Thread: 5 Things RIM Needs to Fix

I stumbled upon a very interesting article today, and it makes you think what could be better on our phones. Wired.com has came up with a great article of "5 Things RIM Needs to Fin in it's BlackBerries." It covers Wi-Fi, browser, touchscreen, app store, and desktop software. So make sure you hit the link to read the article, as it may give you ideas of whats to come!

Click here to read the article!

I saw this too. Good article, but that screen on his blackberry curve looks terrible lol

This is a good article, and I say good because it does point out issues with our devices. But I am SICK and TIRED of EVERY DEVICE ON THE MARKET being compared to the iPhone or the iPhone/iTunes combo.

We (my family) has had 4 iPhones (my original, my 3G, my wife's 3G, and my daughter's 3G). They are NOT all that. Even now you must wait to send an MMS. An MMS? YES an MMS. The state of the art, holier than Thou phone can't even send a picture message. Oh, wait...let's jailbreak it. Oh wait, the next update broke my jailbreak.

I'm going to release a new line of toilet paper. I hope it's as user friendly as the iPhone.

I hate Wired in general, but I read the article, thought it was trash, but it pointed out some serious, serious flaws that my Blackberry has and RIM has acknowledged.

The browser, seriously, is the failboat which has set sail to failisland many a time. Yes it is slow, yes it only shows mobile sites really well, no native flash support, etc. I use Bolt personally when I need the page to look like it does on my desktop however, and that is rare at best. I use the browser on my phone not so much to browse as I do to look up something curious that I see or hear about via Wikipedia or Google Search. The browser will get better in time, and until then, there are third party solutions, and when skyfire comes out, I'll be happy if RIM never changes their browser, because I'll have a solution.

Media management is a serious load of crap. I have only once ever used the Roxio Media Manager to put media on my phone, otherwise I drag and drop it onto the media card. Why is this such a terrible thing to do for most consumers? It's generally quicker, I don't have to parse my library and wait for a bunch of updates to happen to sync three songs to my phone. I simply find the file, cut/paste or drag/drop it onto my media card and disconnect the blackberry. Media management is something everyone should really care less about, IMO. The Desktop Manager does what it is designed to do - update software, backup your phone, control syncing. I really don't need it for much else.

Wi-Fi... now this is something I could use on my blackberry... something I "could" use. Would I use it? Rarely ever. I'm not one of those people who doesn't have a BB Data Plan, cause I need that email push wherever I am, so having faster internet for when I'm at work/at home on my blackberry really doesn't intrigue me, and why is that? At work I have a terminal in front of me that let's me browse to most of the websites I would at home; at home I have a PS3, Gaming PC, Netbook, and Wii, all capable of browsing the internet in some fashion on a much bigger screen than my Tour. I just don't care about Wi-Fi enough for me to fight for it. And let's face it, that was something RIM couldn't control. Verizon and Sprint fought long and hard to keep WiFi off the BB because their policies "require" BB data plans, and they thought if WiFi was going to be on the phones, more people would laugh at the cost of their plan. RIM can't change what the carriers want, but we have had good news, VZW and Sprint say they'll change their ways. New devices will have WiFi - and probably a WiFi that works, unlike what I've seen on most of the Iphones I've seen people with (let's face it though, most of the people I know with Iphones from my small Minnesota town) can never get their WiFi to work, and I choose not to help them, as I have never, and will never, touch an Iphone.

App Store has never been a big deal, not with sites like Mobihand, our own store here at BBos, and the numerous other stores out there. Unlike the 70,000 apps on Iphone that don't really do anything I want, I have my Remote Desktop, my Pandora, my SSH Terminal, Google Voice, and IM Clients. Let's not forget Blackberry Messenger... haha! I'd like to see the app store grow, yes, but I don't think it is something RIM needs to be "on the ball" about right now. That can wait.

