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…
- 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)
- No Java Support
- Scrolling around is all herky jerky and the page constantly refreshes when you zoom in and out.
- Cookies aren’t always saved — Some pages require you to enter in login information every time you start a new session.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
- 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.
- 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.
- No Tabbed Browsing
I can think of a few more reasons, but, I’ll leave that for the comments.
{ 21 comments… read them below or add one }
I’d still like to hear your 10 reasons.
Quite a few people have said that they want to see the entire list so, I will update this post with 9 more reasons as soon as I get a chance.
Follow @rimarkable on Twitter to find out when this post gets updated.
So would I. I would also like to know which version of the Blackberry OS/browser you’re using as your basis of comparison.
4.7 on both the BlackBerry Storm BlackBerry Tour… I don’t even try anymore on my BlackBerry Pearl…
I agree with Robb. As an 8330m user on 4.5.0.131 the Blackberry browser is borderline horrible. Maybe it’s me? Maybe the Tour has a much better browsing experience… but dang.
You don’t need 10 reason.
Anyone who has used BlackBerry can feel the pain.
RIM is in a little box that it can’t get out of.
I feel Robb’s pain when it comes to the BlackBerry Browser. I recently purchased a MiFi from Verizon primarily because I wanted to use it with my laptop, but, what I’ve started to notice is that I am using my iPod Touch more and more to browse the web because it is so much easier to do than it is on my BlackBerry Tour.
It’s not just the browser the entire BB OS needs a MAJOR upgrade.
@The Rock
All I can says is +1:)
You absolutely dont need 10 reasons. This frickin browser is LAME. Its slow, even on wifi. Edge sucks even more when I’m unable to find wifi. I cnt view videos etc. You must enable javascript and even still sometimes it doesn’t work. Lame lame lameeeeeee! We ? supporters deserve better. Lol I still love my ? regardless!
Robb Dunewood August 11, 2009 at 12:39 pm
Quite a few people have said that they want to see the entire list so, I will update this post with 9 more reasons as soon as I get a chance.
————
You seriously consider “the browser sucks” to be a reason? I was thinking that the 10 reasons would support this opinion that it sucks.
I’m not trying to defend the BB browser, it’s just that when you give reasons for why something needs updating, you should give REAL reasons. Right now you’re basically saying it sucks because it sucks.
Good point… Updated with 10 reasons…
To be honest, BlackBerry and BlackBerry suck is not because other devices are better.
It is because RIM is not trying to do better. New model? It is a joke.
You remember Palm’s form factor that never get change and end up eliminated from the market. I can see BlackBerry to have the same fate if no improvement any time soon, real soon.
I don’t see cooperate will stick with BlackBerry forever that keep RIM afloat.
Since I am using MemoryBooster on my BlackBerry I can cross out number 6 from your list. So there are just 9 reasons left
I guess that why skyfire is been push on us, for so called leader in the mobile world RIM should and could have done much better it appers that RIM show total luck of respect for it’s customers and the os is way outdated. (added by Mobile using Mippin)
I have had a BB Bold for a year now and I really love the fast CPU and the full keyboard. My girlfriend has an iPhone 3GS and I do not like typing on it. I can send text messages and e-mail so much more easily from the BB. However, the BB browser is poor. Even Opera is poor. When I need to do something simple that requires the WWW she can do it in seconds whereas often I cannot do it with the BB at all as it goes into a cycle of loading and reloading pages. The other day we were in the store and I wanted to look up a product review. I didn’t even bother to use the BB. It would be futile. A common query is: “Do you have your iPhone with you?” I hate the iPhone for most of what it does (and so does she) but the web browsing experience is like night and day. I am very disappointed in RIM. iPhone has had a quality browser for some time now. This is not new to the 3GS.
agreed, 10 reasons aren’t needed. I have the tour and think the browser sucks. I too find myself using my ipod touch for mobile browsing. I stopped into my local verizon store to see if there was anything they could do. No luck but the customer service agent said RIM is working right now to upgrade the browser. Apparently the over all opinion is the same, poor. Hopefully we will see an upgrade soon.
I agree with most of the comments here. I have a Blackberry 8900. Email is a joy to use on it – congratulations to Blackberry there, but the browsing experience is very disappointing.
My Symbian equipped Nokia E51 loads a web page in a fraction of the time with what seems to be a better implementation of Javascript and better page rendering too.
Any sign from Blackberry that a new browser is coming?
As a web developer I have to disagree with nearly all 10 of your reasons here many of which are simply not valid, are very subjective, or are not even reasons at all. You are looking at things from a user’s perspective and don’t really understand what’s really going on. The real issue here is inconsistency with html, css, and javascript standards across blackberry devices. For example support for onclick attributes, margins, padding, XMLHttp, ridiculously small screen pixel widths on some devices, width on input elements in stylesheets, alignment of text in buttons, support for tables, default browser settings (disabled css, javascript, & background images), just to name some of the more annoying ones. The most annoying for most people is probably that onclick one, since many clickable elements in a normal browser will not work on many blackberries models.
Mike, of course we are looking at the issue from a user’s perspective…we are users of blackberries. The user experience is weak as it relates to using the mobile web through a browser. Obviously there are several components in play here that create the poor user experience on a blackberry but we are all clamoring for a better product from RIM.
Not too sure why RIM wants to develop a browser. If I was them I would ask Google to help develop Chrome for the BlackBerry and replace the native browser with that. I’m sure Google would be in favor of this. Their major software goal seems to be to find a way to get Chrome on as many devices as possible. Creating Android and Chrome OS were round about ways of doing this. Apple has Safari and will not allow this, but I think there is potential for RIM here to go with Chrome. Then BlackBerry would have the fastest, most standards compliant browser, and it would cost them less money. Of course they would be giving control of searching over to Google. Seems like a win-win situation for both companies, since RIM is not really in the advertising business like Google.