Tag: BlackBerry

That BBM app is just a clutter in the notification drawer

When you open the BBM settings for Android, you’ll have the following option:

bbm-settings

It means that BBM has to persistently run in the background in order for it to get going and receive new messages. This is in contrast to how other instant messaging apps like Viber, WhatsApp, and WeChat are operating, and is because BBM ignored to use the Google Cloud Messaging service.

As a result — clutter in the notification bar and notification drawer: Continue reading

BBM for Android and iOS

bbm-messenger

BBM for Android and BBM for iPhone: Official Launch Details:

This is the news you’ve been waiting for! I am thrilled to tell you that we are about to officially resume our rollout of BBM for Android and iPhone customers around the globe! In the next few hours, people will start seeing BBM in Google Play, the App Store and in select Samsung App Stores – where it will be free to download.

The BBM server went bonkers after 7 million users signed up the first day BBM for iOS and Android went live on September 21, 2013. That’s 7 million BBM users, compared to Viber’s more than 200 million users — and still going strong. Enough said. Continue reading

The Smartphone Dominion

smartphones

There are a lot of metrics to measure smartphone dominion among different smartphone brands and operating systems. Survey organizations use sales figures, net profit, internet traffic, apps ecosystem, etc., even broken down into different demographics and/or geography, to demonstrate the different systems’ leadership above the rest.

But, really, if you are going to be realistic about it, try going to restaurants, malls, and/or coffee shops around the metro, and observe which smartphones are predominantly in the hands of other people around you, you’ll find that these statistics are not quite accurate.

iPhone vs. BlackBerry

I own an iPhone 4 and recently — let’s just say — had a short affair with the BlackBerry Bold 9700. I know they’re not particularly the top of the line of their brands, taking into account that iPhone 5 may be announced in a couple of days.

So, this article is actually more about the hangups I had with my BlackBerry Bold 9700 experience as against that with the iPhone 4. Some points may not be applicable to other BlackBerry models like some touchscreen in the BB Torch line, but definitely some are very much relevant to all models.

First, let’s talk about what I liked about the BlackBerry:

  • Unified Inbox via the Messaging App. From Email, SMS, BBM message, Gtalk, Yahoo! Messenger, as well as Twitter and Facebook notifications — they are all there in one place. The Gtalk, YM, Twitter, and Facebook apps were developed by RIM (Research in Motion) itself, so they are seamlessly integrated into the Messaging app. The Messaging app also serves as the central notification center, which functionality is yet coming to iOS 5.
  • Longer Battery Life. As a second hand device, I still get more than two days of usage if Wifi is on (which I always use in the office and at home), and less than two days when it’s off (meaning I’m always on cellular data connection).

Quite a short list, really. Now let’s move on to where the BlackBerry is really getting into my nerves. This list is in random order, and as such may appear in whichever crosses my mind first: Continue reading

BeReader – Google Reader App for BlackBerry

When I’m out, in a coffee shop or somewhere, trying to kill time, I check my Twitter, Facebook, and of course Google Reader.

At first I thought I was glad there was a Google Reader client for BlackBerry — BeReader. But believe me, it just even added more to my disappointments about the device rather than impress me:

  • Too slow — no, very very slow!
  • US$ 9.99 for such a crappy app — no way!
  • You can’t select text nor click on links within the articles;
  • Navigating and switching between/among articles, feeds and/or folders (group of feeds) takes forever. Wait, did I already mention it was painstakingly slow?

By the way, I was using a BlackBerry Bold 9700.