.KEYWORD vs
.FLYINGHEAD PRODUCT SHOOTOUT
.TITLE How the Palm i705 stacks up against the RIM BlackBerry
.FEATURE
.SUMMARY The i705 is just the latest in a line of wireless handhelds that are sure to inspire excitement and interest in the corporate world. We were curious, though. How does the new Palm i705 stack up against one of the better-known competitor products, the RIM BlackBerry? Afterall, both devices are designed to wirelessly send and receive email. We asked Contributing Editor Steve Niles to dig in, and compare both, side-by-side. Read on for our first in-depth comparison between these two contenders.
.AUTHOR Steve Niles
Elsewhere in this issue of PalmPower’s Enterprise Edition, you’ll find our first look at the brand new Palm i705, an update of the Palm VII series wireless handhelds. The hot i705’s got a sleek, attractive new look and a host of exciting new features. Like its predecessors in the Palm VII line, the Palm i705 has wireless capability built right in, and in this new product, an always-on antenna allows you to receive and be notified of incoming email, even when the device is turned off.
Also in that article, we talked about some of the cool accessories that are being released in conjunction with the Palm i705. Among them was the Palm Mini Keyboard, a slim, ergonomic keyboard that slides over the base of your Palm i705, covering right up to the top edge of the silkscreen area, as shown in Figure A.
.FIGPAIR A The Palm Mini Keyboard lets your thumbs do the typing.
The keyboard uses the standard QWERTY layout. It’s designed so that you can hold the device by the keyboard and type with your thumbs. The first time I saw the Palm i705 with the Palm Mini Keyboard attachment, I had the obvious thought, "Hey, that looks a lot like a BlackBerry."
I’m sure many of you are familiar with RIM (Research In Motion) at http://www.rim.com. The company can be said to be a Palm competitor, in the sense that they produce a combination pager and wireless email device called a BlackBerry. You’ve probably seen it, but just in case, the RIM BlackBerry 957 is pictured in Figure B.
.FIGPAIR B RIM’s Blackberry 957 provides wireless access to email.
You’ll notice the keyboard design looks very similar to the new Palm Mini Keyboard. There’s a large segment of the user base that finds Grafitti input too slow for extensive writing and full-size keyboards impractical in certain situations where a lap or a desktop are not available. A thumb-size keyboard is a good idea, and it’s a great addition to the Palm product line. It makes particular sense for the Palm i705, as being a wireless device; it will no doubt be used heavily for email.
Now, to be fair, Palm also offers the amazing, folding Palm Portable Keyboard, which many believe is far more suited for typing than a thumb-style keyboard. Although the folding keyboard, made by a company called Think Outside, is available for many brands of handheld device, there’s no full-size keyboard of it’s style available for the RIM. To many people, including PalmPower’s own Editor-in-Chief, David Gewirtz, this lack of a "real" keyboard greatly diminishes the value of the RIM implementation.
So the question is, if RIM already makes a device with a thumb-size keyboard that wirelessly sends and receives email, how does it compare to the Palm i705? We’ve done some poking around, and we think we’ve been able to put together a reasonably impartial comparison between the machines. In terms of specifications and wireless applications, Palm’s advantage is so big, there’s almost no comparison. However, that won’t stop us from going ahead and comparing them anyway.
I’ll give you a general view of how the two devices compare in the following two sections. At the end, I’ll sum it all up in two handy tables for your reference.
.H1 Product specifications
The product specifications are kind of like the nuts and bolts of the two devices, along with their general size and shape. As far as their physical characteristics are concerned, they’re about even. The Palm i705 measures 4.65 x 3.06 x 0.61 inches and weighs 5.9 ounces. The BlackBerry measures 4.6 x 3.1 x 0.70 inches and weighs 5.3 ounces. In terms of the user interface, both devices make use of icons and text menus. However, when it comes to data input, the Palm i705 has a lot more options. With the BlackBerry, you’ve got only the device’s build-in thumb-style keyboard I talked about earlier. The Palm i705 has the thumb-operated Palm Mini-Keyboard, an enhanced on-screen tap keyboard, Graffiti writing, Jot, the Palm Portable Keyboard, and an infrared port for beaming.
.H2 Operating system
Moving on to the operating system, the Palm i705 uses what Palm calls the "open, standard" version 4.1 of the Palm OS (and, in the sense that it is licensed to the likes of Sony and Handspring, it is a somewhat open OS). The RIM BlackBerry 957 uses its own proprietary OS.
.H2 Connectivity
In terms of connectivity, the Palm model has the advantage of having both integrated wireless and wireline connectivity, whereas the BlackBerry has integrated wireless connectivity only.
.H2 Processor and developer base
The microprocessor is the actual core of the machine where all the calculations that run the machine are performed. It’s basically the brain of the device. The Palm i705 uses a 33 MHz Motorola Dragonball VZ, and the BlackBerry uses a 32-bit Intel 386. These are architecturally different processors, but speed-wise, they’re more or less in the same ballpark. However, in terms of developing for the respective processors, Palm has a far wider pool of third-party Palm OS developers than there are RIM developers. That means a greater and more varied array of software are available for the Palm handheld.
