United Arab Emirates To Block Blackberry E-mail

The U.A.E. has indicated that it will begin to block Blackberry e-mails and text messages in October, citing security concerns. It's a twist of fortune for Research in Motion who scored a big win when security officials in the US allowed then President Elect Obama to keep his Blackberry but has run a fowl of the Arab states. The issue that the U.A.E. and other countries in the Persian Gulf region are having is that the highly encrypted messages make it difficult for government to monitor communications.  

“The U.A.E. has never been a place that offered much in the way of electronic privacy,” said Jim Krane, author of “City of Gold,” a history of Dubai. “The government makes no secret that it monitors electronic communication, including text messages, phone calls and e-mail. The revelation that secure BlackBerry data is frustratingly out of the government’s reach only confirms this.”

The burning question for me now is how will the stand be viewed by consumers here in the Western world? I would have to think that this is a plus for RIM here, but then again how many of us make our decisions based on such criteria?

Credit: New York Times

Curve Out Sells iPhone In Q1

The LA Times is reporting that "Research in Motion's BlackBerry Curve replaced the iPhone as the best-selling smartphone among consumers in the first quarter, the NPD Group said Monday. The iPhone came in second, with two other BlackBerry models -- the Storm and the Pearl -- right behind." The NPD Group is attributing the shift to an aggressive advertising campaign by Verizon Wireless who offered a buy-one-get-one deal on Blackberrys. "The more familiar and less expensive Curve benefited from these giveaways and was able to leapfrog the iPhone, due to its broader availability on the four major U.S. national carriers," Ross Rubin, director of industry analysis at NPD, said in a report.

Obama To Keep His Blackberry

It's a huge day for President Elect Barack Obama! Not only will he take the oath of office and assume the role of President but it also looks as if he is going to be able to hang on to his Blackberry. When asked about the device during a CNN interview Obama responded "I think we're going to be able to beat this back," and "... I think we're going to be able to hang onto one of these."

The concern over the device has been in protecting Obama from threat and the security risk that may be associated with the Blackberry's GPS and e-mail encryption.

"While it is true that the Secret Service is likely more than capable of fending off these types of security breaches, it's easy to see that the organization charged with preserving the commander-in-chief's security at all costs would rather not have to deal with this exposure at all," said Carmi Levy, an analyst with AR Communications Inc. "Up until now, they've been able to disconnect the president as a means of limiting exposure, but it looks like that era is drawing - fitfully - to a close."

Source: Globe and Mail.


The good news for tech companies is that there will finally be a President in the White House who has a clue about technology.

"Occasionally. One of the things I've used on the Google is to pull up maps. It's very interesting to see -- I've forgot the name of the program -- but you get the satellite, and you can -- like, I kinda like to look at the ranch. It remind me of where I wanna be sometimes." - George W. Bush

Verizon Says Obama's Cellphone Account Compromised

Barak Obama's cellphone carrier, Verizon, has acknowledged that a number of unauthorized employees have accessed the president elects cellphone account. “This week we learned that a number of Verizon Wireless employees have, without authorization, accessed and viewed president-elect Barack Obama’s personal cellphone account," chief executive officer, Lowell McAdam said in a statement. The account was apparently a simple cellphone account and not a Blackberry data account and was also inactive for several months. The incidents come as there is much debate over whether or not the new President should be allowed to use his Blackberry device while in office.

CBC Story.

Apple Sells More Smartphones In Quarter Than RIM

Steve Jobs is reveling in the fact that for the first time since the iPhone was launched it's sales out paced those of Research In Motions Blackberry devices. A report released Thursday by U.K.-based research firm Canalys showed Apple shipped approximately 6.8 million iPhones compared to RIM's 6 million Blackberry devices during the 3rd quarter of '08. Jobs said during a conference call announcing Apple's 3rd quarter results "I'd like to point out [a] remarkable milestone resulting from iPhone's outstanding performance last quarter," he said. "Apple beat RIM." The number gives Apple a 17.3 percent share of the overall 39 million smartphones shipped in the quarter and pushed the company into the number 2 spot behind Nokia who owns 38.9 percent of the market.

Canalys also noted however that RIM showed a year over year increase of 80% and that there were many factors at play. The 3rd quarter was expected to be high for Apple with the release of the iPhone 3G and RIM will likely have had many faithfuls awaiting the arrival of the Blackberry Storm.

CBC Story.

