Mr. Heins,
Let me start by saying Thank You. What you have churned out in 1 year, has been far more significant in comparison to what was done int he few years preceding your leadership.
My love for Blackberry stated at a very young age. Research in Motion as it was known was the biggest reason I chose the University of Waterloo. MY first blackberry I myself could afford was a Pearl.
Then, I got a Curve and then the 8800. I still have the curve and the 8800. They work mighty fine. I may just have convinced the whole world that Blackberry was the way to go. The keyboard gave a feeling or empowerment. As a student, I felt like I was what Kevin dubs a 'mover and shaker'.
You brought to us the Bold and that changed everything. Then, came Apple. I was defiant. I stayed the course. then the 3G and then 3GS and Android. I stayed the course. LIke many, I went astray when the iPhone 4 came out. Heck, I got a job at Apple Retail. I still had a blackberry. There were still so many people on BBM.
Then the fall happened. Blackberry wasn't where it needed to be. there were Galaxy's of phones and iPhones everywhere. You released the 9900 and I remember August 8, 2011 when I was moving to a different part of the country and Kevin put up an update saying he found a Bold 9900 at a store in Winnipeg. I called every store and found one in Red Deer, Alberta as I made my way to Vancouver. I bought it. It was mine. I was so proud.
Then, I realized that there were no Apps. I bought the iPhone 4S after that. I also had a blackberry through work that I cherish to this day.
My father used a Blackberry at that point and so did my Mother.
The Z10 was good. Really good. You put everything you had in it but, I waited for the Q10. I'm thrilled. It beautiful. its everything I imagined it would be.
In a world where one can freely buy a Nexus 4 for 350 + shipping and taxes, FIDO (my provider) is charging me $350 before taxes on a 2 year contract. My love for Blackberry runs deep. Unfortunately for them, I am also educated.
I am being asked to fork out the same amount of money for a stock Android phone that does a bit more, all for a QWERTY keyboard. If it wasn't after using a playbook, it is now that my faith in Blackberry is shaken. You do realize that the Nexus 4 starts at 350 + taxes, unlocked and outright?
A move like this, is a slap in the face of a user that has always been a blackberry user. This time, after all this wait, it has hurt. I want a Q10. Will I pay $350 to lock myself into a 2 year contract? No Sir. I can not in good conscience do that.
The argument can be that the Q10 had more space and 4G and a physical Keyboard. Well, they have more Apps.
The Q10 is your flagship phone and no amount of marketing will change that. You know it and we all know it. You want it in every persons hands? Only you can make it happen. Kevin nicknamed the Q10 the 'Cash Cow' That may be. But, it's not fair. It taking undue advantage of those that have been faithful to Blackberry.
I sincerely hope that you will do something about this.