BlackBerry is a PC too, for now

You may argue with this post's title line up there, but the fact speaks for itself. Research In Motion (RIM) has only bundled the RIM's BlackBerry Desktop Manager (BDM) with every of its BlackBerry handsets package, and that BDM application only runs on Microsoft's Windows platform. So in short, BlackBerry is a PC, and so are the Crackberries who are using it.

Ohkay, maybe for you non-PC adopters, aka. PC-haters, you can rebel against this kinda stereotype by using alternatives BDM for Macs such as PocketMac and Missing Sync. But even those 3rd party apps are not close enough to offer the full range of features within BlackBerry Desktop Manager for PC, it's clear that neither is a suitable BDM alternative for power users.

But don't worry, looks like you don't have to stuck in that "pigeonhole" for long. Well, at least until half of next year that is. Because according to Al Sacco (CIO) via PC World; RIM plans to release a set of new tools within the first half of 2009 which will address a number of longstanding complaints from Mac users, according to a source within RIM who asked to remain nameless because the company's not yet ready to officially announce details or release dates.

"We know that we don't have an ideal solution for Mac users," the RIM source said. "It's something that's been on our radar since 2004, at least." The RIM Source continues: "In terms of a strategy, we want to do well by our customers. Whether that translates into something that RIM develops or licenses or pays for a third party to build, I can't say at this point, we're trying the best that we can to get a better experience out for Mac users."

Think about it, this BlackBerry-Mac connectivity bottle neck has became a problem since 2004. It's 4 years after then, do you think RIM wants you, Crackberries, to be PCs too? ;-)

Back to the rumor again, not all are vague talks; the RIM source detailed the upcoming RIM's future strategy also includes a sharper focus on wireless, or over-the-air (OTA) & services. For example, the latest available version of the BlackBerry OS, v4.6, which currently is found on RIM's new BlackBerry Bold, lets BES and BlackBerry Internet Service (BIS) users upgrade their handheld OS wirelessly, directly from their BlackBerrys; no desktop computer, be it Mac or PC, is necessary.

I suppose the BlackBerry users at corporate and enterprise companies are PCs after all, for now. Whether they like it or not, but ssshhh... don't say it out loud. If Steve Ballmer finds out about this, he might goes all nuts & crazy again with his own version of PC campaign. ~LOL~

[blogged with my Treo 750v]