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superkendallAug 20, 2010
It really seems like RIM could put its own software on top of Android, and not sell the Blackberry software for any other mobile devices...
mlevin99Aug 21, 2010
Even more, few years ago they demonstrated on private meetings, the version of BlackBerry OS -as- an application for Pocket PC. Even if it was written completely on Java (stupid), modern CPU and RAM will be able to run signature applications and services smoothly.
realdeal83Aug 21, 2010
As a BlackBerry Enterprise Server Administrator I don't see how this could possibly work. the BES service is so much more then just email. BES allows control of the entire device. For example you can control things like what area codes or even specific phone numbers a BB can call or receive calls from. Not to meantion I can't see them being able to keep all their DOD level security certifications moving over to a platform as open as Android is. There is also mass deployments of BalckBerry MDS and MVS these are not thing they can just abandon after 10's if not 100's of millions of dollars invested in development.
In my opinion is would be a lot cheaper and easier for RIM to just make their OS better then to jump on the Android bandwagon. I have have faith that they will come through in the long run, the inovation wheels are starting to crank again up in Waterloo.
stoanhartAug 21, 2010
Any why wouldn't they be able to do that with Android? It's an open source OS. I think it would be trivial, really.
wojjieAug 22, 2010
I'm not sure that Android is geared with the level of security and options that Blackberry would require to make a seamless transition. There are a lot of OS level features that Blackberry has, that Android does not, and it would require Blackberry or Google to develop those in.
If Blackberry added those features into Android OS, it would be readily available for all Android phones, since the OS is open source. This in turn would kill their market share as it would supply their competition with their very own advantages.
haikufuAug 21, 2010
Anyone remember Blackberry Connect? I had it installed on a Nokia running Symbian, and I was able to get all of my BB email and calendaring on my Nokia phone. It was a separate application, and did not integrate with the Nokia email and calendar, but it worked.
I work for a mid-size company, and EVERYONE is complaining how much blackberry sucks compared to the iPhone and Android. In 2 months, we are dumping our blackberries, and everyone will have a choice of either the iPhone or Android.
Blackberry was great.... 4 years ago. The Storm SUCKED. They haven't innovated at all in the last 4 years. Everyone has surpassed them. BB is dead if they don't adopt android.Comment is buried, click here to see the rest.
joculatorAug 20, 2010
I think their days are numbered inspite of software.
slackdragonAug 21, 2010
I'm not sure I agree with the point you were making, but I like it alot aswell inspite you using words that don't exist.
Closed AccountAug 21, 2010
RIM has the highest smartphone market share.
blatsekAug 21, 2010
That would be true if they did
kernel16Aug 21, 2010
It's true because they do.
blatsekAug 21, 2010
oh no sorry, Nokia does. Thanks for playing though.
realdeal83Aug 21, 2010
He probably meant in North America. Plus everyone has been saying Nokia is dead for several years now, so its odd that they are still leading in marketshare, no? Just goes to show when the fans buys start saying something is dead, does mean its going to die over night. Theres plenty of time for RIM to turn things around and recapture lost marketshare.
Closed AccountAug 21, 2010
..."smartphone", not just "phone".
Closed AccountAug 21, 2010
" Plus everyone has been saying Nokia is dead for several years now, so its odd that they are still leading in marketshare, no? "
Outside of the US, there's a small group of countries called the "rest of the world". It is in this group that Nokia leads.
stoanhartAug 21, 2010
And falling
peestandingupAug 21, 2010
I agree. Its not like their hardware is anything to write home about. If it had Android on it, why would someone pick a BB over a Droid or Samsung Galaxy S??
sjbdallasAug 20, 2010
RIM's biggest asset is its security and that does rely on the BB OS. You don't hear about people jail breaking blackberries.
michrechAug 20, 2010
Why would anyone *want* to?
hamncheeseAug 21, 2010
To run unauthorized s**tty apps on a s**tty os?
haikufuAug 21, 2010
Except that most BB's don't care what app you run. It doesn't have to be "authorized," or if it does, it just has to be signed by a free development key.
nateisenAug 21, 2010
I'd love to be able to use GPS on Google Maps instead of Blackberry Maps.
wojjieAug 22, 2010
@nateisen
I use GPS on Google maps on my Blackberry.
worldnickAug 23, 2010
@nateisen I also use google maps on my bb
robbdammitAug 20, 2010
Most people jailbreak their iphones for one of two reasons: (1) to install unapproved apps and (2) connect to a network other than at&t. Neither of these are problems with the blackberry.
