The Crackberry

While reading up on some Blackberry articles, I read that the term "Crackberry" had become so common, that Webster's New World College Dictionary named it the 2006 Word-Of-The-Year. While this isn't exactly the Oxford English Dictionary, it demonstrates the concept of the users becoming extremely dependent on the devices has become widespread in our society.

As the Blackberry device and software provides in all-in-one mobile experience, it has become an invaluable tool for many users. Being connected at all times through a phone is something that many people are used to, but the Blackberry introduced a constant connection to email and the internet. This had obvious uses to the corporate world, allowing employees to be constantly connected to their job. This "always-on" connection developed into an unhealthy obsession for some.

As a term like Crackberry becomes part of our everyday use, it seems that we are trying to lay fault with the device, rather than the people who use them. Before mobile devices were widely available, many people worked long hours in an office. What the Blackberry changed is where people can spend their time working. I believe there will always be individuals willing to sacrifice personal time and sleep (I'm definitely not one to give up sleep for my job haha) whether they can stay connected to work through a PDA device or not.

While a word like "Crackberry" connotes drug-like attributes, I view the device as more of of an enabler to people's communication "addiction," rather than the drug itself. Addictive properties aside, people do make the choice of purchasing and doing drugs, or choosing to eat unhealthy foods, just as people can choose to turn off their Blackberry.

A unique argument that can be raised about the Blackberry is the other influences a user has which affect their ability to turn off their device. Something I would like to explore in another blog post is how the Blackberry being a corporate tool affects users in their choice of powering down.

Personally, I do keep my Blackberry powered on, with me at all times. However, when I hear the familiar buzz of an incoming email or message emanating from my bedside table at night, I'm more apt to make a choice and turn over and go back to sleep. :)

Welcome to the Mainstream

It has been 11 years since the first Blackberry device was introduced as a two way pager device, and has since developed into an 'all-in-one' smartphone device, offering web browsing, text messaging, mobile phone, and push email. The Blackberry's manufacturer, Canadian company Reasearch In Motion (RIM) focused primarily on the push email service, quickly becoming popular for businesses and corporations globally. Coupled with the Blackberry's software including calendar & address book software that can be synchronized to a users computer, the Blackberry was an invaluable tool when conducting business.

My dad has had one for as long as I can remember, constanly alerting him of new emails, so for years, I've always viewed the Blackberry as some elite type of phone, used only by those that need to be constantly connected to every aspect of their job; email, phone, appointment calendars, etc. All I ever used was a cell phone with text messaging, thinking that's all I ever really needed.

I broke down and decided to give the Blackberry a try in Jan 2008. I like to think that I decided to get one on the recommendation from my parents, they thought I needed to get my life in order since I was taking on working 40+ hours a week and some post-secondary classes, and the Blackberry would do just that for me. I must admit though, a small part of me did see a few of my friends starting to use them (for no apparent reason) and the whole 'elite' factor of having a Blackberry device.

To my surprise, it has definitely helped me keep track of the never-ending assignments, projects at work, and exams at school, of course. The ability to simply synch my Blackberry up to MacBook and have my entire calendar address book updated in less than a minute is definitely useful. Not to mention, the built-in Facebook application and web browsing is a great way to pass time in boring meetings at work.

Recently in CMNS 253, a student remarked that they thought it was ridiculous if anyone under the age of 25 owned a Blackberry, which I found interesting. I, luckily, am 25, so I guess I am spared their judgment, however, since getting to know and understand the wide array of functions they Blackberry can offer, I wonder why more people don't adopt such a device. After hearing such a comment, it seems that the elitist stigma is still somewhat attached to owning the Blackberry.

I believe RIM, the manufacturer, sees this as well, with the introduction of the Blackberry Pearl in late 2006, and their recent announcement of of a 'flip' style Blackberry. The Blackberry Pearl did away with a main feature of the earlier Blackberry devices, the full QWERTY keyboard. This enabled the design of the phone to appear more mainstream, and less like an 'elitist' device.

This was taken a step further, when RIM released the new flip version of the Pearl:

Blackberry 8220

(sorry if the linking doesn't work correctly, I'm a little lame when it comes to HTML)

This new version of the Pearl takes the mainstream look to the next level. With this new Blackberry device that looks and feels like a regular cell phone, will more people be willing to adopt such a device and become more integrated with an all-in-one device?

And It Begins...

One must begin somewhere, so here goes...

I'm Alex McLean, originally from Vancouver, BC, but have experienced my share of international residences along the way.

I'm in the Communications program at Capilano, somewhere between my 1st and 2nd year. I'm in CMNS 253 as part of the program. I entered the prgram as I'm interested in getting into the media industry, specifically broadcasting. I'm looking forward to this class as I haven't really gotten into things like blogging and YouTube, so I'm hoping to learn and gain some exposure.

I will primarily be examining the Blackberry and other handlheld PDAs in my blog. I started using my Blackberry about 9 months ago, but haven't got past the basic phone, calendar and email functions. I would like to examine how other users put their Blackberries to work, how these uses have affected society and how well I might be able to adapt some new uses to the device.

So far, the class looks pretty interesting. I'm looking forward to seeing how my first try at blogging goes.