India Demands Research In Motion Assist In Cracking Encrypted Messages

The Government of India is demanding that Research In Motion (RIM) provide it with the company's master encryption key so that it can decrypt suspicious text messages sent via Blackberries. RIM is quoted in the Times of India as saying "The Blackberry security architecture for enterprise customers is purposefully designed to exclude the capability for Research in Motion (RIM) or any third party to read encrypted information under any circumstances," According to this BBC report " The country has only about 115,000 Blackberry customers at the moment, but it is a rapidly growing market." Indian authorities are said to have been reluctant to allow the widespread use of Blackberries in the country for fear that militant and criminal elements will take advantage of the secure system. This is likely a concern in many countries where the government is challenged by threat of violence however the company has a responsibility to it's customers as well, where exactly does it make sense to cross this fine line?

RIM To Launch Touch-Screen Device?

According to the CBC, a Wall Street Journal Report yesterday has Research In Motion (RIM) launching a new touch-screen version of it's popular Blackberry device by the third quarter of '08. "The device, known as Thunder, will be sold exclusively in the U.S. through Verizon Wireless and Vodaphone PLC abroad, according to the Journal, which cited sources familiar with the matter." writes the CBC. On Monday RIM announced it's latest device the Blackberry Bold which uses third-generation wireless technology and improved Wi-Fi capability but has the same familiar qwerty keypad. Shares of the company closed up $1.60 to $140.99 on the Toronto Stock Exchange on Thursday. This and the rumors of a next gen iPhone make those of us who might be contemplating a smart phone want to hold on just a little longer...

Should Your Employer Compensate You For Time Spent On Your Blackberry?

It would appear as though the time that employees spend reading and responding to e-mails on Blackberry or other handheld devices is becoming a hot bargaining chip in contract negotiations. "For some people, having a BlackBerry is like: We own you. You are our person, 24 hours, 7 days a week," said Ed Cashman, Public Service Alliance of Canada's regional executive vice-president for the National Capital Region. "Our members are running into situations where they're not compensated properly for having to do work at home." The union, which represents government employees, is planning on putting the topic on the agenda for contract negotiations. One could argue that it's the employee's own addiction with the device that is the problem however "My true belief is it's up to the individual to just say no," says Christopher Higgins, professor at University of Western Ontario's Richard Ivey School of Business. I think it depends on the situation, I'm sometimes compelled to check e-mail or login remotely from home, but it's always a conscious decision that I make depending on the perceived urgency on my part. If and when I do, I generally record the time in my time sheet! The Globe and Mail has more here.

Consumer Market Getting Hooked On The Crackberry?

It appears as though the Blackberry is not just for business anymore. Research In Motion (RIM) has announced that it had a great 4th quarter beating all predictions, and co-CEO Jim Balsillie attributes much of the success to the consumer market. 2.2 million new customers, an increase in consumer-focused devices, such as the Pearl, and a partnership with Facebook Inc. have put smiles on the faces of RIM investors particularly when it was thought that the iPhone would put a crimp in Blackberry sales. Over 1 million Blackberry owners have downloaded an application that allows them to update their Facebook pages and this points squarely at the acceptance of the device on the consumer side. Check out the Globe and Mail article here.

Apple Sets Sights On RIM's Business

Apple announced yesterday that it was adding "push" e-mail (where e-mail is automatically directed to the phone) to the iPhone in June. This is obviously a move to make a play in the mobile corporate e-mail space where Blackberry maker Research In Motion (RIM) is largely uncontested. "Apple is moving much more aggressively toward RIM's space than RIM is moving toward Apple," California-based technology consultant Rob Enderle is quoted as saying in this CBC article. "It takes away RIM's expansion opportunity, but it doesn't necessarily displace them." Enderle also says. In a direct shot at RIM, Steve Jobs is quoted as saying "Every e-mail message that's sent to a RIM device or from a RIM device goes through a [network operations centre] up in Canada,'' and "That provides a single point of failure, but also provides a very interesting security situation.'' I wonder how the market will react to this development? By the way Steve, we're not so bad up here in Canada! Just what are you implying anyway?

Queen of England a Wii Addict?

The People is reporting that Prince William's girlfriend, Kate Middleton, gave a Wii for Christmas and the device has caught the attention of Queen Elizabeth herself. The Queen apparently saw William playing and begged to join in, "She played a simple ten-pin bowling game and by all accounts was a natural." The 81 year old monarch is by all measures a geek, constantly upgrading her cell phones, having over 100,000 songs on her iPod, her own e-mail account, and recently acquiring a Blackberry. Maybe this is why she refuses to give up the crown... what's your high score Charles?

RIM opens BlackBerry Store

Research In Motion has opened it's first BlackBerry branded store in Farmington Hills, Michigan. The Waterloo Ontario based cellphone producers plans to sell BlackBerry handsets, accessories and software, as well as service plans from all the major U.S. providers. The move is not unique to the industry but it's a growing trend that has the providers taking notice. "If you're Verizon and you're carrying the BlackBerry today, when you see one of these exclusive stores, obviously you're not going to be too thrilled about that," said retail consultant David Ian Gray in a National Post interview. According to the CBC "RIM is said to be earning around $10 per BlackBerry customer from Canadian cellphone providers" perhaps this is why the move was made in the US and not home in Canada?

