Mobile Ministry Magazine: Celio Redfly Now Compatible with BlackBerry Devices (MMM)

Setting a foundation at the intersection of faith and mobile technology

How do churches, mission groups, organizations, communities, parents, and people respond to life when their use of mobile technology intersects with their faith? Here, we not just ask that question, but present the foundations for answering it. Read more about Mobile Ministry Magazine (MMM) and its mission/vision.

Friday, November 13, 2009

Celio Redfly Now Compatible with BlackBerry Devices

Some good news out there for those of you who use RIM BlackBerry devices and have looked somewhat longingly at the Celio Redfly. In the past weeks, the versatile Celio Redfly smartphone companion devices have added BlackBerry devices to its list of compatible smartphones. So this means that for those of you who do your work on a BlackBerry, and don't want the hassle of finding wireless keyboard drivers or carrying a netbook, that you have a solid solution.

A few reviews have already been published about the Redfly+BlackBerry package, here's a snippet from the review from Brighthand:

Image: Celio Redfly CN8, via The Mobile Gadgeteer

...BlackBerrys don't have an on-screen cursor in exactly the way a PC does, so Celio had to adapt. The Redfly's trackpad-- and mouse if you plug one in -- acts like a 5-way D-pad. This can move the selection point up, down, left and right, but not diagonally. Hitting the left mouse button is the same as pressing in on the track-ball on the BlackBerry. The Redfly has a set of Up, Right, Left, Down buttons, and I often find these easier than the mouse or trackpad...

We've talked about the Redfly+Smartphone combination here a few times. This is really a good solution for those of you who'd have little to no problem working from your smartphone for long spells, but could use the larger screen and closer-to-full-sized keyboard. Add to that you get 8hrs of use out of the combination, and you really do end up with a very robust mobile solution.

There are a number of churches/orgainzations which may have looked at BlackBerries and Windows Mobile devices as enterprise-like solutions for communication and productivity. This Redfly+smartphone works really well. And, instead of configuring laptops, then having to track those (more expenses), you get something a lot less expensive in the Redfly, and something that requires a lot less maintenance for you (the IT department) and the user.

For more info, to download drivers for your device, or to see the different Redfly models available, check out the Celio website.

If you are using the Redfly, we'd love to hear how you are getting along with it and some of the positives and challenges. Leave your note in the comments below.

Labels: BlackBerry, ceilo redfly, mobility, Windows Moible