BlackBerry Still a Favorite in Mobile Phones

With the introduction of the first smartphones in 1992, different manufacturers of mobile phones have developed more and newer technology in order to remain competitive in the design and function of the phones. In 1999, the BlackBerry was introduced as the ultimate business tool for the person on the go. Along with functions found in many other portable phones, like a calculator, notepad, world clock, games, and calendar, it included a personal digital assistant (PDA), allowing users to keep track of appointments schedule events, store a list of contacts, and keep personal reminders close at hand. In addition to the main functions of cellular phones, the BlackBerry became a leader in cell phones with the addition of a QWERTY keypad for easier entry of notes, emails, reminders, or instant email messaging abilities.

The BlackBerry, like many other cellular phones, uses a proprietary operating system (OS) that is similar the OS found on a computer. However, the OS on the phones is more compact while still allowing the use of different applications that are either pre-installed on the phones or created by third party application vendors and downloaded and installed on the phones as an after-market product. As well as having applications similar to other touch screen phones, the BlackBerry is also known as one of the first Wi-Fi phones, allowing file transfers and backups to a computer with the same functionality. Using “push” technology, the information stored on the phones is automatically sent where the user desires, making the phones highly convenient for busy people to use.

Since its introduction, the BlackBerry has remained a favorite in cellular phones, holding a 14.8% market share in the sales of cell phones. Mobile phones have changed through the years with the addition of touch screen phones in more recent models. The touch screens, along with the QWERTY keypad, give users of the cellular phones yet another way to open to applications they require or with to use, as well as having a physical means of entering text and numbers. In recent years, cellular phones have become more popular not only to business people, but the private sector as well, allowing for file storage and transfer with backup options for the contact list stored in the phones.

There are other brands of smartphones that offer some of the same functionality as the BlackBerry, with the newer touch screens becoming widely available and affordable to the average user of the phones. With more applications for the different brands being released on the market almost daily, the consumer has a nearly endless parade of choices in cellular phones.