I just read an interesting post over on ZDNet how a Google Android powered BlackBerry would be the ‘Perfect Storm‘, pun intended. I’ve actually thought for a while that RIM should create a device that runs Android.
A “Perfect Storm”: The Linux-based Android OS, and tight integration with Google’s web services, running on BlackBerry hardware and connected to RIM’s corporate messaging/calendar syncing infrastructure would be an unstoppable mobile enterprise device platform that not even Apple’s iPhone, Windows Mobile or Palm webOS could dare to challenge. But could the marriage ever be consummated?
Even before I thought that Google and RIM should get together on a device that runs Android I thought that RIM should have bought Palm when they were on the cheap and developed their WebOS as the next BlackBerry OS. I don’t think, for most BlackBerry users, the BlackBerry OS is what draws them to the device.
RIM, with an exception or two, puts out quality hardware that just works and works well for what you use it for. Advances in the OS have been long in the tooth, however, and I wonder if it is time to take some of the great features of the BlackBerry OS and run them securely on an next-gen mobile OS like Android.
What do you think?
Yes! That would be truly amazing. I don’t buy the BlackBerry for the BB OS. I buy it because it’s well made and provides secure access to any tools I may need while mobile. Please bring Android to the BlackBerry to push faster, “better” OS capabilities to the mobile device.
Though cool as it sound RIM using Andriod on it’s BB’s does allow a whole bunch of Open Source in. Maybe not a bad thing. If done right would it make the BB any less secure than with it’s current closed OS?
Would big red allow a Andriod device on it’s network?
@ The Rock:
VZW’s CEO has gone on record recently stating that they will have Android devices this year.
I must admit, I would be all over a Blackberry Android phone.
I was just thinking that if RIM wanted to preserve the BlackBerry name for devices running the BlackBerry OS that they could come out with another handset that runs Android natively and comes pre-installed with BlackBerry Application Suite.
With today’s jawdropping announcement of Google Wave, the prospect of a tight collaboration between handsets and the capabilities of Wave are pretty much a guaranteed home run.
When you add Google Voice, Wave and Blackberry together – you pretty much have ultimate business solution for mobility, something Apple is far from achieving and is RIM’s bread and butter.
This could be a powerful strategic partnership esp. taking into account what seems like advancement with google apps/domains-BES connector.
Between that and something like this, it starts to sounds like a great opportunity to build a platform for getting integrated, advanced communications features to consumers, prosumers, and small orgs that don’t have access to full-on enterprise IT services (including enterprise email & in-house BES). RIM seems to really want to cultivate that consumer market and while BIS services are adequate for some, increased access to more advanced functionality could be really sweet.
Exactly, if you can eliminate the need to run Exchange and BES for a small biz and provide a better user experience, it is a guaranteed win.
ugh, this has to be the most ridiculous suggestion I’ve heard in awhile…. why would BB build a device – their OS? There is OS is one of their strong points regardless of what the naysayers say. Look at the security rating… it’s an enterprise class OS in that sense. What you are suggesting is build a consumer class device with someone else’s pride and glory doing the work….replacing what has gotten RIM to where they are. Yea.
While I like Android as much as the next mobile enthus. I’d hate to see a move anywhere near this. That’d be like running WinMo on an iPhone.
This would be the best.
Somehow I never see it happening but that would be love. I am currently ( hard to admit ) in a hard spot I am a google fan boy because they make such great stuff but love my blackberry. Yet I keep thinking about jumping to google phone!
Was a easy decission as tmobile sucks in my city so…
By doing so, it man we all agree BlackBerry interface is piece of crap. In this case, may be BlackBerry should forget about something that they are not good at – building a device. And concentrate on what they are good at, the backbone system, mail system etc.
By saying that, BlackBerry can simply support any smartphone market out there. If so, BlackBerry can possibly make even more money just doing the backend stuff by supporting Android, Pre, iPhone, Samsung, Errison an even Windows Mobile. Now, that’s a perfect world.
“VZW’s CEO has gone on record” saying lots of stuff, doesn’t mean what he’s saying is ever if rarely truthful.
BTW not sure if RIM’s BB’s or service would be as good, as reliable as it currently is if RIM didn’t design and make the BB devices, the OS, and the BB service behind them. Lot’s buy RIM’s BB devices as RIM’s reputation for good hardware, running reliable a OS. (Which is one reason why RIM’s BB gets a pass when the OS isn’t quite up to date feature wise, with some others out there)
For example:
Yesterday:
“During an investor conference Webcast on Thursday, Verizon Wireless executive Lowell McAdam revealed that the carrier has big plans for device launches for the rest of 2009–launches that include the Palm Pre and RIM BlackBerry Storm 2.
“Over the next six months or so, you will see devices like Palm Pre and a second-generation Storm,” Lowell said. He added that Verizon will also support Android phones, but was less specific about the time frame, only saying that they would be available later this year.
Today:
Just after Verizon Wireless revealed that it would offer the Palm Pre in the next six months or so, Sprint has pushed back and asserted that it will have the exclusive on the Palm Pre through 2009.
The confirmation came on Thursday afternoon from Sprint spokesman James Fisher who simply said, “We have the Pre through 2009.”