Blackberry In Thailand

[lucien62]

What makes the thai people especially the young ones in Bangkok crazy about this device ??? I've seen many students using it.

The blackberry is supposed to be a professional mobile phone because of its special email capability when used with an Exchange server. Apart from that the blackberry has got an instant messaging feature and a full keyboard, but do these functions make it worth for those young people to own it ? It's not really an affordable phone and there is the subscription to pay...

[Phil Conners]

It's just a fashion thing. You know. Sheep. Baah.

[petedk]

Status symbol, prestige, fashion..... you name it.

I know 2 or 3 Thai people who have a Blackberry but have no idea how to use the most simple functions such as SMS or instant messaging.

My students sit with Blackberries all day long sending messages and I have warned them many times that i will fail them if they continue to use them in class. They are simply addicted.

[nikster]

I think this is one of the miracles of marketing in 2009/2010. I don't know how they did it but you have to give it to them, it's pretty amazing. They made the BB sexy. And that's quite a feat considering the things look like yesterday's leftover oatmeal.

The BB marketeers have somehow managed to position the BB as "the next big thing" after the iPhone. Movie star endorsements apparently went a long way there. The message I see in the ads is that you can do "BB chat" and that "BB chat" is mostly used for flirting.

Coming from the west I know the BB as a tool for corporate drones who are addicted to it. BB is doing pretty well world-wide too, and I think in the consumer space they're simply getting all those people who don't want an iPhone for various reasons - everyone already has one, too expensive, want keyboard, hate Apple, whatever. Thinking about it this way, it makes more sense because even though the BB can't touch the iPhone for usability, it's still the second best smart phone out there, and it comes in a huge variety of models and colors. Android phones are yet unknown and hard to get, and there are only very few models to choose from, even less that are actually good. Nokia is dead. Microsoft stuck on WinMo which I don't think anyone but hard-core fanboys consider acceptable...

I am admittedly tempted to get one myself to see how well it works... maybe as a secondary phone...

[CHdiver]

Its a smart phone, so at least there is something smart about them

[Phil Conners]

Android may still be relatively new and unknown in Thailand but lots of models are on the way, just wait and see the next 6-12 month.

[nikster]

Android may still be relatively new and unknown in Thailand but lots of models are on the way, just wait and see the next 6-12 month.

They better stick them on some super stars and hi-sos otherwise they'll go unnoticed

[nikster]

In the mall looking at phones, I noticed tons of teens and uni students looking at BBs. Nobody looking at iPhones. I know why too - a BB costs 10k baht which is pretty cheap compared to 26k for an iPhone.

Cool + cheap = sells like hotcakes.

[anothertorres]

ha, it's not just the Thai kids buying up these BBs. i've seen a couple old farang tooling around with the new BB. neither the Thai kids nor the old farang have any idea how to do anything other than SMS and call. what's worse is the amount of idiots walking around with the BB knockoffs called BlackBerryTV. come on, knock it off. or better yet, don't. enjoy your phone, you look great.

[KhaoNiaw]

I have warned them many times that i will fail them if they continue to use them in class. They are simply addicted.

Sounds like your approach isn't working

[Crushdepth]

Personally I don't like the Blackberry format much, but when I went to buy my Nexus a few weeks ago (MBK) I was shocked to see to see people buying them like lollies. It was a near-frenzy. Everyone but me was buying a Blackberry or fondling one. Some people were walking out with two. Unbelievable.

[moo9]

Where the IPhone still looks and feel "sexy", the BB is a pure business tool with no great multimedia performance. I ran also into some people and asked myself, what the hel_l they are using a BB for.

Amazing Thailand....

[Caliguy]

It has something to do with the word "Berry". Looking at tv shows and commercials they simply love things that have "Berry" in the name.

[tb86]

its all about the black berry messenger systewm and the group format message system that allows you to comunicate with a group...like a open chatroom, 15-20 ppl at a time...without added costs, as bbm is unlimited and included in the data package, so you can use international with no charges... i phone dosent have this feature, but correct me if im wrong

[lucien62]

As several persons mentioned it earlier in the thread: Fashion, trend, celebrities hi-so etc.

I'm always amazed to see how some thai people can be crazy about stuff because others have it already.

It's out of subject but i'd like to check if i'm the only one having this feeling:

I'm always LOL when I see thai people locking their car and then hearing the "bip bip" of their car alarm system. I don't remember hearing this sound so often back in my home country. But here it looks like it is another fashion/trend and as PeteDK said it before: Status symbol, prestige...

And I think it goes on with so many other "accessory things"...

[khunjake]

its all about the black berry messenger systewm and the group format message system that allows you to comunicate with a group...like a open chatroom, 15-20 ppl at a time...without added costs, as bbm is unlimited and included in the data package, so you can use international with no charges... i phone dosent have this feature, but correct me if im wrong

That is exactly it. This has been the primary case for RIMs success in Indonesia the past 3-4 year is the BBM application or what is also called "PIN-to-PIN" messaging. (If you are roaming overseas, then you still get hit with Int'l Data Fees though) It is rapidly becoming the case in Thailand now as well.

