It’s not a stretch to opine that that Research in Motion changed the face of mobile communications with the original Blackberry. By developing a platform that integrated with corporate IT infrastructures and made sending and receiving email a routine and simple affair an efficiency was introduced to mobile communications that raised the bar to a new level. One only has to think back to the discussions of whether then newly elected President Obama would give up his Blackberry, as the US government adopted it as its default communication device. The challenge by Apple’s iPhone to its dominance in the 3G world made RIM evolve the platform in order to protect its vital core business, a challenge it continues to rise to. There are differences to the two systems, and a business user contemplating a move into 3G has to be mindful of them. Both are excellent devices, there’re just, well, different.

RIM devices made their reputation based on a business integration platform centred on a QWERTY based interface, one that is comfortable and familiar to many. Their application designs reflect this reality, whereas the iPhone has been, as is Apple’s style, a more touch and tap style. It can be argued that one may be better than the other, but it really comes down to what you’re using the device for. Personally, I like the RIM products for the creation of email and text,; the Apple methodology seems more akin to more visual apps like mapping and surfing. It all depends on what you need to do on a daily basis.

As of this writing, RIM showcases 220 business specific BAPS on its website, recognising no doubt its primary audience. In addition to  the usual Sales Force Automation, Contact Management and Expense tracking options, s few really neat little jewels stand out for this old road warrior. A business card capturing BAP really caught my eye. I cannot count how many cards lost, misplaced or needed but they were sitting in a drawer in my office when I needed them. I`d rather have them at hand. There`s also a cool online meeting tool (in HD no less!) that can allow you to “attend“ a meeting with Head Office without taking you needlessly off the road. There`s also BAPS that provide strong integration with Microsoft Outlook and Lotus Notes, although that`s not totally unique to the Blackberry.

One thng I`d put on wish list is greater integration to an SAP back office system, given the wide use of that software in the corporate community, although I`m sure it would be argued that with the porting of SAP data to Websphere this may not be necessary. Still, as an old SAP hound I`d like the ability to hit the system directly, but this a minor pique I suppose.

It`s hard to pick a winner in the business realm between Apple and RIM…they both offer a wide range of capable and useful tools for the mobile professional. The Blackberry platform though, in my present opinion, seems more suited to a pure business application, likely owing to their past focus on corporate users. If however, a large entertainment and diversion capability is important to you, don`t discount the iPhone. And face it, the interface is a work of technological art.

Really though, I think we`re only scratching the surface at this point. I would want a flexible and convenient plan that minimised my data charges (as they can run up really fast) and provides an affordable, hassles free migration to the next 4G products when they come available. Just like XBOX and PS3 can perform wildly more than current software pushes them 4G will make the current generation of mobile technology seem merely amusing.

The new Blackberry`s are wonderful and fascinating products, and can if used to their potential raise your productivity levels far beyond that of a simple laptop or regular cell phone.