More Facebook news!

Now all of those annoying crackberry addicts will have one more thing to do on their smart little devices! Research In Motion (RIM) today announced the launch of "Facebook(R) for BlackBerry (R) Smartphones", a new BlackBerry application that enables mobile access to Facebook using a BlackBerry smartphone. The press release says, among other things, "With the Facebook for BlackBerry Smartphones application, Facebook users can wirelessly send and view messages, photos, pokes and Wall posts. The rich, native application goes beyond browser-based access, automatically pushing notifications to the user's BlackBerry smartphone as friends and colleagues send notes, Wall posts or pokes. The application allows users to take a photo, upload it to the site with captions and tags; quickly and easily invite friends; manage events; manage photo albums; and manage their status while on the go." I'm not sure putting Blackberry addicts and Facebook addicts together is such a good idea... there goes the productivity! and probably the RIM share prices. Also interesting is the fact that Microsoft has been rumored to be interested in RIM, coincidence???

Research in Motion signs deal in China - Market reacts

Apple is not the only smartphone manufacturer that is seeing dollar signs these days. Research in Motion (RIM) and Alcatel-Lucent announced yesterday that they've signed an agreement to distribute BlackBerry smartphones in China. The stock market reacted by driving RIM shares up 8% and Alcatel-Lucent up by 4%. "This strategic partnership perfectly matches Alcatel-Lucent's global presence and strength in the Chinese market with the global awareness and popularity of RIM's BlackBerry brand," said Frederic Rose, president of Alcatel-Lucent's Asia Pacific activities.

Research In Motion sees profit double despite iPhone

Research In Motion released it's second quarter results yesterday and Jim Balsillie and company had plenty to smile about. "RIM's second quarter results were exceptionally strong on all metrics including revenue, subscriber account additions and net income," said Balsillie, Co-CEO at RIM. "This growth is fueled by the depth of the BlackBerry product portfolio and the continued diversification of our business across market segments and geographies. With over ten million BlackBerry subscriber accounts and over twenty million handsets shipped, we are pleased with our position in the market today and we expect recent product and market initiatives to extend our business momentum through the remainder of the fiscal year." RIM certainly has a commanding lead in the business sector and while the iPhone is a pretty device, time will tell whether or not BlackBerry users will see any benefit in switching devices. E-mail integration may dictate the winner here...

Microsoft to buy Research in Motion?

Research in Motion (RIM), the Canadian manufacturer of the Blackberry hand held device is the rumored target of a buyout by Microsoft. The stock markets reacted to the rumors by briefly pushing RIM stock to record highs. The Globe and Mail's reportonbusiness.com has the complete story.

AT&T scores another mobile device

The dual-mode BlackBerry 8820 was announced Tuesday by Research In Motion Ltd. Named "dual-mode" because it works with both the EDGE/GPRS/GSM cellular and Wi-Fi connectivity for data access and voice support. The Wi-Fi connectivity will allow users to connect off of the cellular network, at home through 802.11 a/b/g wireless networks, and through Wi-Fi hotspots. The 8820 is RIM's first dual-mode BlackBerry, and it's said to be the slimmest Blackberry to date. "The BlackBerry 8820 is an extraordinary business phone for people who really care about mobile communications and productivity. It features all the renowned power and usability of the BlackBerry platform with executive class styling and unprecedented connectivity features, including cellular, Wi-Fi and built-in GPS," said Mike Lazaridis, President and Co-CEO at RIM.The phone will be available in the US through AT&T, a Canadian carry is yet to be announced. As the news broke RIM shares climbed $4.19 to $240.29 on the TSX.

iPhone battery praise

In a move to either promote the upcoming iPhone release, just ten days away, or to quell any questions about the highly anticipated device's battery life, Apple has released a statement on it's web site that boasts the longevity of the iPhone's battery charge. Apple's device, according to the manufacturer, outlasts it's competitors by 2 times. A chart on the site compares the iPhone to the Nokia N95, Samsung Blackjack, Blackberry Curve 8300, and Palm Treo 750. Besides battery life they compare screen size, display surface and Wi-Fi support. Some reports have stated that Apple has already received a million inquiries for the device and apparently one desperate consumer has offered $10,000 on Craigslist for the device. The iPhone hits the street in the U.S. on June 29th, no release date available for Canada yet.

Crackberry generation

Are we all becoming addicted to technology? This CBC article asks "Are cellphones and the internet rewiring our brains?". I know that I, for one, have multiple e-mail accounts for different purposes and at least a few of them are checked obsessively! This is an interesting read...