Honestly, do you guys think the Blackberry Bold is 3G iPhone competition?

[newyorksole]

To be honest I couldn't imagine getting a BB after using the iPhone for a year. The iPhone has such a great interface and the large screen, I couldn't possibly give that up. Going from iPhone to Blackberry Bold would be weird and kind of a downgrade IMO.

 

[nastebu]

Oh no, it's not competition.

It's a killer.

Seriously, instead of talking about v2.0 vapourware and a unit that hasn't been released yet you should actually consider what the Bold offers.

Well, the Bold isn't available yet either, and might not be until after the iPhone.

 

[DreamPod]

A few people are mentioning how the Bold's screen is small compared to the iPhone. But realize something: it's the exact same resolution, and none of that is ever covered up by a huge virtual keyboard. So doing things like posting in a messageboard will be a lot better of an experience on the Bold than on the iPhone, even a 3G iPhone. As well, the screen will look a lot nicer, *because* it's smaller -smaller pixels without resolution loss always looks better (though it might be harder to see fine detail).

Oh BTW, for people who don't know what it looks like, this is the bold:

 

[TuffLuffJimmy]

A few people are mentioning how the Bold's screen is small compared to the iPhone. But realize something: it's the exact same resolution, and none of that is ever covered up by a huge virtual keyboard. So doing things like posting in a messageboard will be a lot better of an experience on the Bold than on the iPhone, even a 3G iPhone. As well, the screen will look a lot nicer, *because* it's smaller -smaller pixels without resolution loss always looks better (though it might be harder to see fine detail).

Oh BTW, for people who don't know what it looks like, this is the bold:
http://cache.gizmodo.com/assets/images/gallery/4/2008/05/medium_2484842449_3ca131d2a2_o.jpg

not true, people buy big TVs to watch a big nice TV. They could get a small computer screen with the same resolution, but it wouldn't be nearly as nice of an experience to watch a movie as it would be to watch on a 60 inch television.

 

[DreamPod]

not true, people buy big TVs to watch a big nice TV. They could get a small computer screen with the same resolution, but it wouldn't be nearly as nice of an experience to watch a movie as it would be to watch on a 60 inch television.

You're talking about something totally different there - people like bigscreen TV's because it's more theater-like, and more immersive of an experience. But for sheer picture quality, a 42" 1080p TV will look ton better than a 72" 1080p with all other stats perfectly equal. And a 24" 1080p computer monitor will look even better (which is why people always describe those 24" Apple monitors as "sexy"). Smaller pixels always look better.

 

[SFStateStudent]

I echo this statement. However, in my experience BBs have made some piss poor phones. At least my 8700 series have sucked badly.

I agree, the Blackberry has many phone problems that really bothered me on my test drive about a month ago! I received at least ten calls, that I never received or was unable to answer. I took the phone back and got another new one and it did the same thing. Ring, Ring, Ring and unable to answer it. Had trouble hearing and there seemed to be too many buttons and seemed real difficult to navigate on the web, or anything regarding the Blackberry for that matter.

 

[BongoBanger]

Well, the Bold isn't available yet either, and might not be until after the iPhone.

But the servers, support programme and infrastructure are. Do you seriously think most businesses are going to ditch them for an untried Apple replacement?

This is the real world, not some hyped blog.

 

[aristobrat]

But the servers, support programme and infrastructure are. Do you seriously think most businesses are going to ditch them for an untried Apple replacement?

At the enterprise company I work at, we're not considering immediately ditching our the RIM-infrastructure that we've spend tens of thousands of dollars on over the last few years, but we're definitely going to look at the iPhone 2.0 PRECISELY because it DOESN'T require that we run a special 'BlackBerry only' server/infrastructure/separate support contract (all of which cost $$$$) in our data center to deliver email to our users.

So doing things like posting in a messageboard will be a lot better of an experience on the Bold

Unless their web browser got orders of magnitude better, a higher resolution screen isn't going to make posting a message on a forum any better of an experience!

 

[iBeard]

No I think "Thunder" is the real iPhone competitor.

 

[aristobrat]

No I think "Thunder" is the real iPhone competitor.

Don't forget to use TIMG with big pictures. Saves the mods time having to fix it for you.

Be interesting to see what Thunder turns out like. Just all rumors, now. Cool to see RIM is thinking about a touch-screen keyboard. Wonder if Apple will ever do a model with a physical keyboard?

 

[impact_blue]

Don't forget to use TIMG with big pictures. Saves the mods time having to fix it for you.

Be interesting to see what Thunder turns out like. Just all rumors, now. Cool to see RIM is thinking about a touch-screen keyboard. Wonder if Apple will ever do a model with a physical keyboard?

Too bad the Thunder wont be out for Verizon anytime soon. I'd be nice to see if it would keep me on Verizon's network since I'm sold on switch for the 3G iphone.

 

[Manie Frizzle]

i wonder what the data plans will be priced at when the bold is release.

if the new iphone has all those wanted features and the price plan stay the same, wouldnt it be cheaper to get the iphone cause the unlimited data is $10 cheaper than the blackberry plan?

 

[Shackler]

im going to bring this thread back. with 2 cents and say BB fanboys will stay loyal to BB Apple fanboys will stay loyal to iPhone and a few enterprises will consider their options. Both phones are huge moves forward for each company and their customers and each are perfectly tailored for their market.

