Hands on with RIM’s BlackBerry Application Suite on the HTC Fuze
Well, it has been rumored forever, caught on video, and we’ve even done our part in sharing the news as well, but we can’t hold out on y’all any longer — we have been toying with the BAS for the greater part of a month. It’s a solid effort on RIM’s part, but will it do anything for them or just waste engineer’s precious time? The answer, friends, is in our review after the break.
Setup:
To install RIM’s BlackBerry Application Suite for Windows Mobile, you just install the program as you would like a normal Windows Mobile app. In our case, it was from a .cab file. Once it’s installed, it adds a BlackBerry icon to the Settings folder (much like BlackBerry Connect did/does) and off you go. Since the BlackBerry operating system is virtualized, it has to boot up like a normal BlackBerry device. There’s two parts to the BlackBerry OS starting. First, TouchFLO 3D has to be disabled for it to run. We’re not sure whether this is to keep memory usage down or for another technical limitation, but it’s really not the end of the world seeing as RIM hopes to keep you on the BlackBerry side as much as possible. The second feature is that you can configure the BlackBerry portion to start at Windows Mobile bootup, effectively telling Microsoft to go jump in a lake — nice. Finally, you just choose your keyboard layout (Touch Pro QWERTY, Fuze QWERTY, or Touch Pro AZERTY) and the application starts.
Features:
It’s remarkable that RIM has been able to pull this off. As much crap as we give them (yeah, whatever), this is impressive. The OS really runs on Windows Mobile! You’ve literally got an entire BlackBerry on here. Name something you’d use on your actual BlackBerry and we think you would be hard pressed to not find it. Here’s a quick list of what’s included in terms of BlackBerry Applications:
- Messages
- BlackBerry Messenger
- Address Book
- Browser
- Memopad
- Password Keeper
- Tasks
- Profiles
- Clock
- BlackBerry Maps
- Media
- Manage Connections
- Calculator
- Search
- Options
Now, after praises like that, this thing can’t have any flaws, right? Oh so wrong. So, so, wrong. For starters, like we mentioned, it runs the BlackBerry OS of 4.2. Hello. Hi. The year 2005 called and they want their 8700 back. Honestly, RIM. You had this in the bag. You had a viciously serious attack plan to destroy Windows Mobile (like a crack dealer, give them some BlackBerry OS here, little Messenger there, get them to finally switch away to an actual BlackBerry), except you’re giving people an OS from 2005. This is the year of the operating system in case you haven’t noticed. And in case you did, you’ve just blown a magical opportunity to shun your opponents.
Integration:
In the build we’ve been testing, things like GPS and Bluetooth were integrated seamlessly. We heard the camera might be as well but it wasn’t accessible in this version. When making a call, it’s actually a little weird because it will jump over from the BlackBerry operating system right to Windows Mobile and then back again when you’re done. Wi-Fi also does not work, but 3G works perfectly.
You can even set the BlackBerry side to handle all your SMS/MMS messages. So the only real reason you’d need to be on the Windows side is to take a flick or make a call. Calls made are actually logged on the BlackBerry side which is very nice because it lets you keep track of all your activity. Profiles are also across the board, so if you’re on Vibrate in BlackBerry, Windows Mobile will be on vibrate as well.
Usability:
There’s no question the BlackBerry Application Suite is usable. Heck, like we said, it really is the actual BlackBerry OS. The question becomes how much simpler does it make your life if you don’t have the flexibility that modern BlackBerrys afford you? Think about all the attachments you can’t view/download, how badly the BlackBerry Browser used to be (still is, but imagine the 8700), how much it sucks not to have HTML email anymore, etc. Would it be easier to just use Windows Mobile? You did actually buy a Windows Device in the first place… Our problem isn’t the usability factor so much as it is the convenience factor.
Navigation:
This is tricky. To make a long story short, you won’t want to use the touch screen for any sort of navigating. The reason is because it’s not finger-friendly. Scroll bars are absolutely tiny and using the stylus itself sometimes won’t even cut it. You’re better off navigating with the 5-way directional pad and using the four arrow keys on the keyboard. Plus all the lovely standard BlackBerry shortcuts work, helping things a bunch. You’re not flicking, gesturing, swiping, or any of that nonsense on here. Oh no, it’s down to basics and we’re kickin’ it old school — physical keys, baby.
Conclusion:
We really have to applaud RIM for making this a reality. They’re about 22 months late (more by the time this is actually released), but they’ve successfully virtualized their BlackBerry OS while practically giving up nothing. Does this mean it rocks? No. But what it does mean is that we have faith there will be many versions to come after this and we have faith RIM will work on updating it to a current 4.6 or 4.7 OS version. Plus don’t forget the fact that there’s a Symbian version coming, something which is huge as well.
