BlackBerry cedes most consumer markets

[20yrsinBranson]

from the article...... "In December, the tablets that originally cost $500 were selling for $200, below the cost of making them."

You've got to be kidding me.

First off, if this company is spending THAT MUCH MONEY on production and only making 150% profit on each retail sale, then no wonder they are losing money. I am not saying that they should use cheap Chinese labor, but I believe that if you are going to be competitive in the market these days, you have got to get at least a 400% retail markup on your products. Unfortunately, that is the market and that is the reality of the world we live in.

What a shame that whomever is in charge of RIM does not understand this.

20yrsinBranson

[20yrsinBranson]

Originally Posted by JasonF

Kludgey if you want to change a setting.

Actually, one of the best things about BB is that you can change the size of the font. I loved this. The teeny teeny font size that you find on most phones is very difficult to read unless you have perfect vision.

20yrsinBranson

[JasonF]

I am not saying that they should use cheap Chinese labor, but I believe that if you are going to be competitive in the market these days, you have got to get at least a 400% retail markup on your products.

400%? Estimates are that an iPad that retails for $500 costs about $300 just for the components, plus about $10 for manufacturing. A playbook costs about $200 to make, and does in fact utilize cheap Asian labor.

It's telling that RIM is selling the things at a loss, and still getting beaten 30:1 by Apple.

[Peregrine]

Originally Posted by 20yrsinBranson

What Blackberry needs to do is drop their OS and go with Android, security be damned. People want a user-friendly interface, and that is RIM's biggest failure, IMHO.

From Droidforums.net:


Here's a news story that shouldn't come as too much of a shock to most. RIM, after another disastrous quarter, has finally seen the "writing on the wall" about Android. After firing its CEO, its COO and other top executives last week, RIM just announced a joint venture with Samsung to produce a QWERTY-equipped Galaxy Note spinoff successor. The device will actually have a large, slider-style flip-out QWERTY keyboard to go along with the included stylus, and will supposedly be called the "Galaxy Blackberry Metamorph." It will be RIM's first entry into the Android market and will come with a UI overlay, custom designed by both RIM and Samsung to meet government and corporate quality security standards. Here are the specs that were leaked on the device that is planned for a launch in the first quarter of 2013:

• Quad-Core Exynos Processor
• 5.6-inch HD SuperAMOLED Plus Hi-Res display
• 2GB Ram
• 32GB Storage
• Sliding Fold-Out QWERTY Keyboard
• Custom Blackberry Skinned Corporate Security Version of Android 4.0/Ice Cream Sandwich
• LED-Equipped Stylus Pen

Obviously, with these specs, their plan is to stick with the corporate clients that know them well. It actually makes perfect sense that RIM would try to rebuild their image by partnering up with Samsung for their first Android venture. Samsung is pretty much the gold-standard for Android devices right now. What better way to showcase your triumphant return to the mobile landscape with a team-up with the big boy on the Android block?

[20yrsinBranson]

Originally Posted by Peregrine

From Droidforums.net:


Here's a news story that shouldn't come as too much of a shock to most. RIM, after another disastrous quarter, has finally seen the "writing on the wall" about Android. After firing its CEO, its COO and other top executives last week, RIM just announced a joint venture with Samsung to produce a QWERTY-equipped Galaxy Note spinoff successor. The device will actually have a large, slider-style flip-out QWERTY keyboard to go along with the included stylus, and will supposedly be called the "Galaxy Blackberry Metamorph." It will be RIM's first entry into the Android market and will come with a UI overlay, custom designed by both RIM and Samsung to meet government and corporate quality security standards. Here are the specs that were leaked on the device that is planned for a launch in the first quarter of 2013:

• Quad-Core Exynos Processor
• 5.6-inch HD SuperAMOLED Plus Hi-Res display
• 2GB Ram
• 32GB Storage
• Sliding Fold-Out QWERTY Keyboard
• Custom Blackberry Skinned Corporate Security Version of Android 4.0/Ice Cream Sandwich
• LED-Equipped Stylus Pen

Obviously, with these specs, their plan is to stick with the corporate clients that know them well. It actually makes perfect sense that RIM would try to rebuild their image by partnering up with Samsung for their first Android venture. Samsung is pretty much the gold-standard for Android devices right now. What better way to showcase your triumphant return to the mobile landscape with a team-up with the big boy on the Android block?

No kidding? Wow, last week I received a survey from RIM and in it I suggested that they adopt the Android platform. I had no idea my suggestion was so well-received! I am glad they took my advice. I'll have to send them my consulting bill. LOL

20yrsinBranson

[Aspe4]

I'm so glad I got rid of my Blackberry last December. Granted, I had an 8350 curve which was the entry level BB, but it was horribly slow, had no good apps and the screen was too small. I now have a DROID RAZR and love it.

[jdm2008]

To the OP what exactly do you think that Blackberry does better than Android or the Iphone?