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technology: BlackBerry vs. iPhone: A Battle of Small-Biz 'Apps'

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BlackBerry vs. iPhone: A Battle of Small-Biz 'Apps'

SmartMoney.com

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May 7, 2009
By Diana Ransom
(Page 5 of 12)
Credit Card Processing

Credit Card Processing


BlackBerry

VS.

iPhone

Pocket Verifier Professional ($39.95 upfront and $24.95 a month) from Advanced Merchant Solutions Credit Card Terminal ($49.99 upfront and $25 a month) from Inner Fence
   
Originally written for another smartphone manufacturer, the developer of this credit card processing app says there may be deployment issues and other discrepancies. There is a perk: Credit card companies charge less when you use this app versus swiping a card on a machine -- 1.69% of the total transaction cost versus 2.2%. There's also a 30-cent-per-transaction fee that gets billed to the merchant. With the iPhone's ability to access both Wi-Fi and 3G wireless networks, transactions on this app generally get processed more swiftly than on BlackBerry Pocket Verifier Professional, says Enderle. Credit card companies also charge less when you use this app versus swiping a card on a machine -- 2.09% of the total transaction cost versus 3.79%. There's also a 24-cent-per-transaction fee that gets billed to the merchant.
   
  ADVANTAGE: iPhone


Customer Relationship Management Apps >>>

Last 5 Comments
honestabe Posted: 8:57 AM On May 28, 2009
The people here who say they have had a iPhone and then went back to the blackberry are probably inventing their experiences. I do have both - my work supplies the Blackberry, and the Blackberry is MUCH more tedius to use. There isn't anything I prefer to do on the Blackberry - typing on the iPhone is easier. If you are someone who has mastered the Blackberry keyboard, of course it will take you a little time to become as good on the iPhone.
dtue57 Posted: 2:22 PM On May 11, 2009
I'm with the professor. I had (have) an I-phone. Tried it twice but returned to the Curve; Iphone doesn't compare with the Blackberry for ease of use - I can do everything in one hand and without dropping the phone. I love the Apple apps but they aren't worth the trade off.
fabian Posted: 10:27 PM On May 9, 2009
i had a 'Palm smart phone' it sucks ,my blackberry howerever is wonderful
Justin Sane Posted: 2:28 PM On May 9, 2009
I realize this is a face-off between BlackBerry and iPhone but what about Palm. Weren't they around LONG before these two dumbphones decided they wanna be like the true smartphone which is Palm? And doesn't Palm have more applications than both of these knock-offs combined. When I wanted a smartphone I went to the original and the best. Not either of these 'knock-offs'. I'm just saying...
Justin Sane Posted: 2:27 PM On May 9, 2009
I realize this is a face-off between BlackBerry and iPhone but what about Palm. Weren't they around LONG before these two dumbphones decided they wanna be like the true smartphone which is Palm? And doesn't Palm have more applications than both of these knock-offs combined. When I wanted a smartphone I went to the original and the best. Not either of these 'knock-offs'. I'm just saying...
Justin Sane Posted: 11:05 AM On May 9, 2009
I realize this is a face-off between BlackBerry and iPhone but what about Palm. Weren't they around LONG before these two dumbphones decided they wanna be like the true smartphone which is Palm? And doesn't Palm have more applications than both of these knock-offs combined. When I wanted a smartphone I went to the original and the best. Not either of these 'knock-offs'. I'm just saying...
Xavier Posted: 7:59 PM On May 8, 2009
Has anyone checked who is Enderle? I have and he seems to be a one man shop and not very credible....
Ron Posted: 6:26 PM On May 8, 2009
AP News is vaialble for BB as well...
re: ProfessorDJF typing Posted: 4:48 PM On May 8, 2009
This used to be a much talked about issue with the iPhone. Yet most who live with it a few days get the hang quickly -- you ultimately just need to trust the auto-check, and it ceases to be an issue. Personally, I can type faster on the iphone than on a Blackberry, and I prefer the over size display and plethora of applications: both fun and productive.
Z Posted: 3:42 PM On May 8, 2009
I am just waiting for my Blackberry contract to finish. IPHONE looks much cooler than BB............no wonder IPHONE is the winner.
ProfessorDJF Posted: 3:16 PM On May 8, 2009
I cannot believe that the author of this article failed to realize the most fundamental advantage of the Blackberry over an Iphone. The Blackberry has a REAL, PHYSICAL Keyboard. That trumps all of the application advantages, in my book. I've tried Iphone over and over and cannot get the touch keypad to work correctly. And to do what I need to do with it I need to type quickly and accurately.
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