BlackBerry WES 2010 - The Inside Scoop!

REGARD had a great trip to Orlando for BlackBerry WES 2010 and we are excited to be back in Santa Monica armed with a whole slew of new tips, tricks and tools that we can't wait to implement for you...

RIM's executives shared a number of inspiring announcements with us regarding BlackBerry 6.0 OS, BlackBerry App World 2.0, new device models and the BlackBerry Super App Challenge.  REGARD is very excited about the myriad possibilities to construct "Super Apps" for the our consumer and enterprise customers!

SUPER APPS: THE CHALLENGE
REGARD always loves a good challenge so we were thrilled to learn about RIM's 2010 BlackBerry Super Apps Developer Challenge with over $1.5 million in prizing!

Super Apps must deliver an engaging experiences for BlackBerry users by offering a seamless, integrated, contextualized and efficient UI. For example, Super Apps are always-on running in the background and listening for specific events, waiting for inbound data and triggering notifications. Super Apps are always-connected and should be tightly integrated with native apps. Using BlackBerry's open API to deliver even more customizable options than before, Super Apps can add custom menu items and data to the message list (or inbox), address book and calendar that can be easily accessed with just one click.

RIM co-CEO Mike Lazaridis astutely explained that the future success of mobile platforms will rest on quality saying, "It's who has the best apps, not the most."

REGARD has always been committed to providing our customers with the best quality solutions. We are eager to apply our knowledge to construct ground-breaking Super Apps that are stickier and intuitive and make users more efficient, socially connected and overall better looking ;-)  Contact REGARD today to find out how you can be part of RIM's 2010 BlackBerry Super Apps Developer Challenge with a variety of prizes valued as high as $85,000.

BlackBerry 6.0 OS
RIM revealed a sneak peek of BlackBerry 6.0 and highlighted a variety of new features that will improve functionality, productivity and user experience. They've revamped the homescreen and enriched the UI with updated native apps, universal search features, pull down notifications and a new media and music organizer. Another key addition is RIM's WebKit rendering engine which speeds up web browsing and incorporates multi-touch, tabbed browsing and a new favorites system. Aesthetic changes like inertial scrolling and elastic menus throughout polish off RIM's menu of new offerings.

BlackBerry App World 2.0
RIM unveiled its plan for the rejuvenated BlackBerry App World 2.0 (BAW) storefront for buying and downloading software applications which promises to optimize its users' ability to purchase and experience BlackBerry apps. BAW 2.0 provides purchasing freedom with host of new payment options including microtransactions and subscription capabilities that enable developers to capitalize on flexible pricing strategies to maximize their revenue. RIM also promised that they are close to offering carrier and credit card billing options in addition to their current PayPal payment system. The more efficient BAW 2.0 will be Wi-Fi capable, adds account management, search improvements and allows for more enterprise apps in the catalog. Best of all, App World will soon come preloaded on the home screen of all BlackBerry models shipping with version 5.0 or above.

With new ways to monetize, promote and optimize your mobile campaign there has never been a better time to extend your business into the BlackBerry mobile space. Now is your chance to launch your mobile apps to build your mobile reputation before the market becomes flooded with your competition. Be sure you find a trusted BlackBerry Alliance Partner that has stood the test of time to create high-quality, profit-producing apps to improve productivity, save time and increase revenue. Rely on longstanding BlackBerry relationships to help you strategically promote your brand and make a huge impact in the mobile ecosystem.

NEW BLACKBERRY DEVICE MODELS
Slimmer,sleeker, updated and upgraded - the newest devices on the BlackBerry block promise more bells and whistles than ever while maintaining BlackBerry's commitment to superior quality and functionality.

RIM announced the launch of the Blackberry Bold 9650 and the Blackberry Pearl 9100 and 9105. The Bold takes the Tour's place and replaces the dated trackball with an optical pad to easily navigate the 2.4 inch, 480 x 360 resolution display. Additionally, the memory has been doubled from 256MB to 512MB, it supports 3G speeds, has WiFi capabilities and is the first BlackBerry to offer OpenGL support for 3D graphics. Wow!

