GLOBE and Smart are set to (finally) launch the Blackberry Bold this week. And while it really is a tad too late (the Bold was first announced in May), it should bear repeating, or ruminating, whether the Bold can really compete directly against THAT Apple device.
Here’s a quick video showing the added features of the Blackberry Bold:
Of course, the iPhone carries better brand recall. I don’t expect to hear the words “Blackberry Bold” in any conversation among already iPod-toting college students. And based from personal experience, I’ve already seen a few iPhone-toting college students.
So where does that leave the Bold?
I asked Vikki Mapua, analyst from XMG to give me her take on it. According to her, not much difference in terms of features between the two only the Bold still carries far superior email capabilities. (For me, though, it’s just the QWERTY keyboard…sorry, me long-time Blackberry user.)
Rightfully so, because the Blackberry targets mainly corporate users, although it’s quite common to see pictures of Hollywood celebrities Lindsay Lohan or Paris Hilton) holding on to their Blackberrys like a can’t-live-without accessory.
According to Mapua, the launch of the Bold carries quite significance in the fact that both Smart and Globe are carrying it, whereas the iPhone is exclusive to Globe.
Which leads to the inevitable question: if you’re looking to become part or the smartphone-toting set by December, will you a) buy an iPhone b) buy a Blackberry Bold or c) wait a little longer for the touch-screen Blackberry Storm?
October 13th, 2008 at 6:38 pm
Both the iPhone and Bold are on the same smartphone market. However, the noticeable difference is really the powerful email capabilities of the Blackberry with the Blackberry Corporate Email Server which is the more subscribed push email in the business market. The problem is, the Philippine smartfone market is way too different in characteristics compared to the United States. Most people in the US are blackberry users (no wonder its the leader in smartfone market share in the US) and the iPhone is more of a novelty icon than having a real knockout punch.
I am using a Blackberry phone in the US and it works excellent with the T-mobile network. However, when i got home, I found it useless here. So many capabilities are rendered useless because the local networks don’t support it’s other services.
Celfone users here in the Phils are more inclined to the “iconic” status of the iPhone rather than its actual capabilites. All in all, both are very good smartfones, but each cater to different segment in their respective market. Each unit will cater to what specific you “want” from a phone - either form or function, or probably even both!
October 13th, 2008 at 9:33 pm
I doubt you will see people waiting in line for days to buy a Bold. If it’s only claim to fame is email, they had better go back to the drawing board quick, because that “little” advantage wont last long.
Oh, and I find typing on the iPhone touch screen to be far superior to my old Blackberry. I don’t have to push nearly as hard, so my fingers don’t get cramped after typing for 5 minutes like they do on the Blackberry. Im not sure who made up the rule that tactile buttons are superior. I have to disagree.
October 14th, 2008 at 10:14 am
” although it’s quite common to see pictures of Hollywood celebrities Lindsay Lohan or Paris Hilton) holding on to their Blackberrys like a can’t-live-without accessory.”
Is it 2005 again?
Those bimbos were hooked on instant messages, not on any particular piece of hardware. They’ve moved on. Blackberry will always be the master of e-mail; but in this day of Twitter e-mail has gone back to a mostly-work-related activity.
October 16th, 2008 at 8:36 am
people give too much attention to the blackberry and iphone. people should give more attention to the phones in japan. maybe smart and globe can get deals with japanese celphone makers and make them in english..
an ordinary celfone in japan can make a blackberry / iphone look like a low-end nokia anytime, anyplace..
celfones ni the u.s. are like a generation-and-a-half behind celfones in japan in terms of technology
October 16th, 2008 at 2:21 pm
i’ll buy iPhone instead since it’s more flexible and it can properly sync with my computer (w/ other i***** products).