.H2 Encryption
When sending company email (or even personal email for that matter), you’re going to want strong end-to-end encryption. The Palm i705 utilizes DESX (Data Encryption Standard Extended), and the BlackBerry utilizes 3DES (Triple Data Encryption Standard). Both are breakable, but they’d require prodigious attempts to do so, meaning banks of computers dedicated to cracking the code. The key is how you use the encryption, and that depends on your company and the security it runs on its email servers. It also depends on what could be called "good practices." For example, both these devices can be secured with a password, however, if you write down your password on a piece of masking tape stuck to the back of your handheld, it’s not going to do you much good (yes, we know who you are!).
.H2 Notification
A new feature with the Palm i705 is a visible notification of incoming email. Both devices are capable of using either an audible tone or silent vibration for notification purposes. The BlackBerry can also notify you by an on-screen LED, but the Palm i705 has a dual color LED located on the top.
.H2 Expansion
What about expansion? With the BlackBerry, you’re expansion possibilities are quite limited. With the Palm i705, on the other hand, you’ve got dual plug & play expansion slots that support SDIO and SD (Secure Digital) cards and MMC (MultiMediaCards) for additional memory, applications, images, video clips, backup capability, and more. Plus, we’ve all seen some of the amazing add-ons that have been built for Palm handhelds in the past. Many of these are sure to find their way to the new i705.
.H2 Synchronization
For synchronization purposes, the Palm i705 has the advantage in terms of compatible ports. The BlackBerry only has a serial connection, which is an older, slower, and finickier PC technology. The Palm i705 can synchronize using the newer, faster USB ports. It can also use IrDA (infrared), available on many laptops, which is often a very convenient way to HotSync.
.H2 Memory and data expansion
The Palm i705 is the clear winner in terms of memory. It has 8MB of flash memory compared to the BlackBerry’s 5MB. To be fair, the higher-end BlackBerry 5820 also has 8MB. Meanwhile, the BlackBerry has no expansion capability, so you can’t add optional memory or storage. The Palm i705 expansion slot allows you to add a whopping 128MB SD/MMC card. If that’s not enough, 256MB, 512MB, and eventually 1GB cards are expected later this year.
.H2 Desktop compatibility
The Palm i705 favors Mac users, as its desktop software supports both Windows and Mac. The BlackBerry desktop software supports Windows only.
.H2 Out-of-the-box applications
Out-of-the-box, the BlackBerry has only your basic organizer applications. The Palm i705 has the standard Palm OS PIM (Personal Information Management) applications: Date Book, Address Book, To Do List, Memo Pad, Calculator, Expense, and Clock. However, it’s also got a number of cool pieces of software bundled with it, including: DataViz Documents to Go Professional Edition, Adobe Acrobat Reader for Palm OS, AOL Instant Messenger, MGI PhotoSuite Mobile Edition, and Palm Reader.
.H1 Wireless applications
Since we’re on the subject of software, let’s move on and look at how the wireless applications compare. In terms of email, the RIM BlackBerry 957 allows you just one email address. The Palm i705 supports one business address (Microsoft Exchange or Lotus Notes and Domino), plus one Palm.com address and six Internet email accounts. You can also set filters on the Palm i705 remotely, on the client. You can set filters with the BlackBerry too, but it must be done at the server, from the desktop.
Again, to be fair, there is some advantage to server-based filtering (so, for example, messages don’t have to download over the slower wireless link), but to have a server-only solution prevents you from being able to take charge of your mail flow from the field.
When it comes to attachments, the BlackBerry allows for forwarding and very limited viewing using third-party software. With the Palm i705, on the other hand, you can install the DataViz Documents to Go Professional and Adobe Acrobat Reader for Palm OS bonus software. These will allow you to view, edit, and share Word and Excel documents, and view and share PowerPoint presentations and PDF files. You can view many other extension types, too, via other Palm partner solutions such as Adobe, Ansyr, Aportis, BCL Computers, Equinox ActiveNet, and FirePad. And, you can use other attachment-management products, including those that work with Microsoft Office, using an additional purchase product, Quickoffice, from Cutting Edge Software.
If you enjoy Instant Messaging, the Palm i705 also has AOL Instant Messenger bundled with it. Instant Messaging is available on the BlackBerry through AOL. In fact, the little AOL messaging device you can buy from AOL is a variant of the BlackBerry.
The BlackBerry only has a few third-party enterprise applications available. The Palm i705 can access enterprise applications via wireline and soon via wireless access from such companies as SAP, Oracle, Siebel, Remedy, Computer Associates, Sybase, Lotus, PeopleSoft, Peregrine, and SalesLogix.
With the Palm i705, you can access the Internet via a Web browser, Web clippings, AvantGo, or OracleMobile. Web access with the BlackBerry is through OracleMobile, MobileClips, GoAmerica’s Go.Web, and PocketGenie from WolfeTech.
.H1 Breaking it down
That’s a lot of information to absorb, so as promised, here’s a breakdown of how the Palm i705 compares to the RIM BlackBerry 957.
