As many of you may already know, memory has been a point of contention for BlackBerry users for quite some time.  To get straight to the point, there simply isn’t enough of it.  Sure, the newest devices have 16 gig media cards and 2 gigs of internal memory, but, you really only have 256 MB of application space.  Once you factor in the OS you are probably only talking about a 100 MB or so from which to install and run applications and if you don’t have a BlackBerry Storm2 or better, the problem  is dramatically worse.

The big hit at the BlackBerry Developer’s Conference this week was OpenGL ES which brings 3D graphics support to BlackBerry applications.  Starting with the BlackBerry Storm2 and the BlackBerry Curve 8530, developers are going to deliver applications and games that rival what you see on the the iPhone.  The problem for RIM, however, is that 3D graphics take up space.  They take up a lot of space and the BlackBerrys antiquated way of handling memory is going to be a huge bottleneck.

BlackBerry App World’s ability to archive rarely used applications and store them on your media card allowing you to reclaim that precious application memory is great feature, but, it gets really old really quick when you have do it with apps you use regularly simply because you are out of memory.

RIM needs to fix this…

What Will RIM Do About Memory Problems On The BlackBerry? is a post from: RIMarkable

In this video of what I believe to be a Rogers BlackBerry Storm 9520, Scott4551 demonstrates web browsing via Wi-Fi.  All I’ve got to say is that I certainly hope this improves by the time the BlackBerry Storm 2 ships.

Download speeds are faster, but, other than that, things look pretty much the same as they do on the original BlackBerry Storm.

BlackBerry Storm 2 Browser On Wi-Fi… I’m Not Impressed is a post from: RIMarkable

Last week Research in Motion reported a less than stellar Q2 Fiscal 2010 and their stock price took pretty big stumble. Just last Wednesday RIM’s stock price (ticker RIMM) was up over $85. This morning it sits at $67.10.

I am not an investment professional nor do I offer any financial advise. I do wonder, however, with all the new BlackBerry devices about to hit the market, with OS 5 seemingly right around the corner, with the reduced prices on the high end prosumer devices and especially the lower end consumer devices, is Research in Motion ready for a run?

A lot of folks are saying that RIMs problems are all due to the iPhone.  Although I agree that the iPhone has definitely made it’s mark on RIM, their biggest issue, in my opinion, is that they aren’t getting the new low end sub $150 devices onto the carriers with the most subscribers quickly enough.

What would RIM’s quarter have looked like if the BlackBerry 8520 also came out on AT&T and the 8530 on Verizon and Sprint?  The days of dumb phones is all but over. Everyone now wants devices with keyboards that they can get to the web and easily check email on, but, not everyone is willing to shell out $200 – $400 for higher end smartphones.

BlackBerry devices enjoy exceptional user loyalty, so, if RIM is able to capture first time smart-phone buyers in the sub $150 market, they may be able to keep them as they upgrade to higher end devices in the future.  There is no doubt that the iPhone is the biggest competitor to the BlackBerry here in the States, but, the iPhone is still exclusive to AT&T and the device is expensive. If RIM can seed all the carriers with inexpensive BlackBerry models by the time the holiday season gets kicked fully into gear, Q3 Fiscal 2010 may be a lot better than Q2.

That’s my opinion…  What is yours…

Is RIM’s Stock Ready For A Big Run? is a post from: RIMarkable

BlackBerry Cool is running a poll asking “What iPhone Apps would you like for BlackBerry?“   My answer is simple…

Most of them!

I am sure that even a lot of die-hard iPhone and iPod Touch users would agree that a good percentage of the apps available on App Store are pure, unadulterated, crap.  The rub for BlackBerry users, however, is that at least iPhone and iPod users have the option to download a ton of these apps.

The iPhone has a ridiculous advantage over the BlackBerry when it comes application support

Regular RIMarkable readers know that I am absolutely a BlackBerry fanatic, but, I have to be honest, the iPhone has a ridiculous advantage over the BlackBerry when it comes application support.  The iPhone handles memory better, has more memory, far superior graphics support, and a much better Software Development Kit than does the BlackBerry.

To make a long story short Apple makes it easy for developers to develop for the iPhone and the bar to iPhone development is relatively low.  RIM has simply got to catch up.

[Via BlackBerry Cool]

“What iPhone Apps Would You Like For BlackBerry” is a post from: RIMarkable

As you read the title of this post you may be thinking, “But, isn’t there already a Google Voice client for the BlackBerry”, and, you would be correct.  Google released both Google Voice for BlackBerry and Android just over a month ago.

The Google Voice for BlackBerry application works and does what it is supposed to do, however, there are no bells and whistles, and, judging by the polish that most other Google Apps for BlackBerry have, one could reasonably assume that Google purposely made the official Google Voice for BlackBerry app as drab as humanly possible while still maintaining what little functionality they did include.

I can’t say that I blame Google for adding a lot more functionality on the Android Google Voice app…  They do have an operating system to try to sell that competes directly with the BlackBerry.  The door, however, has been left wide open for a developer to create a really good third party Google Voice client for the BlackBerry, that in my opinion, could see similar popularity to the current plethora of BlackBerry Twitter clients once Google Voice invites become more readily available.

