What does X platform offer that Y doesn't?

rudeguy

Lifer
Dec 27, 2001
47,351
14
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As far as cell phone operating systems go, is there anyone feature that one offers that none of the others do?
 

gsaldivar

Diamond Member
Apr 30, 2001
8,691
1
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As far as I know, due to an architecture limitation, Android doesn't yet have a way to record calls to SD card. (all the apps claiming to be able to do this are actually just recording mic input instead of capturing the audio stream from the call, as a result the person on the other end of the call is barely audible in the recording)

Also, Android doesn't have stock (bundled) Notes and Tasks apps, which limit the extent of the data that can be synced to corporate messaging systems (Exchange). There are many 3rd party workarounds, but it would be significantly more convenient to have stock apps that ensure baseline compatibility for syncing.
 
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gsaldivar

Diamond Member
Apr 30, 2001
8,691
1
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Well BlackBerry's trump card is security. Nothing comes close.

I have to agree with that for the most part...

But it's a little misleading to say that BB is the only platform that offers "security" while other platforms don't.

As you know, not every target market has the same security requirements (and not every BB device uses the same security protection for all users), and it isn't really fair to measure every device against the maximum corporate/gov't security standard that the BB was engineered to comply with. :)
 

rudeguy

Lifer
Dec 27, 2001
47,351
14
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I have to agree with that for the most part...

But it's a little misleading to say that BB is the only platform that offers "security" while other platforms don't.

As you know, not every target market has the same security requirements (and not every BB device uses the same security protection for all users), and it isn't really fair to measure every device against the maximum corporate/gov't security standard that the BB was engineered to comply with. :)

Right. I thought SIM protection was more than enough. I never fully understood BB security even when I selling it.

Then the whole Obamaberry thing came about where RIM had to add more security for Obama's phone.

I R confuzzled
 

gsaldivar

Diamond Member
Apr 30, 2001
8,691
1
81
Then the whole Obamaberry thing came about where RIM had to add more security for Obama's phone.

I think that whole story was more news fluff than substance (are you surprised?). Obama simply agreed to keep secure communications off the BB rather than rely on "upgraded" security for that. There was some rumor of him being provided with a $3300.00 military-grade Sectera Edge, but I have yet to see a single picture of him carrying that beast around...
 
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DivideBYZero

Lifer
May 18, 2001
24,117
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Right. I thought SIM protection was more than enough. I never fully understood BB security even when I selling it.

Then the whole Obamaberry thing came about where RIM had to add more security for Obama's phone.

I R confuzzled

I've been carrying a corp provided BB for over five years. The security is good enough that essentially my BB is on our internal network 24/7. Our business is Software/consulting and our IT & Legal guys are paranoid to the extreme, so for a device to be given such access you had better be sure it's water tight.

With the wife moving to Apple from RIM the difference in security is patently clear. With her Corporate email on the iPhone she has to constantly log in to the VPN. The max amount of time it can stay logged in is 8 hours. Why? I would only guess it's because at the end of it all a four digit number can be busted with patience and time, let alone technology. Not only that, but jailbreak an iPhone and you can go nuts on the data. Same for Android. Root it and go to town on the data. BB OS? Go ahead, even if you could break in, which no one has, the data is triple DES encrypted.

Not one other mobile platform can offer that.
 

gsaldivar

Diamond Member
Apr 30, 2001
8,691
1
81
Not only that, but jailbreak an iPhone and you can go nuts on the data. Same for Android. Root it and go to town on the data. BB OS? Go ahead, even if you could break in, which no one has, the data is triple DES encrypted.

The "security" comes from encryption, not from the fact that the phone lacks root or jailbreak. Maybe you are referring to the 3GS issue where it was discovered that Apple was relying on a simple form of obfuscation to conceal data on the device while calling it "data security (!!!)... FYI - there are 3rd party enhancements to both the newly-released iOS4 and Android that provide true data encryption.

When done correctly, jailbreak or rooting will not help an attacker gain access to encrypted data.
 
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shortylickens

No Lifer
Jul 15, 2003
80,287
17,081
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It is useless in a work environment due to its buggyness.

Its not useless at all, but it is less favorable.
And the fact so many businessmen and lawyers beg their IT guys for iPhones and Android phones means they dont care about little issues. They can easily settle for something thats a less perfect business phone and more useful general purpose phone.

Getting back to the OP, there really arent too many things the average user actually needs to force them into one particular platform. Its mostly how susceptible they are to advertising hype and personal preference. When the new Nokia OS comes out it could possibly be a game changer, but likely not.