Normally I reserve the BlackBerry issue posts for Friday. The goal of this blog, after all, is to explore BlackBerry devices, so most of the time that means posts about tips, apps, and accessories. But it’s tough to ignore when the internet is abuzz about a new BlackBerry product — especially when the buzz is mostly positive. Yesterday RIM unveiled a ton of details about BlackBerry 10, and it seemed like quite the coup for them. We’re still a few months away from a consumer device, but RIM did provide developers with a device, the BlackBerry 10 Alpha Dev, which will let them get a head start on app development. The whole endeavor looks quite promising. The Verge put together this neat-o video that takes a look at what RIM unveiled at BlackBerry World 2012. One of the interesting, and much discussed, parts of BlackBerry 10 is that apps continue running in the background when you’re not using them. They don’t pause, they don’t close. They just run. This leaves open a few questions regarding memory usage and battery life, but I highly doubt that RIM would sacrifice either for the sake of keeping apps open. Make sure to read the above Verge piece in its entirety, as it relays the thoughts of a neutral tech reviewer — that is, not wedded to the BlackBerry platform. I’ve found plenty of negative BlackBerry swipes from supposedly neutral reviewers in the past, but this post is quite even handed. While I do suggest reading The Verge article, because it does contain a lot of information that I could only regurgitate here, I do want to point to one issue they raise at the end. It is possible that when RIM says they’re looking into licensing BlackBerry 10, they’re not talking about letting Samsung create BlackBerry 10 phones. From The Verge” “RIM also tried to position BB10 as a “mobility platform” instead of simply a smartphone and tablet platform. It pointed out that it can (and perhaps will) replace QNX as a powerful and pervasive car computer solution and hinted that it would likely be interested in finding other use cases for it. Given that RIM has repeatedly floated the idea oflicensing BB10 to third parties, our suspicion is that we’re more likely to see that arrangement happen with these non-standard mobile devices rather than seeing Samsung begin making BB10 phones.” As for developers, they get a nifty device to help them develop applications for the BlackBerry 10 platform. It has a 4.2-inch display at the same 1280×768 resolution as the PlayBook. CrackBerry has the full spec rundown. Interestingly, the Alpha Dev device does not have a removable battery. Will that carry over to the first BB10 phone? A hardwired battery would certainly aid battery life… As for the devs themselves, RIM is thinking big. In fact, they tweeted: “Quality certified apps submitted to App World before launch will earn at least $10,000 in the 1st year on the market.” That’s quite a promise. But if RIM can continue impressing audiences with BlackBerry 10, maybe it will become a reality.
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I’m pleased to read a positive evaluation regarding RIM. Of course the Applephobes will be chanting “bias”, but I found your stance (and recommendation to read The Verge) refreshingly Unbiased.
However, the prospect of Research In Motion going head to head against diversified giants like Google, MS or Samsung was never plausible. They still have fiscal reserves but not with the depth of the three behemoths. Never did. The BlackBerry was only ever dominant in a very small pre-apple smartphone market segment.
So, will BB10 save them? I think your evaluation is well founded. I also suspect that Jim Balsillie’s parting shot, a mutually beneficial alliance with Network Providers, should not have been so readily dismissed.