I love the feature whereby, when someone sends some files that are zipped up (in a .zip format) and you click the “show attachments” link at the bottom of the message, before it downloads the file, it shows you what’s actually in the zip file.
Handy little things like that make having a BlackBerry a must for me!
Just had to share 
David
I often get asked by clients who are looking for more from their mobile phones whether to go for a BlackBerry or Windows Mobile device. I always answer with a question for them, “What do you want it to do?”.
You see I am of the opinion that if the main function of a device (after making and receiving calls) is to get email whilst you are out and about then a BlackBerry wins hands down. My reasoning is that the email application is built in to a BlackBerry as part of it’s normal operating function. You don’t have to open an email application like you do on some other devices, it’s there already; just open, read and reply to your messages – they have already downloaded to your device without you having to do anything. Push email means that there is no “send and receive”, not delay whilst you run the email software.
Better still, with most network operators, the BlackBerry add-on means that all of your email is included in the price (whilst in your home country). That means no big shocks when the bill arrives for expensive data usage. Even when used abroad, the data used by a BlackBerry is a lot less than that on a Windows device so the roaming data costs to get your email are a lot lower. The most I’ve spent in Europe for 7 days’ BlackBerry use was around £9 and that was with email being hammered every day!
Some IT departments argue that the Windows device will integrate with their server without any additional software or costs but they need to look at the options available on BlackBerry. For BIS it can easily be configured at no extra cost and the Professional Solutions is now free for up to 30 users, you even get the first CAL included.
If my clients are looking for web browsing as well the BlackBerry works well there as well but it’s not ideal. If they need to visit lots of “scripted” web sites that use big applications then the BlackBerry browser is not always usable. My suggestion? use a laptop with a Mobile Broadband dongle! Seriously, if you need to do lots of work on heavily scripted sites, view videos etc then any small screened device will cause problems and it’s easy connecting a laptop to the internet these days, wherever you are.
If you are faced with the same dilemma, about which mobile office device to go for then call me. My office number is 01204 595335 or use the contact form link at the top of this page. My advice is free and I always give my honest opinion about what tool would suit your needs the best, even if I am BlackBerry biased!!
David Allen
Not so long back I had a visit from an elderly client to whom I had recently sold a BlackBerry for the first time. When I was demoing my Curve 8900 he seemed very impressed and being a successful business man he could really see the benefits that having a BlackBerry and in particular email wherever he was would have for him.
So he’s back at the office after around 10 days with his new Curve and the first thing I asked him was, “How are you getting on with the BlackBerry?” He told me that it was a bit of a mixed blessing which surprised me as he had been very positive about using one.
Upon further questioning he revealed that the email was fantastic, as was the organiser. The one thing he hated was the game BrickBreaker!
BrickBreaker - THE BlackBerry game.
Now for non BlackBerry owners let me explain; This is a game that has been standard on BlackBerry handsets ever since I can remember and until recently it has been the onlygame pre-installed on them. It’s based on an old arcade game where the ball bounces around the screen, breaking bricks as it goes – you have to stop it from falling from the bottom of the screen using a paddle. It’s a very good game.
So I was surprised at his comments about the game to say the least. Firstly because I didn’t expect him to be the gaming type and secondly because I thought he was complaining that the game was no good – a gaming snob!!!
It turned out that the problem was because he had taking a bit too much of a liking for BrickBreaker and this was the problem. He had become addicted to it!! I could relate to this because my good lady also has a similar penchant for it. He, like Catherine, found himself sneaking off to try and beat that last high score, finish off that saved level, get past that “really hard” level that had bugged him for days.
He told me that although the business side of it was exactly what he was looking for, the game was wasting too much time and he couldn’t help himself.
I showed him how to delete the game and left him to it. I’ve not heard back but I’ll let you know if he actually did delete it or has learned to control his addiction – maybe it’s even worse!!
BlackBerry – not just for business.
David Allen
