Blog Archives
RIM throws up the white flag; acknowledges iOS in the enterprise space.
Today Research In Motion has pretty much said if we can’t beat them, lets profit of them. They have launched a new enterprise mobile device management tool called BlackBerry MobileFusion. With this tool IT managers can manage BlackBerry smartphones and the little used BlackBerry PlayBook. The software will also be able to manage tablets and smartphones running Android and iOS. So a IT manager will be able to do the following to your iDevice should you have it on the company network.
- Activate and configure devices and profiles over the air
- Enable access to enterprise Mail, Calendar and PIM
- Administer users and groups, natively and directory based
- Establish corporate IT Policies and Security
- Manage lost devices – Password Reset, Device Lock, Device Wipe
- Deploy internally-developed apps
- Define (and enforce) public applications as mandatory or optional
- Provides Rooting & Jailbreak Detection
- Prevent apps from accessing corporate mail accounts
Blackberry says “IT managers need to accommodate individually purchased units that come into the enterprise, whether by a sales rep deciding to expense the latest handset, a doctor bringing in their personal phone for hospital work, or a field worker getting whatever’s available on special as a replacement unit.”
BlackBerry Mobile Fusion server software is a free download and Client Access Licenses are included free for 60 days at the moment as well too. This will give IT managers a chance to try it out before a full roll out.
RIM Blackberry 10: iPhone iOS clone?
Research in Motion has already confirmed that BlackBerry 10 smartphones won’t be shipping until late this year. This will not help them if they are trying to get into the good graces of Smartphone buyers. CrackBerry showed a preview of what’s to come. They will have home screen widgets. They also have iOS-styled folders and integrated video calling.
The new BlackBerry 10 widgets look like they were cut and paste from Windows and Android. The new folder icon shows you a preview of the applications inside and a dedicated video chat button. The BlackBerry 10 OS looks like it is years ahead of RIM’s current OS but will it be enough to get people to buy a Blackberry? I think the answer to that is no. It is way too late in the game right now. They would have to do something that is a game changer. BGR reported that the BlackBerry London will be the first BlackBerry 10 smartphone to market. It is scheduled for a late September release but realistically it’s looking more like October.
IBM and HTC working together to take over enterprise market
IBM and HTC working together to take over enterprise market. We should see IBM software running on HTC smartphones and tablets. Does anyone still use Lotus anything? HTC’s executive director Global Enterprise and Services David Jaegar said “It’s only been really relatively recently that HTC has broken into the enterprise space. We’re driving toward that magic 100-million device number globally. We see IBM as the gold standard for an enterprise partnership. We want to make sure if IBM is talking about Android or tablets, HTC is in the conversation.” I wonder who will break into the market by full force first, HTC/IBM or Apple? My money is on Apple after yesterdays earnings report.
BlackBerry has been going downhill for awhile now. It’s new low being, dethrone as top smart phone in the Enterprise workspace
BlackBerry has been going downhill for some time now. The two headed CEO leadership just keeps saying everything is alright. We are still “King of the World” like they can’t see what everyone else sees. The near death of a once untouchable market leader. The service interruption might have been the last straw that pushed users and businesses over the edge. The timing could not have been better for other phone manufacturers looking to take a bite out of the enterprise space.
The release of iPhone’s are always a big deal for everyone this time around. Many Telecom, IT and just people who are forced to carry a BlackBerry thought long and hard this time around about making the switch. It seem to have worked. According to a report by iPass you might see an iPhone around the office more than you see a BlackBerry. Truth be told I see more and more of them everyday in the office. Most people where I an issued BlackBerry and a person iPhone on their hips gunslinger style. What the Mobile Workforce Report from research firm iPass is saying is that people are now actually being issued iPhones instead of a Blackberry.
The report states 45% of the enterprise workforce carries an iPhone, up from 31.1% last year. BlackBerry market share has only 32% Android’s market share doubled year over year to surpass Symbian. I tend to take Android numbers with a grain of salt since everyone and their mother makes a phone for the platform. Nevertheless they have 21% share of the enterprise smartphone market. So they soon as next year could pass BlackBerry as well since only 2.3% of workers have plans to buy a BlackBerry next year.
The iPass study also shows that found a number of other compelling tidbits: 40% of mobile workers would feel disoriented if they didn’t have a smartphone for a week. I feel that way if missing my iPhone for an hour. The iPass study was based on a survey of more than 2,300 workers around the world. Feel free to read the report at iPass. Note that it is a PDF.
