The new BlackBerry Bold arrived and seeing the faux leather back - I just had to have it.
The keyboard is fantastic and I’ve noticed lots of little software improvements like being able to read HTML email. The best thing so far is that the new BlackBerry Browser seems to work very well - so far no need for OperaMini. Xero Mobile (http://m.xero.com) worked without any style tweaks.
As the Bold has wifi I will surf more on my BlackBerry at home and work.
My biggest gripe so far is that RIM doesn’t include the same useful applications that the iPhone has on the front screen. Weather, World Time and Stocks are the obvious ones. With a BlackBerry you have to hunt for those applications yourself and load them up. Too hard. I don’t understand why RIM don’t do basic Interaction Design and see what users actually do. Or just copy Apple.
The Bold is expensive - especially when there is so much innovation happening and there is already talk of the next models which will be Curve (8310) sized. While the Bold may only have a fashion life of 20 minutes, it is by far the best mobile email device I’ve used. I just wish RIM would do some work on their software.
Xero now works on BlackBerry and Windows Mobile devices as well as your iPhone.
You can access Xero mobile at http://m.xero.com.
We’ve added a few new features like:
Contact Groups
You can now drill into your Accounts Receivable and Accounts Payable to see the biggest and oldest invoices
All user roles within Xero can now access Xero Mobile
We’re still tweaking the Windows Mobile styles. Let us know if you have any problems.
On the BlackBerry, the standard browser doesn’t easily allow us to make things pretty but if you download OperaMini (http://www.operamini.com), you’ll have a great experience.
It’s very similar to the Xero for iPhone version, letting you see your account balances and recent transactions. It also lets you transfer money between your Kiwibank accounts.
Of course, the big advantage of using Xero on your iPhone is that you have access to transaction data from all your banking providers, plus all of your invoicing data, to give you a complete cash flow overview.
Last week Apple announced the new version of the iPhone and also a range of new services that will be interesting to small businesses. This is a good sign that the big technology providers are starting to invest in solutions that will make it easier for small businesses to use technology.
MobileMe is a new email service that has some features you would normally only expect if you were part of a larger enterprise and had an IT department.
MobileMe stores a copy of your email and contacts on the internet so you can get to them from anywhere, as well as have email and contacts shared across the computers and your phone.
iPhone users will get alerted immediately when an email is received. This is called ‘push email’ as the email server sends you a notification as soon as it receives a new email message. This makes email a far more dependable communication tool between you, your staff and customers. You send and receive email messages immediately like you might with SMS messaging now.
Google and Microsoft have also been busy for small businesses. Both providers have hosted email services that allow you to have your own domain name and manage email for a the people in your team. These services are standard based so can be used by your existing email software.
MobileMe takes it to the next level however and it will be interesting to see if they allow you to host your own domain name or if you have to be ‘mybusiness@mac.com’.
Google also has shared spreadsheets, documents and storage that small business owners can use for free called Google Apps. You can even change things in your documents at the same time! You will need a geek friend to set these up for you as it can be a bit complicated. Most mobile IT support companies will be able to help you get started.
They will also be able to help you get an email domain. Much more professional to be joe@joesplumbers.com that joetheplumber@myisp.net.
We expect that these announcements will spark more innovation from Google and Microsoft. It’s exciting to see such useful technology being made accessible to small business owners.
Fresh from the Xero labs, we’re very pleased to announce a customised version of Xero for iPhone (and iPod Touch). It’s never been easier to have your accounts on hand.
Xero for iPhone gives you an overview of the accounts for every organisation you manage. See all your bank balances, recent transactions and who owes you money. You can even call any contact with a single tap.
