XDA II with BlackBerry Connectivity Offered by O2 Soon

[Jonathon Watkins]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.geekzone.co.nz/content.asp?contentid=2464' target='_blank'>http://www.geekzone.co.nz/content.a...?contentid=2464</a><br /><br /></div>Geekzone send news that a lot of people have been waiting for: "O2 and Research In Motion (RIM) announced plans to enable BlackBerry connectivity support on the Xda II later this year. With support for BlackBerry connectivity, Xda II users will benefit from the ease of information access and enhanced security capabilities that the BlackBerry platform provides, together with all the functionality of the Xda II, including tri-band mobile phone, color screen, camera, entertainment, games and video, Internet access and Microsoft Windows Mobile software." Now that's a nice package of options and no mistake!<br /><br /> <img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/pro_ts_dm.jpg" /> <br /><br />"Customers will no longer need to proactively think about downloading their email on their Xda II device. BlackBerry's always-on connectivity and push-based technology will automatically deliver email directly to and from the user's Xda II." Ooooh – I do enjoy not having to think proactively. :wink: You can read the original press release <a href="http://www.blackberry.com/news/press/2004/pr-11_03_2004.shtml">here</a>.<br /><br />Always good to have new ways of staying in touch. Now PPC users can experience the joy of the 'CrackBerry' as well. Email – addictive? Who would have thought it! :mrgreen:

[rmasinag]

Dang! I better start saving for the XDA II! :)

[whatsnext?]

yeah whats the cost of this thing gonna be?

[paris]

i've read a lot about BlackBerry Connectivity and such but can someone make it clear to me?

i understand that as magicaly you receive a phone call you would receive an email without having to chek for it, pls correct me if i am wrong. but how much would it cost to transfer emails using this technology.

[Floater_]

yes paris, thats correct. You'd just get email as it comes to you. Ie it works like a pager almost. If you get email, it beeps to tell you so. You don't actually "check" for email

You'd probably need to check the rates that your phone provider gives you for the blackberry connectivity data plan. It differs for most cellular companies I believe

[bdegroodt]

Sorry O2, XDA II. No keyboard, no crackberry. The always on connectivity of Blackberry devices is about 1/3rd of the attraction. Screaming through emails on a thumb keyboard is the other 2/3rds. There is nothing worse than laboring through hundreds of emails a day on a device that doesn't allow you to compose/respond in an efficient way...and nothing can beat the speed of a keyboard (hasn't been beat for over a century and a quarter).

It's why I love my 4355. The emails arrive without my requesting (almost as good as always on) and I don't have to even think twice about responding...though I probably should. :?

[Paragon]

I'm assuming you need to be an O2 customer to receive this service? Buying an unlocked O2 XDA II and using it in another network doesn't sound like being with the program.....or am I wrong?

Dave

[danmanmayer]

Arggg my old original XDA is looking crappier now in comparison... especially since i am still waiting for the 2003 release for it.

[carphead]

CrackBerry :?: :D

Nice to see some british school boy sense of humor creeping in. :wink:

[adamz]

http://www.myxda.com/XdaII/personal/template/XdaIIAccessories.vm

There is a Blackberry-ish keyboard for the XDA2.

Though I'd rather have the email push than a keyboard.

[chunkymonkey75]

I have both an iPaq h2215 and a Blackberry 6510. The iPaq I use almost all the time. But when I go on travel, the Blackberry is almost used exclusivly. The problem with the Blackberry is that the PIM sucks and there is very limited software. Navigating through the menues get tiring. RIM is playing is smart by licensing their technology to others. They themselves told me that what sells the devices is the service not the OS.

[pdaided]

4355 form factor with rim push technology..... now that would turn my head. Don't think I'll ever go convergent because either "phone too big" or "pda too small".

I should carry new 4355's around with me. When people actually hold mine, they want one.

pdaided

[JLittle1]

I can definately see the appeal of blackberry functionality in a PPC Phone but having used Cadenza mNotes for a couple of years in a standard PPC (Jornada 567) I don't see how the blackberry functionality could come even close. It is a rock solid product and provide outstanding integration with Notes.

