RIM announces BlackBerry Unite for family/SOHO PC file, PIM sharing

I just finished watching a WebEx briefing where Research in Motion (RIM) announced a fascinating and valuable new “sharing” product — BlackBerry Unite — for consumers and small/home offices for a maximum of five people (see below).

The service will be launched in Spain by Telefonica Espana (see below) with the new BlackBerry Pearl 8120 (two megapixel camera, WiFi), but look for it in the United States and around the world in the months to come.  RIM says BlackBerry Unite software will be a free download and is compatible with BlackBerry 88xx, 87xx, 83xx and 81xx series devices (I have three of those four).

In essence, families and small business employees may share calendars, contacts, bookmarks and computer files on home or office PCs — with an always-on computer connection.  Computer files that can be shared include documents, music, photos and videos (see below).

Saving, backing up

The files that are downloaded may be saved on the BlackBerry, but they cannot be edited unless the user has installed other third party software on the handset.  Of course, RIM is always working on adding capabilities to its devices.

Files, contacts, photos, etc. that have been created on the BlackBerry may be backed up to the Unite server via a USB cable, a cellular connection (EDGE) or WiFi, if the handset includes WiFi.  Over-the-air backup is a great service for ensuring your data is safe as well as for the convenience.

Corporations with the BlackBerry Enterprise Server (BES) already have backup capability because data on the handset and corporate server is synchronized.  Also, companies with the BES may install Unite so employees may use both BES and Unite on their handsets.

Security features

In addition, BlackBerry Unite has security functions that enable parents and employers to restrict specific capabilities on BlackBerrys, such as browsing certain Web sites or restricting long distance calls.  Also, for phones that are stolen, users may create a new password as well as either remotely locking the device or wiping out all the data.

What I like about Unite (based on the briefing) is it brings some of the back office capabilities of corporations to consumers and small businesses.  And, it does so in a single, integrated package that, I assume, will be easy to configure and use.

I haven’t used Unite, but I hope to do so within a month or so.

Not for everyone

Of course, Unite isn’t perfect or advisable for certain users.  For example, the service requires a desktop (or laptop) PC where the software resides as well as an always-on broadband connection for polling e-mail messages. 

So if you turn off your computer at night or when you’re away for days, Unite isn’t for you.  You’ll need to stick with (or sign up for) the BES, or the BlackBerry Internet Service (BIS) that’s geared more for individuals

Also, the service’s calendar and phone book sharing feature doesn’t integrate with Microsoft Outlook or any similar software.  I suspect that for some people who live in Outlook, this could be a deal-breaker because they wouldn’t want to duplicate entries on the Unite server.

In addition, Unite is limited to five employees so that leaves out larger companies, unless they want to establish information sharing among groups no larger than five.  And for you Apple Mac users, forget it; unfortunately Unite works only with Microsoft Windows XP or Vista.

However, during the briefing RIM said the company is getting more involved with developing software for the Mac so I guess one should stay tuned for Mac support in the future.

A good solution for many

Overall, though, Unite looks like an excellent new service from RIM that is leveraging its in-house expertise to provide cellular operators with new ways to differentiate their offerings. 

RIM already is working on version 2.0 so it seems the Unite will be a dynamic platform as the company rolls out new capabilities in the future.

Comments

[Philippe Van de Ven]

I have a question about Blacberry Unité. Is it released finaly in Englisch,Or wen can you dowload it on you hardrive?

[Alan A. Reiter]

Hi Philippe,

As far as I know, BlackBerry Unite has not been released in the United States or much of anywhere else. I'm surprised because it should have been rolled out by now.

I assume that either there are serious technical difficulties or RIM is having problems lining up partners -- or both. I'd like to test it, too, but it's not available.