RIM joins Nokia in the Hurt Locker, but RIM has Escape Route

RIM announced their quarterly earnings yesterday. They missed the analyst targets and the revenue declined compared to the previous. Still things are not extremely bad as revenues are still higher (16%) when compared to the same quarter last year. Still RIM announced measures to streamline the business including headcount reduction. RIM is though in the hurt locker together with Nokia.

Both were leaders now the massive growth of Android and Apple smartphones is forcing them to change. Nokia chose to buddy up with Microsoft to find a way out. RIM in my mind did something much smarter. They picked up a hot operating system company called QNX. The RIM PlayBook is the first device that is running QNX and its a decent success. RIM sold already 500,000 PlayBooks.

Now RIM needs to get their smartphones as well on the new QNX platform. This is more difficult and as RIM gets ready to release another release of BlackBerry OS this summer will likely happen earliest in 2012. What's then still missing is a competitive eco-system providing apps and media. 

The number of die-hard CrackBerries is deteriorating and this could accelerate with the release of Apple's iMessage this fall. Many see iMessage to compete directly with RIM's BlackBerry messaging service that made RIM what it is today. 

Updates

Three flawed gadgets seeking second shot

Source: Times of India

It's every tech company's nightmare: Amid much hoopla, it rolls out a new product, but the thing doesn't work as promised. The critics are damning and dwindling customers are in revolt. What to do? I've been watc ...
Full article at: Times of India  More like this  1 hour ago

Black times as BlackBerry slashes jobs

Source: Sydney Morning Herald

BlackBerry is struggling to stay afloat against the new onslaught of smartphones. Photo: Reuters BlackBerry maker Research In Motion is reportedly preparing for a major restructuring beginning in the next coupl ...
Full article at: Sydney Morning Herald  More like this  2 hours ago

Mobile Miscellany: week of May 21st, 2012

Source: Engadget

Not all mobile news is destined for the front page, but if you're like us and really want to know what's going on, then you've come to the right place. This past week, it was revealed that the HTC EVO 4G LTE likely supports simult ...
Full article at: Engadget  More like this  3 hours ago

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