Touchscreen - after having so many other Touchscreen devices over the years now, and being a Storm-Tour Convert, I really have to say I don't care. Not only do I not care, I wish the rest of the world would give it up already. Bigger screen - yea, with finger grease on it, or a stylus that doesn't work that well, requiring screen protectors to not make the screen look terrible after 6 months of using it. Sometimes, I miss my Storm, I'm not going to lie, and then I write a blog, or an email, and thank god that I have a physical qwerty again. RIM should make a good Touchscreen device, the Storm 2 will hopefully be it, but they should only make it to put Apple back in it's place of making way overpriced computing equipment and phone review websites/technology websites could get back to writing reviews that matter instead of all the "OMG IPHONE 3GS, MIGHT GET MMS SOMETIME IN THE NEAR FUTURE!!!!" and I could stop seeing commercials with the most absurd selling points like, "now with cut and paste..." cut and paste? You're kidding me... you're really kidding me right?

Blackberry OS needs an overhaul, it needs to be more physically attractive, not hourglass quite so hard, and my lord, does need a better browser (thank goodness for third parties), but honestly, my blackberry has reliability that I would only expect from RIM now, and that's all I need - reliable communications.

Good Article, rifled with Wired IPhone Propaganda, but it almost got it right. Almost.

WOW, great write up servovestri!

Originally Posted by Servovestri

I hate Wired in general, but I read the article, thought it was trash, but it pointed out some serious, serious flaws that my Blackberry has and RIM has acknowledged.

The browser, seriously, is the failboat which has set sail to failisland many a time......

........commercials with the most absurd selling points like, "now with cut and paste..." cut and paste? You're kidding me... you're really kidding me right?

Blackberry OS needs an overhaul, it needs to be more physically attractive, not hourglass quite so hard, and my lord, does need a better browser (thank goodness for third parties), but honestly, my blackberry has reliability that I would only expect from RIM now, and that's all I need - reliable communications.

Good Article, rifled with Wired IPhone Propaganda, but it almost got it right. Almost.

This guy gets my vote for best response EVER! He should write for BBOS!

Thoroughly enjoyed reading that and agree with all your points except for the one about the greasy screen. The light from the screen shines through all that so I never notice it. Screen protectors are no different than the cases people get to keep their other devices like new.

Good job!

Very good response. And your avatar is making me hungry!

The avatar Natemz is one hell of a burger - 2lbs of beef, a grilled cheese sandwich in the middle, and four slices of bacon on top - they call it the "Chuck Norris" over at Patrick's on Third St in St. Peter, Minnesota - if you're ever up that way. Comes with two sides too... mmmmm she was tasty, and probably a heartattack waiting to happen.

@Tommygrubz, thanks for enjoying my post, just sick of IPhone chatter destroying my wonderful world of cellular communication, and you know, I was being a little spiteful about the touchscreen because I never saw grease on my storm - surprisingly, considering that burger right? I've never been a fan of screen protectors tho - fan of what they do, not of their application - I did like the built in screen protector for my otterbox tho. I'd also have no problem writing for BBOS, but we have plenty of people on the ball with our amazing writeups already!

Originally Posted by Servovestri

The avatar Natemz is one hell of a burger - 2lbs of beef, a grilled cheese sandwich in the middle, and four slices of bacon on top - they call it the "Chuck Norris" over at Patrick's on Third St in St. Peter, Minnesota - if you're ever up that way. Comes with two sides too... mmmmm she was tasty, and probably a heartattack waiting to happen.

@Tommygrubz, thanks for enjoying my post, just sick of IPhone chatter destroying my wonderful world of cellular communication, and you know, I was being a little spiteful about the touchscreen because I never saw grease on my storm - surprisingly, considering that burger right? I've never been a fan of screen protectors tho - fan of what they do, not of their application - I did like the built in screen protector for my otterbox tho. I'd also have no problem writing for BBOS, but we have plenty of people on the ball with our amazing writeups already!

Sounds like something I need to eat after a good leg day at the gym!

Stiefler, hook this man up! The more the merrier, right???

