Skype and iPhone OS 4.0 - this is sort of a big deal..

Apple today announced the upcoming features and road-map for iPhone OS 4.0. In short multitasking is supported. This means that you can make and receive Skype calls and presumably receive IM anytime the application is running in the background. Skype actually demo'd a VoIP call on stage during the event on an iPhone.

This is a gamechanger.

The adoption of Skype in Business is a no brainer now. With Verizon, 3 and iPhone supporting Skype calling on their platform and devices, businesses have to take Skype as a serious as they take the PSTN, do you really want to be the only business that doesn't accept incoming Skype calls? If you're competition is doing it, you better as well.

Kudo's to Apple for opening the platform, RIM has some serious competition coming - they need a refresh of the OS in a BIG way...

Note to Jim Balsillie: Forget the Coyotes, get me a bloody BB Desktop Manager for Mac before I buy an iPhone.

Here is a public note to RIM, Jim Balsillie and anyone else in that organization that will listen.

Why do you hate Mac Users?

Herein lies the problem (as you don't seem to understand it) and the reason for my tirade, you don't have a Blackberry Desktop Manager for Mac. You license an application called PocketMac which 'sort of works' but not really.

The incredible lack of foresight and business strategy by ignoring 11% of your customer base is astounding, it is almost criminal. I can't explain it, the only possible reason for your utter contempt for Mac users is that no one in RIM uses a Mac.

Here is an important piece of information for you - the only reason I haven't switched to an iPhone is because of Google Sync. If it wasn't for Google Sync, I would have no way to reliably sync my calendar and contacts to my Mac and I would no longer be a Blackberry user. And let me be clear, I don't want to use an iPhone - it doesn't run background apps., it doesn't support UMA, it doesn't have a program like BB messenger and I really don't like typing on the softkeyboard.. but what is important to remember is it doesn't do these things YET...

I currently run Windows 7 on my Mac in a Virtual Machine (a feature you don't support btw, which just lights my fire even more). I am running the Windows 7 beta which runs out in exactly 1 year. At this point, if I wish to continue to run Windows I will have to pay. The ONLY reason I run Windows at all, is to have the ability to update, backup and maintain my BB . I am NOT going to buy a Windows license just so I can continue to use my BB. I will be forced to switch to an iPhone.

Your strategy to not support Apple is astoundingly poor. Last year you spend a bunch of money developing Media Manger for Mac.. A completely useless piece of software, that does NOTHING as drag and drop works perfectly, and is actually easier to use.

Mac users are early adopters, influencers, bloggers, and the people whom are passionate about technology. I can't tell you how much I drive my peer group nuts blabbering on about how much the BB is the one and only work solution. I don't think you can afford to lose 11% of your customer base to Apple, it is completely unnecessary, hire a Mac team - and let them loose. You will be surprised at the unexpected benefits...

Blackberry: How to get Push IMAP Gmail if you are on BIS.

Today RIM quietly released a fantastic feature - IMAP email for those of us Blackberry addicts whom are NOT on an Enterprise Server. Basically if you don't connect to a work Exchange server chances are you are on BIS (Blackberry Internet Server).

This new feature essentially means that if you use Gmail (or any other email service that supports IMAP) you can now get true IMAP push email to your Blackberry. Previous to today you had to use POP3 which meant delays; sometimes up to 15 minutes before you would get a gmail message to your handheld.

The set up procedure isn't the most intuitive, so I have put together a step by step to get it working. Thanks to Scott and TESZ9 (commenters @ RIMarkable for the help)

~ Click on any of the images to make them bigger.

Step 1 - Enable IMAP support in your Gmail account. You do this by going to Settings, then Forwarding and POP/IMAP.



Step 2 - Log into your Blackberry Internet Service (BIS) account to configure your mailbox. Delete your previous Gmail account and add a new service.

Step 3 - Add a new account BUT don't put the passwords for you gmail account in the utility boxes or it will default to POP3 and you will have to start again. Then just click next and



Step 3b - Additional Information Required -> Click next



Step 3c - Click Personal Account (if configuring for Gmail) then click next.




Step 3d - We were Unable to configure error.. Click I will provide the setting



Step 3E - Internet Service Provider Email (POP/IMAP) Click I will provide the settings then next.



Step 3F - Set Up Exisiting email account - Enter your Gmail information here - along with imap.google.com as your email server. RIM (someone was thinking :) ) will recognize it is a gmail account and autoconfigure your IMAP ports to 993 for you after you click next and save!.





Thats IT! you will now get true push GMail to your Blackberry! This will also work for all IMAP supported mailboxes, you just have to enter your port information manually as I don't think that RIM's BIS web service will recognize all but the big providers.

I have had this working now for a few hours and my Gmail comes to my Blackberry immediately, it used to be about a 15 minute delay.

Congrats to RIM on adding an awesome feature, I just can't understand why it took years to do.