Mobile / Cell Phone Thoughts & Reviews

Blackberry is in trouble, I mean deep trouble.  The trend lately has been for anyone and everyone to go out and pick up a smart phone when it’s time for a new phone.  People are no longer just getting ultra basic phones and only making calls and sending sms on them.  The masses want more from their device, they expect a phone to check the weather, access Twitter, surf the net, get driving directions and I think most common, offer email access.  Email has been a staple for Blackberry since it’s inception and for the most part they have done a great job with it.  Of course some people have a few niggles here and there but bar none Blackberry was the mobile email standard.

Up until a few years ago mobile email was kept in the echelons of the corporate executive and the upper class.  Recently it has gone mainstream (do to Rims excellent marketing) and Rim has been able to milk that and in some peoples minds create a demand for mobile email for all.  Well Rim may have kicked themselves in the shorts.  They created a void with people who want mobile email but can’t afford or don’t want/need a Blackberry device.  People who want email on their phone now have more options then ever and don’t need to stick to a Blackberry.  This means Rim may be seeing a mass exodus to other popular devices like the iPhone, Palm Pre and Nokias vast number of smart phones.  Let’s not forget the dozens of smart phones that go unnamed but can handle downloading apps.  Blackberry is in serious trouble because now most phones can do email and in my circles everyone buying a new phone is getting a non Blackberry smart phone.  They are going for the iPhone,Nokia N97/E71/E75/6650/Surge, or Palm Pre.

Up until recently Rim has had a hold on the market and they’ve done such good product placement and advertising job even kids were getting Berries in mass.  It was the hip cool device to have.  Now times are shifting and people want more from their devices like better music player, camera, and video players.

emoze along with a few other email apps are filling the instant email void.  To the best of my knowledge emoze is the only option that will work on multiple platforms, including smart & dumb phones, Symbian S60, Windows Mobile, and push your email.  If you’re interested emoze (a client of mine) has a paid (about $13/yr) option and a free version.  Check it out at www.emoze.com.

Rim you need to get back to work and not stand on your laurels or you will get cut off at the knees.  You have something very good going but you need to rethink how you’re getting the word out and work on the younger hip crowd again.  Rim are you listening? Ping me and we can talk.