I'm tired of the lack of progress of the BB OS. The advantages that used to come with having a BB are becoming irrelevant (outside of enterprise server). Once it lost its scroll wheel to a patent troll, its been all down hill.
drex8Aug 21, 2010
These kind of patents are obnoxious. They impediment tech growth and innovation. I wish Congress would put a stop to these patent harboring companies, whose only business is to sue companies based on obscure patents.
bonez56Aug 21, 2010
They're called law firms.
Closed AccountAug 21, 2010
This. While our IT department employees are given Android phones we are very hesitant to give anything but a Blackberry to others in the company as there is just far more control should one be lost or stolen.
zeitgeist6149Aug 21, 2010
exactly. if RIM came out w/ a BB Android skin that provided better security along with the same features of the BB OS, they'd make a killing.
wojjieAug 22, 2010
@Zeitgeist6149
See parent comment by sjbdallas:
"RIM's biggest asset is its security and that DOES RELY on the BB OS."
califragAug 21, 2010
Actually, I do.. My friend hacked both his and his girlfriend's BB Storm so they could apply the latest patches\updates etc... Just sayin...
undertakernvAug 21, 2010
You don't need to hack a blackberry to install leaked roms.
califragAug 21, 2010
Thanks for letting me know. I am an Android guy not a Blackberry guy, and he made it seem like it was a lot more work than that.
jazzsaxAug 21, 2010
This is odd...
Thanks for the honesty califrag.
turbojugend27Aug 21, 2010
I love how there is someone out there calling themselves a hacker, when all they do is delete a vendor.xml file.
darkshroudAug 21, 2010
@Turbojugend27, lots of people like to show off even if there isn't much to show off.
You should hear non-computer nerds go on about how they installed their own memory upgrade.
hamncheeseAug 21, 2010
You also don't hear about anyone Jailbreaking windows....
lawrAug 21, 2010
not the reason why it isn't jailbroken, sorry.
flyblackboxAug 21, 2010
this is dum
badqatAug 20, 2010
RIM, not so much. Nokia, indeed.
wildAug 20, 2010
As someone who has never owned a Blackberry, but has both Android and iOS devices, can someone explain to me what is so great about the BBs email? I get my work email on all my machines, so I don't know what the difference is.
rcamp350Aug 20, 2010
I own a Blackberry and an iTouch, and I still don't know the difference. Unless they're talking about the email service, eg: johnsmith@rogers.blackberry.com. Aside from that, I don't know what the big deal is. I use Gmail on my blackberry anyways.
berkeliumAug 21, 2010
ipod touch
chikutenAug 21, 2010
I actually prefer to call it an iTouch, myself.
drex8Aug 21, 2010
People saying "iTouch" is rapidly becoming the norm though. I gave up trying to correct people.
Closed AccountAug 21, 2010
@chikuten At night, right?
agentbarcodeAug 22, 2010
It's iPod Touch.
biggoosexAug 20, 2010
I dont own a blackberry and I have never used one, but from what I have read about the devices, Blackberry's communication encryption is second to none. If you are dealing with sensitive information at your job, you want a blackberry to ensure your communications are not hacked/stolen.
bonez56Aug 21, 2010
Have you never heard of SSL encryption to an Exchange server? It can be done on both Android and iPhone.
Blackberry is redundant now. It used to be the only solution for business. Now it's out the window.Comment is buried, click here to see the rest.
wojjieAug 22, 2010
It's also storage encryption, so if your phone is lost, the data can almost be impossible to retrieve with the right security settings enabled.
jobronzeAug 21, 2010
I'm not the biggest fan of BBs, but they are great WORK phones. I need a physical keyboard, no fancy apps just a battery that last 3 days (The Curve). People getting email (arguably spam too) to their phones instantly just really took off but now who emails for personal use anymore? So BBM is what's taken off for consumer BB sales, at least in New York..
