Blackberry usability

Several weeks ago we purchased the Blackberry 7230. This calculator-sized device is popular in the States, but has only recently become available in New Zealand. In a nutshell, it is a mobile device that allows you to read and reply to emails wherever you are – in a taxi, an airport, a meeting (guilty). Given that I’ve had 9 trips to Auckland and Christchurch in the last three months the killer application for me was having access to email while travelling.

It didn’t take long for dependence to kick in. The trouble is that the “quirks” of any interface just become plain annoying when you use something all day, everyday. (Usability practitioners are forever cursed. We’re like a musician who goes to a gig and can’t help but notice every off note, slightly too early high hat). There are a number of problems at different interaction levels. Read more »