Comments on: What happened to Research In Motion and where are they going?

By: Omegaman

Omegaman — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 02:00:22 +0000

I read with great interest all the comments about RIM, Apple, Android and the rest. I am seriously considering a Blackberry Bold 9700, but have some serious hesitation as I read more reviews.

I have owned most high tech phones available, usually buying them when they first come out, like I am considering doing with the Blackberry Bold 9700. I have two IPhones, a PPC6700, a AT&T Tilt, and a number of other phones. But, no Blackberry. I have never owned a Blackberry myself, but did buy my wife a 7100i, which quite frankly was a complete peace of junk.

So, having never used a Blackberry for any amount of time (other than trying to get the wifes working every other day), and after reading this and other articles, I am not sure I want one.

Somebody tell me just what is so great about a Blackberry, and specifically if possible the Bold 9700 as compared to say the IPhone 3GS? I use two phones and will not be replacing the IPhone 3GS.

Note: I am not loyal to any one company, not seeing any real benefit to me to be so. The IPhone is the first product I have ever bought from Apple, so am not any loyal Apple person. I purchase, after many weeks of reviewing and researching, what I think best fits my needs and desires. I really want a good (or preferably many) good reason/reasons to purchase the Blackberry Bold 9700 in the next couple of days. I would use one phone mostly for work, and the other mostly for personal use.

Thanks

By: robert

robert — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:46:01 +0000

@killbot: “I SHOULD be able to check a contact, and see emails, BBM, SMS, and calls (Palm)”

Open address book, highlight a contact, press menu, press activity log. Done.

By: killbot

killbot — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:51:14 +0000

edit: where I said form-factor, I meant ergonomics. The ease of use of the hardware.

When it comes to form factor, they could really stand to have some new blood. They have massive duplication in their line as is.

By: killbot

killbot — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:40:05 +0000

be the best, or retire.

BB is making it clear that they were never prepared for the consumer uptake of business phones.

In form factor, they are tops.
In business, I’m pretty sure they’re still #1.
And they have the BBM user-base.

But they are way behind in advancing useability and innovation. I SHOULD be able to check a contact, and see emails, BBM, SMS, and calls (Palm). As soon as I saw this, it was elementary, and everyone should be scrambling to imitate.
That’s only one example… but it just shows how slow they are.

For now, the perfect keypad, and BBM will keep me loyal. But if the Palm Pre had BBM, and the keypad was usable, I’d be GONE.

By: killbot

killbot — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:31:22 +0000

aDK hit it on the head.

Blackberry for me is the keypad and BBM. GF, family, coworked are all on BBM, and that’s the only thing keeping me from switching.

meanwhile, their lines are all messed up.
They have more than 5 distinct devices on the same form factor (Bold9700, Tour, Bold9000, Curve8900, Curve 8520…)
One touchscreen bar (Storm 1/2)
One compact (Pearl)
One flip (Pearl Flip)

With all the extra entailed in duplicating the Curve/Tour/Bold, they might have made something NEW.

Palm Pre has a mid-size touchscreen, with a slideout BB-esque keypad. I thought of it before I ever heard of the Pre, and I know BB would have done it better.

By: CurveUser

CurveUser — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 21:10:55 +0000

@rocmon

You can’t just aim to match Apple — you need to aim far ahead of them.

Microsoft has been aiming to match Apple’s desktop/laptop finesse in recent year (and are finally succeeding). And they’re trying to catch up with Google on web services. But they aren’t creating anything new. That’s why they’re continuing to lose the hearts & minds of consumers.

rocmon… please please give us a reason to think RIM isn’t the next Microsoft.

By: CurveUser

CurveUser — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 21:05:38 +0000

@rocmon:

How long do we need to stay tuned? My contract is up or renewal, and I am desperate for (1) true 2-way Gmail sync, (2) a better web browser/HTML email, and (3) a processor/OS combo that doesn’t lag.