[ihunnieibee]

Thai people typically like to be part of a group.

One person got it, someone else..someone else...etc.. If you don't have a BB then they can't BBM you...Then you are out of their little circle.

Since many Thai people can't stand the thought of being left out and doing their own thing (Even at a University level) then they MUST HAVE A BB.

My bf's neice is like 13?? She cried and had such a fit because her parents wouldn't buy her a BB... and being the spoiled brat that she is...she had one a few days later.....mind you that her parents can't even afford to be paying for this device.... -.-

ugh anyways... since I'm attending uni here...I think I'm the only person that doesn't have a BB...lol seriously...

I'm actually tempted to get one because there is a lot of pressure...but then I think to myself...Do I really wanna be avalible to these people 24/7!?!? No thanks lol..

[SoMeOnEnUlL]

It has something to do with the word "Berry". Looking at tv shows and commercials they simply love things that have "Berry" in the name.

Interesting.

[witold]

BB is a good communication device with their bb chat and SMS. It's not just about status. It is a good design that keeps groups connected. Many people prefer physical keyboard.

BB has not been a 'tool for corporate drones' for at least 5 years - at least in the US. It has spread to many different markets.

Iphone 4G will be pretty nice. But the second it comes out it will already be bit behind HTC EVO 4G. Android is the next big thing in mobile.

BTW, Iphone 3Gs (not just 3G) can be had for $99 in the US with standard 2 year contract...

[LJW]

I, also have a Blackberry and an Iphone. The blackberry is much easier to effectively use the camera, but I like the Iphone because the sms messages are all together, sent and received, and I like the graphic text typing . But my Iphone is broken now, so I also bought an e-63 Nokia, which I find myself using more more..

Prices: Iphone 27,000baht 8 gigabyte

Blackberry 22,000baht

Nokia E-63 16,000baht

[jonnyscot]

I, also have a Blackberry and an Iphone. The blackberry is much easier to effectively use the camera, but I like the Iphone because the sms messages are all together, sent and received, and I like the graphic text typing . But my Iphone is broken now, so I also bought an e-63 Nokia, which I find myself using more more..

Prices: Iphone 27,000baht 8 gigabyte

Blackberry 22,000baht

Nokia E-63 16,000baht

Hi Sorry for going slightly off topic here but as I imagine a few BB users reading this, can anyone shed some light for me, my BB 8520 is from UK and currently using PAYG here, incoming SMS messages appear scrambled and can open message, but see no lettering, something to do with BB not identifying thai dict,( as it only happens when receiving thai dict) any solution??

thanks

[QED]

its all about the black berry messenger systewm and the group format message system that allows you to comunicate with a group...like a open chatroom, 15-20 ppl at a time...without added costs, as bbm is unlimited and included in the data package, so you can use international with no charges... i phone dosent have this feature, but correct me if im wrong

That is exactly it. This has been the primary case for RIMs success in Indonesia the past 3-4 year is the BBM application or what is also called "PIN-to-PIN" messaging. (If you are roaming overseas, then you still get hit with Int'l Data Fees though) It is rapidly becoming the case in Thailand now as well.

No you don't.

I use mine overseas alot and I always have the data services set to 'off when roaming' as AIS roaming fees are a joke, but BBM still works separate to this with no additional costs.

Would agree BBM is the major draw for me, otherwise the phone is big, clunky, and not very user friendly tbh.

[nikster]

Would agree BBM is the major draw for me, otherwise the phone is big, clunky, and not very user friendly tbh.

This is the biggest sales point, it's mentioned in all adverts.

Explained here in their own words... an IM system exclusive to BB.

http://uk.blackberry.com/services/blackberrymessenger/

Actually, after watching that video, I have to say this is really cool. I wish there was an app for the iPhone. It's instant messenger, but with a few enhancements that make it be not stupid and clumsy like it is on IM apps. It's basically instant messaging, re-invented for mobile devices. You can add people using their barcode, which is great. Where's the iPhone app for that? Not just to "BBM" with BB users, but in general, to BBM with other iPhone users etc. Impressed.

I am of course less impressed with the general clumsy and old feel of the BB user interface, as seen in the above video. Looks like from 10 years ago :D

[MJo]

Yes it is the messaging which is also affordable due to the operators BB servers. Plus it fashionable and the sheep mentality takes over. Just as it did with iphone which sales are purely based on the looks, hype and fairly good touch screen/UI. Spec wise there is much more advanced phones available, apple is now coming with features which others like Nokia did several years ago.

There is small group of consumers who buy their phones based on their actual needs, business or other but the majority goes with whatever is cool and what their friends have.

[nikster]

Yes it is the messaging which is also affordable due to the operators BB servers. Plus it fashionable and the sheep mentality takes over. Just as it did with iphone which sales are purely based on the looks, hype and fairly good touch screen/UI. Spec wise there is much more advanced phones available, apple is now coming with features which others like Nokia did several years ago.

I think you're wrong on both BB and iPhone.