That said i want to throw a third phone into the mix...
Xperia x1
the phone that makes WM less sucky and i think looks damn good. I think these are the big 3 phones of the year. maybe the diamond as well but im not to thrilled about another iphone wanna be

 

[megfilmworks]

No way, I dumped my Blackberries in June and never looked back.
Just like my CRT SD tv sets.

 

[kdarling]

im going to bring this thread back. with 2 cents and say BB fanboys will stay loyal to BB Apple fanboys will stay loyal to iPhone and a few enterprises will consider their options.

Yep.

Xperia x1 (snip) I think these are the big 3 phones of the year. maybe the diamond as well ... (snip)

Plus..

The Raphael, the keyboard and video-output Diamond sibling.

The Samsung F480

And a few others I can't recall right now. Basically, Apple lovers get a better phone, and the WM and RIM folks get an ever expanding set of choices. It's a win-win situation for consumers.

 

[rayward]

to contest your argument... blackberry knows what they're good at... they have the market of business professionals... its 100% understandable... apple knows this... apple chose to not have a keyboard on the phone and they believe its best for them... the world disagrees - its widely known that they keyboard is easier to use... people love to be able to touch a button and feel themselves typing... apple believes in time this could change however apple isnt targetting business professionals yet....

I have both an iPhone and a Blackberry (required by work), and I hate typing on the BB. I hate that I get all crossed up when trying to type capitals or numbers or symbols. I hate that it doesn't spell-check on the fly. I hate having to use a combination of the wheel and buttons to move around a memo. I hate the tiny screen and the Windows 95 icons. I hate its bulk.

So, no, the "world" has not decided that BBs are better for typing.

And, FWIW, Apple claims, and I have read elsewhere in the press, that the rush to get Enterprise software on the iPhone is the result of demand from business users. Notable CEO and CIO types - who have the power to make it work for their companies. Like me, they enjoy the iPhone and have often wondered "wouldn't it be great if I could use this for my office email too!". Well, in June, that will be possible. Buh-bye Blackberry.

 

[rayward]

If you're a serious business person, get a Blackberry.

If you do light business work / consumer, get an iPhone. There is nothing better that has the functionality and ease of use.

With 2.0, the iPhone will slaughter the Blackberry as a business tool. Just think of the software apps that it can run!

 

[rayward]

At the enterprise company I work at, we're not considering immediately ditching our the RIM-infrastructure that we've spend tens of thousands of dollars on over the last few years, but we're definitely going to look at the iPhone 2.0 PRECISELY because it DOESN'T require that we run a special 'BlackBerry only' server/infrastructure/separate support contract (all of which cost $$$$) in our data center to deliver email to our users.

I think it's also going to be interesting when the BB server goes down (again) and jealous execs raise their heads from their isolated BBs and see someone cracking on with an iPhone.

 

[rioja]

Why anyone would walk around with a non-work related BB is beyond me. I live in Canada.. real BB territory... and I'm always amazed when I see people pull out a BB they bought and paid for.

Do you really need push email while going to grocery store???

I have an iPhone that I bought and an BB 8700 provided by work. I've used the BB for years and I don't care what the Bold is offering. If it's not paid for your employer, I don't think you need push email. There are much better choices for full featured (or just cheaper) phones today. Some even support BB Connect if your that hard-up for push.

 

[rayward]

But the servers, support programme and infrastructure are. Do you seriously think most businesses are going to ditch them for an untried Apple replacement?

I think the point of the iPhone enterprise approach is that you don't need any new infrastructure. You can add iPhones that will connect directly to your main servers and you can still run legacy BBs through your existing RIM infrastructure. It's not a massive investment proposition; it just requires the decision to buy a couple of iPhones and see how it goes.

 

[kdarling]

With 2.0, the iPhone will slaughter the Blackberry as a business tool. Just think of the software apps that it can run!

Not sure what apps you mean that would be unique, but...

It'll be able to run fewer apps than the RIM (or WM) devices, which have Java.

I think it's also going to be interesting when the BB server goes down (again) and jealous execs raise their heads from their isolated BBs and see someone cracking on with an iPhone.

They've already seen that with WM devices. Didn't change them a bit, except the most attached types got a second type of email phone to go with their BB.

 

[rayward]

Not sure what apps you mean that would be unique, but...

It'll be able to run fewer apps than the RIM (or WM) devices, which have Java.

Are you kidding? It'll be able to run any software that anyone cares to write for it. It doesn't require any other software for running apps, because it runs OS X.

 

[megfilmworks]

But the servers, support programme and infrastructure are. Do you seriously think most businesses are going to ditch them for an untried Apple replacement?

Absolutely.
Reliability, lower cost, more control and satisfied employees who hate the old clunky BBE products. It's a no brainer. By By BBE.

 

[JPIndustrie]

If the Blackberry bold is still the same ol' Blackberry with that annoying one column web browser and non-html, plain-text email then it is no match for the iPhone.

All it will do is provide a reason for all the executives in the world to conveniently have their corporate-provided blackberry cuves and 8800's 'mysteriously' break -

and require new corporate orders of the bolds.

 

[Shackler]

Are you kidding? It'll be able to run any software that anyone cares to write for it. It doesn't require any other software for running apps, because it runs OS X.

I'm pretty sure thats they same for any device, dont know what OSX has to do with it but ok. WM and BB will still have WAY more apps for it than the iPhone because a lot more people use them.

and to JPI. you clearly dont know anything about the phone so why post? It will have a revamped web browser, and HTML email. I think 3g a better camera ans screen plus more features are a reason to upgrade.

To everyone who talked about costs. Very good point, never thought about that. We will see what happens when they all come out.