HTC Stealing Thunder From RIM BlackBerry 8700

[Janak Parekh]

Originally Posted by paschott

I also have an HTC Wizard (Cingular 8125). I really like it, but there are a couple of things that I do miss from the Blackberry.

1. Vibrate notification when a new e-mail arrives - this just flat out does not work unless the Wizard is powered on (not in Standby).

It's utterly bizarre that the Wizard has this problem. Every WM5 device I've owned (the JasJar and the 700w in particular) properly vibrates while awake or sleeping as long as you don't leave the Messaging applet on top. In fact, I now use my 700w as my "new mail" notification, as it frequently gets mail faster than my desktop IMAP client. 8O

--janak

[Janak Parekh]

Originally Posted by paschott

I also have an HTC Wizard (Cingular 8125). I really like it, but there are a couple of things that I do miss from the Blackberry.

1. Vibrate notification when a new e-mail arrives - this just flat out does not work unless the Wizard is powered on (not in Standby).

It's utterly bizarre that the Wizard has this problem. Every WM5 device I've owned (the JasJar and the 700w in particular) properly vibrates while awake or sleeping as long as you don't leave the Messaging applet on top. In fact, I now use my 700w as my "new mail" notification, as it frequently gets mail faster than my desktop IMAP client. 8O

--janak

[r@dimus]

Originally Posted by inteller

uh, they already have, its just up to carriers to implement it. MSFP takes care of push email just fine. iJam users can attest to that.

Looks interesting. I googled it a bit to get the jist of the basics, but how does it work on the backend? BES does not require a lot of firewall configuration to work, whereas I've heard that Microsoft's answer requires opening up more holes in the firewall and is a more complex solution.

The other thing that I can see as a concern over MSFP is that it appears to be a security add-on for an otherwise insecure PDA OS. A tacked-on solution, so to speak. Given Microsoft's track record in the security dept this is not an encouraging impression. If that is truly the case, then there is probably a good chance that someone will find a way to back-door the thing and crack it open. To my knowledge, no one has yet cracked a BES policy on a Blackberry.

Then there is Dave's comment on ease of use, which rings very true. You can put a Blackberry in the hands of most non-technical PHB's and they'll figure it out sooner or later with little help. Give them a PPC and you'll probably confuse them.

[r@dimus]

Originally Posted by Janak Parekh

Interestingly, there's one twist in this argument: don't RIM products still communicate through RIM's own servers? The one significant security advantage with Direct Push is that the device communicates only with the corporate Exchange server. No middlemen, and everything's SSL encrypted/certified.

Yes, although I don't think you could say that this is an advantage or a disadvantage. Keeping it all in-house is great if you have an excellent system, great support from the company that made it, and good people to run it well. Loose one of those three and you have an in-house nightmare.

Originally Posted by Janak Parekh

I do buy the reliability argument, though. Blackberries' simplicity makes them very reliable at the everyday task they were designed to do: handle email. However, my 700w is the first Pocket PC that I've owned that actually comes close, and that's a huge step up for MS.

I've found Blackberries to be extremely reliable ever since version 4 of their internal OS. Just like anything other PDA, as long as you don't completely fill their internal memory or install crappy third-party apps on them they are pretty solid.

[DaleReeck]

I agree with GadgetDave. If you are giving an executive a messaging device and want to keep your job, give them a BB. I have a Sprint 6700 and its frustrating. First, there's the Dark Screen of Death where keeping the miniSD card in your device for any length of time causes it to freeze up (blocking all calls and mail) until you remove and reinsert the card again. Another issue is where the device will just lose network connectivity. It looks like you are connected - until you try to use it. And of course if you can't get out, then you also can't get in - i.e., no messaging pushes. A soft reset is the only way to fix it. Also, Sprint's Biz Connect server sometimes just stops pushing email. You have to manually get your mail before it kickstarts it. Bottom line is, at least once a day I have to attend to the messaging piece of the system somehow - either a soft reset or a manual email pull.

All in all, messaging on the 6700 is frustrating. If you don't mind the secuirty issues of going through BB (or if you have your own BB servers), then BB just plain works. I'm not interested in a BB perosnally because I like having just one device and I use my PPC for so many other things. But BB is the way to go if messaging is hella-important.

[TonyR]

I work as a helpdesk rep for a large corporation. We have Blackberries mostly, the user purchases the device, and maintains a contract with either Verizon, T-Mobile, or Cingular out of their own pocket. There are some palms and ppc's as well, but there are very few of those.

As far as our helpdesk goes, these blackberries are a pain to support, because every idiot has one. The calls go like this "Im not getting mail on my blackberry!! i think im a real bigshot!! fix it now!!". Most of the issues we have are with their data connection to the service providers. Nothing that we support, its up to the user to contact their provider to restore that data connection. Thank god all the syncing is done wirelessly now.

There are a few out there that use Treo 600 and 650's. These devices dont get any wireless data from us. We use either Intellisync or mNotes to sync the mail and contacts and all the other crap. Most of the problem with these come from the users who think they know exactly what they are doing, and blow up all the settings, leading to endless syncing problems.

We have even fewer PPC users out there. We never get calls from these people, because they all seem to have a good idea of what the hell is going on, and can usually resolve the problem themselves.

[lanwarrior]

I just dont think WinCE is ready yet to replace the Blackberry. I own the T-Mobile MDA and there are so much problems with it that it's almost not worth it. Check out Howard Forums or XDA Developers site.

I have to change the OS ROM, update the Radio ROM, tweak the registry, etc it's just mind boggling. I don't think an average user (i.e. executives that currently use BB, Salespeople, etc.) can cope with this. And after all this change, my MDA is stillhaving problem getting a signal and the damn memory leak has not been fixed since WM2003!

Until MS can fix all these basic issues, I always recommend BB to other people if they just want email.

[mightymission]

"any feedback on a good Bluetooth headset to work with the HTC Wizard? The hands-free that comes with the unit is okay, but the wires are really long."

I've tried lots of Bluetooth headsets and the best I've found if you're mobile and outdoors alot and have to deal with noise and wind is the

Logitech Mobile Freedom

It's the best headset I've used - hands down.

Here are some features:

Bluetooth 1.2 compatible: No additional phone dongle needed to enjoy 10 meters (30 feet) of range. It also works with your Bluetooth-compatible PC. And Bluetooth v1.2 gives you adaptive frequency hopping, quick connect time, and improved audio quality.

Logitech´s patent-pending WindStop technology: WindStop enables clear conversations in adverse conditions by reducing the disruptive effects of wind noise, including automobile air conditioners.
Comfortable and lightweight: Rotating clip conveniently fits either ear, and lightweight soft foam ear pad stays comfortable even after long talk sessions.

Long-life battery: Enjoy up to 7 hours of talk time or up to 250 hours of standby time between charges.

Multifunction button: Call/answer button on the headset lets you conduct calls without having to pick up the phone. The Logitech Mobile Freedom Headset also supports several features built into many handsets, such as voice dialing, three-way calling, and mute.