Mobile Email - Blackberry vs Symbian vs MS Mobile
Discussion
I currently carry a Blackberry for email and phone for Voice, Text and Music. I use a Microsoft Exchange server in the office to manage our email
Over the next month or so I'm looking to converge this into one 'slick' device. I have no experience of email on the move using anything other than the Blackberry, which works absolutely perfectly for me in terms of speed and synchronisation.
I'm look at a phone like the Nokia E75 or SE X1 (for example), but I have no idea how these emails clients work. Do they synchronise email and contacts like the Blackberry does (using Exchange). i.e. mark read on the server if read on the phone, file into folders from phone etc etc
If I ask in the phone shops, they just cannot answer these sort of questions! So, any shared experience or words of wisdom greatly appreciated
Over the next month or so I'm looking to converge this into one 'slick' device. I have no experience of email on the move using anything other than the Blackberry, which works absolutely perfectly for me in terms of speed and synchronisation.
I'm look at a phone like the Nokia E75 or SE X1 (for example), but I have no idea how these emails clients work. Do they synchronise email and contacts like the Blackberry does (using Exchange). i.e. mark read on the server if read on the phone, file into folders from phone etc etc
If I ask in the phone shops, they just cannot answer these sort of questions! So, any shared experience or words of wisdom greatly appreciated
Dracoro said:
It's going to be mentioned anyway, so I'll get in first, the iPhone also supports this so another to add to your list to compare....
OK, though it might 
How does the exchange synchronisation on an iphone compare with the performance of a Blackberry? Also, another thought. When roaming, the data charges on Voda for Blackberry use are next to nothing. Is this because I have a specific Blackberry contract or because the data transfer is so small? Will the roaming data charges massively increase if I switch?
sadako said:
From what I have supported in corporate email land i'd say Blackberry/BES all the way, possibly using Roadsync on WinMo/Symbian if you already have the devices and don't want to buy new ones. Do not use blackberry connect on WinMo. It is an utter nightmare...
That's my 'fear', is that nothing can come close to how Blackberry/BES works.. Roadsync looks interesting though, never heard of that. These are the sort of pointer's I'm looking for thanks Anyone else got an all in one device that does all of these things well?
sadako said:
From what I have supported in corporate email land i'd say Blackberry/BES all the way, possibly using Roadsync on WinMo/Symbian if you already have the devices and don't want to buy new ones. Do not use blackberry connect on WinMo. It is an utter nightmare...
I've only ever supported Blackberry/BES, and it was absolutely superb.We had some pains getting senior managers off their WinMo/Exchange configs, but after a few months of usage, they were totally sold.
Remote device management on Blackberry is top notch, and security is way beyond the competition.
The Ben said:
The nokia E71 doesn't have push, but the E65??? I think, the new one, does.
That alone should keep you with you bb!
Eh?That alone should keep you with you bb!
Got an E71 and it has push!
To answer the original post:
1) iPhone, Symbian (pretty much all recent phones) and Windows Mobile support ActiveSync natively - no additional software to install
2) For ActiveSync the sync covers tasks, calendar, email and contacts - if you want to obviously
3) ActiveSync supports remote management, PIN setting and if you want, remote wipe if you have the relevant software installed
4) ActiveSync for Symbian (Mail for Exchange) does NOT support folders - though you can use Good Email (at a cost) which does
5) Blackberry BES services cost additional money - typically £20 - £30 per phone, ActiveSync phones DO NOT HAVE THIS CHARGE
So its pretty much down to what you want. Blackberry phones have the monopoly in the corporate sector as they are well regarded. Though I understand that the recent 'consumer' focused ones are crap. iPhone has a great implementation of ActiveSync and works well, though it likes a constant data connection to work correctly. Symbian ActiveSync is also excellent and almost identical to that of the Windows Mobile version except for the folder support. At the end of the day its all down to what you want to do and use. All are very good and work well, though the battery life on a Symbian phone is excellent.
Interesting replies so far, it appears on the surface that activesync can deliver a similar experience to the Blackberry. Also interesting to read about BES charges, as I don't have any charges for BES, the server software is free (I think because we only have 2 users).