Table A shows the product specifications comparison chart.
.BEGIN_TAB_TABLE A Product specifications
.TAB_TABLE_WIDTH 20% 40% 40%
.TAB_TABLE_HEADER Spec Palm i705 RIM BlackBerry 957
.TAB_TABLE_ROW Operating system Open, standard Proprietary
.TAB_TABLE_ROW Connectivity Integrated wireless and wireline Integrated wireless only
.TAB_TABLE_ROW Microprocessor 33 MHz Motorola Dragonball VZ 32-bit Intel 386
.TAB_TABLE_ROW End-to-end encryption DESX 3DES
.TAB_TABLE_ROW Security Device password Device password
.TAB_TABLE_ROW Notification Tone, Vibrate, Dual color LED On-screen Tone, Vibrate, LED On-screen
.TAB_TABLE_ROW Expansion Flexible, dual plug & play expansion slot supports SDIO and SD & MMC cards for additional memory, applications, images, video clips, backup capability, and more. Limited
.TAB_TABLE_ROW Ports IrDA (infrared), USB-certified Universal Connector Serial only
.TAB_TABLE_ROW Flash memory 8MB 5MB
.TAB_TABLE_ROW Optional memory/storage Yes, 128MB SD/MMC cards are available now. 256MB, 512MB, and eventually 1GB cards are expected later this year. None
.TAB_TABLE_ROW Battery type Internal rechargeable Lithium-Polymer Internal rechargeable Lithium Ion
.TAB_TABLE_ROW Battery life Approx. 1 week Approx. 1 week
.TAB_TABLE_ROW Size (inches LxWxD) 4.65 x 3.06 x 0.61 4.6 x 3.1 x 0.70
.TAB_TABLE_ROW Weight (inc. battery) 5.9 ounces 5.3 ounces
.TAB_TABLE_ROW User interface Icons and text menus Icons and text menus
.TAB_TABLE_ROW Data input Thumb-operated Palm Mini-Keyboard, Enhanced on-screen tap keyboard, Graffiti writing, Jot, Palm Portable Keyboard, Infrared port (beaming) Device keyboard only
.TAB_TABLE_ROW Desktop software Supports Windows & Mac (thru desktop sync) Supports Windows only
.TAB_TABLE_ROW Out-of-the-box applications Palm OS PIM functionality, including:Calendar, Address book, Task list, Memo pad, Calculator, Expense reporting, Clock Basic organizer software
.TAB_TABLE_ROW Bundled software DataViz Documents to Go Professional Edition, Adobe Acrobat Reader for Palm OS, AOL Instant Messenger, MGI PhotoSuite Mobile Edition, and Palm Reader None
.END_TAB_TABLE
Table B shows the wireless applications comparison chart.
.BEGIN_TAB_TABLE B Wireless applications
.TAB_TABLE_WIDTH 20% 40% 40%
.TAB_TABLE_HEADER Email & Wireless Messaging Palm i705 RIM BlackBerry 957
.TAB_TABLE_ROW Email Supports 1 business address (Microsoft Exchange or Lotus Notes/Domino) + 1 Palm.com address + 6 Internet email accounts Just 1 address
.TAB_TABLE_ROW Encryption DESX 3DES
.TAB_TABLE_ROW Filters Set on client; can be done remotely Set at the server; must be done at the desktop
.TAB_TABLE_ROW Attachments With DataViz Documents to Go Professional and Adobe Acrobat Reader for Palm OS bonus software, view, edit & share Word and Excel documents, and view & share PowerPoint presentations and PDF files. View many other extension types, too, via other Palm partner solutions such as Adobe, Ansyr, Aportis, BCL Computers, Equinox ActiveNet, FirePad. Forwarding or very limited viewing using 3rd-party software.
.TAB_TABLE_ROW Instant Messaging AOL Instant Messenger bundled Available through AOL
.TAB_TABLE_ROW Wireline Access Yes No
.TAB_TABLE_ROW Enterprise Applications Currently available via wireline and soon available via wireless access:SAP, Oracle, Siebel, Remedy, Computer Associates, Sybase, Lotus, PeopleSoft, Peregrine, SalesLogix A limited few third-party applications available
.TAB_TABLE_ROW Internet Access Access web content via: Web browser Web Clippings, AvantGo, and OracleMobile OracleMobile, MobileClips, GoAmerica’s Go.Web, and PocketGenie from WolfeTech
.END_TAB_TABLE
.H1 Conclusion
So, how does the Palm i705 compare to RIM’s BlackBerry 957? The answer is, very well. As you saw, Palm’s new wireless model holds the advantage in a number of key areas. When it comes to a wireless device for the enterprise, the Palm i705 is the clear champion.
.BEGIN_SIDEBAR
.H1 Product availability and resources
For more information on RIM, visit http://www.rim.com.
For more information on Quickoffice, visit http://www.quickoffice.com.
For more information on Palm handhelds, visit http://www.palm.com.
.H1 Easy, flexible article reprints
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.END_SIDEBAR
.BIO
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