Comments on: Business Usage: iPhone 3G or BlackBerry Bold?

By: Skype Journal: Bold Twittering: When is a SmartPhone Truly a Mobile Microcomputer?

Mon, 22 Dec 2008 16:50:33 +0000

[...] he is now debating the merits of having a smartphone – in particular, an iPhoneLuca Filigheddu has just gone through the process of evaluating the BlackBerry Bold and iPhone over the past few weeks. Saturday he sent me a Twitter direct message to say that he had acquired a [...]

By: http://www.lucafiligheddu.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/screen-capture-433.png | LucaFiligheddu.com

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 16:00:06 +0000

[...] What will business users choose? [...]

By: Andrew

Andrew — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 13:38:19 +0000

Very Good points Jim – I think it comes down to this observation. If the iPhone is your first smartphone/PDA you will be blown away and probably never use anything else. However, if you've ever owned a BB – the iPhone's shortcomings will be too apparent to get over for serious business use.

By: Jim Courtney

Jim Courtney — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 14:21:27 +0000

Luca, thanks for the acknowledgements.

As I said in our Twitter exchange:
1. Bold is a full two-way real time communications device -- especially when it comes to handling Instant Messaging (in background) and editing of Office documents. And, as Andrew has expressed, I have tried and tried to get used to the iPhone touchpad but my error rate is way too high for any serious typing.

2. The three major features of the Bold for Business: (i) the display is stunning - it grows on you; (ii) the keyboard and (iii) the ability to do full background processing - important for having IM sessions running while performing other activities such as email or web browsing.

3. In practice it has become a "laptop for the hip" (or purse). When traveling I have lost the feeling that I have to run to my laptop to keep current with all real time activity such as email, IM, Twitter, reading blogs and websites - the Bold handles all these activities very well (I'll still use my laptop for creating documents of any size and for writing blog posts amongst other entry intensive applications.

4. Pending the arrival of the BlackBerry App Store both Crackberry.com and Handango have stores that run on the BlackBerry. There are already several thousand useful apps available through them.

By: Andrew

Andrew — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 13:32:05 +0000

IMHO the Blackberry is the business device of choice. It does a few things exceedingly well, and in those areas the iPhone just can't compete. Email or any form of text is far superior on the BB, the new Bold and Storm (as well as the Curve, no 3G on the curve) are really fast, they have great processors and the screens blow the iPhone away. I am very text centric, and having tried and tried to get used to the iPhone touchpad I just can't get used to it, it is good – but not great.

Second huge point for business – battery life. I can go away for 3 day business trips (sans 3G) and not take my charger. With moderate use I can get 3-4 days! out of a Blackberry. The iPhone is a recharge daily, sometimes twice device.

Things to check – if you use a Mac make sure you check that there is a current synching tool for the model of Blackberry you get. That can be an issue, and one that RIM is working on diligently apparently.

The iPhone is fantastic, but out of 10 people that tried one in my business circle over the last 1.5 years, all but one has gone back to a Blackberry. They all loved the iPhone, but did as you – and ended up giving it to their wives.