Prepare for New BlackBerry Phones Developer Tools, iPhone Sells BIG

Research in Motion, Ltd. (RIM) announced the availability of new developer tools for its newest smartphones, the majority of which already are or will be available by the end of this year. Elsewhere, a new research report demonstrates that the Apple, Inc. iPhone is the second best-selling smartphone in the U.S.

Focal Points:

• RIM announced the public beta of the BlackBerry Java Development Environment (JDE) version 4.7, as well as the general availability of the BlackBerry JDE 4.6. BlackBerry Device Software v4.7 is used in the upcoming BlackBerry Storm smartphone, and is the first BlackBerry to feature an on-screen keyboard instead of the traditional hard keys. The 4.7 JDE accommodates support for the device's accelerometer for motion sensing, orientation to allow applications to re-draw themselves on-the-fly in either landscape or portrait mode, and touch-screen input. The BlackBerry 4.6 JDE supports the BlackBerry Device Software 4.6 used in the BlackBerry Bold and BlackBerry Pearl Flip phones. Upgraded capabilities include customized messages and alerts, location-based services, multimedia integration, support for multiple calendars and contact lists, and improved handling of Web pages. The new BlackBerry development environments and desktop simulators are available now from RIM's Web site.
• BlackBerry's new Bold, Storm, and Pearl Flip are expected to be available in the U.S. in the next few months, though delays have pushed the Bold out again from its intended most-recent launch date of October 2. The Bold is already available on 60 carriers in 29 countries, and is still undergoing certification by AT&T Wireless. RIM executives have blamed the delay on the problems related to the iPhone 3G's launch in late June, wherein customers complained about issues ranging from battery life, call reception, and network issues, to name a few. Both AT&T and RIM are aiming to make Bold adoption and usage a painless and enjoyable experience for customers, though AT&T has remained quiet on the specifics of the delay. The upcoming BlackBerry Storm is expected soon from Verizon Wireless, while the BlackBerry Pearl Flip will launch on T-Mobile USA, Inc. Software glitches in the BlackBerry Bold have forced France Telecom's Orange to cease sales while problems were resolved.
• The iPhone, particularly following the introduction of the newest iPhone 3G, has garnered a huge following according to the latest handset adoption numbers. According to one firm, the iPhone is the second best-selling mobile device in the United States after the Motorola Corp. RAZR V3, and topped the sales charts from June through August. Approximately 30 percent of iPhone purchasers switched from another carrier to AT&T, with the largest abandonment rate coming accordingly from the biggest U.S. network, Verizon Wireless. Though official numbers from Apple are not yet available, multiple reports suggest that the company has already beaten its goal of selling more than 10 million iPhones worldwide this year.

Experton Group believes RIM continues to offer the best mobile handheld experience for the enterprise worker, and is improving upon its previous strength with innovations in form factor, functionality, and performance. The new BlackBerry JDEs should encourage BlackBerry independent software developers (ISVs) and enterprises alike to begin, or continue, porting applications over to the handheld device platform. Increased memory, multi-media, and network-connected capabilities should enhance the user experiences provided by the new devices, though questions remain as to whether ghosts in the system will plague early adopters.

IT executives considering any of the new devices should consider the impacts – whether positive or negative – that new layouts and usage requirements will have on users prior to widespread adoption. Enterprises may want to wait 30 to 60 days before purchases to ensure experiences will meet desires.

The success of Apple's iPhone comes as little surprise given all the chatter and interest surrounding the device. The device's pleasant user experience and "it" factor, coupled with its newly-lowered price point, has helped it catapult ahead of other devices that seem to take a "me too" approach at delivering a handheld experience. Experton Group has advised, and continues to advise, IT executives to hold off on iPhone adoption until the enterprise security enforcement issues, greater software support, and a proven track record of performance can be demonstrated. With built-in Microsoft Corp. ActiveSync support and the new ability to connect to IBM Corp. Lotus Domino, corporations will find it increasingly difficult to keep this wolf at the gates.