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So you are thinking of moving from BlackBerry to an iShiny or Android? Some food for thought

Darren Duke  March 9 2011 07:04:52 AM
Since 2005 I've had BlackBerry attached to my hip during every waking hour. I think I started with a 7230, the hockey puck looking ones that you really could play ice hockey with ;)

Six months ago I added an Android Samsung Galaxy S (in my case an Epic) to compare against the BlackBerry and last week Lisa exchanged my BlackBerry Tour for a Verizon powered iPhone. So over the past few weeks I've used all the major devices. Added to that we've moved some STS clients to non-BlackBerry devices and then back again, and then some, back yet again! During all of this I've notices some things that just irk me on the iPhone and Android.

Note, my BlackBerry was connected to a full BES, my iShiny and Android are connected to the latest gold code for Traveler.....so lets see....

(some of these issues are the devices themselves, some are Traveler related and some are likely patent related)

1) For the life of me I cannot seem to cancel a meeting in the iShiny, I guess I can't. Forget doing that on the current Android Traveler code too

2) I spend a lot of time on conference calls. Conference calls almost always come with a passcode.  On the BB I was able to prefix passcodes (and phone extensions) with an 'x' (123-123-1234 x 123456) and the BB would recognize that, and display a screen asking if I wanted to dial the extension. On the other non-RIM devices I literally have to write these down on a post-it note and take it with me. This is by far the biggest issue for me on Androids.

3) On the iPhone a calendar entry that has a phone number in it is not clickable!!! WTF? Apple have you ever used your own device? Again, back to a post-it note! Massive fail on Apple's part.

4) iPhone plus, it has a function on the calendar similar to "Unprocessed Notices" (aka, ghosted calendar entries) that is in Notes. The others don't.

5) The BlackBerry had a full, native Sametime client. At LS11 IBM mentioned the other devices would be getting them, but as it stands right now you'd have to use ST Proxy.

6) The Android keyboard (at least on my Epic 4G) is the worst designed keyboard on any mobile device I have ever used.

7) You can't create meetings on Traveler devices yet. So no invitees. For heavy BB users, this is a big, big issue.

8) Ring tones. You either love 'em or you hate 'em, but only the BlackBerry and the iPhone allow you to assign ringtones to specific contacts.

9) "Favorites", seems like you can only have one favorite per contact on the non-RIM devices.

10) Battery life. My BB would go 2 days between charges. Forget that for the Epic where I maybe get 8 hours. The iPhone is slightly better (or I use it less).

Now, I'm sure the above will start some type of flame war and I am sure there maybe ways to over come the non-RIM devices so feel free to comment.

So there you have it. It may or may not be a simple switch depending on how you use your BlackBerry. Will I be going back to a RIM device? No. The increased functionality on the other devices (and the ability to actually use a web browser) sway too much on my to go back. I do miss some things but I'll just purchase a pack of Post-it Notes ;)
Comments

Gravatar Image  1Lars Berntrop-Bos  3/9/2011 8:45:34 AM  Android passcode

In the Android dialer, use , <comma> to pause.

If you need longer pauses, insert more comma's e.g.

1234567890,,4321,,8765

If you need a prompt, use a ; <semicolon> e.g.

1234567890;8765

Gravatar Image  2Adam Foster  3/9/2011 9:20:44 AM  iphone call

If you add the phone number and webpage stuff to "Notes" section/field on the iphone event then you can call, launch etc

the web browser and keypad on the iphone is just so muc h easier than blackberry.

I have not used an android but I have heard they are slower to change apps etc than the iphone.

-Adam Foster twitter @AdamFoster

Gravatar Image  3Richard Greaves  3/9/2011 9:56:28 AM  Missing features on iPhone and Android

On the Blackberry you can sync To-Do's, this is very important for GTDers. Also with BES you can sync your Journal/Notebook into the Memo app on the Blackberry. These issues are keeping me on Blackberry for now.

Gravatar Image  4Paul Mooney  3/9/2011 10:00:12 AM  Also - keep in mind the business level functionality

Consider that you get what you pay for with Traveler too at the backend.

{ http://www.pmooney.net/2010/10/the-lotus-traveler-trap/#comments }

Gravatar Image  5Devin Olson  3/9/2011 10:07:24 AM  Blackberry Battery Life

I think the horrible battery life has less to do with the actual device and more to do with what / how the device is connecting to the "cloud".

Case in point: My BB 8700 would easily run 2 or 3 days on a single charge, even with heavy use.

My shiny new BB Curve lasts 8 hours at most, with WiFi turned on.

If I turn it off it will last a couple of days -provided I'm not doing heavy browser use and just doing normal BES stuff.

Both devices use the same model Blackberry C-52 battery.

I'm planning on picking up one of the shiny new HTC Thunderbolts (if Verizon ever pulls their thumb out and actually ships the damn thing) for true "mobile web" use. I'm bracing myself even now for battery suckage.

Gravatar Image  6Dragon Cotterill  3/9/2011 11:53:43 AM  Battery Life

Battery Life is all about what you do with your device. I can only speak for BlackBerry devices (since thats who I work for), but I have had varied results. My personal 8900 can go for 8-10 days without a recharge. My corporate 9800 will go for about 4 days - despite getting waaaay more usage. Why? Optimisation.

Disable what you don't need. If you're not using Bluetooth and Wifi 24 hours of the day, then switch them off. Now also consider power saving options for overnight. If you won't be using your device between midnight and 6am (or whatever your sleeping hours are) then set your device to power down during that time. Doesn't cost you anything, but it certainly helps extend battery life.