Not to be outdone, both Pearl devices will get 3G and 802.11 N WiFi support, GPS capabilities, 256MB of flash memory and microSDHC support. They will both be powered by a 624MHz processor. The 9100 retains the slim SureType keypad while the 9105 gets a traditional keypad.

Be the first to launch high-quality, user-friendly, integrated apps for the hot new BlackBerry devices that utilize all their updated capabilities.Partner with a company like REGARD Venture Solutions and be among the first to develop Super Apps - completely integrated, seamless and efficient apps that take your brand to a whole new level. We know what it takes to WIN THE CHALLENGE!  REGARD can increase your brand exposure and set you apart from the competition!

The Enterprise is "All About BlackBerry" ... Still

The "BlackBerry Killers" still come and go. Meanwhile, the BlackBerry has been creeping into the hands of consumers at an eye-opening rate. As Tom Taulli points on in his latest Bloggingstocks article, RIM expect 15% to 20% increase in subscriber growth last quarter over earlier projections.

The increase demand seemed to be due, in large part, to unexpected demand during the Christmas shopping season. I think it is very safe to declare that BlackBerry is NOT just for the Enterprise any longer!

The Curve is the best Enterprise to Consumer crossover product on the market. As one of the first BlackBerry application development companies, REGARD is looking to develop broader consumer centric application to meet the growing demand.

Let the Smartphone WARS Begin!

BlackBerry Curve vs. Apple iPhone






Today marks the beginning of a new era in the Smartphone battle in the consumer space. RIM, as the category killer for mobile email and PIM integration in the enterprise market, first invaded the consumer Smartphone market with the introduction of the BlackBerry Pearl last year. Albeit lacking the needed integration of the multimedia functions to make it a meaningful consumer competitor, the Pearl was a very solid first offering which was quickly reflected in the stock price (NASDAQ: RIMM). Further, the Pearl did give the enterprise users already familiar with BlackBerry their first taste of a camera phone experience whetting their appetite for more consumer centric functionality.

With all of the iPhone hype, I decided to upgrade to the BlackBerry Curve (8300) to see (i) how the BlackBerry multimedia offering has advanced and (ii) to prepare myself for a comparison to the iPhone features.

Let me preface by disclosing that REGARD is one of RIM's longest standing BlackBerry partners and I have tried every single BlackBerry model RIM has released with few exceptions.

In a word... "WOW" ...Not since the introduction of the 7200 series has RIM made such a GIANT LEAP FORWARD!

Thankfully, they have once again "nailed" keyboard feel. After a few mediocre efforts, the Curve returns to an easy to use, hard to "fat finger" layout. The trackball is solid and more efficient than repositioning the hand to use the TrackWheel. It is the best composing experience since the 950 (and that is saying A LOT).

Now this is where the fun begins...within minutes of activating my 8300, I had loaded a 2 GB memory card with pictures of my wife and kids. I also loaded hundreds of songs with playlists which I listened to on the stereo headset at the gym. When a phone call arrived the Curve paused the music. I made dinner plans to meet another couple at Boss Sushi (highly recommended on Yelp and now by me) and, upon disconnecting from the call, the BlackBerry resumed the music right where it left off...a very nice experience!

After sushi, we took our friends at a Hollywood night club. Despite the dim lighting, I took a group self portrait and forwarded it to Flickr right from the BlackBerry Curve.



Today the iPhone was officially launched exclusively on the AT&T network today. I have read much of the iPhone hype and, being an iPod consumer that has also purchase car and external speaker accessories, I am very much looking forward to trying the Apple offering as well.

A few words of warning to those anxious customers that leaving their current carrier in the mad iPhone rush to AT&T. The iPhone "suggested" rate plans top at $99 plan giving you only 1350 voice minutes a month. The profile of consumer that will drop the $500+ to purchase the Smartphone, will likely blow through 1350 minutes very quickly. So if you simply ask for the top iPhone plan, you are likely to get hit with huge overage charges. There are 2000, 4000 and 6000 plans also available, but you have to know to ask for them.

This is amazingly clever of Apple and AT&T to craft these plans a such. Almost as clever, that is, as RIM announcing blockbuster earnings on the eve of the iPhone launch and skyrocketing their stock (NASDAQ: RIMM) $34 in one day!