The voice of the BlackBerry community.
Amazon have launched Kindle for BlackBerry, a free download that gives you access to 420,000 books, including 102 of 121 NYT Bestsellers. The Kindle app will also sync your last page read and annotations between your BlackBerry and other Kindle-compatible devices.
To download the Kindle app, head over to amazon.com/kindlebb.
During his keynote at MWC 2010, Mike Lazaridis introduced the concept of a Super App. It’s not clear exactly what is meant by “Super App”, but it seems that it’s a name given to apps that take advantage of all that the BlackBerry platform has to offer. Personally, I think this is a marketing initiative to get people exposed to the fact that the BlackBerry OS can do more than the iPhone in terms of functionality, and it doesn’t really mean anything to current BlackBerry users.
In order for an app to be Super, it should include:
The apps that RIM point to as being Super Apps include Facebook and Myspace (two apps that need serious overhauls). While I understand what Mike L is trying to say, I think this is a lot of marketing fluff with nothing really substantial behind it. If Lazaridis was going to make this sort of presentation, it should be followed with an announcement that RIM has opened up new APIs that were previously unavailable to developers. Without this substance, it just sounds like Google’s attempt to label their phone a SuperPhone.
Are there any apps you would like to nominate as Super Apps?
I’ve been chatting about the BES Express announcement with Ahmed Datoo of Zenrprise lately and I thought I would highlight some discussion points that haven’t been brought up yet. The BES Express announcement from RIM is very much a recognition from RIM that consumer smartphones are entering the enterprise market. The background to this announcement is centered on a shift in the enterprise world of corporate liable devices to employee liable devices. For those unfamiliar with the terms:
Corporate liable – The company distributes the BlackBerry and is responsible for the cost and maintenance of the device. Generally, this device is locked down and restricted, so as to minimize cost and security risks to the organization.
Employee liable – The device is purchased by the employee, and brought into the organization. This device may or may not be compatible with the network, and it’s up to executive management and the IT department whether or not said device will be allowed.
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WeatherEye has been updated to version 2.0.1.4 and with the latest version you can expect a better UI, hourly forecasts, POP in long term forecast, and maps. The app is a very convenient way to get your weather, and if you download any themes with a weather slot, be sure to grab this app to go along with them.
Download WeatherEye in App World or point your browser to http://blackberry.theweathernetwork.com.
I’ve been talking with Brian Reed at BoxTone about this latest BESX announcement and he has some interesting insight into what this means for SMBs but also large enterprise. During our discussion, I was surprised to hear that only 10-20% of the Fortune 2000 companies are using mobile devices. I assume this number is so low due to large manufacturing industries that have less of a need for mobile, but the number is still very low. As more people in general get smartphones, we’ll start seeing this number inflate in the next 3-4 years, possibly as high as 70-80%.
With so many more employees using smartphones, companies will want to have these users on a BES, without paying the exorbitant costs for every user. BES Express opens up new doors for these companies, allowing them to connect with more functionality than “activesync-connected” and yet same price – free. This announcement therefore goes a long way to addressing the claim that the BES solution was too expensive, and providing companies with a freemium style service. It almost makes you wonder why it took so long to get here.
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Skype and Verizon wireless made a great announcement at MWC 2010 about Skype coming to Verizon BlackBerrys in March. We have been waiting for ages for a Skype client for BlackBerry and since Verizon carries so many BlackBerry users, it made sense to go to them first. Even though the logic was sound, I can’t help but be annoyed at my own carrier for not being able to strike a similar deal.
With Skype mobile you’ll be able to:
It will be interesting to see what the billing arrangement will be. If I’m buying Skype credits, will I be able to allot some through my carrier bill? Or will this all have to be done through Skype? When it launches, Skype for BlackBerry will be available for the Blackberry Storm, Storm2, 8330, 8530, 8830 and Tour 9630.
Sign up to be notified when it launches at verizonwireless.com/skypemobile or follow Skype Mobile on Twitter.
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