Application Consternation
Posted by: dcwalton on Dec 29 2007In the UK there was a gap between when the Palm disappeared and the Treo appeared as an integrated mobile device. During that gap, dedicated Palm users like myself had to jump ship to another product like the Compaq iPaq or the Blackberry (as in my case). Admittedly, at the time it felt like second best, but when the Treo phone appeared it was big and ugly - all keyboard, little screen, and a big antenna sticking out 
the top that made it look very old-fashioned. Phones in the UK had not had an antenna for at least 6 or 7 years. Basically it had missed its chance in the UK market. I quickly got used to my Blackberry and the lack of touch screen and managed to get quite adept with wheels and clicks and with each iteration found it more and more likeable to the point where I would not even consider a Treo now - no matter how good they are.
The thing that I don’t get, and I think I must be a little weird, is where does the frustration come from with a lack of applications?
I have spent the last 12 years travelling with work. This would mean either staying in a hotel, being on a train, or hours in an airport. In the last couple years I could come home and do nothing more than plug my devices in to charge because all my work was done in this "dead" time. I used to have to come home, synch, do emails, reports etc. So what am I missing? We all know that no matter how good your input device is (keyboard with buttons, touchscreen keyboard etc) it is never as good as a proper computer keyboard. You certainly would not want to write an essay on a mobile device. So when I am on a plane (and typically flights last no more than an hour through Europe, of which you can only use an electronic device for about 30 minutes!) all I need is my Blackberry so I can play Spider solitaire, listen to music and , oh yes…write and respond to emails that will send when I land. If I want to write a report or do a presentation, I do it on my laptop and send it from a wireless hotspot either at the hotel or an airport. If I want to forward an attachment, I do it on my Blackberry. If I have an email with an attachment I need to see, I get a wireless connection when I can. Because I believe no matter how stunning the applications and screen on your device, you just can’t edit a Powerpoint presentation on it. If I have a sudden brainwave with ideas I need to capture (really does not happen often) then I write an email to myself. It shows in the Blackberry inbox and also in my Outlook when I am back online again.
As an integrated device there is nothing I find missing. the Blackberry inbox records every event, phone calls received and made, SMS sent and received, Emails sent and received, even Blackberry messenger events. If I want to pretend it is just a phone, with one button I am at the phone screen which is clearer than most, listing the most recent calls (in or out), the number and duration all below an area where you can dial. I have trawled the mobile software sites (mostly US sites, there are very few companies that deliver software and accessories for mobile devices in the UK) but apart from the odd silly application (flashlight for you Blackberry!) I have not found anything I wanted. So I am weird right? I have travelled extensively with work and can’t, for the life of me, work out what is that missing killer application that I desperately need but can’t have because I own a Blackberry …someone put me out of my misery and tell me what I am missing?
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I don’t think you’re missing anything. Think this is more about each of us has different work / organization methods that work best for us. But … I’ve found a number of mobile apps over the years that are valuable tools for me, and that help make me (at least feel) more productive. A few examples, amongst many:
– RSS reader apps - these are a must, as they are the best way to avoid information overload, and keep up with news in areas that are important to me. NewsBreak is my current and long-standing favorite in this area.
– PIM applications. I’ve really never seen an in-built app that offers enough power and enough customization options. That is disappointing and should change - but in the meantime, I’ve relied on apps like Pocket Informant and Agenda One, which are a huge help in staying on top of tasks while on the go.
– A good note-taking app. Again, in-built apps for note-taking are always basic and lacking. PhatNotes offers a huge set of power features for formatting, storing, encrypting and protecting, emailing etc. I’ve used PhatNotes for years to record critical job history at client sites, email them in as part of work order systems, and keep them in sync with my PC.
– Time Tracking - nothing built-in for this area. I’ve used TimeTracker for years to track and save billable time - by project, and by client etc. It offers just about one tap to start time-tracking when I arrive at a client site, or login remotely to do some work, and one tap to stop and record the time block, and produces pretty good reports of total activity over a month (for example), or activity for just one client etc. My current employer has highly recommended this app to other consultants that are in the field a lot.
– Password Vault / digital wallet app. Another one with no built-in app competition. These are essential for recording a critical password, anywhere, anytime, before I forget what it is, and know that is secure and encrypted, and kept in a secure wallet that syncs with my PC.
There are others, but these are some of those I would consider essential …
Hmm…so I never got into RSS. One down
For the PIM, I find the best form is to use an online tool like Linkedin and Plaxo so you never lose contacts for stupid software synch. As a person who has swapped devices regularly this has been he only reliable way to keep my data. And then all my calendar stuff in Outlook synch with whatever device I use. Not ideal but I guess I have not experimented much with alternatives.
Time Tracking - never needed to. Not sure what there is for the Blackberry but pretty sure there is something out there. I can accept though - if I needed to do this then a killer app would be necessary
Passord Vault - I would never be that organised and these days I always have a laptop with a fingerprint scanner - mind you, I change my laptop every 6 months so maybe I should think about it?
Otherwise - often this is about what you have become used to using and I don’t know if any pf these are availble for the Blackberry. Maybe I will go hunting…
RSS = you have to give that a whirl. It lets you expand your sources and areas of interest, and still keep up.
PIM - I think management of tasks, in particular, may be the area where most in-built solutions fall down the most.
Password vaults are worth a look for sure. We all collect *so* many passwords and usernames now. I just couldn’t do without one.
So … yes you should start hunting!!!