Introduction
The world of technology is ever changing and this dynamic status endows users with fascination and anticipation for better and more superior gadgets such as intelligent machines.
The Smart blackberry cell phone has caused a lot of heat in comparing operability between computers and mobile phones. The features on the phone arguably make it top of the list among micro-processing gadgets such as laptops, palmtops and tablet PCs.
The blackberry company is dedicated to providing users with high quality mobile phones that not only provide the common voice services, but also are also highly competitive among data processing devices such as computers (Vance, 2010). The phone has all superior features a user would wish on portable devices.
The blackberry user guide that is written in simple and straight forward language proves that the phone has become a vital mobile device among most people. The manual is also a clear proof that users have not discovered very many useful aspects of the phone.
Such features can cause abandonment of other portable devices such as iPods, tablet PCs and palmtops. Arguably, the choice to curry all these extra mobile devices depends on the nature of user needs.
If the blackberry phone provides the user with tasks that the palmtop offers, such as accessing the internet, emailing or saving bulky data, then there is no need to have the two gadgets. Debatably, it would be obvious that most users in such a situation would prefer to use the blackberry due to its features, mobility and flexibility on ease of usage.
Feasibility Study/ Scope of the Project
This case study involves one of the current advancing technologies in the phone industry. Based on the results of the study particularly on analysis of market feasibility, status on usage of blackberry smart phones is a clear indication that it is the leading smart phone in the market and has potential to replace some computer technology particularly the palmtops.
The quality of services it renders the users and the advancement of its features will form the feasibility study in the aim of trying to compare it with related computerized mobile devices.
The study is vital and timely, given that the results will influence usage and the choice people should make on mobile devices they carry in their pockets or bags. The feasibility study of the device will also assist in clarification of a potential debate concerning superiority of hand held or mobile devices such as computers.
The study will also assist in analysis of how best users are utilizing their mobile devices, as opposed to common computer technology. Analysis of the device will furthermore assist manufactures to aim at attaining their future endeavors of improving the features, for even better competitive edge in the market.
Thesis/ Problem Statement
Blackberry smart phones are more technical and efficient than Palmtops, Tablet PCs and other upcoming Smart-phones. Blackberry is therefore the current and possibly a future mobile device to replace the cumbersome laptops and palmtops.
Hypothesis Statement
Blackberry will replace usage of palmtops and tablet PCs in the near future.
Literature Review
Benefits of Blackberry
According to Bloggersbase site (2009), Blackberry comes with an Operating system installed and thus can act as a palmtop. Blackberry’s OS has all the features that a traditional operating system such as windows provides, and thus can be used as a mini operating device as well such as a palmtop.
The computing efficiency of the product and its facilities makes it an efficient communication device with broad areas of applications. Some of the key benefits of Blackberry include:
- Managing multiple wireless servers: The feature is especially useful while travelling where signals may fluctuate
- Enterprise Applications: The device can be reconfigured to use enterprise applications, and be competitive over other smart phone. For example, it provides push services such as message list, calendar and geo-location.
- Low operations cost: Blackberry provide up to 30% savings on cost of an enterprise server. (a server is a special computer which provides services to various devices) (Blackberry Company, n.d.).
- Resale value: The brand equity provides high resale value for the product.
Blackberry features
Blackberry is one the most advanced products in the field of mobile technology. It has many unique qualities and features. Some of the key features of the product are as follows:
Using Blackberry features
The new Blackberry smart phones support office software such as Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, WordPerfect, and Adobe pdf files. Blackberry users can read and edit their office documents in their smart phones and send them via email using wireless connectivity of the Blackberry.
To use these features, Blackberry provides a special help facility. The user can send a query to the concerned department and an executive will answer the query. There is a help feature in Blackberry, which can be used to learn about any application and the way the application can be used effectively.
The inbuilt and additional memory helps customers to store a number of files. The device can thus be used to install additional features. These features include save-as-pdf utility in MS office.
This mainly helps in saving of files in pdf format, which prevent further editing, and distortion in formatting. Other features like reminders, calendars and memos will keep the customers informed and updated about the events.
Using Blackberry Security Features
In line with Blackberry Company, the phone has various security features such as Phone lock, keypad Lock, fixed dial, SIM PIN, Password among others (n.d). It is easy to implement through security settings under the phone’s menu.
