Today BlackBerry announced that it was bringing its popular BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) service to iOS and Android this summer, marking the first time BBM will be available on a non-BlackBerry device.  In my opinion it isn’t a bad decision, but at this stage in the game it is a move that will not have a great impact.

Several years ago BBM was a major selling point for BlackBerry devices.  At that time, BBM was the best messaging service out there, providing real-time chat with delivered and read receipts, file transfer, group chatting, and minimal battery impact, all while working over data networks and thus not counting against SMS text message plans or having 160 character limits.  Nowadays, there are many apps and services, including Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, Kik Messenger, the rumored upcoming Google Hangouts, and the Apple-exclusive iMessage, that have since been released that for most users are comparable to BBM. Cellular service providers also now often provide unlimited text messaging, reducing the need for SMS alternatives. And the significant decline in the number of BlackBerry users has rendered BBM much less useful to current BlackBerry users, who have fewer people with whom to chat. The end result of this evolution in mobile messaging is that BBM is much less of a selling point for BlackBerry. BBM is still very popular, particularly in developing countries and with teenagers (so I hear), but it is no longer the holy grail of messaging services that it once was.

There are two schools of thought on this. One side could argue that BBM is still a strong selling point for BlackBerry, and that giving it away to iOS and Android users BlackBerry is giving even less incentive for people to buy BlackBerry devices. The other side could say that BBM is not selling BlackBerry devices, and that it is a great product and if it is made available on multiple platforms it will keep the BlackBerry brand fresh in the minds of consumers. This, in turn, could give BlackBerry a place in our daily lives, and if it can then find a way to integrate BBM into BlackBerrys better than on iOS or Android devices, then maybe BlackBerry sales will improve. And also allowing current BlackBerry users to chat via BBM with non-BlackBerry users will, at a minimum, allow BlackBerry to provide the best possible messaging service to its current users and not require them to use a third-party app to chat with a friend who uses an iPhone.

I side with the latter thought process and think BlackBerry made the right call here. BBM has obviously not been enough of a reason to buy BlackBerry devices that, at least as far as the market is concerned, are viewed as inferior, so there really is little reason to keep it as a BlackBerry exclusive. And by keeping it exclusive, BlackBerry was really hurting their own customers by limiting their number of BBM potential contacts. This way, maybe BlackBerry/BBM will become “cool” again, at least in the messaging space, and will keep BlackBerry somewhat current. And maybe if it picks up steam BlackBerry could leverage it to sell more devices or include additional, BlackBerry-exclusive features.

Whether BBM catches on to the point where it’ll help BlackBerry sales is a big “if.” BBM is produced by a known entity in BlackBerry that perhaps will come with a higher level of trust than WhatsApp and Kik, not everyone is on Facebook to use Facebook Messenger, iMessage is Apply-exclusive, Google Hangouts hasn’t been released yet (though I think it’ll be a big success), and unlimited SMS text messages are still not as good as the BBM experience. And BlackBerry is pushing the capabilities of BBM with groups, voice, video, media and screen-sharing, and integration of social media services, so it is a competitive service. But does all this set BBM apart enough to get iOS and Android users to jump on board? I don’t think so. It’s not that I think the cross-platform BBM will be inferior, it’s that I think it is too late and not superior enough to enter a very crowded space and take that space over. I am still rooting for BlackBerry but I don’t see making BBM available cross-platform as having a huge effect on the mobile messaging space.

This past winter two of the best smartphones ever – the HTC One and the Samsung Galaxy S4 - were announced.  I am often asked which device I think is better, and I don’t really have an answer, as each has its strengths and weaknesses. Since everyone has different opinions of what they want in a smartphone, I thought it’d be helpful to give a rundown of reviews from sources I like and trust.

The Verge

HTC One received a score of 8.3, with the highlights being the hardware design, display, and speed, and the lowlights being the camera, battery life, and the HTC Sense UI.

Samsung Galaxy S4 received an 8.0, with strengths including speed, camera, and extra software features, and the weaknesses being build quality/design, an overwhelming number of features, and performance issues.

In short, according to The Verge, the biggest differentiating factors between the two devices are the superior build quality of the One and the superior camera of the Galaxy S4, and the same reviewer gave the One a slightly higher score.

