| 21 Oct 2008 - Quick Chat - Greg Wade - REGIONAL VICE PRESIDENT, ASIA-PACIFIC - Research In Motion |
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| After the launch of the Blackberry Pearl Flip phone yesterday, I was keen for a Quick Chat with Greg WadeREGIONAL VICE PRESIDENT, ASIA-PACIFIC - Research In Motion. At the last couple of RIM event's I've been to there has been a bit of discussion about the Data download usage of Smartphones, and the fact that Blackberry's are 'better' at this than 'others' - Most notably the iPhone. I thought I'd ask Greg if there was any research on this. He has made it very clear that RIM prides itself on the level of R&D it does regarding Data compression - the words 'The best wireless solution is the one that uses wireless the least' kept springing to mind. According to Greg, RIM data shows that Blackberry data delivery is 10 to 100 times MORE EFFICIENT than others. Certainly that's a big range, but also, there are plenty of contributing factors. But the simple truth remains that I've heard no other manufacturer talk about their drive to reduce data usage other than RIM. When using an iPhone i have seen the high levels of data usage, and this is not just for YouTube and other obvious things. Just mail usage, checking receiving etc, it's all chewing the pipe - and, this most often can lead to "Sticker Shock" that feeling that you paid a great price initially, but the hidden costs are shocking. I think it is a credit to RIM for their continued work in this area, because year after year this is going to become a bigger and bigger issue for consumers as we take control of our usage and spending. On that note, I asked Greg if he was aware of any plans to introduce a Data Usage meter on the phone. This is one GREAT feature of the iPhone. I'm hoping that is one (of many) suggestion(s) I've made that get passed on to someone who listens! At the same time, the use of Rich emails and better browsing has surely contributed to a RISE in data usage golbally on Mobile networks. Interestingly Greg quoted an average data usage of 600k in the past, which has now risen to around 2.5meg - perfect for me, because that is where I sit. This is crucial when you are looking at such a device, to avoid bill shock or sticker shock, get a plan that suits, start high, roll it back as you need to. As tragic as I am, I took this opportunity to as a Senior RIM exec about the one app I seem to be getting a bit of use from lately - FACEBOOK. The Facebook iPhone app is FAR SUPERIOR to the Blackberry one, so why are we Blackberry users lagging behind. Rest assured - RIM are working closely with Facebook, and I think now, with so many new Blackberry Devices on market, we should expect something soon by way of an update. At the same time I flagged two other suggestions. 1/ Not sure how this would work, but I think to be a true Media Player, the device needs a STOP and PLAY/PAUSE button. The volume buttons already act as a NEXT/PREVIOUS track skippers . Greg wondered if the left and right conveinience keys could be customised to be this, but as far as I can tell they can't. Certainly as an interim software based solution that would be great, but I still wonder if as a truely convergent device it might be better placed with specific buttons? 2/ Night Mode - I think it is essential for the work/life balance that the NIGHT MODE have an option to turn off DATA not RADIO totally. Right now, at night (or whenever) you can enter 'bedside mode' which shows the clock, dims the screen and you can set it to turn off Radio, but that means no calls, no emails, no text messages. I have it set to leave radio on, but turn off the LED indicator. This works well, but I still find myself reaching for the phone middle of the night and checking for messages. If DATA was off, there would be no emails. Corporate IT policies could perhaps also set it to do this automatically at 9pm turned back on at 6am - Imagine that as a good corporate Citizen. All in all, Greg was open to all of my feedback, and provided some fantastic insight into the RIM operations and strategic vision. Congrats and Thanks to Greg and his team, looking forward to more exiting developments in the future. |
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