What's wrong with that curve in the pics? It looks like it's got serious condensation underneath the screen. LOL

I've got a few things I'd like to throw at this article as well.

the devices still seem like a mishmash of undercooked ideas

Are you serious? Is this how people view the OS and device lineup? I don't see a mishmash of various ideas on a blackberry, I see a well working device. Sure, there are some bugs. S*&T happens, no electronics are designed with absolutely no flaws, but I have never used a more stable phone OS with the features, and I have owned and used a lot of various cell phones. I have had 3 blackberrys, I went from a Bold 9000 to a Storm 9530 to a Tour 9630. I've used my friend's iphone (which he has had to replace not 1, not 5, not 10, but 12 times), and sure the screen is nice, but my device has basic features such as cut/copy/paste, MMS, the ability to do a battery pull, record videos, expand memory cards, set custom ringtones, and my network supports it well.

Browser

Unlike the iPhone or the Palm Pre, the BlackBerry does not display web pages just the way your PC would.

Because the full flash support runs so well on both devices, except it doesn't. There is no full flash support, meaning there is no way to render "just" like your PC would. Apple is working on it though, as is Palm and RIM. There are 3rd party programs working on it as well. I would like to see it updated, but I also like the fact that I have EVDO service almost everywhere with my Storm and Tour where my Bold did not have anything anywhere.

Touchscreen

NO! RIM was arround long before the need for touchscreen and before they came out with, what I referr to as the consumer-end phones, RIM had 5 million subscribers just for business only. Once the consumers came out, they ended last year just under 14 million consumer and corporate phones. RIM doesn't need to show off to other companies, and they don't need you. If you want a touchscreen phone on a network that only makes it work well in the top 50 markets in the nation, feel free to go, RIM would rather have corporate users anyway: they pay bills, on time, they don't complain about their phones and IT admins like them because of the control and reliability.
Now, I have a Storm and it works fine for me. Granted, when I am driving 55 down a gravel road, yea, it's kinda hard to type, but I can type with mine just fine, I can even type faster than my friend's iPhone. But just remember when you whine to RIM to make a good touchscreen, they don't need you and you should be happy with what they give you.

App Store

Apple’s iPhone App Store has about 70,000 applications available while the BlackBerry marketplace has 2,322 apps in it

Because an app that just goes "That's what she said," an app that makes a fart noise, an app that plays a high-frequency sound that supposidly no one over the age of 14 should be able to hear (but I hear it like nails on a chalkboard) means that people use it consistantly? I don't care if you want to fill your application memory with pointless applications, my blackberries run only apps that I use and use well. MORE is not always better, Windows Mobile has 18,000 apps to use, but they have a purpose, too.


Wi-Fi

EVDO, EVDO Rev A. 'Nuff said.
But in all serious, I had Wifi on my Bold, I never used it, it wouldn't do what I wanted it to do so I said screw it and stuck with my blazing fast EDGE network. I don't miss it on either my Storm or Tour.

Desktop Software
I've never had an issue with mine, it backs up, syncs, loads apps, and does everything I want it to do. It's very simple to set up. Granted, the Roxio Media Manager isn't fun to use, but it converts my videos without a hitch and that is all I use it for, I sync my music and pictures manually as I decide what I want to listen to. I have also helped several dozen people set it up initially and I never hear back from anyone about how to do something becaue it does what they want it to do.

Final thoughts
And, why are we comparing RIM to Apple anyway? RIM doesn't have to compete with other companies, they're better and working in the cell phone industry I can hook any person up with the perfect blackberry and perfect software/apps in any situation. Hell, I even set up my Mom with a blackberry and she is scared of technology. I solute you, RIM and love your phones

Well said Peeps :fing02:

Definitely some good points in here and I agree the world has just gone loopy over the iPhone. But let me play point, counterpoint for a second.

Yeah I have owned the iPhone and every other known device to mankind plus about 10 different BB's. And let me say this, thank god for the iPhone as the cell phone market including RIM was so stagnant prior to that I think I saw flies. iPhone put it squarely right in the jaw of RIM to come out with better products. Have they answered, somewhat.

