BlackBerry Internet Services

As some of you may already know, the next generation of BlackBerry devices will be powered by QNX. The very first of those devices is the PlayBook that was launched in April 2011. With the recent preview of PlayBook OS 2.0, it was announced that the native email application will be using Activesync instead of the usual BlackBerry NOC. For BES users, their emails will utilise the same Activesync while additional layers of securities will be added by BlackBerry’s NOC to provide the business users the security they are used to from BlackBerry.

The next generation of OS for BlackBerry phones dubbed BB10, I am guessing will utilise the same service.

This sort of raises a question for me, is the BIS still worth the additional monthly subscription fees? In Singapore where I live, BIS simply meant the ability to have have push emails, BBM and usage of apps that requires a BIS-b network. Facebook, twitter, whatsapp, BB Protect, BB browser…etc. But to be honest if emails is now on Activesync, would it make more sense to shift the other applications away from BIS and just use the apn from service providers? Now, whenever you are surfing the net, the data actually has to go through RIM’s server before they reach your device. Of course RIM does their data compression magic too. But with data being much cheaper than it used to be, is it worth it to sacrifice speed for less data used? Personally, i don’t think so. I think to remove the requirements for BIS in order for these apps to work is a move towards a more consumer friendly RIM. Those who do not wish to have a BIS can still use their phone for normal functions. Unlike today, if you have a BlackBerry phone without BIS, you pretty much end up with a feature phone.

That said, I am perfectly willing to pay for BIS services as it is now, as i think its a great add on to the BlackBerry experience. But i doubt most consumers can understand why they need a BlackBerry specific data plan in order for the phone to work. Especially those that have switched over from other smartphone platforms.

BIS could be a killer service if only RIM would push for all their services to be available worldwide. Apps like BBM Music, BB Traffic, BB News, BB Podcasts are all available in a select few countries only. If all these were to be made worldwide, the value of BIS could be greatly increased. Maybe introduce a BB Cloud for some online storage space. This would make BIS an irresistible add on for consumers.

Smartphones.

I have always maintained that the preference of mobile phones is a very personal one. It all depends on your hierarchy of needs from a mobile phone. So, I do not really understand why people on various forums like trolling and bashing phones from other manufacturers. Some use their phone mainly for communication, some use their phone for media and entertainment.

I also think that we are in a very exciting phase in the smartphone industry, where more and more consumers are getting a smartphone as their new phone. Currently, only around 20% of phones in the world are smartphones, So as you can see, there is a lot of potential in that market. Which brings me to why I decided to write today.

For the past few years, Apple’s iPhone has been the phone under the spotlight, revolutionising the smartphone market. A trend-setter I might add, that all manufacturers are now following. Full touch screen device that is actually a joy to use, making the stylus obsolete. When the other manufacturers tried to follow the trend initially, they failed rather badly. A brilliant example would be the BlackBerry Storm from RIM. 

However, things have changed in recent years. With the manufacturer finally upping their game and provide a worthy competition to the iPhone.

So here are in my opinion current worthy alternatives to the iPhone operating-system, iOS.

Android Ice Scream Sandwich (Google), Windows Mobile 7.5 Mango (Microsoft) and the upcoming BB10 (Research in Motion, RIM)

Lets start with the most obvious, Android ICS. An open source OS that any manufacturer can choose to adopt and many have. Just to name a few are Samsung, Motorola, HTC, LG and Sony Ericsson to name a few. It is quickly becoming one of the most popular OS among smartphones. I have tried a friend’s Samsung Nexus and Galaxy S2 running Gingerbread for a short period of time. I found it largely similar to how the iOS feels like. Except it felt a little less polished. Though it does has widgets, which in my opinion is very nice. I have not tried ICS physically, though it seems like a very nice upgrade. In a nutshell, Android OS does offers more functionality as compared to iOS, but while you gain that, you seem to lose a bit of user friendliness to it. At least for someone who is completely new to Android devices. But overall, it does feels very nice and i expect more great things to come from Google. My only gripe is with the enormous amount of android devices in the market, which means choosing a particular brand difficult. Also with the OS being so competitive, you find yourself buying a latest android device only for it to be replaced by a newer model after a couple of months. Though in my opinion, you cannot go wrong with Samsung and Motorola. Samsung currently makes the Nexus series of device, while motorola’s mobile division was recently purchased by Google themselves. So knock yourself out while trying to figure out whichAndroid device to go for. Or simply seek more opinions on adroidcentral.com.

Next, we arrived at Windows 7.5 Mango. Microsoft is obviously not new to the mobile industry, with their ancient windows mobile os on plenty of old pda phones. I had a HP iPaq rw.. something something, back in the days, and lets just say the relationship was extremely short-lived. So fast forward to Windows 7.5 Mango. I recently played with a Nokia Lumia 800 at the showroom, and boy i was in for a huge surprise. The phone felt fantastic. The new OS was surprisingly easy to use and comes with what microsoft calls “live tiles”. They are basically icon in a tile shape that provide live updates to whatever is going on, be it the weather or twitter feeds. The os looks very pleasing to the eyes and is very user friendly and easy to understand. Even though it was my first experience with a modern windows phone, i was able to navigate through the phone with ease. Then of course is the recent partnership of Nokia with Microsoft, it was simply a match made in heaven. With Nokia providing some of thier own apps ike Nokia Maps, Nokia Drove and Nokia Music, it made the phone that much more functional. In my opinion, if you like a windows phone, the Lumia 800 is the only way to go. However for some odd reason you prefer other brands, check out wpcentral for more reviews and information about windows phones. Overall, great potential in the OS, intuitive, user friendly and very very nice indeed.

Finally, we come to the last contender. BB10 OS from RIM. It will be based on RIM new QNX based os. Technically, its not out yet. But still i think it will be an amazing os. It will basically be a miniaturised version of the playbook. With all the bezel gestures. If thats really the case, it will be absolutely amazing to use. For those not familiar, you can check out crackberry.com for more details. Rumour has it that it that there will be 2 models. 1 full touch screen device and 1 with physical keyboard. Which personally the one i’m looking for.

Headphone Review (Ultimate Ears 200vi)

Link: Headphone Review (Ultimate Ears 200vi)

I first started using ultimate ears products more than 2 years ago. Not the high end ones, but the lowest end metro-fi 100. It was in my opinion the best earphone in the $50-60 price range. It was a tremendous upgrade compared to the crappy ones Apple provides with their iPhones. Even previous earphones i’ve owned from Sony or Audio Technica could be compared to this.

Though i have to say that this pair of earphones are not for those who likes heavy bass. It does however have very nice treble and produces very crisp sound. Just the right earphone for my collection of music. That said, it’s not as if the bass on the 200vi is bad, in fact, it is still better than most earphones in that price range. My very first Metro-Fi 100 from UE was retailing at $58 then, it was the lowest end. The new pair of 200vi i bought costs just $49, and it includes a microphone for use with my phone for conversation. Which is in my opinion, the bargain of the century. I went out shopping for a Jays a-Jays One earphone but ended up with a 200vi and i love it.

Having work in an electronic store before, i’ve tried many different earphones, from cheap ones at $20+ to high end earphones that cost $700+. I’ve never been able to justify purchasing a earphone that costs more than a hundred bucks. My music collection is mostly in mp3 and AAC format, which really doesn’t do much justice to the earphone. So if you’re looking for a decent pair of earphones, but have a low budget, give the UE 200 a go. The version without microphone should costs just $39 if i remember correctly.