The voice of the BlackBerry community.
We’ve seen a lot of BlackBerry themes that mimic the iPhone but this is the first time I’ve seen a theme mimic the Palm Pre. PreBerry is a fairly clean theme with not a lot of clutter. If you’ve been keeping up with the news about the Palm Pre, this theme might be for you.
For me, BlackBerry has always been the device with the potential to be a part of a Johnny Mnemonic future where private data and IP are the most valuable assets in society. The device can already keep your voice and data at President levels of security, and now it can also keep executives safe.
Take for example, New York-based BrickHouse Security which has launched Executrac, mobile GPS tracking software. It is an invisible application that turns any BlackBerry into a covert GPS tracker with an emergency panic button.
The $19.95-a-month application is so covert that it can be deployed wirelessly in seconds to thousands of company-owned BlackBerrys unbeknownst to the user, or the user’s kidnappers.
The company is recommending the app to journalists and executives who travel to dangerous areas. In such places, BrickHouse says the only chance a remote traveler has is to push a panic button to secretly and send a emergency signal with their exact GPS location to the people they trust to send help. It’s like a safety net for those who otherwise wouldn’t have any other recourse.
The tracking is accurate to within five to 15 meters, and the software starts working within nine seconds of being turned on. Over 24 hours, the app uses less than 15 percent of a BlackBerry’s battery.
[Via]
Now that RIM has an official blog, we can start to see some great content coming to the BlackBerry blogosphere. The company that is the subject of so much discussion will be able to communicate directly with their market.
Recently, I wrote a list of ways RIM can add to the blogosphere.
But what about content? Here is a list of articles that I would like to see from Inside BlackBerry.
More Jim Dog
Jim Balsillie, co-CEO of RIM is an excellent public speaker and an interesting man. Jim is also a noted athlete and passionate fitness advocate. On top of that, Jim Dog has funded a wide variety of scientific and political ventures.
Jim has provided $10 million of personal funds towards the founding of the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics. He also also funded the Centre for International Governance Innovation and has donated to the University of Waterloo, Wilfrid Laurier University and the Centre for International Governance Innovation.
I would love to hear more from Jim on the topic of not just BlackBerry, but the global business market and international affairs.
Open Mike with Mike Lazaridis
Mike Lazaridis has given some very interesting interviews recently and he’s a constant source of great content. The story of how Mike came to work at RIM is absolutely inspirational. In 1979, he enrolled at the University of Waterloo in electrical engineering with an option in computer science. In 1984, Lazaridis responded to a request for proposal from General Motors to develop a network computer control display system. GM awarded him a $500,000 contract. He dropped out of college that year, just two months before he was scheduled to graduate. The GM contract, a small government grant and a $15,000 loan from Lazaridis’ parents enabled Lazaridis, Mike Barnstijn and Douglas Fregin to launch RIM.
It would be great to hear not only Mike’s views on BlackBerry, but on entrepreneurship and his passion: physics.
How it’s Made – BlackBerry
Remember those great documentaries about how things are made? My personal favorite is crayons. But that’s only because they haven’t made one for BlackBerry. This process would include interviews and film from a variety sources:
Initiatives and Topics RIM Loves
RIM likes U2; Jim Dog follows hockey; Mike Lazaridis has a love for physics; why don’t we get some news and posts about things not directly related to BlackBerry, but things that the company enjoys. If the head of PR wants everyone to know about a Breast Cancer marathon they’re sponsoring, let’s hear about it.
Acceptable Controversy
Although RIM has said it will not comment on financial matters or unreleased devices, there is still room for some heated discussion. Is another company talking smack about RIM? Let’s clear up any inaccuracies in their statements. Are customers complaining about a BlackBerry related issue? Tell them something to ease their concerns.
Don’t make too many judgments about RIM’s official blog just yet. It’s just starting out and these things take time. Instead, help build it into the site you want.
Like Mike Lazaridis said when faced with criticism over the BlackBerry Storm: “Nobody gets it perfect out the door.”
We’ve recently partnered with Cellfservices to provide you with a discount BlackBerry unlocking solution. The coupon code gets you 25% off all unlock codes. This includes an additional 25% off all special sale prices as well.
Here are some updates you’ll find at Cellfservices:
vPost by Vayyoo has become a great tool for covering conferences. Even RIM used the tool internally to cover the BlackBerry Developer Conference.
That’s why we’re working with them to bring you the highlights for WES 2009.
Follow our Twitter account:
Twitter.com/bestofwes2009
Also, you’re going to be at WES 2009, leave your Twitter name in the comments section and we’ll follow you back.
The idea is that each company does their pitch to the feed, and we vote on them. Companies can use vPost to send in their pitch themselves, or individuals can record them on their own device.
To contribute a pitch, download a copy of vPost for your device.
Send your vPosts to:
post@wes2009.posterous.com
Hope you can make it out this year to see what’s in store for BlackBerry.
Bad Behavior has blocked 27910 access attempts in the last 7 days.