Blackberry, Needs Or Wants?

Blackberry. Who doesn't know this stuff nowadays? Yes, it's a smart phone that enable its owner to be contacted anytime. This device is able to support many wireless information services, such as push e-mail, mobile telephone, text messaging, web browsing, etc. Blackberry is also completed with personal organizer application like calendar, to-do list, and address book.

The owner of this smart phone can send and receive e-mail anytime and anywhere. Of course this concludes the condition when the phone can access a wireles network of certain cellular phone carriers. That's why it seems like the owner can be contacted anytime and anywhere.

Blackberry is also completed with instant messaging application. With a Blackberry, the user can chat between each other via Yahoo Messenger, Google Talk, or Skype. This os why the user seems like he/she is always on line all the time.

In Indonesia, especially in Jakarta (I don't know with other cities), it's like almost everyone has a Blackberry. When you are in a shopping center, perhaps 2 of 5 people hold Blackberry on their hands. They don't even be bothered with their surroundings. Sometimes you will see them laughing by theirselves. No, they are not crazy. They are chatting with their friends via their Blackberry (what is the plural form of Blackberry actually? Blackberries?? Since I am confused, I'll use the single form).

What is Blackberry created for? First, it was made by RIM (Research In Motion, a Canadian company) by concentrating on e-mail. So, actually this smart phone is much more suitable for professionals or businessmen rather than, in example, for teenagers. But today, it seems like everyone in town can't be aparted from Blackberry. Even teenagers and housewives have Blackberry, without knowing what exactly all the capabilities this smart phone has. Having and using Blackberry become everyone's lifestyle. People suddenly become Blackberry addicts.

Actually, I don't feel bothered with this situation. But when I see people anywhere hold their Blackberry in their hand, only to chat with their friends, I start questioning myself, "Are they sick people? When are they going to enjoy life out there in the real world?"

This afternoon, in a family gathering, my family had a little discussion about Blackberry. My uncle said, "Indonesia is a poor country. But based on a research, a unit of Blackberry is sold in every minute."

Okay, I admit that I agree with what he said. The rich people become richer and the poor become the opposite. I wonder if the rich people have Blackberry, do they really need it? Have they ever thought about giving some of their belongings to the poor? Do they pay luxuriant taxes (if Blackberry can be concluded as a luxury thing)?

Even my cousin (I never thought she would say this) said, "Blackberry makes the people aparted become closer. But it also creates distances between people that are not too far away aparted."

Yep! This, I admit, is a fact too. When Blackberry becomes a lifestyle, the owner will usually use it for chatting with his/her friends anytime and anywhere. It won't be a problem if they chat with their colleagues or their aparted friends. But sometimes, when there's a gathering, and some of people in it have Blackberry, they still chat with others via Blackberry. Is that what you call a gathering, when everyone is busy with their Blackberry?

So, first, if you plan to buy a Blackberry, or other similar stuffs like IPhone and some Nokia N-series, you have to ask yourself, whether you really need this smart phone or you just envy your friends. Second, if you already have it, please use the device wisely (only when you need it) because it can make you a Blackberry addict, in a negative meaning.