CNET

HTC One received a rating of 4 stars, with compliments going to the device’s hardware, speed, and camera and camera app, and complaints about the lack of micro SD card slot and user-replaceable battery and Blinkfeed software that can’t be completely removed.

Samsung Galaxy S4 received a 4.5 star rating. Strengths include camera, speed, the variety of software features, and NFC, micro SD, and removable battery. Weaknesses include a dim screen, poor build quality, and a confusing array of software features.

Overall, the Galaxy S 4 received a higher rating and a consistent “9″ in design, features, and performance categories, whereas the One received a 10, 8, and 8, respectively.

Engadget

HTC One impressed the Engadget staff with its design and build quality, camera, and display.  HTC’s Sense UI did receive some criticism, though, in particular with Blinkfeed and the two button navigation layout (back and home).

Samsung Galaxy S4 also earned a positive review, with the staff liking the display, battery life, speed, and inclusion of expandable storage and a removable battery.  However, the staff felt that the software features are clever but not extremely practical, and felt that the device is a “predictable” step up from the Galaxy S III and when compared with the high-quality and redesigned HTC One does not seem “fresh.”

Droid Life

HTC One earned high praise for build quality, “acceptable” battery life, front-facing stereo speakers, and display, as well as an underwhelming camera with software features that compensate for the camera itself.  The reviewer, however, did not like HTC Sense and said the metallic design is not for him, which puts him in the minority.  Worth noting, though, is that the reviewer ultimately chose the unlocked HTC One as his smartphone, and listed the build quality and design among his reasons.

Samsung Galaxy S4 received a pretty glowing review on Droid Life, with highlights including the display, speed, camera, variety of software features, expandable storage and removable battery, and the most recent version of Android (4.2.2).  The reviewer did note, however, that the One has a more premium feel to it.

AnandTech (warning: very lengthy and detailed reviews)

HTC One received the “Editor’s Choice Gold” award – the first smartphone to ever receive such an award – and a great amount of praise.  The reviewer raved about the build quality, uniqueness, camera (especially in low light settings), the more subtle Sense UI, and speakers.

Samsung Galaxy S4 also earned very good reviews, though no awards.  The reviewer described the S4 as improving upon the S III in every way, and liked the display, speed, expandable storage and removable battery, and camera performance, especially outdoors.  However, the reviewer described Samsung’s TouchWiz UI as too “in your face” and prefered the metal build of the HTC One.

Conclusion

There’s definitely a pattern with reviews here, and not a clear favorite.   Both devices received high marks for their displays and speed.  The HTC One has superior build quality and speakers and represents a more novel and adventurous move in smartphone design.  It ships with an “ultrapixel” camera that has fewer but larger megapixels, and while some say it has better low light performance, it seems to be a pretty consistent source of negative reviews.  Finally, Blinkfeed has received very mixed reviews, and can not be removed (though the default homescreen can be changed).  While it is annoying not to be able to fully customize your phone, I have to cut HTC some slack because had they made Blinkfeed removable, many people who may grow to like it would have removed it without giving it a chance, so when introducing a new and prominent feature I can understand why HTC would not give a way out.

The Samsung Galaxy S4 has more software features (though this was seen as both a positive and a negative) and a better overall camera.  Advantages of the Galaxy S4 are also that it has a removable back that allows for expandable storage via a micro SD card as well as a replaceable battery.  The Galaxy S4 does come with a more recent version of Android, but within a month or two both phones will need software updates so the question will become who will get an update out more quickly, so I wouldn’t buy or not buy a phone based on what version of Android it has right now.

The biggest source of complaints about the Galaxy S4 deal with its “cheap” and plastic build quality and it being just an incremental improvement over the Galaxy S III.  As for the build quality, I do appreciate good build quality and that area has always been an advantage Apple’s iPhone had over Android devices.  For whatever reason, Samsung chose to stay with  plastic.  For many this won’t matter as they will keep their phone in a case, but I don’t and would consider the build quality of the S4 a negative, though definitely not a deal-breaker.  As for the S4 being safe and predictable, it is a funny thing that happens with successful products: first they’re great and everyone loves them, but then if the manufacturer doesn’t change them they become stale very quickly.  Apple has fallen victim to this the past few years.  Should Samsung have to completely redesign their best-selling Galaxy S III just for the sake of change?  I guess not, but Samsung left the door open for a new “fresh” phone to show up and make their S4 seem less impressive.