If I were a BlackBerry developer and wanted to create an application that could potentially catch the eye of just about every BlackBerry user with a Google Voice account (there eventually will be millions of them) a Google Voice client for BlackBerry is what I would start working on…

Someone Should Make A Really Good Google Voice Client For BlackBerry is a post from: RIMarkable

Udate: Actually added the 10 reasons RIM needs to update the BlackBerry Browser immediately

<rant>

When I first started writing this post, I actually intended to list out 10 reasons why the web broswer on the BlackBerry needs to be updated.  The truth of the matter, however, is that only one reason is really necessary…

The web browser on the BlackBerry sucks!

I am sitting here playing with a Palm Pre, a T-Mobile G1, and an iPod Touch.  All three of these devices use a web browser based on the WebKit open source browser engine.  It’s debatable which of the three offer the best browser experience, but, at the end of the day, all three are really good.

I am not saying that RIM needs to make a web browser based on WebKit, but, with most carriers offering pretty good 3G speeds and 4G being right in addition to the days of BlackBerry devices without Wi-Fi looking like they are numbered, RIM needs to come out something that can at least legitimately get in the game.

The mobile web has arrived, but, not so much for BlackBerry users…

</rant>

After my little rant when I first started this post, several commentators, although agreeing with me that the web browser on the BlackBerry sucks, still want to see the 1o reasons why I believe this to be the case.

Here 10 Reasons RIM needs to update the BlackBerry Browser immediately in no particular order…

1. The BlackBerry Browser is way too slow –  I didn’t do any significantly scientific testing or anything like that, but the browsers on the Pre and the iPod Touch have to be at least 3 to 4 times faster when connected to the same wi-fi access point than this 8520.  (Couldn’t get G1 to connect to my MiFi)
2. No Java Support
3. Scrolling around is all herky jerky and the page constantly refreshes when you zoom in and out.
4. Cookies aren’t always saved — Some pages require you to enter in login information every time you start a new session.
5. No Flash support — I know none of them have Flash support (yet) but it would cool if the BlackBerry Browser could do something that the others could not.
6. BlackBerry Browser is a memory drain — if you do a lot of surfing you have to remember to close the app to free up memory or your device may run slowly.
7. Perception — It is commonly accepted that BlackBerry browsing is inferior to web browsing on other devices.  For new consumers this paints a poor picture of the BlackBerry and they may assume that it is generally inferior to other devices, which, is definitely not the cas
8. Third Party Browsers — Even third party browsers on the BlackBerry are better than the BlackBerry Browser.  This lets you know that improvements could be made within the current OS.
9. WAP Sites –  BlackBerry Browser goes to WAP sites by default and you don’t get to choose the standard site unless the site itself has an option that allows you to do so.
10. No Tabbed Browsing

I can think of a few more reasons, but, I’ll leave that for the comments.

Top 10 Reasons RIM Needs To Update The BlackBerry Browser Immediately is a post from: RIMarkable

I don’t know, maybe it’s just me, but, shouldn’t BlackBerry App World be excluded from BlackBerry App World’s top downloads list?

BlackBerry App World A BlackBerry AppWorld Top Download is a post from: RIMarkable

I was just reading on Venture Beat that Wal-Mart will sell the T-Mobile BlackBerry Curve 8520, which goes on sale Aug. 5th, for $48.88.  This is compared to $129.99 at T-Mobile.  This got me to thinking, does T-Mobile actually expect consumers to buy these devices directly from them?

I am sure that by the time Aug. 5th comes around, it will be pretty well known to people looking to get an inexpensive BlackBerry that Wal-Mart has the best deal in town.  If you happen to be willing to pay over $80 more to get the Curve 8520 from T-Mobile, why not make it a cool $100 and get a Curve 8900, which, for $20 more, is a much better device.

Granted, you may not get the optical trackpad and may have to way a few hours until someone leaks BlackBerry Desktop Manager for Mac online to get your Mac compatibility, but, the 3.2 megapixel camera compared to 2.0 megapixels, the camera flash, and GPS, among other things make that additional $20 well worth it.

T-Mobile BlackBerry Curve 8520 $48.88 At Wal-Mart is a post from: RIMarkable

I just read an interesting post over on Switched titled 10 Ways BlackBerry Beats The iPhone.  We’ve probably mentioned each of the 10 points over the years, but, its nice to see a not-so-BlackBerry-specific blog echoing the same sentiment.

10 Ways BlackBerry Beats The iPhone is a post from: RIMarkable

Is it just me, or, should Research in Motion already have come out with a device that looks like this a long time ago?  I know that this patent was only published in May of last year, but, one has to ask how a company with the resources of RIM didn’t see that the slide-out keyboard form factor is any area where they could lead the field in smartphones for several years?

I am about to use the term “never”, but, in the technology sense, which only really means the ‘foreseeable future’.  Virtual keyboards will never be as good as as physical keyboards.  When it comes right down to it, not much of anything with virtual appended to it is as good as the real thing and this is especially true when it comes to keyboards.

Hopefully, RIM has been working on a BlackBerry with a slide-out keyboard for some time, has done a really good job at keeping it under wraps, and will unveil it on the world sometime sometime after the BlackBerry Storm 2 comes out.  I hope that they don’t wait for Apple to come out with an iPhone slider first and react to it, kind of like they did with the Storm.

Is RIM Missing The Boat On A Touch Screen BlackBerry With A Slide-Out Keyboard? is a post from: RIMarkable