Please give me a clue before I run out of patience & switch to Android, iPhone or WebOS.

Also when/how will RIM change from CATCHUP mode to LEADERSHIP & INNOVATION?

You’ve been playing catchup for 2 years now… Why? Is there something wrong with the company’s DNA?

By: rocmon

rocmon — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 14:03:22 +0000

from an inside RIM vantage point… great article, and stay tuned

By: aDk

aDk — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 02:08:25 +0000

Anyone knows RIM’s plans for future upcoming OS? Seriously the more I compare apps of Blackberry to iPhone, the more I want to make the switch. The only thing keeping me on a BB is the physical keyboard and BBM (huge user base). I want to browse gorgeously like iPhone browser, with the much drooled-over large multi-touch screen. BB’s small screen is… Sad in comparison and the browser sometimes drive me crazy. I hope to be able to see a totally new OS with the current fantastic hardware build, especially the keypads.

By: BUCKEYEsktrboi

BUCKEYEsktrboi — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 21:23:15 +0000

What about being able to run apps from a media card???? when are you going to get started on that RIM?????

By: mightymatt

mightymatt — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 19:59:07 +0000

“Well, if you happen to be Research In Motion, you might have to start changing things up or newer and better operating systems like the iPhone, webOS, and Android are going to eat their lunch and their applications, too.”

It seems funny that you overlook the fact that Android has the exact same application memory limitation that Blackberry does. In fact, Android has many of the same design flaws that BB OS does, albeit with a slightly slicker interface. Also, RIM purchased a webkit based browser recently, and claims that they will have flash, silverlight and a webkit browser shipping next summer (2010). I wouldn’t coun’t rim out just yet…

By: TF2

TF2 — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 03:25:27 +0000

Agree on browser and buggy apps [BTW, apps != OS != themes lolzzz]. Don’t agree on RIM getting ‘taken over’ by others especially in the corporate world. You have to remember, RIM is still new to the consumer world. RIM makes software that caters to both consumers and business users…it’s too bad most people don’t understand this. Maybe the real issue is here … it’s hard or maybe impossible to capture both markets.

I’m not going to comment on the iPhone fanboy nonsense here… the net is full of it, especially anywhere RIM is mentioned

@Mark

That’s the trade-off you make when using Java. If you write software for iPhone you must port it to Java… whereas if you write it for BB [assuming you were careful not to use their BB specific APIs] you can use it on any other device that supports J2ME. I wonder how it’s like to maintain 20 devices using native code? can Apple make a device that fits all? price? features? if you’re thinking iPhone, you have the wrong answer

By: daknarr

daknarr — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 17:58:08 +0000

As a business device, RIM has NO equal. Messaging and email are RIM’s claim, and Apple has yet to address that issue. The iPhone, while a wonderful device, simply would NOT fill my business needs…I’ve tried. I’ve heard people call the iPhone a toy. While I would not be so degrading to the device as that, it is certainly geared more towards people with…well more free time on their hands. I really don’t see why this all has to be an iPhone vs. Blackberry at all, but I guess in today’s society the “mine’s better than yours” argument needs fuel from somewhere.

By: Mark

Mark — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 19:53:23 +0000

I completely agree… one thing to add from a technical perspective is that technology behind the OS.

Java is an overweight and bloated technology. It’s great in certain application mostly on consumer PC, but not on an embedded device (ie smart phone). RIM tech stack looks like the following:

Hardware
JVM
OS
Applications

Look at apple who uses Objective-C, which is a very light weight, and efficient programming language and they get rid of the JVM overhead. They pretty much took the OSX and took out all the crap you don’t need for a phone. Their Tech stack looks like

Hardware
OS
Application

By: Tom

Tom — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 17:22:40 +0000

Be careful about what you have been reading about RIM. They just let go of a bunch of key people yesterday, and are doing it again today in Canada. It was described to me like the Holocast. They sent a bunch of their “management” people to Canada – in which they thought they were going to a RIM “U2″ sponsored concert and then FIRED them all in a room – or “let them go”. Another round is going up today. Just FYI …..