I pay around £12 + VAT a month for the Blackberry with inclusive data charges, which brings me back to roaming charges. If I'm in the US for say 5 days, my Blackberry data charges will typically be an additional £3-4, does anybody have an idea how this would compare if using activesync. I ask because I'd imagine the the BES/Blackberry solution is to be significantly more efficient?
TIA
I pay around £12 + VAT a month for the Blackberry with inclusive data charges, which brings me back to roaming charges. If I'm in the US for say 5 days, my Blackberry data charges will typically be an additional £3-4, does anybody have an idea how this would compare if using activesync. I ask because I'd imagine the the BES/Blackberry solution is to be significantly more efficient?
TIA
I doubt that there is any difference in the data transfer costs. The configuration of what you can do is similar between BES and ActiveSync so its a constantly on, poll every 15 minutes, 30 minutes etc etc... you get the idea. Keep the polling down to increase battery and decrease data transfer, but its only low so we are talking pennies anyway.
Worth checking on the BES costs. A BIS (Blackberry Internet Server - to use internet based email / calendaring systems) is typically free. A BES (Blackberry Enterprise Server - corporate email such as Exchange and Notes for calendaring and sharing) is almost always an additional charge. Even though the company I work for has a free BES and free BES service (because we sold a SHED load of stuff to RIM), the providers still fleece you for £20-£30 for BES functionality. Basically to turn on a feature you get charged. Nice model if you can get it I suppose. Though you may have got this for free, worth checking and what cost implication this might have.
Worth checking on the BES costs. A BIS (Blackberry Internet Server - to use internet based email / calendaring systems) is typically free. A BES (Blackberry Enterprise Server - corporate email such as Exchange and Notes for calendaring and sharing) is almost always an additional charge. Even though the company I work for has a free BES and free BES service (because we sold a SHED load of stuff to RIM), the providers still fleece you for £20-£30 for BES functionality. Basically to turn on a feature you get charged. Nice model if you can get it I suppose. Though you may have got this for free, worth checking and what cost implication this might have.
off_again said:
I doubt that there is any difference in the data transfer costs. The configuration of what you can do is similar between BES and ActiveSync so its a constantly on, poll every 15 minutes, 30 minutes etc etc... you get the idea. Keep the polling down to increase battery and decrease data transfer, but its only low so we are talking pennies anyway.
Worth checking on the BES costs. A BIS (Blackberry Internet Server - to use internet based email / calendaring systems) is typically free. A BES (Blackberry Enterprise Server - corporate email such as Exchange and Notes for calendaring and sharing) is almost always an additional charge. Even though the company I work for has a free BES and free BES service (because we sold a SHED load of stuff to RIM), the providers still fleece you for £20-£30 for BES functionality. Basically to turn on a feature you get charged. Nice model if you can get it I suppose. Though you may have got this for free, worth checking and what cost implication this might have.
Just reminded myself how I got the BES Worth checking on the BES costs. A BIS (Blackberry Internet Server - to use internet based email / calendaring systems) is typically free. A BES (Blackberry Enterprise Server - corporate email such as Exchange and Notes for calendaring and sharing) is almost always an additional charge. Even though the company I work for has a free BES and free BES service (because we sold a SHED load of stuff to RIM), the providers still fleece you for £20-£30 for BES functionality. Basically to turn on a feature you get charged. Nice model if you can get it I suppose. Though you may have got this for free, worth checking and what cost implication this might have.
I'm using their BES Express software which comes with one user and bought one extra CAL - works a treat. On the data transfer costs side, my suspicion is that the BES/Blackberry is far more efficient at compressing the email 'data' and therefore roaming fees will be much much less. Is there anyone running a non Blackberry mobile email setup that can comment?
Yeah me - I am on ActiveSync on a Nokia E71
Bunch of us are on this and the other lot are on Blackberry. No difference in roaming or data charges. We never go over our UK allocation of data but its the international stuff that screws us up. Typically out of the UK 2 or 3 times a week and hence mobile bills running to £100's per month - all on data roaming!