WiFi: All I have to say is this is the 21st century whether you use it or not is irrelevant this is should be a standard item end of story. Anyone here who has ever traveled internationally will sing praises about how much money they can save by having it. Verizon can say whatever they want about their network, WiFi should be standard.

Web Browsing: Seriously are we going to let RIM off the hook. I have seen ground sloths move faster than RIM's web browser loads java script. Third party browser whatever, mobile Safari just puts RIM browser to shame. And for that matter so does, Google and the Pre.

Multimedia: Ha I won't even discuss this. This is like comparing Michael Jordan with a high school basketball player

Email: RIM trashes the iPhone all over the place.

Stability: Minus the Storm it's a close race. You don't see people returning the iPhone because of a lose battery door or trackball that doesn't work.

If Apple does figure out the unified inbox and a better system to work with Network servers, the iPhone will give BB a real run for it's money. RIM is not the only player in town.

Here's a nice little stat to ponder: in 3 years the iPhone has sold 30 million units. Since it's inception BB has sold about 100 million.

Yes I am BB user and lover, but I am not going to settle on the status quo. A recent study by Forbes found that if the iPhone was picked up by VZW, 50% of Storm users would get an iPhone instead.

Originally Posted by jlevy73

But let me play point, counterpoint for a second.

Noted.

....cell phone market including RIM was so stagnant prior to that I think I saw flies. iPhone put it squarely right in the jaw of RIM to come out with better products.

Sony Ericcson P900 series and the P1 ushered in quite a bit of usability and stability as far as smartphones go, and the Nokia NSeries is way beyond most, if not all, of what Apple/RIM have been doing - I'd sell my soul for an N900 and a carrier that was worth a damn in the USA - unfortunately, that isn't the case with GSM, not in this market anyway, and not ever from what I remember ATT telling me when I worked for them.

...how much money they can save by having it. Verizon can say whatever they want about their network, WiFi should be standard.

Fair argument, I'll give you that. Roaming charges overseas can be pretty astronomical, and WiFi could definitely save you there. But honestly, seriously, how many BB users are ever going to go out of the country other than on business who wouldn't have company provided netbooks/laptops. Skype/Google voice dialing aside, it is coming, it will be standard, Sprint and Verizon f-d up pretty hard with it, but in all honestly, the subject of WiFi on a BB should be dropped already - what with the Odin right around the corner and the Essex, and all new BB devices to have WiFi - it does no good to cry over a feature missing that is being fixed. We should be focused more on features that... I dunno, are going overlooked.

Web Browsing: Seriously are we going to let RIM off the hook. I have seen ground sloths move faster than RIM's web browser loads java script. Third party browser whatever, mobile Safari just puts RIM browser to shame. And for that matter so does, Google and the Pre.

Honestly, I don't know where you're living, but I'd like to be there. Edge service with Safari does not load anything faster than EV-DO A. I don't care what kind of mystics you're pulling on your IPhone to conjure up a page like that, the pipe is purely not big enough on edge. On 3G, yea, sure, Safari is probably pretty snappy, I can't say I've ever seen it however, Minneapolis/St.Paul's 3G coverage on ATT is so spot poor I doubt I could even be at the Apple Store in the MOA and see it work well. Another network, another time, maybe I'd agree. It does look pretty when it loads the websites tho. I can't argue about Android running on Verizon/Sprint HTC phones, as it has appeared pretty snappy, and the Pre definitely could pound out a page. Yea, RIM does need to work on it's browser, I'm not arguing they don't, but if I can get a third party to do the same dang thing and do it quicker then them, I'll take that solution. "There's an app for that".

Email: RIM trashes the iPhone all over the place.

It is gonna be hard to ever bring down the king of email - may it happen, yea, will Apple be the one to do it... doubtful.

Stability: Minus the Storm it's a close race. You don't see people returning the iPhone because of a lose battery door or trackball that doesn't work.

