Why do you think RIM is dead?

#1

Post by HorizonXP » Tue, Jun 19, 2012, 10:08 PM UTC

I've spent the last several months exclusively developing for the BlackBerry 10/PlayBook platform, and every time I read blog posts, or talk to people about it, I hear nothing but shouts about RIM being dead, and laughter about how I should develop for a real platform.

There was a BlackBerry 10 Jam World Tour event in NYC, and a few blogs got some hands-on time with the Dev Alpha, running a very preliminary version of the BB10 OS.

http://www.engadget.com/2012/06/19/blackberry-10-hands-on-video/?a_dgi=aolshare_twitter

If you look at the comments there, you'll see what I'm referring to. Admittedly, the video is quite dry and boring, but I don't understand how this translates to RIM being dead.

Open my eyes HN, let me know what you're thinking. Maybe I've drank too much of the Kool-Aid. Maybe you can rescue me.

Re: Why do you think RIM is dead?

#2

Post by runjake » Tue, Jun 19, 2012, 10:23 PM UTC

Because nobody has RIM devices anymore. They aren't selling devices. Developers aren't jumping on the BB10 bandwagon. Several major executive shakeups, Plummetting stock prices, and again: no developer interest.

Re: Why do you think RIM is dead?

#3

Post by coryl » Tue, Jun 19, 2012, 10:35 PM UTC

RIM's smartphone market share is rapidly falling, they're doing mass layoffs, and they're slow to the market. The pressure from Android distribution and iPhone demand just creates a very difficult environment for RIM.

Re: Why do you think RIM is dead?

#4

Post by andyrubio » Tue, Jun 19, 2012, 10:44 PM UTC

Just try using a Blackberry. That's why.

Re: Why do you think RIM is dead?

#5

Post by 27182818284 » Tue, Jun 19, 2012, 11:06 PM UTC

Because the article showed photos of a music player, the weather, and a PDF. I can take a panoramic photo with my phone and share it to dropbox immediately. What they showed is the bare minimum, not even standard let alone a feature or newsworthy. You need to make someone go "ahh" not "Yeah they have the lowest bases covered, I guess."

No seriously, they demoed the keyboard for the article?

Re: Why do you think RIM is dead?

#6

Post by gantz » Tue, Jun 19, 2012, 11:06 PM UTC

Isn't it the classic innovators' dilemma? Or I guess it's the opposite...IIRC, the innovators dilemma refers to a leading company that ditches the low end in order to focus on the high end...Apple went after tht niche and did so well that it caused execs...the ones who give IT folk their jobs...to demand iPhone support even if it meant a change in infrastructure

Re: Why do you think RIM is dead?

#7

Post by marssaxman » Tue, Jun 19, 2012, 11:12 PM UTC

I was probably the last BlackBerry holdout in my group of friends. I think RIM is dead because nobody I know uses a BlackBerry device or expresses any interest in acquiring one. On the rare occasion someone is "still" using a BlackBerry, they get teased for it; people ask when they're going to upgrade.

Re: Why do you think RIM is dead?

#8

Post by Zenst » Tue, Jun 19, 2012, 11:24 PM UTC

The big factor was the advent of 3g, before that RIM with there more effecient transport protocol had a real adge which also gave better battery life than anything others were doing, let alone allowing email to work and well. Since 3g phones become mature and the extra value aspects RIM have been playing catchup to a new market that allowed them to ignore there hard core market. They are now on there last shoot and it is to the moon and bust and sadly I agree, alot of the media have already given up, but what do they know.

It's not released yet, RIM's marketing is terrible and until the final product is out it would be silly to pass any form of judgment.

I hope they do well, I truely do.

Re: Why do you think RIM is dead?

#9

Post by oz » Tue, Jun 19, 2012, 11:49 PM UTC

This is not a direct answer to your question; it's more of a commentary. To wit:

The perception of RIM varies widely between the 1st world and less-developed countries.

First world consumers view BlackBerries as being antiquated. And, quite frankly, they are are correct. Compared to the functions and apps available for iOS and Android, BlackBerry has yet to show up to the party.

Meanwhile, here in Jamaica, everyone has a BlackBerry. Executives. Middle Managers. Regular Staff. Street vendors. Taxi drivers. Why?(The exceptions are mostly hipsters. Yes, we have them here too, all Mac'd out.)

The difference is 1 word: UNLIMITED

My BlackBerry Internet Service (BIS) plan costs JMD 1,500 / month. Unlimited data. And it means I have access to BlackBerry Messenger BBM, which is HUGELY popular here (I'm told in other 3rd world countries as well). BBM is basically the equivalent of unlimited texting. My bank is on BBM - I regularly send them messages while lying in bed.

If I had an iPhone / Android, I'd lose access to to BBM, plus have to buy an expensive data plan, all of which are capped. My carrier, Digicel, is testing it's 3G/4G rollout, so I'm still on EDGE. The competitor, LIME, has had 3G for some time. A 2GB plan will cost me JMD $2,000, while 4GB & 7GB plans cost 3,000 and 5,000 respectively. So cost-wise, I'd be a fool to switch to another smartphone platform.

For most people, it's not the data though: It's all about BBM. Business, relationships, current affairs, missing persons alerts all flow through BBM. Jamaica runs on BBM. A friend of mine runs his mobile phone sales/repair service directly via BBM - broadcasts are sent each day with the day's specials, you order, and he shows up. (he does use an iPad to generate an invoice and email, though :))

All my domains are hosted on Google Apps, so it'd be nice to get me a Galaxy S3 or HTC One X. But I'm not yet ready to pay so much extra for a data plan.

So that's why everyday I check on the progress of BlackBerry 10. I'm hoping it will at the very least bring RIM on par with iOS and Android. If it does that, then I'll buy one when they're released, and continue to enjoy BBM and unlimited data. If not, Android here I come. I'm raising prices anyway, so I'll be able to afford a data plan.

Interesting times are ahead. From a consumer perspective, I hope RIM succeeds - I don't want to be at the mercy of AAPL or GOOG. I hope BB10 excels and forces developers to port the best apps to BB.

Edit: clarifications.

Re: Why do you think RIM is dead?

#10

Post by amorphid » Wed, Jun 20, 2012, 12:03 AM UTC

Yup . Dead man walking, er, talking.