The iPhone, when it came out, blew everything else away. 3 years later, the competition is still trying to catch up. And it's getting very close, as Android gets ever better. But now the iPhone 4 came out and once again blows everything else away, this time on both hardware specs and software. Don't want to go too far OT... but... the largest tech company in the world wasn't built on hype.

BB is certainly hyped in Thailand right now, but here too there's some underlying technology that sells these. For one thing, if BB is cool, and iPhone is cool, and I was a student, I would buy a BB. It's 10k vs 26k - total no-brainer. I didn't have 26k baht when I was a student, and that was in Europe not Thailand. Second, if all my friends have BB and are using BBM, I have no choice but to buy one too so I can BBM with them. Same reason I bought a Twitter app for the iPhone - my friends were using Twitter, so I spent $2 to have a great twitter app and join in the fun.

I used to have Nokias. I think their current sales figures for smart phones sum up my feelings about the company perfectly. They missed boat after boat and are now close to irrelevance. It didn't have to be this way but Nokia has no clue about software, and it hurts them now.

[bkkjames]

It's far too simple an answer. Blackberry is made by RIM Technologies = Canadian Company = Cool

Nothing to do with unlimited EDGE, easy emails and messenger. Plus, have you seen all those really cool sparkly protective covers? It's almost Blingish.

[Phil Conners]

You need to pay to get Twitter on iPhone? What a downer...

[LivinLOS]

The iPhone, when it came out, blew everything else away. 3 years later, the competition is still trying to catch up. And it's getting very close, as Android gets ever better. But now the iPhone 4 came out and once again blows everything else away, this time on both hardware specs and software. Don't want to go too far OT... but... the largest tech company in the world wasn't built on hype.

How can you say the current android hardware is in any way trying to catch up to the old iPhone ?? Screen (in rez, color, battery life, anything), battery, processors, cameras, etc etc, on every level current gen android v current gen iPhone android wins is superior.

Then even the newly announced iPhone 4.. How is that blowing away android phones ??

Camera ?? 5Mp with no xenon flash, while android phones commonly have 8Mp and xenon, have even seen a 14MP android phone announced with optical zoom if cam is your priority.

Screen ?? Jobs has made a huge deal about this retina screen, its marginally higher rez than current gen android screens but apparently will use 30% more battery power. A battery users still can replace or swap !!

Processor, Android already has 2ghz processors announced, doubling the iPhone 4's speeds.. Phones with flash hardware acceleration (yes flash !!) dedicated GFX cores, etc

Thats without the whole, I must use it as Steve wants, with no flash, no porn, no tethering, crippled bluetooth, no apps that compete with apple, no ads that compete, etc etc etc..

I could go on and on.. But apple years ago nearly bit the dust, when MS made software for everything and apple insisted on making a more expensive, locked to its own hardware only, OS as a package. They insisted on a closed eco system back then and nearly bankrupted the company. Again Jobs is doing precisely the same thing with the mobile space with what appears to be the same result baked into the cake.

[nikster]

I believe all those things about Android when I can buy the devices in the shop. Until then, it's just hot air. All current Android devices have some serious problems, some more, some less, but it's all stuff that the iPhone 2G had solved by 2008.

Megapixels on a camera do not interest me. With those tiny lenses, they're completely irrelevant. I am interested in day to day usability. And also, not interested in tinkering, and as of now, if the web consensus is to be believed, Android still requires a bit of tinkering. Not bashing Android, it's the great hope, and it's making good progress.

As for who's going to bite the dust, time will tell. I also believe that Apple is too closed with its phone. But actual impact on sales right now is low. Many things are pioneered by Apple and they have chosen to err on the side of caution for example with the Apple store, and with disallowing cross platform platforms to run on their phones.

I see clouds on Androids horizon. Because unlike Microsoft back in the day, Google is not selling Android. It's giving it away. It's investing huge amounts of resources in Android - the tech, the partners, etc. That's all great. But there's a downside. Google is a company that at the end of the day wants to make money. Lots of money. And if past experience is anything to go by, Google will leverage its knowledge about you in order to make money. They'll read your emails (they already do). They'll compile a profile of your browsing and other habits (they already do, anonymized of course, but they have so much info that they could at any point pinpoint you personally if they wanted to).

I don't want to sound paranoid but Google's business model is basically built on violating my privacy. That's the bottom line. And eventually that's going to make its way into Android. For all its open-ness, Google controls it.

I think .Mac email vs Gmail is a good example of Apple vs Google business model. I was very annoyed with .Mac - $99/year for what? For email? Google has it for free, and better. But then it occurred to me that paying $99 / year for to keep my data private is pretty reasonable. Google never deletes anything. Automated algorithms keep an eye on me and all other Gmail users. And every so often Google really screws up with the privacy settings, a trend that I believe will continue and worsen.

[LivinLOS]

Look Out, Apple — Android's About to Eat Your Lunch - PCWorld

That sort of covers the same reasons I am knocking the iPhone is the king mindset of your post above..

I also find it comical if you go in the apple forum the tops posts are "can I use this phone I just bought on ebay" "Have just installed OS update and now cant use phone" etc etc etc..

Not thanks.. I will take a rooted android that 'I' control any day, not Steves idea of what I should want to do.