BlackBerry or iPhone for business? It’s an old debate. So we looked at some of the best business tools for both smartphones.
BLACKBERRY
BlackBerry Messenger (BBM)
BlackBerry Messenger 5.0 is a useful collaborative tool for SMEs as it enables real time communication, for free, to any other BlackBerry anywhere in the world. The instant communication means colleagues can be in contact in real time if they are in different locations. Users can also see when their message has been delivered and then when it has been read. Groups of colleagues can participate in instant conversations together and these conversations can be labelled, saved and backed-up to be referred to when needed. Individuals can enter and leave the conversations as necessary and messages can be broadcast to groups.
With BBM 5.0, up to 6MB of image files and voice notes can be shared instantly. Participants’ personal BBM profiles can be set to display their status and time zone location, eliminating issues when colleagues are on the road. New business contacts (and potential clients) can be easily added with a new barcode system.
BBM is inclusive as part of any BlackBerry data plan.
gwabbit
gwabbit saves you precious moments by keeping your contact list up-to-date for you. The app automatically searches your emails and identifies contacts embedded in the messages, then adds or updates that information to your BlackBerry Contacts in a single click. For those users syncing their contacts to Outlook, gwabbit’s automated capture keeps contacts updated globally. gwabbit eliminates the confusion involved with keeping up with people’s positions in the ever-changing working world, freeing up time to focus on strategy and planning. There is free download and a paid-for, premium version.
WorldMate Live
WorldMate Live is the perfect travel partner for the frequently flying business owner who needs to stay on top of schedule changes, flight delays and cancellations. The free application provides access to personalised weather forecasts, maps, directions and more, making a business trip as stress-free as possible and allowing more time to cement those business deals. Users can even book a hotel room last-minute on their smartphone, share travel information with others and meet with friends and colleagues on the move. WorldMate Live is free to download.
Nice Office LITE
This free app turns your BlackBerry into a virtual mobile office. Manage your email, calendar, contacts and tasks. Store forms and documents online and send them directly to your customers. Track sales and lead activity by workflows and status levels. Create custom sales fields and record sales activity. Manage all of the information needed to keep on top of your business.
Nice Office LITE also automatically logs device activity and gives you detailed reporting on mobile interactions with your contacts, tracking messages, calls, appointments and more, automatically.
Updates are synced wirelessly between your BlackBerry and the Nice Office LITE website, so there’s no need to enter anything twice or update information when you get back to the office. If you lose your BlackBerry, wipe the personal data from your lost device and restore it to your new device. You are back up and running in no time!
XOBNI Mobile
Xobni, the popular Microsoft Outlook add-in that has been downloaded almost 5 million times, recently announced Xobni Mobile, available first on BlackBerry smartphones. Xobni Mobile reinvents the address book; automatically creating rich profiles for every contact you’ve ever communicated with, regardless of whether they’ve been manually added to the native address book. As part of the launch, Xobni is also announcing Xobni One, a service that links information between Microsoft Outlook and mobile versions of Xobni for a more comprehensive and up-to-date address book.
Xobni (inbox spelled backwards) Mobile makes your contacts available to you on the BlackBerry by opening the application, or by ‘flicking up’ on the trackball or trackpad while in the compose window of the native BlackBerry Email application. This deep product integration allows BlackBerry users immediate access to all their contacts when they need them, in ranked order without requiring them to change the way they use email on the BlackBerry.
Xobni Mobile for BlackBerry is available for download at www.xobni.com/mobile and will soon be on BlackBerry App World.
iPhone
JotNot Scanner
JotNot converts your iPhone into a portable multipage scanner. You can use JotNot to scan multipage documents, receipts, whiteboards, business cards and notes into PDF files. You can email scans directly or upload them to Dropbox, iDisk/WebDAV, Evernote, Box.net, or Google Docs where they can be shared with others.
All the image processing happens on your iPhone so confidential data remains under your control. JotNot works forever, there’s no subscription fee, and you don’t need internet access to scan documents.
JotNot is more than just a camera app. It uses proprietary image processing (similar to the imaging technology used in flatbed scanners) to automatically remove shadows, correct contrast and adjust white balance, so your scanned documents come out looking as crisp and clear as possible. JotNot will attempt to automatically detect the document in the image making it easy to remove the information you don’t want in the scan, like the stuff lying around your desk.
JotNot Scanner is US$4.99.
PayPal Send Money
Version 2.0 of PayPal Send Money app gives PayPal and iPhone customers around the world secure mobile access to their money and convenient features for everyday life, including Bump money transfers, Split Check and Collect Money.
With “bump” users can put two iPhones together and funds are quickly transferred between their PayPal accounts. The Split Check feature lets users conveniently divide and quickly reimburse each other for the cost of a meal, including a tip, for up to 20 people. Collect Money allows users to request money from multiple people for a joint gift, concert tickets, and more. Users can send gifts of money on the spot for birthdays, anniversaries or any moment of impulsive generosity.
For international transactions, it also features a global currency calculator and 15 languages. PayPal Send Money requires a PIN or password for every transaction to help prevent unauthorised use.
The application is available to download for free.
Skype
With Skype on your iPhone or iPod Touch, you can call and instant message anyone else on Skype for free. You can also call landlines and mobiles and send SMS anywhere in the world, at great rates. Skype is free to download and easy to use.
Simply sign into Skype on a WiFi connection and call friends and family on Skype, wherever they are in the world, totally free. Check who’s online then instant message them whenever, and wherever the mood strikes. Call phones anywhere in the world at great rates, and send low cost SMS.
The latest version works on iPhone, iPhone 3G, iPhone 3GS and iPod touch. Skype requires software version 3.0 or above. Calling functionality is available on iPhone, iPhone 3G, iPhone 3GS and 2nd generation iPod touch. iPod touch requires a compatible headset with a microphone.
Currency Exchange Pro
This app provides over 225 currencies for all of your travel, business, and leisure needs. Its conversion ratios are provided by a professional currency exchange rates provider, giving you accurate and reliable ratios. Exchange rates can be automatically updated for your convenience.
Features include: 227 different currencies; updates exchange rates automatically; update frequency can be adjusted or turned off to avoid roaming; add/remove currencies from the conversion display screen; base currency can be changed by simply touching a different currency (not fixed to USD; tap the Inverse button to see the exchange rate’s inverse ratio; add a ‘tax’ to the conversion rate to help simulate actual conversions of currency exchanges. Internet connection is required to update currency rates.
Download it for (US) 0.99.
Where to find them?
All the apps featured can be found at either:
www.apple.com/iphone/business/apps-for-iphone/
or
http://appworld.blackberry.com/webstore
Or download either app store on your iPhone or BlackBerry
