1. amazinglygraceless's Avatar
    This 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.
    m1kr0 and kbz1960 like this.
    08-26-13 02:20 PM
  2. CrackedBarry's Avatar
    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 PM
  3. HabsSuck's Avatar
    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 apps
    CherokeeMarty likes this.
    08-26-13 02:34 PM
  4. iamagod's Avatar
    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 CB10
    08-26-13 02:45 PM
  5. Rello's Avatar
    Lol I believe brand perception should be put in that list. People won't even try BlackBerry because of how the remember the old devices. Until that's fixed, I don't see BlackBerry making a big comeback

    Posted via CB10
    kbz1960 likes this.
    08-26-13 03:00 PM
  6. m1kr0's Avatar
    I agree with all 5 points listed. I also think it's not too late to change this.

    Posted via CB10
    08-26-13 03:22 PM
  7. amazinglygraceless's Avatar
    @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 PM
  8. m1kr0's Avatar
    I'm using both a Bold 9900 and Z10. The track pad is nice but this was not popular with the "masses". I can live without the "old school" buttons if it means wider adoption of BlackBerry. I'm willing to change.


    Posted via CB10
    08-26-13 03:43 PM
  9. amazinglygraceless's Avatar
    I'm using both a Bold 9900 and Z10. The track pad is nice but this was not popular with the "masses". I can live without the "old school" buttons if it means wider adoption of BlackBerry. I'm willing to change.
    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
    08-26-13 03:57 PM
  10. offyoutoddle's Avatar
    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...
    Sideloading is not breaking the law. This is an old discussion but one that has been done enough times such that this comment cannot pass unchallenged I'm afraid.

    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 PM
  11. m1kr0's Avatar
    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
    Granted: I think we are singing from the same hymn sheet. That track pad is not the reason why BlackBerry failed, it's the failure to adopt to a changing market that brought them to the unenviable position that they are in now.

    Posted via CB10
    amazinglygraceless likes this.
    08-26-13 04:15 PM
  12. offyoutoddle's Avatar
    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 PM
  13. m1kr0's Avatar
    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.
    I am in agreement. The funny thing is, from what I am perceiving lately, BlackBerry seems to listen to the customers of late - my perception. Question remains if this is too little, too late?
    08-26-13 04:27 PM
  14. CrackedBarry's Avatar
    Sideloading is not breaking the law. This is an old discussion but one that has been done enough times such that this comment cannot pass unchallenged I'm afraid.
    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.)
    08-26-13 04:30 PM
  15. james pisano's Avatar
    #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 & CB10
    08-26-13 04:36 PM
  16. CherokeeMarty's Avatar
    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...
    I disagree completely. You honestly think Google doesn't realize that sideloading onto BB10 devices is happening? It's common knowledge. If Google had a problem with it, they would not have hesitated at all to drag out the lawyers, and get after BB. After all, they have shown no hesitation to go the legal route previously, just ask Apple.
    08-26-13 04:47 PM
  17. monil11's Avatar
    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 CB10
    08-26-13 04:50 PM
  18. offyoutoddle's Avatar
    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 totally depends on what you are side loading. Pirating software and then sideloading it is the only circumstance where what you are saying is likely. The act of sideloading itself is not even remotely likely to end you up with any civil penalties. It depends on your jurisdiction also, hence DMCA wouldn't apply in all countries. Someone who purchases an android app in the store, then sideloads it for personal use (NOTE - NOT THE GUYS WHO UPLOAD IT TO A SITE) can argue fair use.

    It doesn't mean you want that kind of trouble in your life granted!
    08-26-13 04:55 PM
  19. BreakingKayfabe's Avatar
    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
    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.
    08-26-13 05:07 PM
  20. offyoutoddle's Avatar
    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.
    My experience of the 9900 was that for general navigation i exclusively used it - scrolling a screen on the trackpad ensures no accidental selections. I used the touchscreen for rough cursor placement in writing messages only, fine tuning it with the trackpad. There is far less finger travel with a trackpad, and a finer degree of control is possible. 2 months of q10 use, and regular visits to this board convinces me that a trackpad on a BB10 device would have eliminated half of the currrent user bases opposition. Sadly once omitted from the intial design it can't be added in. I am more concerned by the offhand dismissal of the idea of adding a trackpad that is demonstrated from the top down in Blackberry. If it is more efficient, and demonstrably so, blindly saying it is not so in order to defend your decisions is like Canute ordering back the tide.
    amazinglygraceless likes this.
    08-26-13 05:13 PM

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