For the first time since I’ve been a Verizon subscriber there isn’t a new, or, even a relatively new, BlackBerry device on their network that I am interested in enough to purchase for personal use. The BlackBerry Curve 9330 is just too low end of a device for my needs. The BlackBerry 9650 is a good, but, I’ve become accustomed to BlackBerry devices with touch screens and can’t see myself won’t switch back to a full QWERTY device unless it is a slider with a full touch screen.
In years past there was no way that Verizon would have have entered the holiday shopping season without a big promotion or two generating buzz around the BlackBerry devices being offered or soon to be offered on their network. In 2008 and 2009, Verizon had exclusive devices, the BlackBerry Storm and BlackBerry Storm2, come out at this time of the year, but, for 2010, Verizon has no exclusives, their “new” high end device came out 6 months ago, and, although the Curve 3G came out less than 6 weeks ago, there really isn’t much marketing buzz coming out of Verizon.
There is no question that since the introduction of the Motorola Droid back in 2009 that Verizon’s wagon has been hitched to the horse that is Android, but, it seems as though Verizon isn’t even paying to attention to the BlackBerry, which, brings us to our poll question:
Verizon only cares where the money is. At this time the money is not with Blackberry.
Too bad you can’t answer this poll on that Verizon touch screen BlackBerry.
But yeah…Verizon obviously cast their lot with Android about a year ago. Right about when RIM was foisting the marginally better Storm2 as an upgrade of the Storm. And practically EVERY Android device is far more marketable from a specs prespective than any BlackBerry current or even dreamed about. RIM is two years behind on hardware, Verizon clearly sees this.
A iPhone launching on Verizon just after the holidays is going to be even worse news for RIM on Verizon. But can you blame Verizon? A pre2 is arguably a “hotter” device than anything available from RIM.
The question should really be “does RIM care about the consumer market?”
Problem here is that consumer market devices are now on the minds of the corporate side, where the ability to run applications, etc. is growing. The iPhone is getting rolled out by certain companies, and Android is being looked at in many cases (although security is still a major issue). Tablets such as the iPad and Android are closing in together with the phone OS’s. Companies realize that many of their employees are willing to carry these “consumer market” devices around 24×7 as opposed to leaving the BB on the desk at night or over the weekend (which I personally do). Nothing really exciting about them except for the communication junkie, which can be done on other devices (except for BBM). The limitations regarding hardware and software are just not appealing to decision makers any longer.
Reality? In a couple of years RIM will be selling it’s email services…and that’s it. Unless they present an OS that blows everyone away, and hardware that is appealing and up to date, I think they are going to be downsized directly by the market as dictated.
So, to answer the question if Verizon cares? Once upon a time…a device named the “Storm.” Look where that got them.
good points.
There’s still value in the services that RIM offers including email & corporate handset management but outside of traditional messaging, the user experience is suffering…that’s definitely immediately the consumer market but it’s also eventually (and not like years-and-years eventually) the enterprise business market.
A few possibilities exist in my mind:
1) RIM blows the doors off of everybody else somehow (unlikely but anything is possible)
2) They hold steady or decline (same thing over time as other platforms advance and erode RIM’s corporate niche)
3) They decouple their services from their OS/handset and go to a model where their messaging, infrastructure-as-a-service, and handset management are available on a variety of platforms. Very interesting option in my mind but I doubt it will happen.
Look at RIM financials. No way the company survives doing #3.
“Bluehorseshoe loves Anacott Steel.” Love the name.
The last few times I’ve stopped at a Verizon store, not one employee has said anything good about Blackberry’s they gush over droids. That tells me the incentive is to sell droids and that there are no incentives for BB. It’s too bad, Verizon has the best service for the area I live, no big cities, nothing comes close for service, but the Droids do nothing for me. I’m a few months past my trade in for a new phone, there is nothing I want to trade in for except Storm 2, I have the first Storm and love it. Yet I’m still waiting and hoping that maybe RIM will remember Verizon.
I have the Storm and do not like the lack of Call, Menu, Back and End Call physical buttons on the Storm 2 (can’t feel in the dark). I love my touchscreen and I am a big Blackberry fan but either Verizon or RIM need to get with the program. AT&T had the only new Blackberry touchscreen with the Torch. I prefer the Storm since it is easier to read for people with fading eyesight but it is time for an upgrade.
Definitely don’t want a Droid due to the Google platform and security issues but may look to Apple if RIM can’t keep up. Really, how long does it take to develop a touch pad similar to the iPad if you are truly serious about joining the market?