Although I strongly get the sense that most of you BBHub readers already own a BlackBerry and/or are thinking about buying a specific model, I also understand that more than a few of you are new to BlackBerry and would like a basic introduction to what BlackBerry is, and does.
For that , I'd refer you to a newly posted Gorog's Guide article entitled "Berry Nice!."
Writer Danny Gorog, who reports on technology for the Melbourne, Australia Herald Sun and can be heard weekly on Radio Australia as well, concentrates on the basics of several BlackBerry models currently available in that nation.
Danny, who emailed me last night to tell me a bit about his work, talks about the features and differentiating capabilities of the BlackBerry 7100, 7200 and 7250.
In a more recent review, Danny took a look at the BlackBerry 8707v from Vodafone. I would imagine his Pearl review isn't too far off in the future.
Solution Technology said it will debut an all-in-one integrated ArmorPlus for BlackBerry 7200 utility.
To be rolled out at the upcoming Emergency Technology Business Showcase in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., a week from today, the application will include functionalities for for Barcode Scanning, GPS, Touch Screens with eSiguature and Secure Data Memory Card capability.
Specific components include:
Class 2 laser barcode scanner from Symbol Technologies;
ArmorPlus for BlackBerry GPS, with off-road and off-net capabilitiesm abd
Touch Screen Window option with signature capture capabilities and a touch-sensitive window;
You'll find information about Antenna Care, operating and storage temperatures (as shown above), electronic
equipment that could evoke reception interference issues, dangerous areas you don't want to go to with your BlackBerry,
what type of repairs you should not attempt, radio signal exposure risks, and absorption rate data.
ZDNet's David Berlind writes that because the BlackBerry
8700 has keys that are "larger and closer together" then the BlackBerry 7200, operating the newer device is a
bit more awkward.
To illustrate his point, he lines up the two devices side by side, as you see at the top of this post.
"The older, more rural (I guess he means more widely spaced-Russ) thumbboard design on the 7200 was definitely
more natural for me to use," David writes. "The 8700's thumbboard was not nearly as natural to type
on. At least for me."
So what would David do if he got a call from Waterloo?
"If I could build the perfect BlackBerry, I'd take the brilliant display and the newer applications found in
the 8700 and put them into the 7200," he writes. "Then, I'd find a way to give the 7200 some decent
sized SEND and END keys. Perhaps these can be put on the edge where some of the other buttons are.
"Or how about on top?," David adds. I'm sure the folks at RIM can figure this out."
According to research firm Gartner, BlackBerry PDA shipments grew by 52.6 percent in the third quarter of 2005.
Insofar as what Garnter terms a "PDA," they set the standard as a data-centric handheld computer designed for use with both hands, equipped with instant on-off capability and a variety of third-party applications.
That covers the BlackBerry 7200 series (like the 7270 you see over there) but not the 7100, which is more like a cellphone.
Insofar as leading operating system vendors, Microsoft leads with 49.2 percent of worldwide shipments. BlackBerry-maker Research In Motion is second with 25 percent, followed by Palm OS with 14.9. Symbian and Linux brought up the rear.
Ned Johnson and Martin Trautschold are consultants with more than eight years of combined experience working with BlackBerry using corporate and individual clients. Trautschold, in fact, has presented at the Annual RIM BlackBerry Wireless
Enterprise Symposium.
Now, Trautschold and Johnson have combined to write two BlackBerry Made Simple 150-plus page PDF formatted e-books for BlackBerry users.
Ned Johnson and Martin Trautschold are consultants with more than eight years of combined experience working with BlackBerry using corporate and individual clients. Trautschold, in fact, has presented at the Annual RIM BlackBerry Wireless
Enterprise Symposium.
Now, Trautschold and Johnson have combined to write two BlackBerry Made Simple 150-plus page PDF formatted e-books for BlackBerry users.
I've just noticed that BlackBerry Ring Tone Megaplex has just passed 23,000 downloads on Handango.com.
Given that many other fun and useful utilities do well with amassing 100 downloads, the popularity of the Ring Tone Megaplex is that much more amazing.
For that one price, you get unlimited download access to the more than 1,000 tones in the Ring Tone Megaplex library. The library inventory is updated at least once a week, sometimes more.
Ring Tone Megaplex is compatible with most 7xxx series BlackBerry devices. Once you purchase, download and install Ring Tone Megaplex, you access the service via their proprietary interface, not through an open Web site.
RingTone Megaplex' list price is $19.95, but I found it listed on mobile software site Handango.com for $17.96. That's 10% off.
As you might suspect, the Read link below this post takes you to the main BlackBerry Ring Tone Megaplex page on Handango.
While we are not in the business of selling books around here, it would be deficient of me not to mention that Mobile Guide To BlackBerry went on sale today. Que Publishing is the house.
