| Recently, I've had a couple of conversations | | | | information, and can serve as cameras and |
| with people from varying backgrounds about | | | | other media storage/access devices. Most |
| whether or not they should consider | | | | models that sport bluetooth (and some that |
| purchasing a BlackBerry. As mobile phones | | | | don't) can also act as a modem for a PC to |
| become more sophisticated and mobile devices | | | | access the Internet without WiFi. |
| of all types begin to offer overlapping | | | | |
| features and as mobile technology becomes | | | | However, most cell phones don't provide push |
| more mainstream and cost effective, the | | | | email access (meaning the user must choose to |
| choice between a BlackBerry or a more | | | | check their email instead of receiving it |
| conventional cell phone is becoming a more | | | | automatically). Most also don't offer the |
| blurry line for small business owners, other | | | | tight and easy to use integration with office |
| mobile professionals and even the general | | | | applications like Microsoft Outlook, that can |
| public. | | | | make a BlackBerry so attractive. |
| | | | |
| Cost | | | | Typically, cell phones also offer a smaller |
| | | | screen and rely on the numeric keypad for |
| The first question is cost. BlackBerry | | | | entering text (be it into an email, a web |
| devices and service was once considered too | | | | browser, or any other type of feature). This |
| expensive for anyone outside government or | | | | can make relying on a cell phone as a two way |
| big business circles. Even in some of those | | | | communication device (other than voice calls |
| areas, cost relegated devices to only those | | | | or walkie-talkie features) difficult and |
| individuals who had a need for solid and | | | | cumbersome. The screen size also limits the |
| constant contact. However, as mobile | | | | ease of use for reading messages or viewing |
| technology prices continue to fall, | | | | websites or other visual elements. |
| BlackBerry adoption for small and medium size | | | | |
| business executives and those employees | | | | On the flip side, mobile phones are smaller |
| outside the executive or management areas has | | | | and easer to carry. They are often much more |
| increased. | | | | comfortable to use for voice calls. This is |
| | | | one reason several consumers I know choose a |
| Perhaps more important than the decrease in | | | | feature-rich phone over a BlackBerry. Some |
| cost of the devices themselves is the fact | | | | phones sport designs that offer PDA functions |
| that data service packages, particularly | | | | in a more convenient manner (with the phone |
| those that include unlimited data access (as | | | | flipping or sliding open further to reveal an |
| opposed to earlier per-MB plans) has made | | | | alpha-numeric keypad) - though again, these |
| actually using a BlackBerry or similar device | | | | phones lack the push email technology of a |
| much easier on both businesses consumers. | | | | BlackBerry. |
| Coupled with increased deals that include | | | | |
| discounted BlackBerry models as part of a new | | | | Application Features |
| contract (much as a free or reduced cost | | | | |
| handset associated with a cell phone calling | | | | As far as applications and data storage, |
| plan) from a mobile service provider have | | | | mobile phones now run the gamut of embedded |
| also helped make BlackBerry use more | | | | java technology that allows most phones to |
| attractive. | | | | offer a wide range of application features. |
| | | | However, these are not as standardized as a |
| However, BlackBerry devices still remain more | | | | BlackBerry (or Palm OS or PocketPC device), |
| expensive than many traditional mobile phone | | | | which may limiting in terms of function and |
| models. Thus, cost must be a concern when | | | | support. Also, most consumer-level phones |
| considering purchasing one as a consumer or | | | | have limited storage capacity and are only |
| owner/exectuive of a small business (and | | | | now just shipping with options for expanding |
| choosing an unlimited data plan should go | | | | beyond the phone's built-in memory by using |
| without saying). The real question isn't just | | | | industry standard memory cards. |
| whether the cost is higher, it's whether the | | | | |
| value of the BlackBerry's features are worth | | | | When comparing a mobile phone to a BlackBerry |
| the added cost. Or put another way, will they | | | | on this front, you'll need to focus on a |
| be used and if so will the truly provide | | | | specific mobile phone model. While many do |
| better results than can be achieved with a | | | | stack up, they also tend to be higher-end |
| more traditional phone or other combination | | | | phone models with higher price tags. You may |
| of devices. | | | | find that the price is close enough to |
| | | | justify a BlackBerry. The same is true if you |
| Feature Sets and Ease of Use | | | | are also considering a new handheld PC, as |
| | | | these devices often offer the same feature |
| Most of todays cell phones offer similar | | | | sets as BlackBerry models. |
| capabilities to a BlackBerry. They can text | | | | |
| message, check and send email, include a web | | | | Source: mobiletechnology.suite101. |
| browser, store calendar and contact | | | | |