Michael Dale
So I've had the pleasure of looking after some Blackberries and I just don't understand why anyone would purchase one over say a Windows Mobile device or an iPhone.
So here is my list of why Blackberries suck:
- The user interface on the phone feels like a palm from the 90s. The screen on the newer phones is better, but the interface is still really nasty, I hate that crappy ball thing they use.
- It doesn't sync correctly/at all. Do a quick google search to see for yourself. They just don't work correctly. Half the time the contacts don't sync wirelessly, the email reconciliation doesn't work (you know, when you delete an email off the phone it should also delete from exchange) and they don't activate quickly.
- Blackberry Enterprise Server is shit. There are so many hooks it requires into Exchange that it just isn't funny. Do an update on Exchange and you'll be spending the rest of the day trying to fix the BES user permissions.
- With an ActiveSync device (WinMo, iPhone etc) you don't need any extra server software as long as you're running Outlook Web Access, unlike Blackberry that requires the BES server.
- Security. If you're using a Blackberry your data must flow through the RIM Server Relay Protocol (SRP) system. Where as Exchange can talk directly to the Phone via SSL. So there are less security issues and you don't need to worry if the SRP goes offline (which has happened before).
- BES puts a lot of extra load on the Exchange Information Store as it polls for incoming messages.
I can't really think of much else. But yeah I really don't like looking after Blackberries and have no problems recommending the iPhone over it for business users.
If you think the only way of getting push email on your phone is via a Blackberry you are very wrong.