Mobile OSs: Which is Really Better?
Here on Crackberry, I'm sure most of us favor BB10 over other mobile OSs. Some of us feel this way because we are loyal to the brand. Some of us feel this way because we have invested in the stock. Others, like me, simply favor BB10 over other mobile OSs because of the features of the OS. Some people will laugh and question how BB10 can be better than iOS and Android. I think that most people who feel this way are judging the OS based solely on its app store. But, an OS is not just about its app store. An OS is simply a platform to get things done.
BlackBerry never tells you why you should buy a Blackberry. There are vague references to security and doing serious work but that is as far as it goes. Here are some of the actual features that make me choose Blackberry:
1. Universal Search - This is my favorite feature. Hit the search icon (or, on a keyboard device, just start typing). You will be presented with all of your emails, texts, media, possible searches, and apps that might satisfy the query. I don't know how many times I have been in a meeting and someone mentions an email that might have been sent - I'll find it in seconds. This kind of thing would usual kill the discussion until someone found what we were looking for.
Android doesn't have anything like it. Apple's implementation, Spotlight, is crippled. It is weird for Android, a search company, to have such poor on-device search. But, it is what it is. Spotlight is nearly as good, but internet search results are now limited to Bing. Why? Because that's the way Apple has decided it should be. With Blackberry's universal search, you can choose whatever search engine you want.
2. Universal Inbox - All of your messages and notifications appear in the same place (or not, depending on whether you don't want it to). I don't think I could ever give up my Universal Inbox, and go back to an email app, and a text app, and all the other apps. With just a glance, I can see what is going on and what needs my attention. This is simply an incredibly powerful feature and you won't find it on any other platform.
3. Notification Customization - Pick a ringtone, choose how many vibrations, pick a picture, pick an led color - do this FOR EACH AND EVERY CONTACT. Again, if you want to. No other mobile OS will let you do this.
4. Open versus Closed - With iOS, you get things the way Apple likes it. Don't like Bing? Sorry, it is the default. With Android, you are pretty much locked into Google and its ecosystem. Sure, you can change things, but Google's services are pretty much the point of it all. BB10 lets you chose to integrate services.
5. Apps - The app situation on BB10 is really a Frankenstein monster. If you are resourceful enough you can pretty much load any Android app that you want. Some work great. Some work okay. Some don't work at all. The Android runtime is much better than it ever was but it still needs work! It is frustrating because it seems that as the runtime has improved overall, compatibility has been broken with some apps that used to work. The rule should be that every app should run, and run well, unless it relies on Google Services. That is what Blackberry states as a goal on its Android Runtime Roadmap (all APIs are to be supported). Yet, it is still not a reality. Blackberry admits to these problems. John Chen says he can't fix all Blackberry's problems all at once. So, this is what it is and will probably stay this way until it becomes a priority. Blackberry can't really expect to be anything other than a niche player until it gets this situation corrected.
6. File Manager and Cloud Integration - Blackberry is the only mobile OS that has a file manager. It is only the only mobile OS that has native cloud storage integration.
Conclusion - I think that many of us are frustrated that BB10 is overall such a powerful OS but that it has not met any real popular acceptance. Blackberry needs to play to its strengths. People need to know what they are getting when they use a BlackBerry. Vague marketing allusions to security and productivity just don't cut it.