Closed AccountAug 21, 2010
Encryption on the email is far better on the Blackberries. They also have far more control as far as setting them up to what you are and are not allowed to do.
For example making it so you cannot accidentally sync private patient contact/appointment data with your Google calendar/contacts.
avatar78xAug 21, 2010
What's good about BB email?? The fact that it's so good its illegal!!!
http://www.streetinsider.com/Corporate+News/BlackBerry+Gets+Blacklisted+In+the+Middle+East+(RIMM)/5853166.html
But seriously - its a communication device, plain and simple and it'd damn good at it...
PS. BB messenger is f-ing awesomeComment is buried, click here to see the rest.
botaxeroAug 21, 2010
- Complete wireless sync of emails, including Sent box and Read marks with enterprise server
- Complete calendar integration with Exchange and Lotus Domino
- Master address book lookup.
- Encryption
- Remote wipe of lost/stolen device
blatsekAug 21, 2010
So like any other device except encryption?
peekmanAug 21, 2010
BBM...... nuff said.
blatsekAug 21, 2010
The best part of BBM is the commercials, amirite?
worldnickAug 23, 2010
there are 10 different kinds of instant messenger service. I have a blackberry and I have no idea why I would create yet another messenger name and try to get any of my friends to use it. Text messaging made all the IMs obsolete anyway.
wildAug 21, 2010
Thanks for all the answers.
ganga19Aug 21, 2010
there's a reason why obama uses a BB and not iphone or android.. email security
morpheousmartyAug 21, 2010
Ok, I'll try my best. You know how you can play music on any phone but iOS has a robust and effective music player? It's like that, BB e-mail isn't just a feature, is the focus of the entire phone, and works with a level of polish that the other devices don't match. Don't get me wrong, both Android and iOS have great e-mail systems, but BB's e-mail is as good as the best feature on any other phone.
pasmAug 21, 2010
What is awful is that they have forgotten this with the Torch. This is a bad email device and worse touch phone.
(I love my Bold and recon that if there was a touch screen on there with half decent browser they would be onto a winner)
cerberus047Aug 21, 2010
If I'm not mistaken bb was one of the first to implement a push notification system. That was the biggest advantage back in the day but now it's because of security. Back in the day though it was all about stock brokers getting that sweet sweet instant email!
tonmilAug 21, 2010
Bi-directional syncing with Outlook Tasks. There is no such thing with Android or iPhones. Yes there is task syncing. However, many companies have standardized on MS Outlook on PCs
hydianAug 21, 2010
It comes down to security and support. With the BES or BESX, blackberry devices can be centrally managed. You can enforce a password on the device and remotely wipe it, for example. Other phones can get some limited support via Exchange activesync, but not on the same level (and AFAIK only the Palms will allow you to remote wipe without an add on.)
There are, however, server products from companies like Good, Trust Digital, and Mobile Iron that provide BES level functionality to non-Blackberry devices. Those products can also prevent jailbroken or rooted devices from connecting to your mail server.
Closed AccountAug 20, 2010
f**k, I'd love it if my piece-o-s**t Storm2 adopted the Android OS.
kernel16Aug 20, 2010
Why'd you buy it then, just go buy an android phone.
ethana2Aug 21, 2010
data plan price
readmeAug 20, 2010
This is a dumb idea.
bewareofthecowAug 21, 2010
Thank you. Blackberry's focus has always been enterprise production and communication.
BBM has some incredible integrations for multi-party conversations, the ability to effortless send photos and other files, and it's all encrypted.
Integrated shell features, like copy and paste and integrated primary applications like the email, calendar, contacts and phone apps work way better on Blackberry than either IOS or Android. I can't even search my calendar on Android, like WTF?
The tactile physical keyboards and keyboard shortcuts allow you do basic things many times faster than IOS and Android.
Then you package all that up with policy based management on Blackberry Enterprise Server, where you can keep track of all your employees phones, secure them remotely and effortlessly integrate it with Microsoft Exchange server WITHOUT using Activesync.
So OK, the web browsing experience sucks on Blackberry, but what do you want to use your phone for? As a phone that can communicate with other humans? Or just another media device with some high resolution touchscreen?
