Daily Bits

blackberry

BlackBerry Tablet to Be Revealed Next Week

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By this time next week, BlackBerry enthusiasts might be buzzing about the latest tablet computer to hit the market – the BlackPad.  The rumor is that RIM (Research in Motion Ltd.) is going to reveal its take on the tablet in San Francisco next week at a developer’s conference.  Needless to say, the news has got certain groups excited.

The tablet, which – according to an insider from RIM – is being dubbed the BlackPad (surprise!).  According to The Wall Street Journal, the BlackPad is going to have a new operating system – one that is totally different from what the current BlackBerry devices are using.  The sources who have leaked the information say that the new OS is built by QNX Software Systems.

More so, the tablet computer is supposed to NOT have the capability to connect to cellular networks on its own; that is, it has to connect to another BlackBerry device to go online.  That’s a seriously major bummer which just might turn potential buyers off, don’t you think?

Other specs (rumored as of now) of the BlackPad include:

  • 7-inch touchscreen
  • camera (one or two, nothing’s confirmed)
  • Bluetooth
  • Broadband connectivity

For sure, BlackBerry users will be keeping their eyes peeled for this new tablet.  With the drawback of not being able to connect to cellular networks, though, I wonder if the BlackPad will appeal to a lot of people who are not currently using BlackBerry?  (Plus consider the fact that the competition is not to be taken lightly.)  We’ll find out soon enough – in a week or so.

Photo via The Wall Street Journal

BlackBerry Users Ready to Ditch Their Phones for the iPhone, and Android Too

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I was about to write a post about a different topic but decided not to when I chanced upon this article currently running on Ars Technica saying that 40% of BlackBerry users are willing to trade their current phone for  an  iPhone.  This has caught my attention since I recently got a BlackBerry Bold 9700, but I did not ditch my iPhone 3GS for it.

The report was citing the study conducted by market research Crowd Science. According to the study, two in five BlackBerry owners are said to be planning on swapping their current phone for an iPhone as soon as its time for them to upgrade.  And among the reasons suggested by the study is the fact that RIM may not be keeping up with consumer demand in its effort to fight the encroachment from the iPhone and even Android devices more particularly Google Nexus One.

This is quite interesting since RIM holds a pretty strong reputation in the smartphone market although this was slightly rocked by the iPhone’s rapid growth last year.

CrowdScience also suggested that this development can also be attributed to the fact that many smartphone users are now using their units for both personal and business use and not for business purposes alone anymore. And since the iPhone is both personal and business oriented it is no wonder that it is threatening BlackBerry’s stronghold in the business mobile phone market as well.

Aside from the iPhone, current BlackBerry users are also eyeing to replace their units with an Android-based phones, more particularly with the Google Nexus One phone. 32% of the surveyed BlackBerry users says they are ready to exchange their phone with a Nexus One.

Crowd Science CEO John Martin said that BlackBerry users are getting restless with the BlackBerry brand and are getting enticed by the allure of iPhone.

“Rather, BlackBerry as a brand just isn’t garnering the loyalty seen with other mobile operating systems,” said Mr. Martin.

Now, here’s the best part. About 90% of current iPhone and Android users are not planning to swap their current phones with another model.

The Solution For Your Security-Conscious Customers

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Unless you add extra layers of security to ensure that it remains private, email is an incredibly vulnerable form of communication, especially on a mobile device. As more and more people realize that sensitive information sent through emails is vulnerable to spying, cybercriminals and corporate espionage, they are looking for better ways to communicate safely. [Read more…] about The Solution For Your Security-Conscious Customers

6 Fun BlackBerry Games

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There are a lot of great cell phone games out there. BlackBerry has been a favorite for business professionals and championed under BYOD policies, but it’s also a great platform for mobile gaming – believe it or not. With a myriad of games available in the BB World marketplace, it can be difficult to figure out which are to try first! Check out these six games that are sure to keep you occupied for hours on end.

Blackberry games

Image via Flickr by chrisamichaels [Read more…] about 6 Fun BlackBerry Games