The BlackBerry Application Suite for Windows Mobile is much more than a proof of concept. It works, and works extremely well. We’re sure the final shipping version will work even better than it is now; it’s probably more stable than Windows Mobile will ever be. We’re just not sure people are going to want to give up the luxuries they are finally getting in Windows Mobile. As sick as that sounds, people buy Windows Mobile devices for a reason. If it is a consumer, they wanted what they wanted and having to go through the extra step of installing and configuring an operating system just might not be for them. If you’re talking about the corporate user, well, they either have a Windows Mobile device because they wanted one or because they were given one. It’s highly possible their organization doesn’t run a BES in which that case won’t help. So, we’re torn. We love the idea, we even love the execution of it for the most part, we’re just having trouble finding users. Yes, many will download it and try it out. Some will run it tandem with Windows Mobile and flip back and forth to do different tasks, but we think many will just uninstall it after they’ve gotten their rocks off. We look forward to seeing how this evolves, and we’re really excited about the Symbian client, but for those of you who miss your trusty 7290 and can’t forgive yourself for giving it up, this might be the day you’ve been waiting for.
Can you post the CAB?
So can you activate it on a blackberry enterprise server? That is the big question. As a BES Administrator having all of the management features and security to work with would be great. You could have a wider range of devices on the system and yet still manage ansd secure it. As well the latest versions of the BES are rumored to have their MVS software packaged with it which would lower cellular costs across the board. And for anyone managing hundreds or thousands of smartphones this could mean HUGE savings.
Yes it absolutely supports BIS as well as BES.
@Terry
It’s a theme. Nothing more. The operating system version is 4.2.1.
Terry – its 4.2. Does no HTML emails give a hint? I think so. Do you know what a Theme is?
Does this integrate with a BES?
Is there a link so we can try it out?
@Bryan
Yeah dude — it’s a BlackBerry…
Posted from BGR Mobile (iPhone).
@Yapoo – I know what a theme is, I have had BB for a couple of years now. I was going based on what I read in another article about this.
You can also turn off HTML e-mail on the BB if you want. It’s under the general settings for e-mails on BB.
It’ runs 4.2 yet looks like 4.6… why couldn’t they do that with 4.5?
Man, if we could get this to work on the iPhone, all would be well. The best of both worlds. It would change the future of telephony forever!
Would be nice to run this on the iPhone, then I could use BB Messenger again – lol
The idea appeals greatly. In Oz this has just been posted on one of our carrier’s site. Note you must choose an option. One is a BLACKBERRY plan. Is this a newer or older handset?
http://personal.optus.com.au/web/ocaportal.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=shoppingcart_mobphonedetails&FP=/personal/mobile/mobilephones&packageCode=8748&fragCode=8748&productType=MOB&contract=24&paymentTerm=24&make=HTC&model=Dream&productpath=/shop/mobile/phones&site=personal
as if wm needed another reason why its the best platform… we already have android on many devices…
^If ‘best’ means that WinMo can function as a completely different platform altogether, you might have something there.
You made a wise decision.
Since when is the Toyota Camry the fastest family sedan? *shakes head* That might be the dumbest statement I have heard in a long time.
Back on topic, this is a great idea on RIM part, but lacks the execution that RIM is known for… os4.2? They better get that updated to 4.5 or 4.6 for official release.
:O what’s this?! BB Messenger?? you can actually use the BB Messenger??!?!
this is practically the only reason I want a BB…how does it work with the pin and reception?
please answer me
Does this app provide a virtual PIN for PIN to PIN messaging?
I have a FUZE and a Celio Redfly that I use as a laptop replacement while on the go. If I could integrate the messaging features of RIM OS, sync my Google calendar and contacts with the RIM calendar and contacts via googles sync app, PIN message and still be able to work on Windows Mobile when I needed to connect to the Redfly like a laptop… near perfection for me. (at least until the next thing comes out.:)
i skimmed through the article and didnt notice u guys mentioning it. but u should really point out the fact its only for gsm phones.
theres a lot of people that want this only for the bb messenger. rim should just come out with a separate app that people can install this on their windows mobile device
Interesting article…but where can I find the cab. file to try this all out??
@rileyfreeman Its not just for gsm phones, its umts too. God knows what made you think that.
@Gazza
That option “could” also be for a BBConnect app connection, instead of BAS. Although it couldnt really as there is no RIM app that works on Android as the picture shows.
You know Optus are terrible, even managing a 3G network seems too much for them. They have just made yet another mistake that’s all.
I really wonder:whats the use of this article when nothing is told about possibilities of downloading? Only when we can try it, we could comment about the usability of this application.
so, please react on our questions!!
wouldn’t this instead of diving people to blackberrys drive people away from them? cause if I liked a windows phone but was used to the bb or had all my files in bb then i could wounder away from the bb with out worrying about not being able to access certain files.
What I don’t see mentioned is that in order to use BB Messenger, (which is what everyone seems so jazzed about), you HAVE to have a BB plan from your carrier, or be attached to a BES server, (which is where RIM gets $$ as well.)
RIM is not giving this away for free, or as a bait to lure you to get a BB device. They could care less about the devices because the carriers subsidize the handsets. The real $$ is in the service plans and licensing.
Having said that, I’d love to try this out on my FUZE and see how it performs compared to my BB Bold. (Too bad BES won’t let you sync with 2 devices simultaneously.)