The idiots that are suggesting the notion that Blackberry should abandon it's OS are simply out of touch with it's true purpose as a communicative device and should probably stick to their consumer driven IOS or Android platforms and STFU
teh_techieAug 21, 2010
I like the cut of your jib!
adcruzAug 21, 2010
For those that have longer attention spans, such as myself, actually enjoyed reading that post. Very informative!
80centjackAug 21, 2010
I don't think that the people who suggested this are out of touch; they're sunsetting is because RIM a customer base of people who are ready to switch to a better iOS or Android device when their contracts are up. Android is growing like crazy and topped RIM last quarter despite being relatively new on the scene. As cool as it is to tell them to STFU, the truth is that RIM is taking a backward slide and just had a big release for a new phone that is outdated at best and not intriguing to smart phone buyers.
darkshroudAug 21, 2010
Just have Opera write a browser for BB OS 6.0 and the one big complaint is now solved.
drex8Aug 21, 2010
Funny, the guy who wrote a one-liner got 26 diggs (as of now), and the guy replying to him wrote practically a blog post explaining stuff..barely got any digg love.
Dude, you've to understand. Unless your *wall-o-text* is a compelling read, Diggers (including me)..has a very short attention span. Brevity sometimes, is the key here.
haikufuAug 21, 2010
If it's a dumb idea, then RIM should get off their asses and make the BB OS not suck. Because it sucks. It sucks in many ways. It sucks so bad, 40 year old virgins are lining up for some action.
If you didn't catch that, the Blackberry OS sucks.Comment is buried, click here to see the rest.
redditoAug 21, 2010
What a dumb comment.
stoanhartAug 21, 2010
Explain how this is a terrible idea.
@bewareofthecow
Please give one good reason why RIM can not provide the exact same encrypted email and BBM service on Android? It can be everything it is now, plus a good OS, and it would actually cost them less money to do it.
I've been saying what this article says for months.
bewareofthecowAug 23, 2010
1. Cost and Risk
Re-developing all of their key features into another OS they do not own is not only insanely costly, but also risky because they don't know what Google is going to do with Android.
2. Integrations
If you read my other post you would know there are very clever shortcuts and integrations within the Blackberry OS which probably are not even possible to port over to Android.
3. Blackberry Enterprise Server
When a Blackberry is attached to a BES server, the administrator of that BES server has complete control of the device and can deploy policies for enterprise compliance. Right now neither IOS or Android have anything close that even resembles BES.
I think there is a big disconnect here between what consumers want and what the enterprise wants. It is very hard to please both. The consumer wants high resolution touch screens, full multimedia web experience, and a massive custom application store. The enterprise wants efficiency of communication, uniform and ease of policy based management, security and cost effective solutions.
It's not hard to see you can't really have it both ways.
emanpa68Aug 20, 2010
I HATE BBM... derr bbm is great cause it like puts txt in like a chat window... what smartphone doesn't do that... BES also blows to install and admin... aight I'm done complaining, thanks for listening.Comment is buried, click here to see the rest.
limaboneAug 21, 2010
BES 5.0 is a breeze to install and admin...what exactly is so difficult about it?
nullcodesAug 20, 2010
Yes, but they won't do it.. Arrogance will make them hold out till the very end.
Closed AccountAug 21, 2010
No, corporate buyers who need higher level data protection will.
trevorpaceAug 20, 2010
I think that would be a horrible idea. The last thing RIM would want to do would allow a competitors OS to become defacto.
Closed AccountAug 21, 2010
They're already "allowing" it by having a s**tty OS that no one wants to use.
Closed AccountAug 21, 2010
That'll be why Nokia's business-class phones all have Blackberry clients available. Nokia and Symbian are still the most popular combo.
snackdragAug 20, 2010
palm should have too.
darkshroudAug 21, 2010
WebOS is an awesome mobile OS. The problem palm had was that the Pres were underpowered and only launched on one carrior.
cubicledroneAug 20, 2010
You haven't caught up yet, so you must give up! Bulldoze the barn! Burn the fields! Destroy jobs! Destroy careers! Throw everything away and start over! Piss all over your shareholders! The tech media insists there be no competitors! The incumbent must prevail! Competition is bad! Monopolies are good! The economy is in peril! Give up now! Give up now! For the good of technology!
