Many BlackBerry users consider GTalk, GMaps and something called JiveTalk to be the killer apps for the BlackBerry. I don’t think BlackBerry users are interested in much of anything except push e-mail. They’re probably not into video and music and maybe they only play very simple games on their BBs. That’s cool. I doubt if they care what the rest of the smartphone world is doing.

Apple iPhone users are probably more diverse since the iPhone is supposed to be the mobile answer to everything. Video, music, gaming, internet browsing, etc. First and foremost an iPhone is an expensive music and video playing iPod that happens to make and receive phone calls. BB users buy BBs to make and receive text messages. iPhone and BlackBerry users are completely different in what they want from a smartphone. iPhone users don’t want keyboards, BB users can’t do without them.

If an iPhone had access to the BES and a physical keyboard, that would quickly be the end of RIM selling BlackBerrys. But since that won’t happen, BlackBerrys will linger on for a couple of more years. There really isn’t anything else RIM can do to trump the Apple iPhone aside from push e-mail.

Great analysis as usually ( I am your regular reader and avid podcast listener )
While I agree with your arguing, I just wanted to pint out, there is actually more difference between an iPod Touch and iPhone than just the phone part – the iPod Touch doesn’t have a microphone, a speaker and a camera. I have installed many applications on my unlocked iPhone which would be quite crippled or unable to work on the iPod Touch due to the missing hardware. There are many great multimedia and fun apps for iPhone ( voice recorder, musical instruments, guitar tuner, games …) available that you can’t use on iPod Touch.

Well done Gene! I like your last line especially. I wonder how much longer it will be before others “join ‘em” like RIM.

Keep up the great work.

Steven
Andover, Kansas