Versatile Blackberry 8100The BlackBerry is a bit thinner and, at 4.1 ounces, more than 2 ounces lighter than Motorola Inc.'s PageWriter 2000 two-way pager, which is used by competing wireless messaging software, including Corsoft Corp.'s Aileron and Motorola's Flex. Corsoft's and Motorola's software programs are more scalable than BlackBerry's, however, and allows centralized administration, which eases installation. An enterprise version of the BlackBerry software that moves redirection to the server is due in May. The 8100 Blackberry Software costs about the same as the PageWriter, and the BellSouth Mobile Data packet radio network charges a flat rate of $ 40 per month for an unlimited number of messages. Paging Network Inc.'s PageNet and SkyTel Communications Inc.'s SkyTel paging services, used by Corsoft and Motorola, start at $ 25 per month for 800 and 1,000 10-character blocks, respectively, but go up from there. The 8100 Blackberry Software fits in a cradle on a PC to synchronize data with the Outlook PIM (personal information manager) on the PC. It can also synchronize PIM data with Lotus Development Corp.'s Organizer and Symantec Corp.'s Act. The BlackBerry's eight-line, 30-character display doesn't have the fancy graphics found in PageWriter, but simple icons let us quickly move among the mailbox, calendar, contacts and tasks. A thumbwheel serves as a mouse. Tiny keyboard doesn't waste space. RIM's handy BlackBerry two-way wireless messaging device extends Microsoft Exchange e-mail to traveling employees via a packet radio network, letting them send and receive brief messages as if they had never left the office while toting their appointments and other personal information. Pros: Users can control which messages are forwarded; fixed cost for wireless network connection; synchronizes PIM data. Cons: Can't forward attachments; users have to keep their PCs running to redirect messages when they are away; cramped keyboard. Research in Motion has begun to offer its own wireless mail service. Named Blackberry, it is designed to ensure that business workers are never out of touch with the e-mail coming into their desktop PC. RIM has begun to offer its own wireless mail service. Named Blackberry, it is designed to ensure that business workers are never out of touch with the e-mail coming into their desktop PC. In addition to software in the pager that maintains a calendar, task list and address book, Blackberry uses Microsoft Exchange's MAPI interface to maintain elaborate desktop/pager e-mail synchronization. Internet e-mail messages received at a users desktop PC are stored, encrypted, and automatically resent to the RIM pager. |