Has anybody out there used mNotes with a PPC Phone? I would love to hear your experiences before I jump into those waters. Since my company is a Lotus Notes shop, I am planning to go with mNotes first then consider going the blackberry route. The big gotcha or me is my company already has blackberry server licenses. To run mNotes I would need to sync with my PC vs. with the Notes server.

[Birdman]

I believe the rumoured ipaq 6xxx series will deliver on PPCPHone edition, RIM style push email tech, integrated keyboard and small size.

It just might be the holy grail.

[Aquatic]

This site: http://www.dynamism.com/xda2/ has the listing for the O2. A mere $989.00. Not much for specs or even pix, but it's there, along with many other gadget-lust stuff.. :)

[Jonathon Watkins]

CrackBerry :?: :D

Nice to see some british school boy sense of humor creeping in. :wink:

I try Carphead - I try. :wink: - The nickname has been around a while - but I do like it.

[snayar]

There is nothing like an MDA2 (aka O2II, I-Mate II) and free unlimited MMS.... :twisted:

Well, you have to live in Mexico and be a Telcel customer like me though! :lol:

Sorry... I couln't resist... :mrgreen:

(I need a thumb keyboard tho...)

[chunkymonkey75]

I can definately see the appeal of blackberry functionality in a PPC Phone but having used Cadenza mNotes for a couple of years in a standard PPC (Jornada 567) I don't see how the blackberry functionality could come even close. It is a rock solid product and provide outstanding integration with Notes.

Has anybody out there used mNotes with a PPC Phone? I would love to hear your experiences before I jump into those waters. Since my company is a Lotus Notes shop, I am planning to go with mNotes first then consider going the blackberry route. The big gotcha or me is my company already has blackberry server licenses. To run mNotes I would need to sync with my PC vs. with the Notes server.

I haven't used mNotes with a PocketPC phone but have used it on an iPaq 2215. I also use a Blackberry. If you need instant access to your email, Blackberry service beats it hands down. It all depends on what you deam as most important to you. To an executive of a large company, Blackberry is the only way. To someone like myself, I don't need the instant access.

BTW, I've heard that if you get a Blackberry that the service is 10 times better if you are accessing corporate email. But if you use RIM's service, it may take a day to get your email. Can anyone here confirm or deny that?

[Terry]

BTW, I've heard that if you get a Blackberry that the service is 10 times better if you are accessing corporate email. But if you use RIM's service, it may take a day to get your email. Can anyone here confirm or deny that?

I can deny both. It doesn't matter which service method you use since the Blackberry Enterprise Server uses the same RIM servers as the desktop redirector uses. The only difference is that with the Enterprise Server, your desktop can stay off and you still get your e-mail (as long as your Exchange Server is running.... :wink: ).

[Jeff Rutledge]

Has anyone heard any more on this? I think this "RIM Connect" (or whatever it's going to be called) softaware will greatly increase the acceptance of the PocketPC platform in the enterprise. The PPC just can't do wireless like the Blackberry can (no matter hard I wish it could ;)).

Plus, a lot of enterprises already have a BES server in place so they would be more inclined to use something that can be used with their existing infrastructure.

I have both an iPaq h2215 and a Blackberry 6510. The iPaq I use almost all the time. But when I go on travel, the Blackberry is almost used exclusivly. The problem with the Blackberry is that the PIM sucks and there is very limited software. Navigating through the menues get tiring. RIM is playing is smart by licensing their technology to others. They themselves told me that what sells the devices is the service not the OS.

I'm exactly the same way. I use my iPAQ all the time when I'm at home. When I am on the road I usually check it no more than a few times a day, whereas my Blackberry is with me all the time.

Actually, I think I heard something about this software being held due to legal tanglings. Anyone know something about it?

[rorzo]

As an xda II user myself, the BB connect service is exciting to hear.

O2 already offers xmail for the xda II which offers a BlackBerry-like solution - ie. push email, etc. I used it for a while but discovered that SEVEN develops the software and since joined their beta program last fall. I love the software and think push email and calendar is great! I have heard a lot about BB Connect and it's upcoming release but I think this stuff is great and would recommend giving it a try.

I am not sure if they are accepting new folks into the beta program but here is some info on it
http://www.seven.com/Products/Individuals/Personal_Edition/Beta.html

If you are lucky enough to be in the UK you can always subscribe to xmail as well!!