It’s kind of hard to top last week, no? It was then that we discussed four new BlackBerry models slated for 2011 releases. Something tells me that there won’t be many more surprises this year. But that doesn’t mean the news will stop. We’ve got plenty more stuff to explore this week.
Will RIM open up BBM to other smartphone platforms?
An interesting article appeared on Electronista late last week. Apparently RIM has considered developing a system that would allow IT departments to manage all of its corporate smartphones, BlackBerry and non-BlackBerry alike. It took a couple of reads to really understand the idea, but it does sound like something could benefit RIM. Corporations would have a single platform for device management, which makes life easier on them. And RIM ensures its corporate relevancy for years to come.
Here’s the best paragraph in the article in terms of explanation:
BlackBerry Connect could already manage some non-RIM devices, but only if they communicated in a method RIM’s software could understand. The new approach could let the single platform manage a competing platform even if it didn’t use any BlackBerry-related features. It would have to be “done differently” due to the platform changes, the executive said, but it was possible.
Of course, that’s just the dry, boring stuff. The interesting stuff is what Endgadget adds: could this mean BBM on Android and iPhone? In one way that would devalue the BlackBerry platform, since it would be one less exclusive feature keeping people with RIM. But in another way, if the iPhones and Androids using BBM are managed on a RIM-created platform, we can see that there is a way for RIM to benefit.
Obviously nothing official has been announced, and RIM VP Pete Devenyi has said that it was just something they’d been tossing around. Still, the potential seems excellent.
Photo from Engadget
Tip of the Week: Set ringtones for specific contacts in OS 5.0. We had an old guide, but that’s outdated at this point.
The PlayBook without a BlackBerry
I know that some people aren’t too happy that they need a BlackBerry smartphone in order to gain features such as messaging and calendar on the PlayBook. We knew this was coming for almost a year now, and it still doesn’t make the situation any better. Imagine, then, what non-BlackBerry users think. If people who do have a BlackBerry device don’t like the tethering issue, then what are the BlackBerry-less masses going to think?
RIM, for its part, says not to worry. Here’s a quote from Ryan Bidan, a RIM senior product manager in charge of the PlayBook, via Forbes:
“On its own, this is a great standalone tablet. This is not a device that is reliant on a BlackBerry…There have been some misconceptions about the role this device plays.”
It’s a standalone tablet, in other words, with the added bonus of having the ability to tether. Still, I do see where Avi Greengart, the analyst who panned the PlayBook, is coming from. People expect certain things from a BlackBerry, and to make those features available to only BlackBerry users might prove to be an obstacle for sales.
Still, it sounds as though RIM has big plans for the device. They’re figuring on 1 million shipments in the first quarter. We know they have a WiMax version set for a summer release through Sprint. Now it appears that they’ll have one for AT&T’s 3G network, with an LTE version to follow. This only further makes me wonder what happened to RIM’s relationship with Verizon.
Meet your 2011 BlackBerry lineup
Last week Boy Genius Report brought us four separate reports of new BlackBerry models: The Curve, the Dakota, the Torch 2, and the next Storm. They put everything into one post, which includes pictures, information, and more. Head to BGR to check it out.
This post originated at BBGeeks.com - home to all things Blackberry! Also a great source of info about AT&T BlackBerry.
BlackBerry News From The Wire for the week of 1/17/11
This post originated at BBGeeks.com - home to all things Blackberry! Also a great source of info about AT&T BlackBerry.
BlackBerry News From The Wire for the week of 1/17/11
I have recently started to really get into Boxee which is why I am really excited about Antair’s new Boxee remote app. The app allows you to simply control your Boxee TV from your BlackBerry though it does require some setup. It also includes advertisements to support the app but they are not that intrusive. My guess is that a paid version will come out soon without those ads.
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