In the latest stab into the belly of Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT), Google (NASDAQ: GOOG) has said that its Google Calendar product can now synchronize with Research In Motion (NASDAQ: RIMM)'s BlackBerry products. With the BlackBerry being the portable email device of choice for millions in the U.S., the ability to bypass Microsoft's over-the-air calendar syncing (available on newer Windows Mobile competitive devices) is yet another way Google is teaming with partners to make the software giant less relevant in an on-demand and internet-connected customer world.Although this technically is not a revolutionary achievement, the ability of Google Calendar to sync with such a ubiquitous device should cause Ol' Softie concern. The days of needing an Exchange server and Outlook syncing are ending for business users who demand anytime, anywhere, any-device access to their email and calendars. With Google Gmail and Calendar, many business users can now get that fix and not be tied to one platform or a handful of devices. This latest development is significant, since BlackBerry users can now view their Google Calendar information even while in poor wireless service areas, since the syncing retrieves Google Calendar data and downloads it onto the BlackBerry itself instead of sending users off to a website that may not work on that subway or airplane.
Will this feature alone really compete that well with Microsoft's "push" feature and RIM's own "BlackBerry Enterprise Server" offerings? Possibly, but only to those who prefer Google Calendar as their main calendar tool instead of Microsoft's Outlook product sitting on a corporate server somewhere. But, more and more business customers want an experience that works instead of a platform that works -- and Google Calendar easily fits that description.
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