There are other options as well for using maps and such. Set your screen to dim after a few seconds inactivity (I use 20 secs).

I'm still trying to determine if the ring vibrator uses more power than playing a ringtone.

But as to your choice of device. Thats entirely up to you. I tried using an iFone and found it completely useless for my needs. I need a keyboard. End of. Horses for course.

Gravatar Image  7Edson Viana  3/9/2011 12:47:05 PM  Android

I'm a Android user and, about your comments, i can say:

1. You can change the keyboard to one you like. There are tons of themes and mods with other keyboards, besides of the "Swype" and others available (for free) in Android Market. You might want to try Swype. Lots of users love it.

2. I totally agree with the limitations of Lotus Traveler. I found some options for Lotus Sametime client, though

3. As for the battery: some ways to improve your battery life: uninstall or force kill apps you'r not using, turn of services (bluetooth, wifi, 3g - not 2g, gps) you're not using, reduce screen brightness when not needed... I don't have a high-end device as yours, and mine sometimes get to more than 2 days without charging, and I use traveler, calls, sms and a few gaming.

Good luck!

Gravatar Image  8Albert Buendia  3/9/2011 2:35:17 PM  Nokia EXX devices

Thanks for giving justice to Nokia devices (alluminium not plastic like all Android devices, long battery life, ....)

Gravatar Image  9Bill Malchisky Jr.  3/9/2011 3:09:08 PM  Smartphone Contrast

Well, I'm one of the few that bought a Palm Pre Plus. I do love it. Every pain I had with my BB went away in one day with the Palm. The apps work so well together, a lot of planning went into integration, GUI, and easy of use. I didn't like the Androids at the time, and prefer a hard keyboard option. So, the Palm is a good hybrid solution fo rme.

Any smartphone will use batteries more if you use the app heavily. Six or ten calls, plus heavy mail synching and Twitter and my battery is gone in six hours. SMS, some e-mail and Twitter and it goes over 12hrs. WiFi or bad weak signal area and it drains less. When a cell phone can't get a signal, it panics and tries desperately to find one=drain battery almost immediately. See this a lot in data centers, on subway, and rural areas.

@5 - Devin, as a heavy user, you'll want ubiquitous charging access - car charger, and at very lease laptop USB cable to keep it charged. Any extra battery, larger one, or battery pack charger (e.g. CallPod's Fuel Cell) are great for charging on-the-go.

Yes, the ease of booking meetings on a BB is a nice feature, but for all the productivity killing capabilities it introduces, for me, it is not worth it. Now, if you look at supporting them for a small business, ask my clients if they think that simple $200 device is really worth it. I know I don't want to touch them, but do, of course. But I digress...

Gravatar Image  10Keith Brooks  3/9/2011 3:23:25 PM  Nice Post

Darren,

RIM is coming out with Blackberry messenger for iphone and Android, so that should help you on that end.

Yes, calendar issues in traveler are a sticking point, especially for those of us on the go, but it's all a trade off.

What do you expect for free?

Gravatar Image  11Chris Whisonant  3/9/2011 3:58:12 PM  Some responses...

Here are some comments that may be helpful for you and others! Good post Darren! FYI, I'm on my 2nd iPhone still AT&T and have had no issues with the devices or network (for what it's worth) :)

1 - on iPhone, open meeting, go to Edit, then Delete. Though not sure how it processes the "cancelling" though...

2 - There may be some differences based off of whether you're on GSM (AT&T) or CDMA (Vz) network. Here are some things to note. { http://www.macworld.com/article/157963/2011/02/iphone_calling_differences.html But I believe you can find the info in there on how to do what you would like with the information provided at the above site. } But I believe you can find the info in there on how to do what you would like with the information provided at the above site.

3 - Phone numbers work just fine on my iPhone. But it has to be in the Notes section - the number doesn't work if it's in the Subject line (which isn't where it should be anyway haha)

5 - Agreed. ST Proxy is great and works well, but it can't be left in background as it's just a web app. Can't wait for native clients - Droid will come first and then iOS (due to lack of Mac developers at IBM).

6 - Keyboard? What's that? lol

7 - Meetings can be created from iPhone on Traveler.

8 - Didn't know Droid wouldn't allow you to do that.... that's lame if it doesn't.

9 - You mean on the Phone app's "Favorite" screen? I have my Dad's contact as a favorite for his home and mobile. Or do you mean something else?

10 - Yeah, this could be be better for sure. Others have good comments here, and it could be the larger touch screens that have effect on this too.

Gravatar Image  12Gregg Eldred  3/9/2011 9:13:10 PM  My 2 Cents

I totally agree that you get what you pay for, especially with regards to Traveler. However, the bar has been set quite high by the years that RIM has been in the market with BES. Usually, after installing Traveler, the discussion always heads toward device management.

To those questions I answer: No.

Some security settings can only be set by downloading and installing additional software on the device, which isn't very clear when the normal Domino Admin is looking at the Policies. It takes some effort to discover this little fact.

Traveler is a good start, brings excitement to the users, however I am not sure how far IBM Lotus is going to take this. It will probably be at least a year before we see any sort of high availability. What else? MDM? Or is it "as good as it's going to get" with minimal updates? I don't even know if any of the current MDM vendors even have Traveler on their radar screens, thinking more about direct support of iOS, Android, and Symbian and going around IBM Lotus.

Gravatar Image  13E Fung  3/24/2011 11:22:53 AM  Contact Ringtones in Android

In Android, you can set a ringtone on a per-contact basis:

{ http://www.brighthub.com/mobile/google-android/articles/92672.aspx }

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