Review
BlackBerry sports a new look and Hitachi tries something different.
Missed Opputunity
The more one observes younger BlackBerry users, the more one realises that the devices have become one-trick ponies. And that trick is the BlackBerry Messenger (BBM), which works just as well on the Torch as on any other BlackBerry. The problem for BlackBerry maker Research In Motion (RIM) arises when users want more than just chat. Unlike the Android marketplace or the iTunes App Store, there are few "fun" applications.
And RIM has failed to do better with Torch. The hybrid architecture of the Torch - a touchscreen as well as a slide-out keyboard - seems familiar. And that is the biggest issue one has with the device. At a time of massive device innovation, both the hardware and software feel like incremental improvements, not revolutions.
Maybe it is due to the lack of a high-resolution screen (only 260 by 480 pixels), or the below-par camera. Nothing is really spectacular about the device. The Torch might attract current Black-Berry acolytes who have older devices. But if BlackBerry wants to get more people hooked to BBM, it needs a better device than this - besides a radical improvement of the apps on offer.
-Kushan Mitra
User-friendly and pricey
If you want to buy 500 gigabytes of portable storage capacity today, you could pick-up a basic drive from a reputed manufacturer for under Rs 5,000. So why should you pay a 45 per cent premium for this product from Hitachi? First, Hitachi has partnered with Cooliris to develop a dynamic visual interface for the content you store on the drive.
This makes finding content a lot easier, though some might argue that you can do something similar (for free) on Windows 7 and Mac OS 10.6. True, but pre-loading the software makes it easier for a large number of people.
The second plus is a four gigabyte USB key that syncs with the drive. So instead of carrying the entire drive, you can carry just the USB key. The third plus is the fact that the manufacturer throws in three gigabytes of free online backup (can be increased for a fee).
This content can be viewed from any browser. While it sounds small, it is more than enough for crucial documents and pictures.
Hitachi has not been very innovative other than come up with the detachable USB key. The innovation, if any, lies in making it extremely easy for regular users.
-KM
The more one observes younger BlackBerry users, the more one realises that the devices have become one-trick ponies. And that trick is the BlackBerry Messenger (BBM), which works just as well on the Torch as on any other BlackBerry. The problem for BlackBerry maker Research In Motion (RIM) arises when users want more than just chat. Unlike the Android marketplace or the iTunes App Store, there are few "fun" applications.
| BlackBerry Torch 9800 +ve: Hybrid touch and physical interface. Improved browser, solid build quality -ve: Poor screen resolution, unimpressive camera Price: Rs 35,000 |
Maybe it is due to the lack of a high-resolution screen (only 260 by 480 pixels), or the below-par camera. Nothing is really spectacular about the device. The Torch might attract current Black-Berry acolytes who have older devices. But if BlackBerry wants to get more people hooked to BBM, it needs a better device than this - besides a radical improvement of the apps on offer.
-Kushan Mitra
User-friendly and pricey
Hitachi LifeMobile Plus
| Hitachi LifeMobile Plus +ve: Easy to use and view content, detachable USB key, online storage -ve: Expensive Price: Rs 6,100 (320GB)/Rs 7,200 (500GB) |
The second plus is a four gigabyte USB key that syncs with the drive. So instead of carrying the entire drive, you can carry just the USB key. The third plus is the fact that the manufacturer throws in three gigabytes of free online backup (can be increased for a fee).
This content can be viewed from any browser. While it sounds small, it is more than enough for crucial documents and pictures.
Hitachi has not been very innovative other than come up with the detachable USB key. The innovation, if any, lies in making it extremely easy for regular users.
-KM
