Are There Competitors?
The Blackberry does have a number of brands that compete against the device, but many people still consider the Blackberry to be the leading device for businesses. The competitors utilize touch screen technology and a number of different platforms and applications that run in conjunction with the phone. Blackberry recently launched their version of the touch screen with the Torch model, but the brands that have been perfecting the touch screen mobile devices are tough competition for the Blackberry.
While there are a number of new phones and operating systems on the market, many business professionals still want to utilize the Blackberry. This is because the full keyboard allows users to type things quickly and correctly. It's considered one of the only mobile devices that allow professionals to type out a long email or document quickly and efficiently. The touch screens, while allowing for a sleek look of a phone, often cause mistakes and use an auto-correct feature that often replaces what's typed with incorrect words. For this reason, the Blackberry still remains at the forefront of mobile business devices.
Apple iPhone
One of the biggest competitors for the Blackberry is Apple's iPhone. This phone has evolved rapidly, consistently offering users a new version, frequent updates, and exclusive iPhone apps. With the ability to surf the web, send and receive email, text message, picture message, and create calendars and other databases, businesses are slowly starting to look at the iPhone as another option for employees.
Recent interviews with owners of large businesses show that many employers who are currently using Blackberries are looking to expand the choices they offer employees, and the iPhone is one option most companies are considering. Business owners don't want to stop using Blackberries, but they are considering offering employees choices so that employees can use the mobile devices they feel most comfortable using. With Apple's large app store, the iPhone is a top competitor to the Blackberry.
Android Phones
Another big competitor is the phones that use the Android system. Created by Android and Google these phones provide a number of similar features as the Blackberry. The Android is actually an operating system that allows users to multitask and even create their own applications. Users can create databases, apps for their business, send and receive email, and maintain a detailed work calendar. A number of different companies have created phones that operate off the Android system, including: Motorola, HTC, T-Mobile, and Google Nexus.
One plus to the Android integrated phones is the use of Google. Since Google is a partner and creator of this system, the Droid phones seamlessly integrate all Google applications into the phone. For businesspeople who use Google docs and other applications this is a beneficial feature. The Android phones also have clear, large screens that allow for easy web browsing. While chat features are available on Droids, some businesspeople feel that Blackberry is still the leader in chat and email messaging because the top competitors tend to sign out users automatically, making it difficult to use the all of the applications without disruption. As with any technology, there will always be competitors striving to do it better than the last guy, but with Blackberry's strong foothold in the business world it may be a while before someone nudges the Blackberry out of the limelight.