By: Esoth

Esoth — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 15:03:13 +0000

So sue me for being an Ugly American! Fortune ranks RIM as the fast growing company in the world, a place which is frequently defined as including both the US and Canada. So while RIM continues to be indefensibly guilty of not being Apple, they might also fall into the category of “They must be doing something right”. The original post, despite its overwrought tone, makes a point well taken, that past success and customer loyalty can’t be taken for granted and won’t save RIM from the dustbin if they don’t continue to perform and to develop better products. The market, viewed on a broad scale, suggests that RIM is very attuned and responsive. Yet that same market, if fractured and broken down consumer-by-consumer, post-by-post, would suggest a mass of angry, caterwauling malcontents crowding along the rails waiting to jump ship.

By: TRV$

TRV$ — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 06:19:56 +0000

to quote Esoth

“….and is currently the fastest growing company in the US.”

Hmmmm…..

By: gabe

gabe — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 05:20:50 +0000

@esoth

Shows how much you know: RIM is a Canadian company, not American.

By: Esoth

Esoth — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 05:11:28 +0000

No company, no matter how successful, can afford to be complacent. But mighten the stories of RIM’s impending demise be exaggerated? In the midst of general economic collapse and wholesale layoffs in virtually every industry, RIM has been hiring, and is currently the fastest growing company in the US. And have you noticed how many units they’ve been selling. Have you held a prototype in your hands? Played with an upcoming OS release? The new models have beautifully responsive keyboards and the early reviews of the trackpad are positive. The chipset and memory are being upgraded as we whine, so a lot of these gripes won’t have a long shelflife.

By: Matthew

Matthew — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 22:40:12 +0000

So true. I have a Bold and a Curve, and my wife loves her Pearl, but I’m this close to ditching it all for a pair of iPhones. I bought an iPod Touch to see if I liked the UI, and just like one earlier commenter said…it’s the fun phone! The apps are better, App World is a joke, buggy BB OS, inconsistent interfaces, and incredibly opaque development process. For all the reasons you mentioned, RIM needs to step up or I’ll have to abandon BlackBerry for good.

By: AngryBlackberryFan

AngryBlackberryFan — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 22:41:18 +0000

for sure!
RIM definitely needs to improve their OS in the next year!
and RIM needs to include optical trackpads and Wi-Fi in ALL of their future smartphones.
Only then, they will succeed in being the top dog in smartphone business.

By: donlevy

donlevy — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 20:16:57 +0000

Boy Genius is absolutely on target. I have been cursing my Curve 8330 (on Sprint) which is constantly running out of memory despite dumping any unused apps, but the only major difference between it and the Tour is that at least the Tour has about four times as much memory. Another huge frustration has been the lack of a simple, SAFE backup solution to backup to a Mac (I don’t do Windows).

Why don’t I get an iPhone? While in many ways the iPhone is gorgeous and elegant, it’s missing too many features/capabilities that came with my Curve: strongly business-oriented contacts/calendar/email, a real keyboard (I hate the touch-screen keyboard), true GPS and pretty fine voice navigation which I use several times a day on the Curve, and a general versatility that is, again, more business oriented. I called RIM last week to ask about when a real Mac backup software (not SYNC, which can and often does completely mess up both the handheld AND the computer) would be available – it’s been promised for two years now – and I pointed out that RIM’s execs may think they’ve got a lock on the business market, but that as I saw it, they’ve got somewhere between one and two years to get the software end of it together, or Apple will run the BlackBerry right off the road.