Finally, another thing to consider when comparing these devices is the manufacturers themselves.  HTC used to be dominant but has fallen on hard times now and is the underdog.  Samsung is THE Android manufacturer in the US and has close to a stranglehold on the Android market.  So with such disparate brands, do we want to root for the underdog and think outside the box or go with what’s tried and true?  That’s a personal choice, but I am rooting for HTC.  But the situation of each company also plays into the purchasing decision as far as software upgrades – I’d think Samsung has more resources to keep their devices up-to-date – as well as compatibility with other devices – Samsung has many sharing features built-in to their S4 that give a little more incentive to getting the same phone as friends and family.

Both devices will be available on AT&T, Sprint, and T-Mobile.  The Galaxy S4 is confirmed by Verizon but the HTC One is not, though recent rumors suggest the One or a very similar device with a delayed summer release.

The good thing about comparing these phones is that they are both great and while each has strengths and weaknesses, you really can’t go wrong with either.

Last night Samsung announced its much-anticipated Galaxy S4 smartphone to much fanfare at Radio City Music Hall here in New York City.  The device looks very similar to Samsung’s hugely popular Galaxy S III smartphone unveiled last spring on the outside but has upgraded internals and a lot of new software capabilities (and drops the Roman numeral numbering scheme).  Here are the highlights of the device:

Hardware -

-5-inch 1080p (1920×1080) Super AMOLED display (441 ppi) with Gorilla Glass 3 and that can be used with gloves on.
-2 GB RAM.
-16/32/64 GB storage choices with support for up to 64 GB microSD card storage.
-1.6 GHz Exynos Octa-core processor or 1.9 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 quad-core processor, depending on region (US will get the quad-core variant).
-13 MP rear-facing camera and 2 MP front-facing camera.
-136.6 x 69.8 x 7.9 mm.
-130 grams.
-2600 mAh removable battery.
-IR LED for remote control capabilities.
-Temperature, barometer and humidity sensors.
-“Black mist” or  “white frost” colors at launch but Samsung will add more colors in the future

Software -

-Many new camera functions:
Dual Camera lets you use the front and rear-facing cameras at the same time to get both the photo subject and the camera person in the same photo, and also uses both cameras for video chatting so the person you are talking to can see you and what you are looking at.
Story Album arranges photos you take by date and automatically puts them into an album.
Eraser uses a burst of 100 photos in four seconds to allow the user to remove undesirable elements, like photobombs, from the final picture.
Drama Shot uses multiple photos from a burst and creates an animated .gif.
Sound and Shot captures a short sound clip to go along with a photo.
-Smart pause pauses video when you look away.
-Smart Scroll lets you scroll the screen up or down by looking at it while tilting the phone in the direction you want to scroll.
-Air View shows a preview of an email, calendar event, image gallery or video when you hover your finger over that area of the screen.
-Air Gesture lets you control the phone by waving your hand in front of the display.
-Group Play connects nearby Galaxy S 4 devices to one another without any internet connection to play the same music out of multiple devices or play real-time games.
-S Translator provides spoken translation of what you say or type into your phone.
-S Health tracks your exercise and shows how much calories you burn, among other health-related data.
-S Voice Drive produces a “drive mode” that displays bigger fonts, simpler screens, and text-to-speech.
-Keyboard that utilizes Swiftkey‘s predictive engine.
-Android 4.2.2.

The Galaxy S4 will be available on 327 carriers in 155 countries, including all four major carriers in the US, beginning in late April.  No price has been announced.

