Recently Google finally completed the final step necessary to move over to a pure Google Apps Email environment called Google Apps Connector for Blackberry Enterprise Server for an office that uses BlackBerrys.

Get the benefits of Google Apps with the BlackBerry experience you’re already accustomed to. Integrate the Google Apps messaging suite with BlackBerry Enterprise Server (BES), letting employees use built-in BlackBerry applications for access to their Google Apps email, calendar, and contacts.

Some people have explained to me that you can get all the benefits of Google Apps today without a BES connection. I patiently agree, but this is a stop gap at best to true native BlackBerry support. I explained I wanted native email inbox drops, native calendar support, and native contacts management – now I can with the Google Apps connector. The ideal solution allows the ability to get a brand new blackberry and sign into the enterprise activation area and have a working synced device ready to go in as much time as the initial sync. takes.

That is where we run into trouble.

You see, most enterprise configurations have either an onsite Exchange Server and BES running, or a hosted Exchange Server with BES. Under a local scenario we could simply leave the BES running and use Google Apps.

For this to be a truly redundant, backed up, and fail safe option (I know this is impossible – but less of a problem than onsite) I am looking to have a Blackberry Enterprise Server hosted in the cloud – then use the Google Apps Connector.

So far nobody has the answer – but I have made some progress.

Option 1: AWS – Amazon Web Services
Setup an EC2 instance running Blackberry Enterprise Server and run the Google Apps Connector that way

Option 2: Hosted solution (RackSpace or some other provider)
This would be a managed host that sets up BES and then allows me to run Google Apps Connector

Option 3: Google
They come up with some solution

I think there is an opportunity here to setup instances of servers running BES that allow people the customizations they want. Right now, all managed email hosting solutions want to sell you a white label email solution or an MS Exchange box. These are both options I am looking to avoid.

Conclusion:
I need a hosted server able to run BES, that allows control to put on Google Apps Connector. This seems to be uncharted territory, even for seasoned Google Apps transfer providers. I hope that someone comes across this post and can provide some insight into this problem.

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Google Apps Connector For BES

From the source:

BlackBerry App World is available for free! If you have a PayPal account, and if your BlackBerry® smartphone meets the system requirements, then you’re ready to download BlackBerry App World from your smartphone or from your desktop computer.
* BlackBerry App World is only available to customers in US, Canada and UK and may not be available on all networks

Interesting that you have to have a paypal account to use the service. To me this signifies not only transactions for purchasing apps from App World itself, but also hopefully in application transactions as well for upgrades, virtual goods, and perhaps subscriptions.

There is an extensive developer section, although I have heard it has been a confusing process.

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Blackberry App World Launches

With all the BlackBerry hype surrounding Obama’s usage of a Blackberry, you would think that RIM would be doing everything and anything possible to get a secure custom device into his hands for the next four years.

It now appears that Obama will get to hang on to the Blackberry One (or is it BOTUS?) a little longer. Hopefully this new more secure blackberry will be something he can hang onto.

I have been following the coverage of Obama usage of his Blackberry and all the attention it has gotten the device. First, you cannot ask for that level of publicity. Second, it calls into question the security of such devices and will probably result in an overall audit of the civilian devices and push innovation in this area.

Hearing the other day that the new White House staff arrived to archaic technology was no surprise, but I had no idea how bad it really was. Phones didn’t work, computers were not hooked up, laptops were scarce, and things were just missing. I think this coming technology audit to bring the White House truly into the 21st century will be a good thing. I am sure there will be some hiccups along the way (in the form of security breaches, data loss, and other) but that is the nature of the IT beast.

Our new President represents a force in technology as represented by his campaign and the social network deployed to support it. Usage of a cutting edge communications device, like the Blackberry, should be used at the highest levels of power.

Now the goal is to see if Obama wants to be Blackberry friends with me…

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Blackberry One

I just found out the latest version of Google Mobile Sync. will allow you the ability to synchronize contacts with your Gmail account and a blackberry.

This is something I have been waiting for for a long time and happy they finally integrated support for this.

When looking at the apps that I use and how they are backed up in the cloud it is interesting to see the progression. Currently I have a synced calender, contacts, docs, and files hosted on multiple services and certainly on multiple servers.

The idea of hardware with roots on the net is appealing to me more more and more. Think netbooks, mobile phones, and other devices that will soon integrate beyond their original intention point due to software and bandwidth innovations.

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Synchronize Contacts with Google Mobile Sync

Blackberry vs. iphone vs. treo failure rate
Social Media is like the Matrix – Because you have to USE social media to understand it.
No more windows 3.x - the end of an era
Ways to fail and come out on top
Are holographic reporters going to become the norm? I hope not…
Things you wish you knew when you were younger

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Links Roundup

December ’07 Update:

Google Maps 2.0 – If you already have Google Maps for your mobile device, it’s time to upgrade! Google has a great new feature which pinpoints your location (based on cell-tower triangulation). There is no need for GPS if you have this function because it’s surprisingly accurate! Note: it works fine on the blackberry but couldn’t get it to work on Windows Mobile (it figures).