Using Other Blackberry Features
The menu tab has various icons representing different features such as calculators and organizers for instance the calender or to-do feature that assist in planning.
Some of the most powerful tools of the blackberry are Web-tool and office features
Beginning at the menu tab, users are able to access internet through the WAP services, where it is posible to set Homepage, Bookmarks, Recent Pages, Offline Pages, Input Address, Service Inbox or Settings like in a PC (Vance, 2010).
To use Microsoft office in blackberry phones the “Documents- To -Go” which is a pre loaded application,-
- The first step would be opening Menu to locate Documents To Go
- Second, is to click on it and open Office To Go folder
- To activate, one must accept the stated agreement by clicking on “Accept”
- Once completed one must register the Documents To Go and choose Open File
- Then choose destination for files, either Device Memory or Media Card once stored here, it possible to edit documents in Office and users can create new ones as well.
Using Blackberry Instant Information Features
The instant information features of Blackberry phones are the best among all smart phones in the market. The Messenger service is most efficient of the feature, since it enables users to send instant messages within the Blackberry network
To use these features, the users need to register for the push service on the Blackberry server. Once the user is registered, he/she can download his or her email (partly or complete inbox) on the phone and can create, view and send emails on the phone itself.
Project development plan
The project development plan will require post analysis, interpretation of the tentative data and recommendation for further research. This will be a measure to assess viability of the research and ensure proper collection plan is documented.
The collected data will form the basis for definition of research objectives, project scope and appropriate technology for future advancement. This will also assist in working within the defined timeframe and allocated costs.
Objective/ Significance of the study
The study is carried out to find whether users indicate that blackberries are more effective just like the palmtops or tablet PCs and even determine if the phones are better. Are there chances that the smart blackberry phone can replace these other devices due to its convenient size and powerful features?
The device is automated efficiently to improve its processing speed as well as accuracy. Blackberry therefore also plays a major role in improvement of the dynamic operating system since it has installed programs.
Methodology/ Procedure of the Study
The case study of blackberry smart phone will mainly involve face-to-face interview of users and potential buyers. During the study, the researcher will require consideration of costs and time constrains. In cases on in-access to enough data, the research will need to use the social websites to gather users’ opinion.
Enough data must be collected to determine conclusion and thus meet the objectives of the study. Face-to-face interview calls for a close interaction with users especially when finding their ability to access the available features in the phone that makes it competitive to other mobile devices.
Project Proposal Time Frame
The project period requirement for implementation of the whole project ought to be seven weeks as projected in the table below.
Implementation Costs
There are some minimum cost requirement for collection and analysis of data. Collection of data may also require hiring of casuals and training them on collection procedure. If data is gathered through the internet, some capital may also be required.
Data analysis will involve specialists to ensure accuracy, thus necessitates funding. The researcher may need a sample blackberry smart phone during interview to ensure there is good understanding by researcher especially on collected data form users and potential buyers.
Main budget involves the initial cost for setting up the project, running costs during project development and training costs. The entire budget thus approximates to Twenty five thousand nine hundred and thirty US Dollars as projected in the table below.
Conclusion
Blackberry is one of the best in the industry. Its business and enterprise services provide a competitive edge over potential competitors.
The office features of the smart phone are an exclusive facility in the phone, which solves many business purposes. Overall, Blackberry provides an efficient business utility and the key advantage is reliability on services. The core advantages of Blackberry therefore include:
- Availability of push service to operate mails and documents on phone
- Lower prices compared to HTC and Google Android (Vance, 2010)
- Reliable connectivity (wireless network)
- Efficient customer support from the company.
Recommendation
Blackberry is one of the best in the industry but still needs certain features to be improved. The entertainment features of the phone are monotonous. They do not have any significant usability. While buying such an advanced phone customers expect certain entertainment applications that can be effective during leisure.
Therefore, the company must develop some entertainment applications or allow third parties to improve some for the Blackberry phones.
References
Blackberry Company. (n.d.). The BlackBerry Solution for Higher Education. Web.
Blackberry Company. (n.d.). The BlackBerry Solution for Enterprise. Web.
Bloggersbase. (2009). An Introduction to BlackBerry Smart phones. Web.
Vance, J. (2010). Best Smartphone for IT: Blackberry vs. iPhone vs. Android. Web.