"no one who buys BlackBerry products actually cares about the BlackBerry OS."
How far up your ass did you reach for that one?
Hey RIM? You just keep doing what you're good at, and you'll do fine.
Closed AccountAug 21, 2010
As someone who has to use a BlackBerry for work and uses an Android phone for personal use, I can tell you unequivocally that they won't do fine. I hate my BlackBerry, and I love my Android phone. Almost everyone I work with that also has an Android phone or an iPhone feels similarly.
peekmanAug 21, 2010
You must have fat thumbs.
cubicledroneAug 21, 2010
Funny how Blackberry was the best messaging device on the planet until the tech media decided that Android should be #1. Then all of a sudden it could suck the teeth out of a shark.
See Windows vs. Mac, Windows vs. Linux and Windows vs. BeOS for identical tech media horses**t.
realdeal83Aug 21, 2010
Funny, the guy I sit next to at work loves his work BB 9700 and hates/regrets getting his personal Android phone. It's almost like some people can like different things then other people? Is that possible?
haz3rdAug 21, 2010
Really? Who do you know is gonna/wants to buy a Blackberry? Who do you know is going/wants to get an Android or iPhone?
darkshroudAug 21, 2010
Who do you know has a job, who do you know that has a job with specific communication requirements?
strad2Aug 21, 2010
If the "monopoly" is an open source OS, then I'll take the monopoly, thanks.
disexAug 20, 2010
Won't happen but they should. As Android skyrockets BB OS will become more obscure.
4degreesAug 20, 2010
or WebOS? (not sure HP would be down with that...)
Closed AccountAug 21, 2010
I really wish HTC would pick up WebOS for a few devices. I have a Palm Pre and it's my favorite OS.
jay1097Aug 20, 2010
The article is pretty much useless. The author list all the advantages to switching over to Android in on breadth and in an other tells use why it would be impossible.
If RIM where to switch to Android it would lose many of it's competitive advantages and have to compete on hardware specs alone, which is the main issue with the BBs right now.
astyanaxAug 20, 2010
Um, hello? Nokia is in much more dire need to switch to Android than Blackberry. If you want to sound the alarm, pick the right company at least.
mabakerbrakerAug 21, 2010
Nokia has MeeGo. MILLION times more powerful than some toyish Android.
disexAug 21, 2010
Haven't tried Nokia's OS but since you call Android toyish I have to assume you know absolutley nothing about it.
mabakerbrakerAug 21, 2010
how about total and direct access to the hardware with a complete GNU/Linux toolchain, instead of having a slimmed-down, diverged Linux kernel and a virtual machine (Dalvik) on top of it to run everything for you?
Not a chance on Android. NEXT please.Comment is buried, click here to see the rest.
cerberus047Aug 21, 2010
Nokia has dominance on the dumbphone market. They are just waay behind the times in the smartphone arena. (well they have high powered smartphones but they are kinda mobile pcs first and phones second)Comment is buried, click here to see the rest.
shazoocowAug 21, 2010
So let me get this straight. Let's say you run a company that...
1. Maintains 41% global smartphone market share
2. Sold 24 million smartphones last quarter
3. Grew smartphone unit sales 42% year-over-year and 12% quarter-over-quarter
4. Sells 300K+ smartphones per day
5. Has over 100M active users of its services (cloud storage, photo sharing, music, e-mail, etc.)
And all of this without releasing any high-end smartphones, or even really any smartphones of note since June 2009.
And to add to this, said company...
