{SA Article:} Why BBRY Is Struggling Despite Its Enormous Strengths: One User's View
- amazinglygracelessRetired ModThis article from SeekingAlpha caught my attention as it was (A) mostly quite laudatory with respect to BlackBerry (always nice to see) and (B) with the exception of point #4 quite a well written opinion of someone who actually uses and understands the platform and devices.
What are your thoughts on the individual points as well as the basic premise of the article?
BlackBerry Ltd (BBRY): Why BlackBerry Is Struggling Despite Its Enormous Strengths: One User's View - Seeking Alpha
BlackBerry (BBRY) has made yards in attempting a comeback to the days of yore when it commanded attention in the smart phone space. The BB10 operating system is slick, functional and powerful. The Z10 and Q10 phones are very well designed with an outstanding browser and many very useful features such as Hub, Peek and Time Shift. The Android emulator runs most Android applications extremely well, and the BES 10.1 mobile device management (MDM) system is the gold standard in the industry. BlackBerry's decision to make BBM communications available on competing platforms is a welcome recognition that the user base of BBM is more important than its lure as a feature exclusive to BlackBerry handsets, and the innovation of channels has enormous power.
So what went wrong?
BlackBerry is suffering from a handful of decisions that it will come to regret. In summary, they include:
1.) Failing to make BES 10.1 backward compatible, forcing customers to use both BES 5 and BES 10.1 to support legacy handsets as well as BB10 devices. Sure, BlackBerry provided Autosync, but that feature is no more functional than the features in competing MDM systems and ignores the reality that BES 5 provided instant email, world class security, seamless access to corporate networks, and so on. Making BES 10.1 capable of supporting iOS and Android phones was a big step ahead, but one brick short of a load. Making it supportive of BB7 and Windows phones might have made it so compelling it would have become the dominant MDM platform. Failing to do so in my view can only be seen as an attempt to force customers to take expensive steps that benefit BlackBerry at the expense of the customer's user experience. Bad decision.
2.) Allowing developers to put insignificant applications in BlackBerry world. Sure, BlackBerry wanted to have as many applications as possible, but miring BlackBerry world with thousands of applications of limited value watered down the value of the applications library and made BlackBerry look desperate. I would rather have seen 5,000 or 10,000 really useful applications with the major ones present than 120,000 applications where the majority were of limited interest to anyone and made users wade through reams of icons to find what they needed.
3.) Failing to make the Android emulator a "one click" experience instead of leaving it to users to figure out how to side load Android applications. Not that side loading is challenging - it is a trivial exercise and the applications work very well. But for the vast majority of users who are non-technical, even the term "side load" is a barrier. Why not simply put the very few steps needed to load any Android application into a single icon with a few dialogue boxes that even the novice users could manage with ease. Simplicity is the key, as shown by Apple's (AAPL) success selling relatively weak devices with an elegant interface and a rich library of applications and content.
4.) Failing to keep the "back" button and mini-track pad on the Q10 and Q5 devices. Anyone who uses a BlackBerry bold knows how useful these navigation aids are and how familiar they have become to BlackBerry users.
5.) Failure to make BlackBerry desktop compatible with BB10 devices instead of a completely new BlackBerry link that is not compatible with BB7 devices. It is a royal pain for users who have both BB7 and BB10 devices to have two desktop programs to manage them.
The result is that many of the most loyal BlackBerry users have left for Samsung (SSNLF.PK), Windows or Apple devices. Others have simply kept using their BB7 phones.
None of the deficiencies I have listed require magic to resolve and it is by no means too late. BlackBerry needs to focus less on touting the engineering excellence of its system (which is undisputed) and more on the user experience. The improved content for consumers on BlackBerry 10 devices is impressive with music, movies, TV and news from many sources much of which was unavailable on BB7 handsets. The clarity of the screen and the speed of the browser have few equals. The corporate user's ability to separate personal and corporate data is unique and valuable. The company has so much to offer it is sad to see it on the wane.
