Comparison on Windows mobile 5 and RIM Blackberry

Forums › Legacy mobile platforms (Windows Mobile, Palm OS, Web OS, Symbian, Meego, Blackberry) › Comparison on Windows mobile 5 and RIM Blackberry

mcomp1

8 posts

Wannabe Geek

#12674 30-Mar-2007 10:34

Hi,

Can anyone list down distinct advantages of Windows Mobile 5 over Blackberry and vice versa

Thanks

freitasm

BDFL - Memuneh
79294 posts

Uber Geek

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Geekzone

Lifetime subscriber

#65580 30-Mar-2007 11:00

This is a rather long and complex question... In terms of economy I would point out that if your company (or yourself) run Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 and newer then Windows Mobile will be cheaper to implement because there is no need for additional hardware/software in your infrastructure. The BlackBerry solution requires the installation of a "gateway" either on your server or a second machine.

In terms of ongoing costs, most operators offer a data plan suitable for RIM BlackBerry. This makes it cheaper, but in my view BlackBerry devices won't "invite" users to access to the Internet as frequently because of the difference in browser clients.

The library of programs available for Windows Mobile is much larger than those available for BlackBerry, and an organisation can develop for Windows Mobile using .Net tools and languages, while BlackBerry uses Java.

Other folks will probably add more differences, I am sure.

Kiwipixter

246 posts

Master Geek

#65609 30-Mar-2007 14:54

There are many distinct advantages between the two solutions, which is best is based on your requirements for a mobile solution.

Because BlackBerry is a middleware solution implementation costs and development support on the BlackBerry platform is a bit different from the Microsoft platform. However, it doesn't mean BlackBerry cost more to implement and run.

BlackBerry is a mobile solution designed from the ground up for wireless data, especially carrier based wireless networks. Hence, BlackBerry requires carrier support and only Vodafone support it in NZ (at the moment). Being an end-to-end mobile solution, BlackBerry solution requires BlackBerry handsets and BlackBerry Enterprise Software, it can be seen as proprietary solution. However, the same can be argued with Microsoft solution as well. In addition, BlackBerry provide much more management features for your device fleet than any Microsoft solutions.

As a development platform, BlackBerry do provide options and development kits to go with it. In addition, all their development kits are free to download, unlike Microsoft kits. Go to www.blackberry.com/developers for more information.

Thanks.
p.s. No problem with Internet browsing on the BlackBerry. data usage is part of the BlackBerry plan.

Glazza

279 posts

Ultimate Geek

Trusted

#65639 30-Mar-2007 19:58

We have been a Microsoft House for everything, including having a mix of imate and hp ipaq WM5 devices. However the overhead in deploying these devices, enforcing security policies on them, made us look at the blackberry device.

With the blackberry device we are able to deploy it in under a minute, complete with our security policy. It takes longer to get the device out of the box etc.

The total cost of ownership for the Blackberry would be cheaper than the Microsoft solution, and is possibly even cheaper when you just compear the blackberry device with require server licenses etc to the microsoft device.

Lastly, the blackberry uses a lot let data than the WM5, running two devices in parallel for a period of a month, the Wm5 device used just over 50mb, the blackberry about 12mb... both used just for mail.