1. Is about to deliver a new, open source version of its market-leading OS with a substantial back-end overhaul for improved performance, functionality and user interface characteristics
2. Is about to deliver a totally overhauled portfolio of products based on this new OS
3. Is on the verge of delivering a true, open source, Linux-based mobile computing platform that it has been working on with support of an active community for the past 5-odd years
4. Is about to deliver its first mass-market product on this new, highly-anticipated OS
5. Has delivered an exceptional cross-platform API that makes developing for any and all of its platforms easier than ever
6. Continues to deliver inexpensive smartphone, featurephone and dumbphone solutions based on its legacy technology and strong suite of software services to emerging markets, which establishes its dominance in these markets and opens the door for future upgraders
Yeah, I guess I agree with you. Better toss all that in the bin and start from scratch with whatever the American blogerati has declared today's hot topic.
dirtymerkinAug 20, 2010
Well this is the stupidest thing I read today.
nullcodesAug 20, 2010
The icons in the blackberry look like crap.
drgmdpAug 21, 2010
those motherf**kers... I PAID FOR CUTE ICONS, I WANT MY MONEY BACK
subterfugAug 21, 2010
The new Blackberry Torch with the Android OS would sell real well.
blatsekAug 21, 2010
Is this sarcastic? That phone is a POS hardware wise. Put android on it and you have a s**tty android phone
kernel16Aug 21, 2010
Was this written by an Android fanboy? If anything, considering RIM's strong relationship with the business world with their BBs, they'd be better suited to partner with another similar company that is MS, and run phone 7 on their touch devices.
asimpledadAug 21, 2010
The Storm was such a let down I will never buy a Blackberry again. RIM screwed up big time with that garbage.
zsaviorAug 21, 2010
I am sorry but I disagree, this is the kind of thinking that has Google in the place it is in today. Google has the ability to dictate net neutrality the reason is simple, it has put its programs every where, that information lies. Not every phone should have the same OS, not every phone should be the same make. It plays into the hands of companies that are willing to use their new found power for their own benefit.
So the Black Berry does do everything the Iphone and and Android does, that is a good thing. Market Monopoly does not breed innovation. This article forget why android is out there today. If not for Apple being on one corner, and not the whole market we would be stuck with only one choice.
Closed AccountAug 21, 2010
Seriously, everyone needs to stop sucking Google multibillion dollar c**k.
Giving a single companies MORE monopolies is NEVER a good idea.
freezerburn666Aug 21, 2010
personally i think the BB OS is extremely weak, boring, and inefficient.
bewareofthecowAug 21, 2010
You're maybe 1/3 correct with that I'll agree it's boring. But it is a powerful enterprise appliance that is in fact very efficient.
lordsithisAug 21, 2010
I love my BB Tour!
kanakaAug 21, 2010
Geez. What is with everyone sucking Android's d**k. Android this android that. Newsflash: There are OTHER/BETTER mobile OSes out there...that and one size never fits all.
Its a good OS but will people stop trying to make it the holy grail of all OSes that EVERYONE must subscribe to and worship
Sheesh
lodcrappoAug 21, 2010
This account has been closed by the user
Closed AccountAug 21, 2010
It's not dominating the market of "Secure Smartphones" which is still dominated by RIM.
lodcrappoAug 21, 2010
This account has been closed by the user
lodcrappoAug 22, 2010
This account has been closed by the user
pharmaphoxAug 21, 2010
It's just the standard Linux love-fest of a couple years ago reborn.
azadcreativeAug 21, 2010
Android fever is the new Desktop Linux fever. Only this time the fever has caught on and managed to get a large market share.
yaggermrAug 21, 2010
I think the hardware such as the processor and the ram on the phones has been more of the problem I think most BB users prefer their os due to its email and text features. I Feel that rims os is moving forward but an android switch seems extremely drastic for it's business enterprise clients. Rim should improve on what they have and not jump on the android band wagon. This article seems really off base they still have a big market share.
wilhoitmAug 21, 2010
Android isn't all that!
lohphatAug 21, 2010
BB aren't sexy but the just *work*.
In business where regulatory reporting and logging of corporate communications is unavoidable, RIM provides a solution where everything can be locked down tight. The BES server can tweak almost every setting and allow/block exactly what the business needs to do and in a way that security policies can be deployed and enforced to hundreds or thousands of handsets from a single console.
iPhones and Android phones are cool but they're consumer toys. BBs aren't sexy but they're reliable when you need full sync of calendar, notes, and other integrated business data. I don't need Steve Jobe telling me what I can and cannot use my property for. Businesses need autonomy and options, no their hands tied.
I don't care about the RIM OS as much as I don't care about iOS. It's *supposed* to be transparent.
