In August 2011, Research In Motion released the Blackberry Bold 9900. As a RIM loyalist I was excited to see the new device on the HSPA + network. Faster processing, better memory management, near field communication, OS 7 and a higher resolution front and rear camera all seem to fill the gap of what my Bold 9780 lacked. The device was branded as the thinnest blackberry ever made, but what they didn’t tell you is that it is also the widest and extremely awkward to operate with one hand. Although texting and driving is illegal in most parts of the world it will not prevent the public from doing it and this device better come with directions on how to drive with your knees or you will end up in the ditch trying to send a text on the road. While the device is significantly faster than any other BlackBerry it also has the worst battery life capacity of any cell phone I have ever owned. Not 1 day was I able to use the phone without needing a recharge at some point throughout the day.
The touch screen seemed like a positive from RIM, unlike its competitor iPhone it offers a hybrid touch and keypad. They made a huge mistake though, the send, BlackBerry, return and end call buttons were all integrated with touch which is directly above the raised keyboard making it extremely difficult to precisely hit any of these buttons. Now onto near field communication, I would imagine 90% of the users purchasing this phone have no idea what it means or how to use it, even more so because the device doesn’t come with any native software to operate it. Wouldn’t it made more sense to put another useless technology like LTE in it so at least at some point the phone would be leading edge. Operating System 7 offers some nice updates like hiding the panels “frequent” “downloads” “media” which annoyed everyone in OS 6. As far as the rest of the updates they must be behind the scenes. Over the course of the three weeks I used the phone it crashed twice requiring it to be hooked up to my computer and a full re-load. Luckily I have BES and didn’t lose my contacts or my mind.
I have currently switched back to the Bold 9780. The 9900 was a huge let down and RIM needs to reconsider its strategy for testing products before market release. While Apple has been successful in creating a stir of not providing product information before a release, RIM needs to understand their customers are the most loyal in the world and until iPhone 4s they have never been disappointed. The market is here to help make your product better, let us help you.
Scott Holmes
Extreme Technology
Twitter – scottyextreme
Coming from the small town of Beamsville, Extreme Technology started as a local shop providing solutions to personal computers. Over the years, however, the company has increasingly diversified to offer enterprise level web applications to companies across Canada.
In order to provide solutions to some of the largest firms in Canada, you first need to be able to deal with the smallest customer with the most insignificant problem. What might appear insignificant to you or me could mean a disaster to someone else. Remaining true to its roots, Extreme Technology is still a leader when it comes to computer sales and service, network and server management. Our expertise from computer service has allowed us climb the ladder in providing solutions for the enterprise market space as well as the residential and small and medium-sized business market.
Being in the IT industry over the past nine years hasn’t been easy. Technology has a rapid turnover rate. Approximately every 90 days new hardware and technology is released. In order to stay competitive and ahead of market, you must keep up to date with training and hire employees that are constantly expanding their knowledge. The key to success is a valuable team of accomplished individuals with various skill sets. Hiring staff that work well in a team environment is essential to any business—but it’s even more imperative in the technology sector.
The world today is filled with endless possibilities. We have almost everything available at our fingertips, whether it’s simplified processes, increased efficiencies or mobile offices and workspaces. You just need to have the right resources available to take advantage of what’s out there. Extreme Technology can help you identify inefficiencies and take advantage of what’s available in today’s ever-changing world.
Technology doesn’t drive change, it enables change. Implementation shouldn’t be a roadblock but a road to endless possibilities.
— Scott Holmes
Recently, Extreme Technology developed new software for tracking SR&ED (Scientific Research & Experimental Development) claims in Canada, and moved into a market that was once handled by accounting professionals. Our Precision SR&ED software allows companies to easily track their labour, materials, expenses, projects and employees using a web and mobile based application. Our platform provided a solution to an industry problem and is now used by Fortune 500 companies all the way down to small family run businesses with one or two employees. Whether it’s a SR&ED consultant or a company managing their own SR&ED data, our software can make managing time and information a snap.
At the end of the day, it’s not always about how big your company is–it’s about the ambition you have and the desire to get the top. “Mistakes are the development of perfection” and anyone in business will tell you that overnight successes stories don’t happen without hard work and certain failures. It’s what you take from those lessons and apply it moving forward. At Extreme Technology, we want to work with our customers and provide them with solutions that offer them a competitive advantage.
Technology doesn’t drive change, it enables change. Implementation shouldn’t be a roadblock but a road to endless possibilities. Give us a call and see how we can make your business more efficient or show you the road to change.
Article written by Scott Holmes.
Originally posted by The Business Link, Volume 3, Issue 5, July 2010.
