 |
| July 3, 2009
Northern tech-sposure
 Mark Merrell is a Senior Technical Writer at Rogers.  Email Mark
I love Canada Day! Last night I was sitting in my lawn chair and enjoying the fireworks. While enjoying the lulls between explosions, I was texting my cousin in England on my BlackBerry®. I then thought, "How much have we changed with the introduction of the BlackBerry?"
Of course, there are other cell phones that offer similar services or features and many will decry my focus on the BlackBerry. But, since it was Canada Day, I thought I would focus on a Canadian company that offers a product that has truly changed not only how we as Canadians interact, but how the rest of the world does as well.
Flashback
Research in Motion (RIM), a Waterloo-based company, is the creator of the globally-recognized BlackBerry. RIM started off as a small company in 1995 with venture capital. They developed and released the first BlackBerry in 1999.
In case you've been in a coma for the past 10 years, BlackBerries have features such as e-mail, mobile telephone, text messaging, internet faxing, web browsing and other services.
What has the BlackBerry done for us?
From this 1999 release, the BlackBerry has intertwined itself into our everyday lives. It's become a source of Canadian pride - it's a homegrown product that's become a strong force in the global consumer technology market.
When you've created a product with a name so readily recognized, you know you have made it. The BlackBerry is the consumer technology for business. Yes, I said for business. I think the iPhone is the phone for fun. I really want to get the new one that was just released, but I cant justify having two cell phones. I dont even use my home phone that much anymore.
This brings us to another reason why the BlackBerry has done so well. It has provided the busy professional with constant access and communication to their workplace, allowing greater connectivity between roaming workers. Wow. Quite the mouthful there. But, its true. Being able to stay in touch with the office while on the road or in a meeting allows real-time decision making and information access.
This is just another sign of the BlackBerry leading the way in our changing world.
A cautionary note
The BlackBerry allows you to access information at will and very conveniently. That being said, we refer to it as a CrackBerry for a reason. It has a certain addictive quality - you feel a need to be on it constantly. Our dependence on technology has evolved from such ailments as "repetitive-strain" and "carpal-tunnel" to "berry thumb" and "berry blister". And how many times have you seen two people sitting at a table in a restaurant and one is furiously typing away on their BlackBerry while the other is fuming across the table? I know a few relationships that were put in jeopardy over excessive BlackBerry use.
In the end, the BlackBerry is a tool. A Canadian army knife, if you will. So, by all means, use your BlackBerry. Just be aware that being in constant communication should also include those physically present around you, not just those back at the office.
Happy Belated Canada Day!
|
|
| | Tech Mates strives to bring you informative articles each week about how to get the most out of your time online, but we know that sometimes problems persist and you need help right away. Check these handy online sources for immediate assistance with your Rogers Yahoo! Hi-Speed Internet service:
| | | |  Rogers Yahoo! Help - Need help with a specific question, issue or problem? Quickly find the support information you're looking for Rogers Yahoo! Help:
Rogers Yahoo! Tutorials - Step-by-step instructions to help you make the most of your Rogers Yahoo! products
My Account - Change your Rogers Yahoo! password, select portal preferences, add secondary accounts and edit your personal info
Rogers Online Protection - Take the hassle out of protecting your computer, your files, and your family online with Rogers' all-in-one security suite.
Internet Services FAQs - Find answers to all your questions using the interactive database of Frequently Asked Questions on Rogers.com
Internet Help - Looking for info about installation options, system requirements, scheduled outages or technical assistance? Go to Internet Help on rogers.com
Online Self Service - Manage all of your Rogers services online. View and pay bills, update your account information, add new products and much more. Sign up today.
Customer Service " By Email" By Phone" By Mail
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
TV Stevie
The Real World is still really funny |
|  |
| Recent Tech Mates Archives | Jul. 03, 2009 :
Northern tech-sposure
Jun. 26, 2009 :
Green Tech Part 3: "Greening" your old computer
Jun. 18, 2009 :
Apple improves on near-perfection with iPhone 3G S
Jun. 11, 2009 :
Even faster speeds with Rogers Lite and Express Internet
Jun. 05, 2009 :
Coming out NOW: Gran Torino on Rogers On Demand
May. 28, 2009 :
TV Buying 101: LCD vs. Plasma
May. 21, 2009 :
Web Gems II: More free software from the Internet
May. 14, 2009 :
Going green with your old cell phone
May. 12, 2009 :
Don't let your computer join the zombie hordes
May. 01, 2009 :
Recession meets Technology: Cost effective computing
| |
|
Help
