World War II was already raining death and destruction on the Axis and Allied powers alike. The two Hollywood neighbors began discussing ways of guiding torpedoes by radio from an airplane. The idea wasn’t new, but the Axis powers were adept at intercepting and jamming these wireless signals.

To combat this, Lamarr invented the idea of frequency hopping. Using a player piano as her inspiration, Lamarr conceived of a way to shift radio signals over different frequencies. At specific times known to the transmitter and receiver, the message would stop transmitting on one frequency and start at another. Without knowing the new frequency, jamming or trying to listen to the communication became effectively impossible.

Anthiel, Lamarr’s collaborator, devised the mechanisms required to make it possible. In 1942, they were granted US Patent No. 2,292,387 “Secret Communication System.” And it changed the war effort. At least it would have if anyone had been paying attention to her. Sadly her contributions to wireless technology wern’t put to use until 1951; her patent was re-discovered and formed the basis of a new radio technology, spread spectrum.

Today, spread spectrum allows for many different transmissions to occur simultaneously. It forms the basis of Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) networks, WiFi networks, and even that old cordless phone in your parents’ house. All can trace their roots back to Hedy Lamarr, a beautiful and brilliant woman.

via:cb

India telecom company to take on BlackBerry with Bharat Berry

BlackBerry news from India heats up as Indian telecom operator, Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd (MTNL), has launched a alternative to BlackBerry services last Friday. The service, Bharat Berry, takes the stage as a less expensive and more accessible replacement option for those BlackBerry users who are under the threat of BlackBerry services being cut off by the India government. Features of the service include:

• Works with all compatible Mobile phones
• Works with your Corporate mail, Gmail and your personal email accounts
• Has all data and communication functionalities you are used to
• Provides over the air (OTA) Contact and Calendar backup
• Is an India-compliant solution

This means that the Bharat Berry service will allow users to have their emails pushed to their device, as well as on the go synchronization of calendar and contacts for multiple mail accounts. The service has been “tested on several entry-level handsets,” according to Dr Ajay Data, director, Bharat Berry Technologies.

Executive Director (Wireless Services), MTNL, AK Bhargava said:

BharatBerry is an Indian compliant Product made by Bharat Berry technologies in India keeping in consideration all necessary India laws; the necessary approval from all respective agencies have been received before launching this service for Delhi GSM subscribers. While the services offered by other providers are handset-based, Bharat Berry service can run on any Java-enabled normal GPRS-enabled handset like Nokia, Motorola, Samsung, LG, Blackberry, HTC, etc and ensures that you remain connected to your email, calendar and contacts through the servers hosted in India.

The cost of the Bharat Berry monthly subscription rate will be Rs 80 (about $1.77) to use along with any standard data plan.

• Visit the Bharat Berry site for more details

via:bbos