The BlackBerry® Vs. The XDA

So what is the XDA exactly?

The XDA is a voice-centric Pocket PC 2002 stylus input handheld that also provides mobile professionals with the pull-based access to their personal and corporate email. It is the first Pocket PC to incorporate an internal modem.

Fast, funky and feature-packed, the XDA combines the benefits of a GPRS mobile phone with the power of a PDA. All-in-one, the multi-talented XDA combines unmatched functionality with looks to die for. The XDA also features a brilliant full-colour touch screen.

With the XDA you can:

• Access the Internet
• Make a call
• Send an email
• Organise your diary
• Listen to music and
• Play a game.

Key strengths of the XDA:

• Large colour screen on a voice-centric device
• First device to eliminate the add-on modem requirement typical of Pocket PC devices
• O2/BT's respectability, brand strength, marketing savvy, and international presence

Key Features of the XDA:

• 206 Mhz StrongARM processor per Pocket PC 2002 requirement
• 32Mb RAM, 2 x 16Mb flash ROM
• Reflective TFT 4096 colour touch screen
• Windows CE OS
• Li-Ion 1500 mAh battery
• You can open attachments that arrive with your e-mail

Additional Information:

Phone.

• GSM Network - Dualband 900/1800
• GPRS network - Class B
• Talk time - up to 3.5 hrs (subject to usage)
• PDA operating time - Up to 15 hours Pocket PC usage
• Standby time - Up to 150 hours (subject to usage)

Technical PDA and Display:

• Memory expansion - SD card/MMC
• Display - Reflective TFT display (240x320 pixel)
• Number of colours - 4096 colours

Physical Spec:

• Dimensions - 18 x 73 x 129mm
• Weight - 201 g
• Interfaces - USB per docking station

Software:

• Mobile Data Applications
• Microsoft Windows for Pocket PC
• Pocket Outlook
• Pocket Internet Explorer
• Pocket Word
• Pocket Excel
• Microsoft Windows Media Player 8 for Pocket PC

And now for the BlackBerry ®.

BlackBerry provides mobile users with "Always on, Always Connected" wireless access to their corporate email, PIM and backend corporate data systems.

This is accomplished through a completely secure end-to-end solution that includes RIM Wireless Handhelds, the client software on the handhelds, the BlackBerry Enterprise, and wireless airtime.

With a BlackBerry you can:-

• Send and receive corporate emails without having to connect
• Read e-mail attachments
• Integrate with your own corporate email account
• Send SMS with easy to use QWERTY keyboard
• Wireless calendar synchronisation. Calendar appointments are updated automatically at desktop and handheld *
• Task List
• Memo Pad

Key strengths of the BlackBerry

• Uses 'push' technology via GPRS network - "Always on, Always Connected
• Completely wireless handheld
• Integration with existing email
• Intuitive design gives ease of use
• Advanced security

Key Features of the BlackBerry:

• Totally secure via Triple DES (Data Encryption Standard)
• 32-bit processor with embedded RIM wireless modem
• 8Mb flash memory plus 1Mb SRAM
• Backlit QWERTY keyboard
• Internal rechargeable Lithium battery

Additional Info:

• 1900Mhz GSM/GPRS network
• Phone software due to be available in August
• Battery life - 4-7 days dependant on usage
• Backlit QWERTY keyboard
• Technicals:-
  Dimensions (HxWxD) 4.6 x 3.1 x 0.70 in/117 x 78.5 x 18 mm
  Weight - 139g (i.e. 4.9oz)
  Display - Full Graphic Monochrome LCD with Backlighting

Comparison Time:-

Key Limitations of the XDA

• Not secure - pull-based system requires inbound holes through firewalls that can be exploited by hackers
• Messages susceptible to interception - does not support encryption of messages
• Low Return On Investment (ROI) - pull-based systems introduce delays between when time sensitive messages are received and when the user is aware of them. They are also a lot more work for users because they are forced to have to remember to look for new email and take the effort to download it
• Awkward stylus input - stylus input devices force the users to use a new input entry method and creates one-handed mobility challenges for mobile professionals. In addition to being limited to under 10 words per minute for text entry, mobile professionals also need to have both hands free to be able to use the devices
• Only suitable for the least mobile of mobile professionals - the XDA battery only lasts for 3.5 hours of wireless use. Mobile professionals require at least 10 hours of wireless battery life

Key Limitations of the BlackBerry.

