Top PDA choices

Columns

Discussion

May 23, 2009

By Greg Bott / guest columnist The Meridian Star Sat May 23, 2009, 10:29 PM CDT

Rocky Balboa vs. Apollo Creed, Wiley Coyote vs. Road Runner, Bullwinkle vs. Boris and Natasha — these were all great matchups. Apple's iPhone vs. RIM's BlackBerry is another great matchup. If you're in the market for a personal digital assistant (PDA), the BlackBerry and iPhone are your top two choices.

Of these two, which should you choose? Let's consider factors important to most people: cost (device and monthly), productivity, learning curve, and lifestyle impact.

Cost between the two devices is generally even (expect to pay about the same for a BlackBerry Curve as you would an 8GB iPhone-about $200), but core productivity functions tip heavily to the BlackBerry because of its keyboard and focused nature of the device (i.e., you're a lot less likely to spend several hours playing a virtual golf game on the BlackBerry than on the iPhone). Neither device is very difficult to learn, but the iPhone's graphical interface is more intuitive and consistent than any other device on the market today. By lifestyle impact, I mean what you can do with the device and how it impacts your life. In this category, the iPhone wins without competition. As the television commercials say, "There's an app for that." There is seemingly an application for everything you can think of--from calorie counting, to blowing a kiss, to checking the low and high tides of the ocean.

Here's a personal example-I run. I don't run as far, fast or as often as I'd like, but I run. The iPhone has an application that maps my run (iMapMyRun), tracks my time, distance, and pace. After a run it posts it up to my workouts on the Internet for easier review and tracking. I don't know of an application like that on the BlackBerry. Today there are more than 18,000 iPhone applications to enhance your life.

I like BlackBerry's one-handed operation. Much of what you need to do on a BlackBerry can be done with one hand. I also like its keyboard-it's the best keyboard available on a device today and there is no faster way to send an e-mail or text using a PDA than with a BlackBerry. Battery life is also excellent-especially compared to an iPhone. BlackBerry's are focused in purpose: Although there are games, music, and video available on a BlackBerry, a BlackBerry users tend to utilize its core functionality more than the entertainment options.

Things I don't like about an iPhone-can't copy and paste nor send or receive photos via MMS (multimedia messaging service). An iPhone operating system update due this summer is expected to provide both the ability to copy and paste and send photos via MMS-please welcome Apple to 2003. Battery life is short and you cannot replace the battery or use a spare, which means you'll be without your phone while the battery is factory replaced. Searching for your stuff (contacts, calendar items, etc.) on an iPhone can be cumbersome or impossible.

So which should you buy? I'll answer like the consultant I am: It Depends. If your primary purpose is e-mail/text, calendaring, and contacts and you want to be able to type long e-mails fairly quickly, get a BlackBerry. It's utility and business productivity at its best. If you want an altogether higher level of a 3G device, get an iPhone. It can do just about anything (high resolution movies, a myriad of games, remote control a computer, you name it), except type a long e-mail or technology column quickly.

Technically yours.

Bott Technology Solutions helps small to midsize businesses with computer technology needs and may be reached via e-mail at gregbott@bottinc.com or at 601-616-8509.

Text Only

Columns

European travel tips
If there is a condom machine in the restaurant’s restroom, you have made a mistake in your choice of dining establishment.
That is one of my rules for dining in Europe. Unfortunately, if you are already in the restroom, it’s probably too late.

February 8, 2012
Military cuts and BRAC to challenge leaders
February 6, 2012
Let ms.gov know what's going on
The state's newly relaunched web portal, www.ms.gov, is a great idea. According to a news release this is the first major update for the site in more than a decade.

February 5, 2012
Today’s need — $3,893.76
Today’s need concerns eleven circumstances. The first need is a couple in their forties working all the hours they can. The husband’s paycheck has been running low because he has not been receiving the hours at work he was accustomed to. With $274.38 we can keep their utilities form being cut off.

February 4, 2012
Killer, the cat ...
February 3, 2012
Counsel fight remains a political cold war
The ongoing legislative battle over the so-called “outside counsel” or contingency fee law remains a political cold war between the state’s trial lawyers and the state’s business and medical interests – and it’s a story that has two sides.

February 1, 2012
Travel technology
After leaving the Trapani Salt Flats on the western coast of Sicily on a late November afternoon, I maneuvered our vehicle down yet another remote, unmarked dirt road and passed dozens of vacant houses. No one was on the streets. It had been 10 minutes since we had seen another car. Sunlight was at a minimum. We had been warned several times about remote areas of Sicily.

February 1, 2012
Restoration spurs renewal in East Miss.
Choctaw tribal chief Phyliss Anderson restored and reopened Phillip M’s at the Pearl River Resort last week. She also signaled her intent to renew the economic policies so successfully implemented by the restaurant’s namesake.
"Under the visionary leadership of our late Chief Phillip Martin, our tribe realized great progress and today I am proud to honor his legacy with the re-opening of Phillip M's," said Anderson, flanked by members of Martin's family.

January 30, 2012
Today’s need — $2,393.77
1 JOHN 3:17 - “If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has not pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?” Praise belongs to God as every need in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 has been met. Thanks to everyone who has generously given over the years to change lives physically, financially, and spiritually. Each week I stand in awe of God as I witness God’s provision in our lives.

Today’s need concerns six circumstances. The first need is a lady in her fifties just released from the hospital. Her sister she was living with died a few months ago. She is trying as hard as she can to pay the mortgage to keep her sister’s house. She has been able to maintain all her expenses so far but does not have money for her prescriptions. These prescriptions are necessary to keep her physically well. With $300.00 we can provide her much needed medications.

January 29, 2012
Gratitude
As I sit down to write this first column in a wrap-up series of the six-month, 17-country, two-continent research tour through Europe, I am struck by an overwhelming feeling of gratitude.
I am grateful to the employees and managers of our restaurants who did an excellent job keeping the wheels in motion during my absence. I am grateful to our customers who helped make 2011 a record sales year for the company. I am grateful to longtime friends, new friends, and friends we have never even met for their prayers of support and well wishes. I am also grateful to the friends we met along the way.

January 25, 2012
More Columns Headlines

Columns

Search Results

Discussion

Top PDA choices

Site Map

Contact Us