"Not better, just different"

[Billbeme]

I was wondering if anyone could explain to me how the Blackberry Operation System differs from or is similar to Windows Mobile. I have chosen Windows mobile only because it is the Mobile OS I know the best.

So that being said, I would like to avoid (as Ed inspired) a debate about which OS is better. I would instead like simply to understand the script, architecture, user interface, stability, multimedia, enterprise, 3rd party app, etc. situation for Blackberry comparatively to Windows Mobile (if necessary).

I have already looked at the other threads in this forum that seem to address the same issue but they seemed to become a competency debate for each OS.

Thanks!
Bill

[Antoine Wright]

Teh BB OS is much like the Palm OS in that its a largely single tasking OS. Its built mainly on a Java framework (don't remember which, there are 50+ of them) which makes it a hotbed for Java apps. Its multitasking (in terms of what it can do at once), but that's very much controled on the OS level.

Its more decentralized form user control than other OSes. Its designed to be a network connected, IT controlled OS. Its pretty much built first with email, then with secutiry in mind. Everything else is extra fluff.

In later editions, with the exception of the variant in the Storm/Thunder, version 4.7, the emphasis on multimedia and user experience has smoothed some of the edges of the OS in regards to multimeda play, and device ability.

4.7 is different. After I play with it, I'll offer opinions.

Some signifiant issues revolve around the java framework, user interface expectations, and and ability to manage multiple wireless connections. For some reason, it just cannot seem to do HSDPA+GPS+WiFi. This latter issue has led to much of the model differentiation you see between carriers. RIM has only so many engineers to dedicate to the devices, the service/servers are the real deal.

Others should be able to fill in from here. Hope this helps some.

[Billbeme]

Teh BB OS is much like the Palm OS in that its a largely single tasking OS. Its built mainly on a Java framework (don't remember which, there are 50+ of them) which makes it a hotbed for Java apps. Its multitasking (in terms of what it can do at once), but that's very much controled on the OS level.

Does this mean it has multitasking like WM or it doesn't like Palm OS? Task manager?

Its more decentralized form user control than other OSes. Its designed to be a network connected, IT controlled OS. Its pretty much built first with email, then with secutiry in mind. Everything else is extra fluff.

What are the benefits of having it so controlled from a command station somewhere? What does this mean for media?

Some signifiant issues revolve around the java framework, user interface expectations, and and ability to manage multiple wireless connections. For some reason, it just cannot seem to do HSDPA+GPS+WiFi. This latter issue has led to much of the model differentiation you see between carriers. RIM has only so many engineers to dedicate to the devices, the service/servers are the real deal.

Could you elaborate on the "issues" you've mentioned?

Thanks! Any other help in understanding the nature of this OS would be great thanks!

Bill

[Antoine Wright]

Does this mean it has multitasking like WM or it doesn't like Palm OS? Task manager?


What are the benefits of having it so controlled from a command station somewhere? What does this mean for media?

Could you elaborate on the "issues" you've mentioned?

Thanks! Any other help in understanding the nature of this OS would be great thanks!

Bill

Multitasking like Windows Mobile, however applications act in a single tasking facility unless they are using specific alarm/notification threads (that's about as techical as I can get at the moment on that part). Task manager is built in, however not all apps "run" in the background. Many save-state.

The RIM/BB system is designed as an enterprise OS, controlled by IT department, and adminstered to users who don't care what the device does as long as it works. Benfits are simply that the user doesn't have to worry about device management, that's the IT dept's job. Of course, this also means that there's an extra set of eyes and company policies on everything that you do.

Personal BBs still utilize a server, however this is carrier and RIM controlled. This has caused much contention with markets such as China and India. RIM is based in Canada, and in those markets and others, the user not being able to control their own device, or even the client not being able to have RIM servers in their country's domain, tends to be an issue.

The BB OS started out as a pager OS. Not a multimedia one. Everything that it does now has been a concerted effort to keep pager simplicty and add functionality. This causes issues of course in UI and UX. OS 4.7 is the first to signifiantly address this, OS 5 will be a completly rewritten beast for them.

[Billbeme]

Multitasking like Windows Mobile, however applications act in a single tasking facility unless they are using specific alarm/notification threads (that's about as techical as I can get at the moment on that part). Task manager is built in, however not all apps "run" in the background. Many save-state.

That is an interesting combination of WM and Palm process management.

The RIM/BB system is designed as an enterprise OS, controlled by IT department, and adminstered to users who don't care what the device does as long as it works. Benfits are simply that the user doesn't have to worry about device management, that's the IT dept's job. Of course, this also means that there's an extra set of eyes and company policies on everything that you do

As someone who is pretty annoyed by WM on a regular basis your "as long as it works" comment is intriguing. Now, does this comment reference only corporate BBs or personal as well? What sort of device management do they control by contrast to device management on other platforms?

The BB OS started out as a pager OS. Not a multimedia one. Everything that it does now has been a concerted effort to keep pager simplicty and add functionality. This causes issues of course in UI and UX. OS 4.7 is the first to signifiantly address this, OS 5 will be a completly rewritten beast for them.

Wow! Really? What issues are in the User Interface and what is the UX? What is the plan for 5.0?

Thanks!
Bill

[Antoine Wright]

As someone who is pretty annoyed by WM on a regular basis your "as long as it works" comment is intriguing. Now, does this comment reference only corporate BBs or personal as well? What sort of device management do they control by contrast to device management on other platforms?

There is desktop software (think like Palm Desktop) for RIM devices, however because many use Outlook with their device, there is an Outlook connector which goes to the RIM servers and manages email and PIM (think MS Exchange).

In terms of personal devices, I've not seen many people take advantage of this as most mobile users I know don't sync, nor care to.