I commented on a thread over on BlackBerry Forums earlier and it really got me to thinking about the addition of Wi-Fi capabilities to upcoming BlackBerry models. The more and more I think about Wi-Fi on a BlackBerry, the more I realize that Wi-Fi on BlackBerrys, as we know them right now, just doesn’t make sense.
All the cool things Wi-Fi is good for would be crippled by the high security standards implemented on the Blackberry. On a BlackBerry you cannot:
- Transfer files less sending and receiving attachments
- Connect your device to other devices
- Stream Video or Audio
To make a long story short, the only cool value add of Wi-Fi on BlackBerrys as we know them would be faster Internet browsing.
My guess is that if RIM were to stick Wi-Fi into a BlackBerry, security measures would prevent you from connecting to unsecured networks. This means that you would probably only be able to connect to Wi-Fi hotspots at your place of employment or your house. If you are at work or at home, why you you browse the web from your BlackBerry when you could just do it from your desktop or laptop?
Today’s highspeed Broadband connections that most BlackBerrys are starting to run on are pretty darn quick and comparable to what you would get with a Wi-Fi connection in the first place. The difference in browsing via a Wi-Fi connection as compared to Verizon’s EvDO network are probably barely noticeable. If the difference is barely noticeable, what is the point?
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“If you are at work or at home, why you you browse the web from your BlackBerry when you could just do it from your desktop or laptop?”
Let’s say you are reading in bed and realize you have to check something on the net. Would you prefer a) get out of bed and go to computer/laptop, or b) pick up your BB?
True Alex,
But you can already do that, with pretty good speed on the Verizon’s network and from what I am told, Sprint in some areas. T-Mobile and Cingular are soon to catch up.
If you listen to episodes 7 and 9 of this podcast you’ll know exactly why a BB needs WiFi.
http://mca.libsyn.com
UMA and 802.21
Isn’t there already a WiFi BlackBerry, the 7270? What will be great is when they come out with a dual-mode device that supports “traditional” cellular networks and WiFi for VOIP. Then, combine that with a capability to integrate that mobile device to a corporate PBX and it’s pretty powerful. Take a single number that uses WiFi in the office and the cellular network outside the office… that’s what RIM purchased Ascendant for earlier this year.
Oh yeah, and WiFi access to BlackBerry-optimized content doesn’t hurt either…
Why would you want wifi? Well as someone who’s company makes it’s living from delivering applications to the BlackBerry via it’s browser I would say that cost and speed is the major advantages.
For a corporate it will be cheaper to access applications from the device over wifi than GPRS or 3G, particularly those mobile users who are on site, say, in a hospital.
Not sure about the US but here in the UK the costs of surfing over 3G would be crippling – wifi is much, much cheaper.
For a consumer I see no advantages but then the BlackBerry isn’t really a consumer device.
I have been waiting for this functionality. The ability to make VOIP calls would have helped me greatly on a cruise I recently took to Alaska. While on the ship, there was no cell service or data service, which prevented me from getting any of my emails during a time I needed the connection. For a somewhat reasonable price, I could get wifi access to the ships internet connection all week and would have been able to receive all my emails and my phone calls. In addition, often times when I am in my house I don’t have cell service but I have a wireless network that I could easily connect my phone to for my calls.
WiFi, 3G, EdVO or EDGE… if all you want to do is check e-mail then any connection will do. But if you want to surf the web, you might as well bust out your laptop/netbook because we all know the browser on the Blackberry still sucks ass.
Why wi-fi?? Here’s one reason to have wi-fi capabilities on a blackberry…….when you can’t get data plan coverage/dead zone, but you are in a wi-fi hot spot. This happens to me daily at work. My yahoo email is restricted by IT and I cannot get cell/data coverage in many parts of the building. This scenario makes it impossible for me to receive emails and respond to them, or use my browser, unless I standing by a window. My dilemma is that I get great coverage with my phone everywhere but work, where I happen to be 8 to 24 hours a day.