Plus, BB works on almost every carrier.
slapdedAug 21, 2010
This account has been closed by the user
dulcettoneAug 21, 2010
That was like 20 years ago!
jobronzeAug 21, 2010
Look when android got popular I was like "great, more competition" good for me. But lets not go backwards and make them the only game in town (with apple)
teabagginsAug 21, 2010
Rim's choice to stick with a proprietary Java OS has to do with security and nothing to do with arrogance. Buried for author's ignorance.
dekuscrubAug 21, 2010
As a former Blackberry user who now has a Droid, I must say there is no going back.
easternpaAug 21, 2010
You can certainly tell the grown-ups from the morons in here. Its all about security, not bumping your phone up against your friend's to pay him $5. Go back to listening to Slacker and Pandora, the adults are working. There's a reason IBM has temporarily given up on trying to replace Blackberry with Android -- YOU CAN'T.
chikutenAug 21, 2010
It seems like a lot of people who are complaining about the BB OS don't use it for work.
opiticaAug 21, 2010
I've owned 1 BB and 1 android device. Until touchscreen textures come along to replicate the feel of a keypad, the BB will always succeed in being fast for anything involving typing (not talking about internet browsing). You need to type something on any touchscreen? You better have at least 1 eye on it the screen. With my BB i could send out texts from my pocket discreetly with 100% accuracy. Even driving (yes im negligent you are too), I could pay way more attention to the road rather than placing my android at the top of the wheel while shifting my eyesight back and forth between the long and short distances hoping reaching for 1 letter wouldn't cause me to slightly drift along the lane markers. Good for android being a mini computer but BB takes the cake for productivity.
mweatherAug 21, 2010
Why not get an android phone with a keypad? The most popular android device has one.
opiticaAug 21, 2010
Droid 1&2 are too brick-ish for my feeble girly arms
nameivomAug 21, 2010
If you consider typing on a mobile device more productive than watching and paying attention to the road your license should be taken away. That is deadly not productive you moron.
(Sent from iDigg)
realdeal83Aug 21, 2010
Sent from iDigg while driving?
realdeal83Aug 21, 2010
Dan Frommer is an idiot, do some actual research other then reading social tech blogs.
blatsekAug 21, 2010
And this is the problem with the tech world. No one in the tech world understands about the "Real World". Blackberries are best for work because of security. That is something they will never give up. 16 year old girls and guidos buy the rest of BBs (at least in the US). They buy it not because it's better for them (it most definitely is not). They buy it because the unique status and having BBM (something else that is complete and totally worthless). They don't need to change a thing because they will never lose that market share.
adcruzAug 21, 2010
Quick poll, if you may.
Digg up - If you believe Blackberry should switch to Android
Digg down - If you believe Blackberry should stick to its current OS
Comment is buried, click here to see the rest.
azadcreativeAug 21, 2010
If you made that the other way around, you could have been one of the top commenters.
adcruzAug 25, 2010
Good point. Learnt my lesson.
dealcrackerAug 21, 2010
They won't until they have lost enough market share that their board has no choice but to fire the two egomaniacs at the helm. By then they will have difficulty raising money and most of their talent will have bailed.
alabamasucksAug 21, 2010
http://www.idc.com/getdoc.jsp?containerId=prUS22322210
Research In Motion makes its first appearance among the top five vendors worldwide, with total shipments surpassing those of Motorola by nearly 2 million units. Research In Motion is the only vendor in the top 5 with a singular focus on smartphones, and as a result, the company enjoys the highest average selling prices within that group. Key to its success in the first quarter was the popularity of its BlackBerry Curve 8520 and BlackBerry Bold 9700 across multiple markets as well as its global prepaid offerings. Strong consumer adoption, particularly among text-crazy teens, has also fuelled demand for BlackBerry devices.
Top selling smartphones in 2009
1. RIM - BlackBerry Curve
2. Apple - iPhone 3G S
3. Motorola - DROID
4. Apple - iPhone 3G
5. RIM - BlackBerry Pearl
6. RIM - BlackBerry Bold
7. RIM - BlackBerry Storm
8. Palm - Pre
9. RIM - BlackBerry Tour
10. T-Mobile - myTouch 3G
Right... RIM is really f**king up. Just because it isn't group breaking smartphone technology and spec's it shows they know what they are doing.
