I know every BlackBerry user does not own an iPod Touch but the combination is can be as common as peanut butter and jelly. Today I was sitting in a meeting where every user at the table had a Blackberry and 4 of the 6 people also owned an iPod Touch. As we got to talking about it we all came to the same conclusion, that the BlackBerry is the king when it comes to anything related to communication (messaging and phone). In contrast, the iPod Touch, is great at the multi-media and application stuff. Yeah I know ground breaking details. The thing is, we ALL wanted an iPod Touch with a 3G data option like the iPad and a camera. No one wants the iPhone (as a phone) as we all want to avoid paying again for voice minute we did not plan to use.
This really highlights a problem. Windows Mobile, Android, WebOS, and iPhone (Jailbroken) all have the ability to offer Wi-Fi tethering and this is the one missing feature on the BlackBerry platform that would make the marriage of an iPod Touch and a BlackBerry complete. While an iPod Touch with a 3G data plan is attractive, I would rather have the ability to just share the 3G internet connection on my BlackBerry via Wi-Fi. It would be a lot cheaper and under my control.
Hopefully RIM will shock the BlackBerry community with BlackBerry OS 6 and add Wi-Fi Tethering, but with all the leaked information so far, I think this would be hard to keep under wraps. For me, I would carry a BlackBerry and iPhone, if AT&T were to waive the requirement for a voice plan. For now, I guess it is just wishful thinking. What are your feelings on the matter?
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
I’m not sure I understand why WiFi tethering is such a ‘killer app’ here — tethering via USB or Bluetooth has worked for quite some time now — it takes about 2-3 minutes to set up once, then automatic connection can be done after that.
While I can see how it would be more convenient to be able to connect in the same way you connect to any other wireless network… I don’t see it as being enough of an issue to consider it a handicap for the BB.
You are correct tethering via USB or Bluetooth is fully functional and easy to setup. That said most devices you want to get online need internet via Wi-Fi hence the popularity of things like Mi-Fi.
When my Droid was functional I tethered my Eye-Fi to my Droid to upload pictures to Picassa web. This is not possible via USB or Bluetooth. Wi-Fi is the lowest common denominator. With Wi-Fi sharing my phone can share the internet with multiple computers/devices as I have done many times on trains or vacations.
If every device has something that you lack it is a downside, assuming people want it. Android is coming on strong with this phone as a mobile hotspot and BlackBerry needs the same. I love having my BB again, but wish i could share the internet with and iPod Touch, Zune, Eye-Fi or other devices that do not support bluetooth internet sharing or connecting via USB.
I understand what you’re saying but Wi-Fi is a more universal option for internet sharing.
It always sucks when the technology is there; but you can’t use it. Bluetooth tethering your blackberry to your laptop is (as you said) easy to do; the iPod Touch also has bluetooth, but can you network through it? naah – the iPod doesn’t allow you to use bluetooth for networking.
I can somehow pair my iPod to my blackberry, and my bberry will say they are connected, but the iPod is stingy and disagrees… won’t connect at all. :-\
nice pic, btw.