A version of this story first appeared in Vegas Seven
The BlackBerry 9700
If you’re a BlackBerry user, do you plan on staying with the device the next time your wireless contract is up for renewal? Why?
Research in Motion’s BlackBerry defined the modern smartphone, but the (barely) market-leading company has seemingly lost touch with what consumers want.
Recant data from Strategy Analytics suggest BlackBerry’s market share of smartphone shipments in the U.S. and Canada fell to 38 percent in March, down from 54 percent the year before. Meanwhile, Apple’s share climbed to 23 percent, up from 18 percent in 2009. And in first-quarter results announced last week, RIM missed already lowered analyst expectations.
One can only imagine what will happen when the iPhone is non-exclusive to AT&T and available at all four major U.S. wireless carriers as BlackBerry devices currently are.
Indeed, it’s almost as if BlackBerry users have become resigned to being the uncoolest kid on the block, a notion that seemed unthinkable only a few years ago.
The momentum has swung so strongly toward Apple’s iPhone and a host of truly compelling Android-based smartphones (Motorola Droid X, HTC Incredible, HTC Evo, etc.), that the only reason many BlackBerry users stick with the device is because they don’t like using touch-screen keyboards.
With the exception of the popular BlackBerry Messenger application, the range of available apps certainly isn’t keeping RIM’s customers coming. The company’s software download site, BlackBerry App World, is as cumbersome as it is limited, with 6,500 apps versus the 225,000-plus available for the iPhone. Thankfully, changes have recently been announced, including expanded payment options. (Customers currently need to pay for all purchases using PayPal, but will soon be able to put app purchases on their monthly wireless bill, or pay by credit card.)
RIM is also gearing up to release its second iPhone-like, touch-screen BlackBerry. Its first keyboardless effort, the BlackBerry Storm, was a disaster — navigation was akin to driving through a snowstorm, thanks to bizarre springboard touch controls and not a single upgrade to its operating system.
Now RIM needs a hit.
Reports are widespread that a second, yet-to-be-named effort will arrive in August, and will include a slide-out keyboard in addition to the touch-screen, and a revamped operating system, known as BlackBerry 6.
Will you stay?
2 Trackbacks/Pingbacks
Is there a BlackBerry in your future? Why? http://bit.ly/9Pwgf0
Eric, you've got it right. I've a Storm. Bye-bye ASAP! RT: @ericbendy Is there a BlackBerry in your future? Why? http://bit.ly/9Pwgf0
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