Dan Frommer is a tool
hardeep1singhAug 21, 2010
One look at the list and I can tell its only about cellphone sales in America.
realdeal83Aug 23, 2010
Dugg for calling Dan Frommer a tool
SenorPeligroAug 21, 2010
But I love carrying two phones
pika2000Aug 21, 2010
RIM is not just about the phone/OS, it's the whole ecosystem using their servers. Besides, security is RIM's biggest selling point to businesses. Android is no way near to what corporate businesses demand.
p5ychoAug 21, 2010
Yeah, but you're forgetting that employee's are just buying other phones themselves that DO INNOVATE & ask them to be allowed on the corporate network.
pika2000Aug 21, 2010
Doesn't matter. RIM gives businesses something that nobody else could (unless you're in Saudi Arabia).
kengaylordAug 21, 2010
Good article with some great points, the one thing I would like to point out is that we need more competition to iPhone and Android. While they are great operating systems and their markets (or app stores) are great there is room for a third and a fourth OS out there. What RIM really needs to do is sink more money into developing the OS and making it more developer friendly.
webpoet73Aug 21, 2010
If RIM adopted Android, it they will lose their identity. They will just be another phone manufacturer. The android phones are becoming less and less exciting because there are so many of them. Nothing as special about them now. Not even an Android BB would be special.
turbojugend27Aug 21, 2010
I don't know anything about Exchange, but if you have an Exchange server for email, wouldn't the features be the same regardless of what device you use?
darkshroudAug 21, 2010
No, there are different levels of exchange support. BB OS is known for the encryption it uses on email and communication. Then there are the admin features of the phones that allow the company to lock down what features you can use and how you use them.
The encryption is why the Arab world is freaking out over it because they can't spy on their BB wielding citizens.
Closed AccountAug 21, 2010
RIM? How about Nokia? Both these heavyweights are so heavily invested you can expect neither to change.
hardeep1singhAug 21, 2010
Heavyweights like RIM or Nokia would never let a third party control one of the most important aspects of their devices, the OS. Blackberry already has its own OS and it works. Nokia may not own Symbian but its as good as their own. So chances are, this is never going to happen.
Closed AccountAug 21, 2010
Nokia bought Symbian a while back. After the purchase they open sourced it. They are also invested into the Maemo platform and they are working with Intel on the MeeGo.
Closed AccountAug 21, 2010
If I were running RIM I'd do a couple things. First, I'd continue to develop the Blackberry platform and focus exclusively on the business sector, instead of being a phone for all people. RIM has forgotten its reason for existence and has lost focus. The avg joe doesn't need those aspects which set BBs apart; however, those aspect still serves an important and lucrative sector of the market. Then I'd develop a separate line of phones, possibly with a different name, and build for the Android market.
phalanxcronosAug 21, 2010
The OS isn't the problem, here are 2 things that would help improve Blackberry's.
1. Blackberry needs to upgrade their hardware. Their flagship model Torch 9800 is using the same exact processor used in the Bold 9000 that was launched July 2008. There are faster and more efficient processors to use that will run apps faster, render webpages faster, and even give more battery life.
2. Every bit of data has to go through a BIS server or your companies BES server which is going to drastically increase ping / lag. When you send a request for a website it has to go to your carriers server, then hop along until it gets to your BIS/BES then the hop along to the website's server, then hop back to the BIS/BES and finally to you. For email and encrypted communications it's hands down the best option. But for stuff like checking the weather, news, BS websites there should be a way of going directly to the website using the carriers network instead of having to pass through BIS/BES servers.
schneidz101Aug 21, 2010
i dont see them as dominating the commercial market anymore but the enterprise market i think they have locked down. IT admins love bb for the amount of control they have on each device (i dont think cto's care that much if their devices arent sexy).
i have a friend who is a lawyer and i dont see them pulling out an ifone to schedule a meeting and send a calendar invite with an executive from chrysler (they would probably think they are listening to a lady gaga mp3).
they use blackberrys because the industry decided that is what distinguished executives use and that is how they want to portray themselves.