Overall, I think this looks like a great phone and it will be very successful.  I have seen some complaints that this is too much of an incremental upgrade with nothing groundbreaking but I think the new hardware, especially the 5” 1080p display and the quad-core process, and software features make this phone as good or better than the competition so it is really hard to fault Samsung when they are leading the pack.  Other complaints have been about build quality.  I would’ve liked to see Samsung improve their build quality, as the Galaxy S4 keeps the shiny plastic design of the Galaxy S III,  While the plastic is functional and durable, when compared to phones like the iPhone 5, HTC One, the Nexus 4, LG Optimus G, and the Motorola Droid RAZR HD, it will look and feel a little cheap.  But at the end of the day Samsung’s marketing and reputation, the display and processor speed, and the unique software features will sell this phone.

Also worth noting is that Samsung said it would bring some of these new software features to the Galaxy S III, so kudos to them for continuing to update an older device.  Also kudos to Samsung for planning to ship the device with the most recent version of Android (4.2.2, released on February 11).

The Galaxy S4 will go head-to-head with the HTC One as the two brand new high-end smartphones hitting the major US carriers this spring.  Again, I think the Galaxy S4 will sell very well as Samsung has developed excellent brand recognition and loyalty, but I am rooting for the HTC One to do well too because without it succeeding HTC may be in trouble financially, and less competition hurts Android and the smartphone market as a whole.

For further reading, check out Samsung’s website, The Verge, CNET, Engadget, BGR, The New York Times, and Droid-Life.

Here’s Samsung’s promo video:

And Samsung also posted the full-length livestream of the Radio City event, which is very odd in parts but worth a watch if you have time.

Today HTC took the curtains off its new flagship smartphone, the HTC One.  Notable features and specs include:

- 4.7″ 1080p LCD display (with 468 PPI).

- Quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 processor clocked at 1.7 GHz.

- “HTC Blinkfeed” homescreen that places updating news and social media feeds on a tiled homescreen.

- Stereo front-facing speakers (dubbed “HTC Boomsound”).

- A redesigned 4 megapixel camera  (marketed as an “UltraPixel Camera”) that goes against the trend of increasing megapixels while claiming to provide better quality images in a variety of indoor and outdoor settings by having larger pixels, akin to what is found in a point-and-shoot digital camera.

- “HTC Zoe” camera technology that takes up to 20 pictures as well as a 3 second video when you take a picture.

- IR hardware and “Sense TV” software allow the device to be used as a remote control.

- Excellent build quality that features an aluminum backing.

- 2300 mAh battery.

- 2 GB RAM.

- Ships with Android 4.1.2 and will be upgraded to 4.2.

- The HTC One will be available in the US on AT&T, Sprint, and T-Mobile in March.

HTC somehow fell behind the competition recently.  A few years ago, HTC phones were highly-regarded for their build quality and for the HTC Sense custom user interface, but then as Android became more refined beginning with Ice Cream Sandwich (4.0) and Samsung began heavily marketing the Galaxy S II, Galaxy Note, and Galaxy S III, HTC lost its luster and stopped being profitable.  The HTC One looks like an awesome phone with a great display, what is said to be the best build quality of any Android phone, and a fresh new homescreen, so I hope this helps turn things around for HTC.  The competition is stiff and Samsung has developed a lot of brand loyalty (and is rumored to be unveiling the Galaxy S IV in a few weeks), but one good HTC device can turn the tides.

My biggest issue is that this device won’t be available on Verizon Wireless – the only carrier of the four major US carriers to not have this phone.  I believe a big reason for Samsung’s success with the Galaxy S III is that is was available on all four carriers in the US.  This allowed Samsung to focus its marketing efforts on one device and let a user on, say AT&T, see a friend’s Verizon Galaxy S III and then buy the AT&T version.  This, along with a great phone in the S III, allowed Samsung to dominate the Android market.  HTC put out a great phone last year in the HTC One X, and it was said by many reviewers to be the best phone on the market, but by being limited to AT&T it never earned the notoriety or sales of the Galaxy S III and ultimately took away from HTC’s brand recognition. Whether HTC releases a different device on Verizon or elects to ride the HTC Droid DNA (which received lackluster reviews) for a few more months, it is, in my opinion, a mistake for HTC to fragment its product line and not have its flagship phone available to as many customers are possible, and a mistake for Verizon to not make sure HTC’s flagship phone is available to its customers.

For more info check out the HTC One website and The Verge.