Bunch of us are on this and the other lot are on Blackberry. No difference in roaming or data charges. We never go over our UK allocation of data but its the international stuff that screws us up. Typically out of the UK 2 or 3 times a week and hence mobile bills running to £100's per month - all on data roaming!
off_again said:
Yeah me - I am on ActiveSync on a Nokia E71
Bunch of us are on this and the other lot are on Blackberry. No difference in roaming or data charges. We never go over our UK allocation of data but its the international stuff that screws us up. Typically out of the UK 2 or 3 times a week and hence mobile bills running to £100's per month - all on data roaming!
Thanks, very interesting Bunch of us are on this and the other lot are on Blackberry. No difference in roaming or data charges. We never go over our UK allocation of data but its the international stuff that screws us up. Typically out of the UK 2 or 3 times a week and hence mobile bills running to £100's per month - all on data roaming!
I now feel much more well informed but nowhere nearer a decision
Ok, how about a simple guide...
I am going to get killed for this...
Want style, function and an easy to use interface (but relatively poor battery) - iPhone
Want solid email and calendaring as well as ability to edit some documents locally - Blackberry
Want solid phone with decent email and messaging - Symbian (E71, E75 etc)
Want a PDA that does Microsoft stuff REALLY well, but relatively poor battery - Windows Mobile
Popular feedback says the new-gen Blackberry phones like the Bold and Storm aren't as good as they used to be. Bold is better but most people criticise the battery life and stuff like that. Its good, but the smaller one that looks like it is WAY better and just what Blackberry does well. iPhone email is actually really good, but remember it currently lacks MMS and copy and paste (unless you crack it) and its on O2 only. Symbian phones are two-a-penny so pick and choose and cheap as chips on contract. Popular for a reason. Windows Mobile phones are good now, but were a bit rubbish before. HTC ones are good and work well, but no matter how much gloss the manufacturers put on the front screen, its still rubbish behind it. The recent HTC phones are really good, but click on the email and you are back to the unchangable Windows standard which is DIRE. Good phones and way better now, but more a PDA than anything due to their history.
Down to you really. I like the iPhone and the Blackberry is good if that is what you want. Nokia phones have always been good for me, though a little boring. I tried an older HTC Windows mobile for a bit but the battery life was dire and it just wasnt a good enough phone. Horses for courses, but if you are used to Blackberry, why change?
I am going to get killed for this...
Want style, function and an easy to use interface (but relatively poor battery) - iPhone
Want solid email and calendaring as well as ability to edit some documents locally - Blackberry
Want solid phone with decent email and messaging - Symbian (E71, E75 etc)
Want a PDA that does Microsoft stuff REALLY well, but relatively poor battery - Windows Mobile
Popular feedback says the new-gen Blackberry phones like the Bold and Storm aren't as good as they used to be. Bold is better but most people criticise the battery life and stuff like that. Its good, but the smaller one that looks like it is WAY better and just what Blackberry does well. iPhone email is actually really good, but remember it currently lacks MMS and copy and paste (unless you crack it) and its on O2 only. Symbian phones are two-a-penny so pick and choose and cheap as chips on contract. Popular for a reason. Windows Mobile phones are good now, but were a bit rubbish before. HTC ones are good and work well, but no matter how much gloss the manufacturers put on the front screen, its still rubbish behind it. The recent HTC phones are really good, but click on the email and you are back to the unchangable Windows standard which is DIRE. Good phones and way better now, but more a PDA than anything due to their history.
Down to you really. I like the iPhone and the Blackberry is good if that is what you want. Nokia phones have always been good for me, though a little boring. I tried an older HTC Windows mobile for a bit but the battery life was dire and it just wasnt a good enough phone. Horses for courses, but if you are used to Blackberry, why change?
Thanks
Only reason for change is to reduce to one device, but needs to include a good music player (ideally with stereo bluetooth support). Not asking for much I know Also need to stay on Voda (as they are also a client)
I'll have a look at the new blackberry models I think and take it from there.
Cheers
Only reason for change is to reduce to one device, but needs to include a good music player (ideally with stereo bluetooth support). Not asking for much I know
Also need to stay on Voda (as they are also a client)I'll have a look at the new blackberry models I think and take it from there.
Cheers
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