I could be like, "The lose battery door is a joke..." and "The trackball issue is resolved now if you DOA the phone and get a green stickered box", but I'm gonna take the high road on this one - oh yeah, my phone does MMS, does yours?

Nah, but seriously, all things aside, I saw someone warranty exchange their IPhone for a blown speaker (due to contact with Ranch dipping sauce... yea I know, they took it under warranty), 5 "worn out" screens, and 2 overheating batteries. Man, I'll take a millimeter of wobbly backdoor for that. My trackball works fantastic, so I can't argue there - some people get 'em, some people don't.

If Apple does figure out the unified inbox and a better system to work with Network servers, the iPhone will give BB a real run for it's money. RIM is not the only player in town.

I can really see Apple attempting to do something with propriety email clients/servers and backend and making corporations evolve to appease IPhone users - that isn't winning unless the corperation gives in. But yea, maybe, maybe they'll have a good idea, and their email will be sweet like RIMs, but by the time that happens - considering during the last evolution of the IPhone, "cut and paste" was a revolution - RIM will probably have a device out that will fix the issues we've stated here.

Here's a nice little stat to ponder: in 3 years the iPhone has sold 30 million units. Since it's inception BB has sold about 100 million.

Solid numbers, but I'm curious as to how many of both of these numbers are people simply upgrading old units and not single users - 30 million and 100 million are big numbers, but note if 15 million IPhone users are there and 30 million units are sold because users upgraded each time an iteration was out.

Yes I am BB user and lover, but I am not going to settle on the status quo. A recent study by Forbes found that if the iPhone was picked up by VZW, 50% of Storm users would get an iPhone instead.

Let's face facts, the Storm was rushed out to compete in a market it should have never tried to compete in. It should have waited a while, been refined, but it gave people hope, and those people are on these forums every day, drooling over Storm 2 footage, talking rumors and speculation, waiting, hoping, that RIM comes back from the blow the Storm gave. If the Storm 2 is what Storm-lovers crave, I think that number will be significantly different in the future - will some people still want an IPhone? Yea. I want a Koenigsegg too, but it isn't efficient for it's price point, and neither is an Iphone or its fairly absurd monthly fees.

i like how the app store was talked about, i dont need 65000 apps that do fart sounds, or just some simple lame apps, i have had a friend with a i phone and talk about pointless apps plus a lot of those apps are games and media apps need say more, if i wanted to play games all day i would have went i phone lol

and for the desktop software, i hate itunes, not because i dislike macs but for other reasons i dont find any trouble putting data and a/v on my device

i think this article is kinda BS way biased to the IPHONE and APPLE's software plain and simple

there is reason we bought berry's

EDIT

forgot to talk about the gee whiz features, when did media playback and touch screens become a gee whiz thing, they simply offering it because its kinda standard, before i made my move to my berry i have a flip LG phone that played movies and music etc etc

i should write a 5 ways i would smash a iphone if i had one article

Originally Posted by Servovestri

The avatar Natemz is one hell of a burger - 2lbs of beef, a grilled cheese sandwich in the middle, and four slices of bacon on top - they call it the "Chuck Norris" over at Patrick's on Third St in St. Peter, Minnesota - if you're ever up that way. Comes with two sides too... mmmmm she was tasty, and probably a heartattack waiting to happen.

@Tommygrubz, thanks for enjoying my post, just sick of IPhone chatter destroying my wonderful world of cellular communication, and you know, I was being a little spiteful about the touchscreen because I never saw grease on my storm - surprisingly, considering that burger right? I've never been a fan of screen protectors tho - fan of what they do, not of their application - I did like the built in screen protector for my otterbox tho. I'd also have no problem writing for BBOS, but we have plenty of people on the ball with our amazing writeups already!

That sandwhich/burger sounds like a heart attack waiting to happen. I did enjoy your write up. Very thorough and well thought out. Not a bad effort at all, thank you for sharing.