[Mike_Luchia]

Once again a large company buys into propaganda and misinterprets what RIM has said my question to Viper:
"Hello,

I have recently purchased a Classic Muscle Car (79 Trans Am) and would like to know if Viper is actively working on an app for the BlackBerry Torch 9860? Also can you tell me if this app, if applicable, will have all the same features as the IPhone version with GPS and SmartPark. I noticed on the Viper site there is a link to a OS version 6.0 that is to be installed on the above device however it is less than adequate as it doesn’t even run full screen and does not have all the features.

I believe that it is very important that Viper support all the BlackBerry devices even though media hype has (incorrectly) portrayed BlackBerry as something less than a major player in the Smartphones market. I would suggest that not supporting all BlackBerry devices equally would be a major revenue loss for Viper.

I look forward to you response and also the install of a Viper SmartStart system in my automobile.

Thank you for your time,

Mike Luchia"

And Viper's response:
"Hello Mike,

Unfortunately, there are no plans to build an official app for the OS 7 platform. In addition, the app we are currently offering as a solution for your phone does not support GPS features. Lastly, please note that the app we are offering right now looks better if you view your screen in landscape mode.

Blackberry is a very small portion of our user base, yet it required the largest amount of money to build apps for due to the large range of resolutions, OS versions, etc. Blackberry also recently announced that they are now going to concentrate on business users instead of the traditional consumer. Because of this we have postponed any Blackberry SmartStart app updates.

We will re-evaluate our stance on the Blackberry segment once OS 10 is released.


Regards,

rob potts| consumer services lead

Kevin can you pass this along to RIM and see what they think please.

Thanks,
Mike

[Cozz4ever]

And Viper isn't the only ones who aren't bothering with OS7.

I work in the automotive field and have installed several of the Viper smart starts, with and without the GPS feature. All I can say it's pretty bad asss. And since my shop is an authorized dealer, I can get the unit at employees discount which is pretty damn cheap and also get a discount on the yearly cost. But the reason I didn't get it yet is because I have a 9850 with no Viper support. Pathetic. I spoke to Frank which is the North/East sales rep from DEI about this several months ago. Still no info on that. And the odd part is DEI uses Blackberry.

[Mike_Luchia]

And Viper isn't the only ones who aren't bothering with OS7.

I work in the automotive field and have installed several of the Viper smart starts, with and without the GPS feature. All I can say it's pretty bad asss. And since my shop is an authorized dealer, I can get the unit at employees discount which is pretty damn cheap and also get a discount on the yearly cost. But the reason I didn't get it yet is because I have a 9850 with no Viper support. Pathetic. I spoke to Frank which is the North/East sales rep from DEI about this several months ago. Still no info on that. And the odd part is DEI uses Blackberry.

Two things bother me about the attitude that is prevalent not only by Viper but also among other big name service providers.

First RIM NEVER said anything like they were abandoning their Traditional Customers for the business market but somebody twists some words around and that spreads like wildfire. Look at it another way Viper. How many Corporate BB users are out there, driving around in their BMW's that could use a Viper alarm? I guess you don't care about them either.

Second this excuse that developers spread about the cost of developing for BlackBerry. I'm in no way shape or form a developer so I don't know about the costs associated with developing an app like Viper but just how much business is a company willing to let go because of the cost associated with development. Good lord if the cost is that much more to develop for BB, throw an extra $10/year onto the subscription to cover the cost of development.

I just hope when BB10 comes out and takes off, customers are smart enough to avoid those companies that trashed BlackBerry before when they want to jump on the bandwagon and scoop up some money then, when they are trashing BB now.

Oh well Viper, I'll find another alarm, regardless of if it has a BB app or not. A key FOB will work just as well.