RIM provides a proprietary multi-tasking operating system (OS) for the BlackBerry, which makes heavy use of the device's specialized input devices, particularly the thumbwheel. The OS provides support for MIDP 1.0 and WAP 1.2.
Previous versions allowed wireless synchronization with Microsoft Exchange Server's e-mail and calendar, as well as with Lotus Domino's e-mail. The current OS 4 provides a subset of MIDP 2.0, and allows complete wireless activation and synchronization with Exchange's e-mail, calendar, tasks, notes and contacts, and adds support for Novell GroupWise and Lotus Notes.
Third-party developers can write software using these APIs, and proprietary BlackBerry APIs as well, but any application that makes use of certain restricted functionality must be digitally signed so that it can be associated to a developer account at RIM. This signing procedure guarantees the authorship of an application, but does not guarantee the quality or security of the code.
Earlier BlackBerry models used C++ for software development, but all current models support MDS and universally supported Java (using the J2ME set of libraries). Software development for BlackBerry is also available through Visual Studio .NET via the AppForge Crossfire add-in which enables development in C# or VB.NET. A growing number of third party commercial applications are available for BlackBerry. These include applications in sales force automation, customer relationship management, and remote IT administration. There is also a wide selection of free 3rd party software available for the Blackberry.
Although push email is the main reason for the BlackBerry's meteoric rise, the form factor and keyboard make it as usable as any handheld device on the market. With the trackwheel combined with the QWERTY keyboard, you'll type and get around on the BlackBerry much faster than your Palm-toting friends. The newer, consumer-targeted 7100 series has a smaller form factor and fewer keys. In order to type using a keyboard on which more than one letter is assigned to a key, the 7100 uses a technology called SureType, which predicts the words you are typing as you enter them. This feature is surprisingly effective, and RIM has promised more typing improvements around the corner.
In addition to the keyboard layout, the BlackBerry OS provides myriad shortcut keys that advanced users will want to commit to memory. Built-in shortcuts provide quick access to common programs and functions, not only allowing you to move around quicker but also reducing the battery usage. Although you'll find the keyboard a breeze compared with those of other handhelds, you can also create your own abbreviations to shorten common phrases. For example, you could set up an AutoType abbreviation to insert your mailing address when you type the string addr in a text field.
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