| 27 Jul 2010 |
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Users say BlackBerry is smart choice
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Tuesday, Jul 27, 2010
Gulf News
Insist device’s easy-to-use tools help them stay connected at home and across the world
Dubai Young Emirati businessmen say they have come to rely on their BlackBerry as an indispensable tool that helps them stay in touch at home and across the world.
After hearing reports of Telecommunication Regulatory Authority’s concerns about the BlackBerry posing a security risk, the businessmen told Gulf News yesterday they were worried that years of hassle-free BlackBerry Messenger service could abruptly end if authorities clamped down on the Canadian-made phones.
Fahad Mohammad Saeed Hareb said he lived in Dubai but worked in Abu Dhabi and that other phones just didn’t cut it when it came to staying in touch.
“For me the BlackBerry is very convenient. It makes things more productive when I am away from the office,” said Hareb, 30. “I can do a lot of work on my BlackBerry in the moment rather than waiting until I get back to the office,” he said.
“It would be a big loss to lose our BlackBerry.”
The beauty of BlackBerry (BB) was its simple keyboard and its free BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) service which allows users to send messages to each others’ phones anywhere in the world, he said.
Multiple conversations
“We send videos and pictures, everything is free. I probably send easily more than 30 BB messages a day.”
It was the free BBM service that prompted Hareb to buy the BlackBerry over other phones in the market, he said. “I have an iPhone as well but for work I do everything on my BlackBerry,” he said.
Ishaq Al Khan, 30, is a Dubai businessman who can often be found hammering out his latest SMSs and emails throughout the day.
“The BBM is very convenient. It is amazing for connection. That’s what develops societies and civilisations,” Al Khan said.
He said that he hoped the BlackBerry remained available as a licensed device in the UAE but understood why there may be concerns.
No control
“I think they’re worried because they don’t have control over it,” he said, adding that the BlackBerry shouldn’t be singled out over other smart phones.
“You can misuse any technology, why is the BlackBerry any different?”
Khalid Al Ali, 33, is an Emirati businessman who said he was so impressed with BlackBerry that he owned and operated two of them.
“I have one for work and one for personal [use]. They’re amazing. I stay in touch with family all he time, including my sister who lives in the UK,” he said.
Al Ali said he could “understand their concerns from a security point of view but you can’t have absolute control”.
He estimated he sends about 20 messages a day on his BBM service.
javed nawab/Gulf News
Losing out
Users feared an end to a hassle-free service after the TRA voiced concern that the BlackBerry could pose a security risk.
technology
You can misuse any technology, why is the BlackBerry any different?”
Ishaq Al Khan
Businessman
By Derek Baldwin?Business Features Reporter
© Gulf News 2010. All rights reserved.
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