• Non-colour display will make web browsing difficult
• Will currently only work with MS Exchange and Lotus Domino

BlackBerry's "Silver Bullets".

Push Technology - "Always on, Always Connected":

The biggest plus that the BlackBerry has over the XDA is that it utilises 'push' technology. Push systems are unmatched in their ability to provide mobile users with constant, effort-free awareness at all times because messages are automatically delivered to the user's wireless handheld simultaneously with their reception at their corporate servers.

BlackBerry maximises productivity benefits by eliminating the delay between when messages are received at the user's corporate server and when the user remembers to look for new messages. The XDA forces users to have to remember to log in and wait to download messages. This reduces the benefits by the XDA and makes it much more difficult for users to maintain ongoing awareness of the critical communications being received at their offices while they are away. Forcing users to have to remember to log in and wait to download messages also creates extra effort for users compared to the automated push delivery and notification system employed by BlackBerry.

End-To-End Security:

BlackBerry provides complete end-to-end security and uses a single encryption protocol. As such messages sent to or from RIM Wireless Handhelds are encrypted once at point of origin and not decrypted until they are received at their destination. BlackBerry users can be assured that their sensitive corporate information is held in complete confidence between sender and recipient and that messages cannot be accessed in clear text at any point in the system. The use of Triple DES as a single end-to-end encryption protocol is an important contributor to the BlackBerry security architecture. BlackBerry is the only solution to have earned FIPS-140 certification, the US Government's wireless security certification.

As a pull-based system, the corporate appeal of the XDA is limited because IT departments must authorise dial-up access through the corporate firewall, set up modem banks and bridge these to their internal email system. Because inbound dial-up holes through firewalls can be exploited by hackers to gain access into internal systems, these practices are not typically permitted. IT departments must also be willing to allow corporate messages to be sent wirelessly in clear text due to the XDA's lack of encryption.

Meeting The Mobility Requirements of Mobile Professionals:

A significant difference between the XDA and the BlackBerry is that the battery life of the XDA is limited to 3.5 hours of wireless operation. Without battery life of 10 hours at a minimum, mobile users are forced to stay close to AC outlets throughout their mobile day. This creates significant usability hassles for mobile professional attempting to use the XDA. Risks are also created by increasing the incidence that mobile users are left without access to their critical communications when searches for AC outlets fail or the user is not stationary long enough to recharge.

Only 35% of mobile professionals have convenient access to AC outlets (Research Portal Mobile Professional Report 2001). The remaining 65% have either a home office or second corporate office where they can recharge as they need throughout the day. It should be noted that even where the XDA fulfils their needs during their normal mobility patterns, it does not provide them with the ability to periodically travel more widely. BlackBerry was specifically designed to serve all mobile professionals irrespective of their degree of mobility

The Ergonomics of the User Interface:

The Blackberry handheld's revolutionary QWERTY keyboard enables experienced users to reach input speeds of up to 40 words per minute. Similarly, scrolling through long email messages is fast and easy with the unique track wheel. BlackBerry handhelds are winning rave reviews for advancements in ergonomics. Although the "hunt and peck" stylus method is popular with many consumers, people who have had a chance to get used to the "thumb-typing" on BlackBerry handhelds often prefer it over the stylus. Stylus input devices force users to learn 'graffiti', a mock character input entry method, and creates one-handed mobility challenges for mobile professionals. In addition to being limited to under 10 words per minute for text entry, mobile professionals also need to have both hands free to be able to use with a stylus. The growing respect for embedded QWERTY keyboards is evident in data that shows that the number of mobile professionals who consider a QWERTY keyboard as important or very important almost doubled in the one year from 39% in 2000 to 68% in 2001 (Research Portal, "Invasive Small Form Factor Users Are Driving Fast Towards Keyboards").

Please click here for more detailed information on the Blackberry.

Please click here for more detailed information on the XDA.

The Word Blackberry ® is a registered trademark of Research In Motion