Aimed at BlackBerry 7100 and 7200 users, the book covers such tasks as managing BlackBerryfrom your computer, personalizing your device, sending and receiving text messages and emails; making phone calls, organizing your to-do list, and working with third-party applications.
Now, here's a hint. The Web site for the book has a sample chapter on how to install and configure your desktop manager. Click the Read link directly below this post, and you'll be able to peruse the chapter.
Sendia Corporation's Hardhat application is a customized flavor of its BlackBerry-compliant wireless business application platform.
Hardhat enables home construction and home improvement contractors to collaborate on projects with administrators and field personnel.
When you talk about home improvement projects with major exposure, it would be inexcusable to overlook ABC-TV's hit series, "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition." The show's title defines its mission.
Recently, Sendia teamed up with homebuilder Pardee Homes and Extreme Makeover: Home Edition to enable construction of a new, energy efficient home in Santa Fe Springs, Calif.
With Sendia's Hardhat application running on the BlackBerrys of Pardee Homes project managers, the whole undertaking took 7 days.
Yes, you read that right. Not 7 weeks. 7 days.
That's got to be shorter than it would have been if - as in so many other construction process - paper memos, lengthy hard-copy printouts, faxes, phone calls and email were the primary means of coordination.
Sendia's platform is compliant with the BlackBerry 7200, BlackBerry 7700, and BlackBerry 7500.
When I went there today, the second-most viewed item was a collection of "Favorite Shortcuts" tips.
There are tips for various keys and key combinations that allow for quick switching between apps, assigning a Speed Dial to a letter, applying bookmarks, as well as multiply or divide two numbers.
You probably already know some of these shortcuts. But could it be that you"don't know what you don't know?"
As one who is big on headsets for all my mobile devices, I was curious to see what was being offered. Curiously, there's only one headset - a lightweight $13.99 branded BlackBerry Headset with a miniature clip that keeps the cord in place.
If you've ever dangled headphone cords, you'll want such a clip.
Much more important, this Headset works with just about every BlackBerry on the market.
Taking a subway ride in New York, London, Paris or Berlin?
You might want to try out ClockLabs' brand new PocketMetro 2.1. It has a built-in mapping function and trip-time calculator for the subway system in each of these cities.
The coolest thing about PocketMetro: when you install it on your BlackBerry, its entire database for the city you purchase "lives" on your device. That way, you don't have to hope for a signal before you access the function. That in-device capability is especially welcome considering that acquiring a wireless signal can be somewhat problematic in the subway.
PocketMetro 2.1 is compatible with most BlackBerry models. It costs $19.99 per city, and is available via download right here.
I've been spending time at the BlackBerry Accessories store. It opened for business earlier this week.
Here, you can shop for BB accessories by device or by accessory type.
In the Batteries & Battery Accessories area, for example, you can find battery covers, battery doors, and well, duh - replacement batteries. Need a new battery? There's a $29.99 battery for the 7700, 7500, 7200, 6500 and 6200. What about a real robust battery for your 7510 or 6510? Costs 'cha $43.49. And, if you need mobile power for your 7100, that's a separate $29.99 product.
Tomorrow, we'll look at the selection in the Carrying Solutions section.
Mobile software and applications provider Handango has a product called
InHand. When the software program is downloaded and installed on a portable device, it can facilitate software, games,
ringtones, and all sorts of cool stuff.
InHand was not available for the BlackBerry. But as a friend of mine steeped in East Asian spirituality says, “that
was Zen. This is Tao.”
Which is a way of saying that yes, InHand for
BlackBerry is now available. It’s compliant with all 3.8 OS Berries and above - including the 7100, 7200, 7500 and
7700 series.
Although I strongly get the sense that most of you BBHub readers already own a BlackBerry and/or are thinking about buying a specific model, I also understand that more than a few of you are new to BlackBerry and would like a basic introduction to what BlackBerry is, and does.
According to research firm Gartner, BlackBerry PDA shipments grew by 52.6 percent in the third quarter of 2005.
Ned Johnson and Martin Trautschold are consultants with more than eight years of combined experience working with BlackBerry using corporate and individual clients. Trautschold, in fact, has presented at the Annual RIM BlackBerry Wireless
Enterprise Symposium.
I've just noticed that BlackBerry Ring Tone Megaplex has just passed 23,000 downloads on Handango.com.
While we are not in the business of selling books around here, it would be deficient of me not to mention that Mobile Guide To BlackBerry went on sale today. 
Sendia Corporation's Hardhat application is a customized flavor of its BlackBerry-compliant wireless business application platform. 
Every once in awhile, I like to check the
I've been spending some quality time looking for bargains on the relatively new 
Taking a subway ride in New York, London, Paris or Berlin?
I've been spending time at the 
