Last week we heard the news that BlackBerry Desktop for Mac was coming soon and then a few days later RIM download this new Mac client. BlackBerry Desktop for Mac supports syncing contacts, calendar, tasks, and notes with your BlackBerry running OS 4.2 or later. The Mac applications it works with include iCal, Address Book, Microsoft Entourage and others. BB Media Sync is also included for iTunes syncing functionality.
RIM launched their BlackBerry App World onboard application store at CTIA on 1 April 2009. The App World application lets you purchase and download applications to your supported RIM BlackBerry device. Apps can be free (30% were at launch) or priced from US$2.99 and up. You can read reviews, download some trials, view screenshots, and provide feedback for the applications.
RIM is rolling out a new update for the PlayBook and you have to admit they are doing a good job at updating the device, now let's bring on the apps.
The ZDNet IT Facts blog is a great source for interesting data and I find articles there related to mobile technology almost on a daily basis. The one that caught my eye yesterday stated that 63 million converged devices were expected to ship by year end 2010.
I was browsing the news feeds today and ran across the name NTP so I popped open and checked out the CNET article. You may remember NTP as they were the company that sued RIM for patent infringements on their BlackBerry devices. It seems that NTP isn't content with the settlement they received from RIM and now appear to be targeting the Palm Treo.
2006 is turning into the year of the QWERTY keyboard, but so far RIM seems to be holding its own as Microsoft, Palm, Nokia, Motorola, and others attempt to take a bite out of the BlackBerry market. It may be too early to make these statements though as many of these devices are just now rolling out and I am sure the competition will heat up in late 2006 and early 2007.
RIM will be announcing a new device with multimedia capabilities and an integrated camera in the next month or so. Will this convince BlackBerry fans to stay with this platform or will the power of Windows Mobile and S60 sway them to a new device operating system?
Small and medium sized businesses have not generally embraced the BlackBerry Enterprise Server solution due to the high cost and requirement to have someone onsite manage the server. Research In Motion just announced the release of a hosted software solution that wireless carriers and other providers can implement and offer to customers who want the BlackBerry experience without the server requirements.
The BB Bold 9900 has been out for several months and we are now finally seeing the release of an update with WiFi calling and the mobile hotspot feature. This device pairs nicely with the PlayBook and 2.0 update.
I said there would be a ton of announcements from 3GSM this week and if your head isn't already spinning with the speed and number of device announcements then get ready for another one. Research in Motion announced the BlackBerry 8800. The BlackBerry 8800 is the thinnest BlackBerry device and yet features their famous QWERTY keyboard and the trackball navigation system similar to the Pearl. Integrated GPS and a microSD expansion slot are also packed into this slim device. The BlackBerry 8800 comes with BlackBerry Maps that work with the integrated GPS radio to provide driving directions to your desired destination. The device sports a 320x240 landscape color display.The quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE smartphone will be available worldwide starting this month.