Navizon – here is another wireless positioning app that Eric recommends

September ’07 Update:

YouTube Mobile – Unfotunately I couldn’t get this to work on my Motorola Q but it may work with other Windows Mobile devices.

Google Reader – mobile RSS. I currently prefer bloglines’ mobile product but this one isn’t bad.

February 2007 Update:

Google Home Page: Do you have a customized Google home page with weather, stocks, gmail, and rss feeds? If not, you can now have one on your phone, pda or blackberry. It’s pretty nice actually – I just made it my home page.

January 2007 Update:

Google’s Mobile Applications: Google offers free and trustworthy applications for pda’s, blackberry’s and mobile phones. Many of the mobile apps that I’ve downloaded for the blackberry do not function very well but the below google apps function reliably:

Gmail - This flash-based mobile application is like having an exchange server for your gmail (well almost). The program enables almost all of the same great gmail features on your blackberry, pda and most mobile phones – you can: search your entire archive of mail and sent mail; it memorizes all contacts and anticipates email address in the “to” field; it functions much quicker than one would imagine. Beware of steep data fees from your phone company (but it could be good to have on your phone in case of emergency…). I highly recommend it. Click this on your mobile browser: gmail.com/app.

Google Maps – Google Maps allows you to search for businesses, plot map directions, view cross streets, or view satellite imagery of a specific location. This program works much better if you have an EVDO or EDGE data network.

Google Talk – (blackberry only) Chat with gmail friends in an IM format. Hopefully Google will collaborate with AOL Instant Messenger someday. In the meantime, RambleIM (free) works decently well on blackberries for AOL Instant Messenger.

11/14 Update:

Bitty Browser: m.bitty.com offers a collection of mobile friendly websites and if you go to bitty.com, you can create your own condensed version of your favorite sites. Hit tip to Micropursuasion for putting me on to the site.

Skweezer.net: Skweezer continues to be a favorite tool for “skweezing” websites for the mobile screen. This is much easier to use when you’re on the go than bitty.com. To learn more about it, tune into our interview with Kevin Perkins, CEO of Skweezer on marketing.fm podcast #3.

Helpful Blackberry Websites: This collection is provided by RIM and can be accessed from the Blackberry help link in the browser. Most of these sites are terrible! Some of the recommended sites are completely dysfunctional too. I can’t believe that RIM doesn’t have a better reference.

10/3/06 Update:

Mobile Newsweek – this site is limited to headlines. Maybe it will prove to be an effective marketing tool or a purchase inspiration for those on-the-go. I would personally prefer more inclusive content and at least a few full articles. Mobile marketers, especially in the News industry, should look to the NYTimes and BBC Mobile sites for inspiration.

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Time Magazine - I enjoy any mobile access to news however, I don’t necessarily like to read long articles. This site is good for reading headlines and cover stories but I prefer the BBC and NYTimes for breaking news throughout the day.

Digg.com – Digg is a great resource for the hottest developments on the web (primarlily tech news and blog coverage). I love having access to these stories on the go.

The New York Times

TechCrunch – Thanks to Dave Weiner for making this possible. TechCrunch is one of my favorite sites and I am happy to have a mobile version.

Marketing.FM – the mobile version

Yomoblog – enables mobile blog posting via mobile browser (Free registration required).

Amazon Anywhere – Access the entire Amazon.com library of books, movies, reviews etc. You can even buy from the road.

Ebay Mobile – Check on your bids or items for sale from your mobile phone or blackberry.

IMDB (Internet Movie Database) – Find out exactly who was in that movie on the tip of your tongue.

AdAge Mobile Edition – AdAge Headlines Condensed

NYTimes.com Mobile – This site is very new. I still prefer the older avant go version.

CNet Mobile Edition – The complete website is condensed for mobile pleasure.

NY Post Mobile Edition – Access NYC News, Gossip, and Sports

ebbogie.com – This Site provides a number of decent mobile website links worth checking out.

BBC World News Mobile

MoviePhone.com Mobile – Find a theatre or movie by zip code. This site could be a lot better than it is.

Google Mobile – Search the web, images, or access a mobile version of Gmail. This is a particularly well designed mobile website (what do you expect?)

Variety Mobile Edition

Technorati Mobile

Marketing.FM

Bloglines Mobile – Great for reading your feeds on the go.

Mobile Friendly Websites

Mobile Friendly Websites Update: February 8th

Technorati Tags: google, mobile apps, gmail, google maps, ramble im, google talk, pda friendly websites, mobile friendly websites, google home page, mobile websites, blackberry websites, mobile, marketing.fm, amazon anywhere, New York Times mobile, Time, pda, blackberry, picassa, youtube, google reader, skweezer, bitty

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Mobile Friendly Websites: December’07 Update