I remain long BlackBerry calls, a residual from a bullish position taken not that long ago when I had a view that BlackBerry would enjoy more success than seems apparent today. I am more of an observer than an investor today, since I expect those calls to expire worthless and I don't see the company taking the steps needed to advance its competitive position. But it can. And, it should.08-26-13 02:20 PMLike 2 - They really let anyone post something there, eh?
Every time you side load an Android app, you're breaking the law. It is a developer feature that was never meant to be used that way, so OBVIOUSLY BBRY can't make it more of a One-click experience, anymore than they can put a music torrent download app in BB10.
You'd really expect someone who's posting a stock analysis to be aware of that...08-26-13 02:31 PMLike 0 - Doesn't Apple and Google have a number of insignificant applications as well? The App issue is not the number but the quality of apps hopefully BlackBerry will continue to attract popular apps.
The back button feature exist, it's the back arrow when browsing or in majority of appsCherokeeMarty likes this.08-26-13 02:34 PMLike 1 - Yea the back button is my least desired hard key from OS7. Swiping to go back is awesome and should be included in every app.
What I do miss tho, is the trackpad and end/call buttons. Hanging up a phone call using the touchscreen is so unsatisfying. Not to mention how the bb10 phones seem to have issues tapping on stuff close to the edge of the screen.
Its all okay tho because a dev can make an app for keyboard shortcuts. Id love to hit the spacebar on my Q10 to end calls, or any other progammable key.
Posted via CB1008-26-13 02:45 PMLike 0 - amazinglygracelessRetired Mod@mikr009876 I agree with all but #4. I happen to like the trackpad and hard buttons and would very much like to see them return however I am aware that that is a minority view...at least around here. Most of what I have read on this site is that they are unnecessary or viewed as a step backwards (laughable concept). I am also of the opinion that most of the ardent detractors of the trackpad and hard buttons have never used them on a BB as the Z10, Q10 or Q5 are their first BlackBerry devices.
Either way, I don't really see that as being a point worth considering when thinking about BlackBerry's current "struggles"08-26-13 03:28 PMLike 0 - amazinglygracelessRetired ModWas not popular with the masses? I beg to differ. Having come from the trackball days (8100, 8310, 9000) I can tell you the trackpad was a major step up and was appreciated by the majority of those who used it. It was probably one of most cited favorite "upgrade" I too am willing to change, BUT preferences being what they are I'd still want the t/pad08-26-13 03:57 PMLike 0
- They really let anyone post something there, eh?
Every time you side load an Android app, you're breaking the law. It is a developer feature that was never meant to be used that way, so OBVIOUSLY BBRY can't make it more of a One-click experience, anymore than they can put a music torrent download app in BB10.
You'd really expect someone who's posting a stock analysis to be aware of that...
In terms of the article, i agree with all the points mentioned, however I place less significance on 2 and 5 as being instrumental in blackberry's failures.08-26-13 04:07 PMLike 0 - Was not popular with the masses? I beg to differ. Having come from the trackball days (8100, 8310, 9000) I can tell you the trackpad was a major step up and was appreciated by the majority of those who used it. It was probably one of most cited favorite "upgrade" I too am willing to change, BUT preferences being what they are I'd still want the t/pad
Posted via CB10amazinglygraceless likes this.08-26-13 04:15 PMLike 1 - Certainly failure to adapt to a changing market led them to wake up and find Apple and Google stole their lunch and they hadn't even noticed. However, I feel their biggest failing is the damaged relationship with their customers. Much of what they have done boils down to one thing - metaphorically sticking their fingers in their ears and saying 'lalalala we aren't listening'. Made all the more frustrating when they insist they are, despite all evidence to the contrary.