Give me an iPhone that will let ME choose my phone company, with real GPS and navigation capabilities, a software standard that doesn’t have all the inconsistencies (from application to application and even within the basic OS itself) and other inexplicable weirdnesses that make figuring out/remembering how to accomplish something often a nightmare, a real keyboard (not a touchscreen one), but with touchscreen for certain screen shortcuts (rotation, scrolling), ample and consistent keyboard shortcuts, and above all, real and reliable software to back up my data to my Mac and I will – as much as I have gotten to like my BlackBerry – be gone in a heartbeat. Frankly, I’ll be surprised if they pull it off. In the meanwhile, I use my Curve, but I keep my eye on Apple.

It’s worth noting that Apple itself nearly died when it made a zillion models and stuck to OS 9, which had lots of old hands on board, but couldn’t compete with Windows. When Steve Jobs returned, he brought the underpinnings of OS X (Unix et al) and a renewed commitment to few models, simplicity of operation that borders on clairvoyance, and an elegant simplicity of design – both visually and technically.

Hey, RIM: the clock is ticking. Get this part together! I’ll be cheering you on.

By: Pandora

Pandora — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 02:41:11 +0000

I, a fellow RIM junkie do agree with this post! I have my orignal “Berry”! I was upset when my 8800 series was discontinued….now I’m stuck with my CURVE…..Did someone say “MAGNUM”….BLACKBERRY NATION fOR EVER!…I hope….(:-D

By: DaDa

DaDa — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 22:07:44 +0000

Simply put RIM is not a software company, its a pager company. Its pathetic to see they have 100MB limited on application memory size and it leaks slowly every time you use an application is beyond me. As soon as you have 3 months of email, sms and mms plus loads of calendar and task events in your system, you are going to see your BB reset automatically all the time.

To say this is a robust business tool??? Those who defend RIM as they know what they are doing because RIM don’t want to mess around with success? The OS isn’t broken and don’t fix it?

The well they launch so many models is because they can’t figure a better way to improve their software, and thats the only way to increase revenue. 3 years ago, they still can play this game, as the rest of the competition comes in, wait they start to lose their momentum in earnings, jump ship.

I use BB since their pager days…. I use my iPhone and believe me, RIM’s survival now is only about their keyboard and business hype… they will die soon and I slowly switch over to something else.

By: Erica

Erica — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 18:09:00 +0000

A real eye opening article. I have been a long time BB user. I have used other phones along the way (Smartphones and non-Smartphones). I should have changed when I realized that my 8120 was no different from the previous 8100 when I purchased it 14 months ago. I will be keeping a close eye on what phones come to market next March and making my decision. My next device will be either Windows Mobile, SideKick, or the LG enV3.

By: Terry

Terry — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 00:05:58 +0000

Which shows that you know nothing about the iPhone 3GS or the 3.0 software.

By: Name (required)

Name (required) — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 02:00:16 +0000

^^^
Funny how former haters come back from beyond when they’re hurting for stats and attention.

By: Hayden James

Hayden James — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 20:29:00 +0000

Could not have said it better. Well put “article”!

As you hinted in closing, I don’t think RIM will go anywhere but they may just let go enough market share that others will also thrive enough to question their dominance. Of course, some would argue that’s happened already. I leave that to be cemented in 2010… a long time coming.

By: F1

F1 — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 18:21:57 +0000

@BGR

Thank you for your very insightful review.

I was under the impression that one could utilize Java based Opera as a Browser, also that you could read/write MS Word, read PDF and that lastly, Flash is in the pipes.

I was seriously contemplating my first RIM, the Tour on Sprint,unless the above listed functions/options are wrong.
I would very much appreciate a clarification.

Thank You

By: F1

F1 — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 18:20:50 +0000

@BGR

Thank you for your very insightful review,I was under the impression that one could utilize Java based Opera as a Browser, also that you could read/write MS Word, read PDF and that lastly Flash is in the pipes.

I was seriously contemplating my first RIM, the Tour on Sprint,unless the above listed functions/options are wrong.
I would very much appreciate a clarification.

Thank You