Can someone please explain to me why Research in Motion is releasing brand new BlackBerry devices that run BlackBerry operating systems less than BlackBerry 6? Devices like the BlackBerry Pearl 3G and Curve 3G say that they are BlackBerry 6 Ready, but, run new builds of BB OS 5 out of the box.
I understand that devices that came out before BlackBerry 6 like the BlackBerry Bold 9650 need to be BlackBerry 6 Ready, but, why put an old deprecated OS on a device released over a month after the debut of your next generation operating system? The BlackBerry Curve 3G 9330 was just officially announced today, so, why isn’t it coming with BlackBerry 6 installed, as compared to just being BlackBerry 6 ready?
Because management has their head up their asses. They have been up there so long that they lost touch with reality.
A real shame!
I have theory why RIM is releasing new devices with the old OS. My theory is that RIM gave AT&T an exclusive on not just the Torch 9800 but also an exclusive with OS 6. If my theory is correct then we should see OS 6 get released for the Curve 9300/9330, Bold 9650 and Bold 9700 in mid November after AT&T’s 3 month or 90 day exclusive is done. I’ve read in forums that AT&T’s exclusive period for the Torch is 3 months or 90 days but that has never been officially published anywhere.
I can’t see an “exclusive” on an OS. Phone, yes…not an OS though. I’m sure RIM is running the OS on the Torch for two reasons…
1. It’s a touch screen. The Bold 9650, 9700, etc. are not, thus some customization is needed and the Torch touchscreen was their first priority in order to release it.
2. Torch users are essentially beta testers. Why role out the OS to all qualified devices if there’s an issue (or issues) with the actual release of the OS. While customizing, they can also make adjustments on the fly regarding feedback to the initial launch. See BGR’s OS6 beta running on the 9700. Looks really good, but I’m sure their waiting on the feedback or the Torch launch before releasing.
Personally, I like the Torch. What I don’t like is the tinny sound on some calls and the slow speed (another reason they may be holding up the launch…optimizing the OS). The browser is an improvement, but fails in comparison to browsers on the iPhone and Android devices. Camera sucks, too.
Give the hardware some attention, optimize the OS and BB is back to being a player.
Great point Rob.
This is the reason why BlackBerry is dead. I’ve mentioned it on SMR before.
Because they failed so hard with BB OS5 on the Storm. Any upgrade they release needs to be tested hard until the only problem left is deciding what theme to use.
After my Storm and Storm 2, its time to give someone else a try at my $200 and monthly data charges (Im paying for not worth the trouble web browsing). And no OS 6 to be heard of (they didnt know they had a new OS coming when they built the stupid thing), Ill never go back to ATT, so Im gonna give Droid the next bite at my apple.
If RIM could port Android over to the blackberry they could have a real winner on their hands.
I would come back.
I wouldn’t hold your hand on your ass waiting for that to happen.
The short answer. They simply don’t get it. What else do you expect from a company that considers their Facebook application to be a “super app”.
The simple answer is they don’t have the balls to stand up to the carriers, especially Verizon. AND the carriers don’t see enough demand for BlackBerry devices to demand RIM get off their asses and release an OS that has barely dribbled out after over a year in the works. So the carriers simply don’t care what RIM does and don’t see any value in putting effort into the testing/training/etc they would have to put into a major OS change.
RIM doesn’t care either. By his own admission, Laztarded thinks his product is superior to everything else just as it is. He doesn’t get it and it shows. RIM will soon be relegated to the stuffy, business only market that it came from. Whether RIM can survive on that market alone is doubtful.
RIM is a publicy traded company who’s stock price is tanking. I wonder how much longer investor’s will be willing to tolerate Mike Lazaridis at the top?
While your post does a great job of spawning a RIM hatefest (see the other misinformed comments). The answer to your question is very simple.
Research in Motion is releasing brand new BlackBerry devices that run BlackBerry operating systems less than BlackBerry 6 because the CARRIERS decide what OS is on their phones. It makes sense that the phones they release are capable of running an older OS, and while the new BlackBerry 6 OS may be on some phones, until the carriers approve it for, and want it on, all the phones, your outrage is better suited for the carriers.
Thank you Graham for the clarification. These frustrated knuckle-heads are completely clueless and are barking at the wrong tree. In the North American market the carriers call the shots regarding devices; device features; OS and content because they highly subsidize the cost of the devices; and they manipulate the consumer by periodically releasing upgrades i.e. Blackberry Bolt 9650 followed by the 9700, etc. Because each upgrade represents a contract extension and on average it takes them around three years to recover their investment (subsidized devices) from each customer subscription; thus this is how they generate the bulk of their profits, by keeping the consumer paying month after month, after month…and the more, the merrier…