I think performance is definitely a problem. I assumed there would be a Java engine on top of Window Mobile OS. Another thing I do not understand. 70% of their revenue coming from handheld devices. Does that mean RIM tried to get people to use BlackBerry on WinMo? And when those people want better BlackBerry experience, they would want to buy the RIM handheld. Sounds too idealistic, isn't it.

Chances are people would actually get used to WinMo devices and starting to see the benefits of using WinMo with Exchange 2007. I guess the WinMo move is a desperate move because comsumers are choosing WinMo devices over BlackBerry in North America(BlackJack has proven that). I have to admit even the Nokia e61 works better as a multi-media cell phone than BlackBerry 8800. I am sure the BlackJack is far more superior. I guess at least they can get some people to use BlackBerry on WinMo. However, I think this will not go anywhere just like BlackBerry Connect.

Nor impressed with it. The multimedia player sucks.

I have been using a Nokia E61 and I am really enjoying the experience of having an "all in one" device. I could check e-mails through BlackBerry connect. Listening to music files in eACC+ format (the size is about one third of MP3 format so I can store 200+ music files in a 2GB miniSD and still have room for video files) and watch video (files as long as almost 2 hours). Not to mention the voice experience is always great on a Nokia phone.

I mentioned all these things about the E61 so you have an idea on how I am using the device. Now, let's me share my experience when I tried to do the same with the 8800.

i) Audio. The audio is pretty good on the 8800. I wish there were equalizer controls. There was one strange experience which I think is a bug. I copied the eACC+ files I created using the Nokia software to the 8800's device memory (the memory space came with the device). The files played well. When I copied the same files to the media card memory, it gave me this error "The media being played is of an unsupported format". I thought the files were corrupted during the copy. However, when I copied these same files back to the device memory, they played fine. Why is there a difference on where (device memory vs media card) I put the files? Copying files caused another bad experience. I can only copy files one at a time. Also, when a file is copied into one folder (video, music or ring tune), I cannot move that file from one folder to another (ring tone folder to music folder). When I stored my music in several subfolders, I can only play music one subfolder at a time. It does not look like the BlackBerry has a real file manager (unlike Symbian or Windows Mobile). Each individual program is doing its own file handling routes instead of passing the requests to a central file manager to process. I guess third party applications also use their own ways to handle files.

ii) Video. Not able to play full screen means you cannot enjoy the full experience playing your home video on this BlackBerry unless they are recorded in 16x9 format. I am under the impression this BlackBerry has a faster processor and the video experience should be excellent... you would think. After 2 to 4 minutes of playing a video, I started to notice pauses and stutters on the playback. The video and audio would be out of synch for about 5 seconds. I did a test by playing the same video on both E61 and 8800. The video started first on the 8800. However, after about 8 minutes of playing and several pauses on the 8800 side, the Nokia E61, which is playing in normal speed, is actually ahead of the 8800. The video streaming seems like a problem. I think this shows you the BlackBerry is designed like an old OS (i.e. MSDOS) with poor multi-tasking ability.

If you have a 8700, stay with it. If you want multimedia experience, I think the Nokia E61/E62 are pretty good for their price. Of course, you can wait for the iPhone. Buy the 8800 only when it is less than $100.

I think RIM should come right out and announce these two products with full specs and the upcoming roadmaps. After the iPhone announcement, this kind of piecemeal disclosure is very annoying. BlackBerry used to be the leader for the smartphone market. Every cell phone vendor is coming up with a model to mimic the BlackBerry keyboard. Yet, Steve Jobs slapped RIM on the face by telling people the keyboard approach was the wrong branch on the evolution tree. I think RIM should tell Steve the BlackBerry is on the right path and the keyboard approach will prove to be the real evolution.

Right now, it is all about the iPhone. It is the new benchmark. When I saw a new cell phone announcement, I would think "is it as cool as the iPhone?". I just can't help it.

I agree with Beau. It is obvious the BlackJack is a better phone or RIM would not even bother to sue Samsung. I also think the BlackJack has confirmed RIM's worst nightmare: an experienced cell phone maker created an excellent product running Windows Mobile. If I were RIM, I certainly would do something to discourage more great Windows Mobile phones to show up in the market.

This is totally contradicting to the impression that Pearl is doing well and there is no competition of BlackBerry out there. Is Samsung such a threat now to the Pearl business? To be honest, now I am getting interested in the BlackJack.

Is RIM going to sue any phonemakers with a smartphone called Black-something? Why should RIM care if other smartphones are not making an impact?

May be it is wise for Motorola to call its "black" Moto Q the "slightly dimmed" Moto Q!

Beware! RedBerry (What is that Telecom company in China?), you will be next!

Agreed. I am glad Cingular is finally selling this phone so I don't need to read about it any more. There are plenty of choices out there this Christmas so I hope people will find the smartphone of their choices.

Fortunately, I never got into an car accident while tapping on my BlackBerry. Bosses everywhere should take notes about this. When my boss gave me a BlackBerry, he thought I should reply to his every e-mail right away (driving or not). I saw enough people on the highway typing e-mails on their BlackBerry while steering the car by leaning their arms on the wheel. BlackBerry is like smoking, anything that take your hands off the steering wheel should be banned during driving.

Hey, not fair, this Da Vinci Code is fictional, right?

Sorry, what do I know anyway?

Talk about knowing, I really like this (now) very famous quote:

“Reports that say that something hasn't happened are always interesting to me, because as we know, there are known knowns; there are things we know we know. We also know there are known unknowns; that is to say we know there are some things we do not know. But there are also unknown unknowns - the ones we don't know we don't know ”

Boy, English at its best!

Not getting any better. Still receive two to three everyday. I have finally set up the filter profile. Let's see if that will solve the problem.

I guess it is everyone for himself/herself on BIS. At least the yahoo spam filter seems to be working so far.