I was thinking about this over the weekend. Something was always bugging me about why I didn't use some features of my BlackBerry more often than I do, specifically the camera and voice recorder.

The more I thought about it, I realized that one of the things that RIM hasn't realized with their consumerization trend is how to bypass the lock to get to some useful apps. Currently, when a consumer or BES managed user has a lock setup on their device the default option is to not allow outgoing calls (except emergency) when locked. However, they give you the optio nto change that option for cases where people want that.


I was thinking that RIM give the option to allow the usage of voice notes, video, or the camera while a device is locked. This could be done by only allowing if those specific apps are liked to a convenience key or maybe even by a particular keyboard or screen combination (for the Storm), such as pressing the trackball quickly two consecutive times.

With a BES IT Policy, BES Administrators could still lock this feature down for their managed devices, as they can disable the camera and video recorder features via policy. Because many users in the Enterprise are increasingly using their devices for both work and personal use, this is an option that would be increasingly user friendly. It currently inhibits the ability for a security minded consumer and those in more flexible Enterprises to take full advantage of certain productivity features a BlackBerry has to offer in an friendly, hassle free manner.

I have had way too many cases where I’ve wanted to quickly take a picture or make a voice note about something, only to have to unlock my device first. Since many states and cities are not only regulating how to make calls in your cars, but more and more are starting to add texting laws. If I want to make a note of something while I'm driving and need to unlock my device, I can now be puleld over for texting because I have to unlock my device first.

... I've already butt dialed the state police twice ... and have received phone calls back.

If I didn't have my device locked at all times I wasn't intending to use it I'd probably end up in jail for all the prank calls.

That said, it is an interesting perspective and does truly focus on the consumer aspect of device usage.

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http://blog.port3101.org/hdawg/

The views expressed by me on Port3101 and its affiliated sites are my own and do not necessarily reflect the views of my employer.

Certainly it's more consumer based, but many professionals rely on voice recorders like doctors, teachers/professors, architects, etc. I'm sure many people could use those features more while driving, walking to meetings, etc, without unlocking . I know I'd use them more often if it were easier to access than having to unlock to record. It would be nice to be able to record/snap and save, but not allow reviewing without unlocking.

This really clocked for me after a friend was in an accident, but forgot the license plate of the hit-skip driver by the time he was able to write it down.

GPS navigation is another app that would be good to bypass the lockout time.

__________________
AUTIGER92
Exchange\Blackberry Admin
4 - BES Servers (4.1.6), 3 Exchange Organizations,
~1800 BB Users, and a headache.
War Eagle!!

... but if you've got to record something couldn't you wait the 5 seconds to record it? Taking a picture I get, but voice recording ...

I get your point though; quite valid.

__________________
http://blog.port3101.org/hdawg/

The views expressed by me on Port3101 and its affiliated sites are my own and do not necessarily reflect the views of my employer.