Users are fickle things, and will move where the grass is greener at the drop of a hat. RIM/Blackberry had more loyal fans than many companies, but they have proved that everyone has their limits - hence their biggest failure was in disappointing this loyal user base, failing to convert it into BB10/BES10 users, and seeing them desert in droves. I suspect in years to come this will become a case study on Business courses, if indeed it has not already started to be.08-26-13 04:23 PMLike 0 - Certainly failure to adapt to a changing market led them to wake up and find Apple and Google stole their lunch and they hadn't even noticed. However, I feel their biggest failing is the damaged relationship with their customers. Much of what they have done boils down to one thing - metaphorically sticking their fingers in their ears and saying 'lalalala we aren't listening'. Made all the more frustrating when they insist they are, despite all evidence to the contrary.
Users are fickle things, and will move where the grass is greener at the drop of a hat. RIM/Blackberry had more loyal fans than many companies, but they have proved that everyone has their limits - hence their biggest failure was in disappointing this loyal user base, failing to convert it into BB10/BES10 users, and seeing them desert in droves. I suspect in years to come this will become a case study on Business courses, if indeed it has not already started to be.08-26-13 04:27 PMLike 0 -
You don't have to be a lawyer to know that, even quickly skimming Googles TOS and the app developers TOS/copyright will point that out.
So obviously BBRY can't encourage that.
You won't go to jail, but you certainly risk civil penalties and ending up in court. (I'd say the risk is better than what most people think. The people who got sued for thousands of dollars for (possibly) downloading porn in the recent cases, also never thought they'd get caught.)08-26-13 04:30 PMLike 0 - #5 is the biggest one for me. I liked being able to restore only certain files from a backup file and liked the way the old desktop manager worked. Plus, I might have gotten further use out of my 9930 if I was able to load the information in the remember app that I've been creating on my Z10, but I suppose that's not merely an issue with the BB link.
Via Z10 & CB1008-26-13 04:36 PMLike 0 - They really let anyone post something there, eh?
Every time you side load an Android app, you're breaking the law. It is a developer feature that was never meant to be used that way, so OBVIOUSLY BBRY can't make it more of a One-click experience, anymore than they can put a music torrent download app in BB10.
You'd really expect someone who's posting a stock analysis to be aware of that...08-26-13 04:47 PMLike 0 - The guy who wrote the article has a few good points and a couple of them that I disagree with.
BlackBerry absolutely shouldn't make side loading a one click process, unless they want Google on their case (it's surprising that they aren't already). If a one click process it to ever exist, it will exist through a clever 3rd party app (sideswipe) or a simple hack.
About the trackpad. I know this has been argued many times right here on CB, but my view is that if they can improve text selection like the have in 10.2 and have it work without any bugs, I can and would prefer to live without a trackpad.
Posted via CB1008-26-13 04:50 PMLike 0 - It might not be breaking criminal law, but you're certainly breaking copyright law and possibly also the DMCA.
You don't have to be a lawyer to know that, even quickly skimming Googles TOS and the app developers TOS/copyright will point that out.
So obviously BBRY can't encourage that.
You won't go to jail, but you certainly risk civil penalties and ending up in court. (I'd say the risk is better than what most people think. The people who got sued for thousands of dollars for (possibly) downloading porn in the recent cases, also never thought they'd get caught.)
It doesn't mean you want that kind of trouble in your life granted!08-26-13 04:55 PMLike 0 - Was not popular with the masses? I beg to differ. Having come from the trackball days (8100, 8310, 9000) I can tell you the trackpad was a major step up and was appreciated by the majority of those who used it. It was probably one of most cited favorite "upgrade" I too am willing to change, BUT preferences being what they are I'd still want the t/pad
dust and debris. The transition from one to the other was seamless, too. I can see users still wanting a trackpad even
for BB10 devices. But having used the 9900 once for a few weeks, I hardly found myself using the trackpad for some
odd reason.08-26-13 05:07 PMLike 0 - The upgrade from the trackball to the trackpad was a big step up. No longer was getting a stuck trackball because of
dust and debris. The transition from one to the other was seamless, too. I can see users still wanting a trackpad even
for BB10 devices. But having used the 9900 once for a few weeks, I hardly found myself using the trackpad for some
odd reason.amazinglygraceless likes this.08-26-13 05:13 PMLike 1
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