Dopod International Introduces BlackBerry Connect in Asia

[Jerry Raia]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.dopodasia.com/Dopod/Singapore/En/News/HotNews/Dopod+International+Introduces+BlackBerry+Connect+in+Asia.htm' target='_blank'>http://www.dopodasia.com/Dopod/Singapore/En/News/HotNews/Dopod+International+Introduces+BlackBerry+Connect+in+Asia.htm</a><br /><br /></div><i>"Dopod International Corporation (hereinafter “Dopod International”) and Research In Motion (RIM) (Nasdaq: RIMM; TSX: RIM) today announced the availability of BlackBerry® Connect™ software on the 838Pro and the C720W devices for customers in Asia. Through the existing licensing relationship between High Tech Computer Corp. (HTC) and RIM, Dopod International will offer BlackBerry Connect to enable customers of the Windows Mobile-based 838Pro Pocket PC and the C720W smartphone to access popular BlackBerry services with support for both BlackBerry® Enterprise Server and BlackBerry® Internet Service"</i><br /><br /> <img src="http://www.smartphonethoughts.com/images/Jerry-RIM.gif" alt="User submitted image" title="User submitted image"/><br /><br />This is probably the best thing that could happen to BlackBerry users. While just in Asia right now, they will soon be able to access Blackberry services on Windows Mobile devices. I may not like the BlackBerry but I have to acknowledge they are very popular. I'm certain this will spread to the western hemisphere as well. BlackBerry users out there, what do you think of this?

[Kris Kumar]

This is very important for the success of Windows Mobile. I believe that BB Connect software will enable Microsoft to get a foot inside the BlackBerry Enterprise customer market.

But I have a feeling that BlackBerry is not letting the release of the software in North America, it is restricting the release of the software to the developing markets

[Jerry Raia]

But I have a feeling that BlackBerry is not letting the release of the software in North America, it is restricting the release of the software to the developing markets

I was thinking maybe that was just because a lot of things get released in Asia first. You think there is more to it?

[NYC567user]

As someone looking for good quality MS Smartphones to introduce to my non-MS Exchange organization...I have a good feeling on the Dash/Dopod C720w. Finally some MS WM5 hardware that has a decent enough battery to last past 5 pm when you are running lot's of mail and does not require too much babysitting and rebooting.

Regarding your comment "But I have a feeling that BlackBerry is not letting the release of the software in North America, it is restricting the release of the software to the developing markets." Actually that is not true. I have spoken with both senior RIM management and some Carriers. It is up to the carrier to pick up and support the Blackberry Connect client. Back in the pre-lawsuit days no-one wanted to pick it up due to the fear of getting sued.

Now technology and features have advanced that Connect seems rather behind the times since Blackberries themselves offer more features than Blackberry Connect offers. I think an update to Blackberry Connect for WM5 is due, they need to catch up on the features since now they have "Good" competition from several camps that match them in features.

I think that most carriers realize this and are offering Good as their primary offerings....although the Motorola purchase of them might change the spectrum a bit...

[Kris Kumar]

While it can be true that the BB Connect software needs an update before it can be launched here in the US, but I don't think that will stop the carriers from supporting it. The potential for adding more $$$ to the customer's bill is always a convincing incentive for the carrier, never mind that it does not have all the features.

During the law-suit days I agree that the carriers and manufacturers were shying away from launching the software, but now it has been a long time since the lawsuit issue has been closed; the only reason I can think of is that BB has had a change of heart and has decided to not release it North America. To me it is a good strategy on the part of BB. By releasing BB Connect the chances of them getting new customers is far less than the existing customers moving over to non-BB devices.

I don't think the BB Connect has been released in Europe? I believe BB plans to release the software in only those places where they do not have a strong market grip.

I do hope that my thoughts are not right, because the future for BB is in the software and services and not in hardware. So they should release the BB Connect software soon before the market switches over to Exchange. ;-)

[brmcguire]

BB Connect works fine on the US networks. I am using it on Cingular and couldn't be happier to have BB Connect on my 8525.

[chsong]

While nice to have BB on the WM5 device, as a user in Asia, I have other options as well.

With unlimited broadband packages running at 3.5G that costs 50% of what a BB monthly package costs, I am unlikely to care too much to be using the BB feature.

Here are my reasons as an individual user:

- WM5 has timed email access and with an unlimited package, I can ping my email all day and not worry about costs.
- I can use the Broadband package on my mobile to surf sites and run streaming whereas the BB package is only limited to BB email transfers.
- I can use Direct Mail to get Push Mail from a provider and can get instant emails if I want.

As much as I like the BB products, I believe that RIM will possibly be tomorrow's Palm.... Too little too late. Closed architectures lose out in the long run.