Is there a Apple 4S Siri Security flaw?
Siri works and works very well. Consider this service is still in bata form. There are however some issues with functionality. The service was down over the weekend due to too much stress on the network. At least that is the thinking of the masses since Apple has not released a official statement about the matter.
This new issue that some are calling a security flaw is over hyped as much as antenna gate was. While the phone is locked with or without a pass code Siri will function. This is very helpful but can lead to some issues. Such as a person saying call come or where do I live. Pretty much everything Siri can do will work even if your phone is locked. With the iPhone 4S setting a pass code is not enough.
I can’t really call this a Siri security problem but I do recommend following the steps below to cover yourself. I am sure Apple has it working by default for ease of use but not everyone will use this feature for good. You can disable Siri from working when the iPhone is locked by doing the following.
That is it Siri will no longer work when your phone is locked.
Apple sends out invites for iPhone 5, It’s really happening this Tuesday, October 4
All rumors can now be put to rest. Apple has announced that it will be holding a special media event October 4 at Apple’s Headquarters in Cupertino. That is next Tuesday. Just one week away. The invitation clearly states “Let’s talk iPhone.” They could not make it any clearer than that. The four app icons how the time, date and location of the event.
Like this:
iPhone X: Is this the future?
Researchers from Queen’s University in Ontario Canada are working on a flexible phone. Using a ductile e-inkdisplay and elastic electronic underpinnings, they created a device called the PaperPhone. You can bend the phone to use it. That is the user interface. Curling the corners of the device is how users navigate menus and make calls. This may be something to keep an eye on for the future. I mean the Newton started out as a failure as well.
Verizon Wireless iPhone will be at Best Buy
Best Buy announced today that they will be carrying the much anticipated Verizon iPhone 4 beginning February 10. The iPhone 4 is an important device for Best Buy. So it was no big shock that they too would be selling it.
Shawn Score, president of Best Buy Mobile said. “Our customers have come to expect Best Buy and Best Buy Mobile stores to carry the best selection of mobile phones anywhere, and offering the iPhone 4 on Verizon’s network is our latest effort to deliver on that promise.
HTC enters Tablet market
HTC plans to launch three tablet PCs in the first half of 2011 with the first model, the Flyer that will run on Android 2.3. But users will be able to upgrade to Android 3.0 (Honeycomb) when it’s available. HTC will launch the Flyer on an un-named carrier. They plan to hit market before RIM’s PlayBook in March and Motorola’s Xoom in April.
HTC has focused on manufacturing smartphones in particular. It is currently the fourth biggest smartphone maker in the world. That is a big move for a company that has only been out since 1979. . Total 2010 revenues amounted to $9.57 billion.
Why is Sprint adding $10 to data?
Thanks to BGR who has obtained a memo being sent around to third-party Sprint retailers; we now know more about the $10 Premium Data fee. The fee will be on all lines that upgrade to or activate a new smartphone after January 30th. This seems to put them on par with the rest of the industry. I for one do not like it but they had to find a way to keep unlimited data some how.
Premium Data Add-on Charge for All Smartphones
Effective 1/30/11, all current and future 3G and 3G/4G smartphone activations will require the $10/month Premium Data Add-on charge. This allows Sprint to continue to offer simple and affordable unlimited data plans for our smartphone customers, while maintaining a wireless network able to meet the growing appetite for mobile data.
Complete details are included in the Premium Data Add-on Charge Launch Guide found on ISC > Quick Links > Premium Data Add-on Charge.
Details:
The Premium Data Add-on charge applies to:
- All smartphones operating on the CDMA, iDEN and 4G networks.
- A smartphone is defined as a device that supports a robust operating system including: Android, BlackBerry, Instinct, Palm and Windows Mobile.
- All customers activating a new line or upgrading/swapping existing lines (consumer, IL, and most CL customers).
The Premium Data Add-on charge does NOT apply to:
- S&R exchanges (warranty or insurance events)
- 30-Day Satisfaction Guarantee devices exchanges for handsets activated 1/1/11 to 1/29/11
- Existing smartphone customers will remain on their current rate plan, until they upgrade, perform an ESN swap or activate a new smartphone
- Existing Seasonal Standby customers prior to 1/30/11
Special priced CL customers tied to a Corp ID
