The long awaited devices from RIM, featuring its new BB10 now has a launch date: January 30th, 2013.
Tech lovers rejoice.
TIM has been the subject of plenty of conjecture in the past 24 months, and has seen its stock price dive due to tepid consumer response to its tablet foray and delays of BB10 OS, but the new devices may be just what it needs to challenge Apple, Google and Microsoft for a piece of the mobile pie.
The company had made efforts to woo developers, and is even coming out with a touchscreen device in addition to one with the iconic physical keyboard. So, it is melding some old with new and making a device that has a chance to appeal to enterprise chiefs and consumers (BB10 just earned critical FIPS badge, a key security certification that allows it to be used by US Government agencies).
This layman still thinks it will boil down to ecosystems. If RIM can provide content and access to third-party functionality, they should very well find consumers are willing to try out their stuff. I personally don’t think a device needs to go head-to-head with Android OEMs in a foolhardy attempt to win the specs wars. And if peek and flow actually delivers an experience that people like, well sky is the limit.
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Shoring up the content stores, in my opinion, will be key. RIM needs to make it super-easy to get media and such into the hands of its users.
Ah, the joys of armchair CEO-ing. Here’s to BB10. Choice is good for consumers and it seems RIM has plenty of fight left.
Would you consider using or at least trying a BlackBerry?
Jason Bradley says
I think it’s too little too late. They have lost the consumer market and are quickly losing the coporate market as well. I work on my companies mobile application and we have been in talks about dropping Blackberry support. I don’t think this new OS and devices will change that.
Tre Lawrence says
It’s gonna be a toughie… that’s for sure. The delay has not helped, but the new OS may give them some time to attempt to stop the bleeding.
I still think that though RIM is still big in the Enterprise field, at the end of the day, it’ll still boil down to “regular” consumers, because corporate folks are consumers first. I’d like to see what type of ecosystem RIM has been able to muster up as well.
Raoul Snyman says
In South Africa, the Blackberry is king. Why? Their BIS. Supposedly “free” Internet in a nation starved of Internet access is a surefire way to keep them buying your devices.
I’m quite keen to see BB10. Some of the previews I’ve seen look quite nifty, so it would be interesting to see how it stacks up against Android.
Tre Lawrence says
In West Africa as well, BB still rules. BBM is a compelling product.
I am eager to see BB10 as well.
Greg says
One correction to the article: “The company had made efforts to woo developers, and is even coming out with a touchscreen device in addition to one with the iconic physical keyboard.”
BlackBerry already has touchscreen devices in their “Torch” models.
As a BB user, I hope BB 10 lives up to the hype and helps RIM recover. I really like the BB ecosystem and continued competition in the wireless space will ultimately be good for all involved. If we suddenly only had two choices (iOS and Android), I believe that customers would eventually lose out. Competition brings out the best in innovation and functionality.
Tre Lawrence says
Greg: I won’t disagree. It should read “all-touch” up there, but even then, the Storm devices predate the L-Series.
Greg says
The Storm devices were pretty bad – I’ll give you that. The Torch devices were MUCH better. I really liked the hybrid approach too. I could go all touch, or slide the keyboard out for much longer messages/emails.
Tre Lawrence says
I think the Storm devices did tarnish RIM’s reputation a bit. I think the sooner they get a hybrid out, the better.
Greg says
There already is a hybrid in the Torch models. I carried one for quite a while. Loved the combination of touch screen AND QWERTY keyboard. But, now I carry a Bold 9900 which I really like. It is not a full screen, but it has both touchscreen and keyboard in a typical BB format.
Looking forward to looking at the new 10’s when they come out.