BlackBerry 10 and Windows Phone 8 starting over: Advantage RIM
- The author of the article brought up some good points, but following are some areas which BB10 outshines and nobody is talking about:
1) HTML5 (no other platform out there is trying so hard as BB10 to be HTML5 complaint and RIM is harnessing their webworks API's and improving the performance by hardware accelerating CSS etc). Also they are only mobile platform that support webGl
2) Support open gaming frameworks unlike Windows Phone, game porting on to BB10 is a breeze and playbook has much quality gaming than on WP7. i.e the main reason we saw the likes of Angry birds space or Deadspace before on WP7.
3) BB10 web browser is based on Webkit rendering engine which is also backed by Google, Apple where as Microsoft is riding it's fortunes on IE(not webkit) which is not able to keep with the likes of Chrome, Firefox etc.
4) By the time BB10 launches it will have 35k-40k apps (currently playbook has 25k and another 5k in the review queue)
5) Improved Android Runtime will be the key as well.
6) oops! did I say that BB10 has the best Adobe flash integration..WP7 doesn't support flash. (Agree or disagree but Flash fills a lot of app gap especially when it comes to media and streaming and it is not as bad as Mr. Jobs made it out to be )
7) Native C/C++, Qt (Cascades) SDK
BlackBerry 10 and Windows Phone 8 starting over: Advantage RIM | ZDNetLast edited by sf49ers; 05-14-12 at 02:33 AM.
05-14-12 12:55 AMLike 5 - It really speaks to the power of the QNX platform versus Windows CE. People can whine about RIM's insistence on Flash support on BB10/PlayBook, but it's a reflection of RIM's philosophy of supporting as many platforms as possible...
Just read the article, and as you say, the author doesn't seem to know enough about BB10. Android app support is important (and improving with PlayBook OS2.1 and in BB10), but the early beta of the Cascades framework, support for all sorts of different open platforms (including Qt), etc. are advantages over WP8.
I'm surprised at WP7 apps becoming "legacy apps" for WP8.Last edited by greatwiseone; 05-14-12 at 01:18 AM.
05-14-12 01:13 AMLike 0 - It really speaks to the power of the QNX platform versus Windows CE. People can whine about RIM's insistence on Flash support on BB10/PlayBook, but it's a reflection of RIM's philosophy of supporting as many platforms as possible...
Just read the article, and as you say, the author doesn't seem to know enough about BB10. Android app support is important (and improving with PlayBook OS2.1 and in BB10), but the early beta of the Cascades framework, support for all sorts of different open platforms (including Qt), etc. are advantages over WP8.
I'm surprised at WP7 apps becoming "legacy apps" for WP8.05-14-12 02:14 AMLike 0 - 1) HTML5 (no other platform out there is trying so hard as BB10 to be HTML5 complaint and RIM is harnessing their webworks API's and improving the performance by hardware
accelerating CSS etc). Also they are only mobile platform that support webGl
6) oops! did I say that BB10 has the best Adobe flash integration..WP7 doesn't support flash.
2) Support open gaming frameworks unlike Windows Phone, game porting on to BB10 is a breeze and playbook has much quality gaming than on WP7. i.e the main reason we saw the likes of Angry birds space or Deadspace before on WP7.
5) Improved Android Runtime will be the key as well.
Compared to the near million number that Android and iOS will have, this number is pathetic.Last edited by sosumi11; 05-14-12 at 02:23 AM.
05-14-12 02:14 AMLike 0 - That was what i was thinking about since i bought a Lumia 800.
BB10 will have more advantage over WP8 unless Microsoft does more to it other than just adding multi-core support, higher resolution screen..etc. These are already on other platforms already. Plus whether WP7.5 apps will work properly is still an unknown since they are using different base for WP8. Microsoft did say they will definitely work it out. Maybe an emulator, but we all know how well android app player is on OS 2.0.
Some more advantage i can think of:
- Multi-tasking:
Most apps simply stop working when you put them in the background. I tried a youtube downloader app and while switching to another app, it pauses the download. Maybe its my settings or what, i have no idea.
- Media Hub:
With the support for more video formats, plus wifi file transfer, and drag/drop, It is extremely easy to load and play videos on it. Most of my videos (avi,mkv,mp4) works on my playbook without requiring any conversion. Transferring files is fast. I tried to load 4 short (about 5mins each) 720p video into the Lumia 800 and it took freaking long. Like more than an hour long. You have to use a compatible format, and then before you synchronize, Zune has to "prepare" or "optimize" the file before it transfer. Huge PITA. Same for iOS with iTunes. Converting is a PITA. If RIM could add even more video and audio codecs (ac3 namely) in BB10, it would be awesome.
- Browser:
As you have mentioned, RIM already has a kickass support for html5. Plus support for flash, the browser is brilliant to use on the playbook. However with BB10, i do think that stability needs to be improved, plus management of bookmarks. But most likely that will be the case since it will most likely be coated with cascades instead of Adobe Air.
- Gaming:
You're right regarding the support for open gaming frameworks. Just look at Angry Birds space. Android and iOS, follow by BlackBerry. Not windows phone.
- Apps:
Honestly, RIM is doing an excellent job at luring developer over to BB10. Giving Dev Alpha device and upgrading them if they submit a BB10 app, incentives for making quality apps, lots of dev con/jam sessions. The Dev Alpha also generate news about RIM's new platform on alot of tech sites, helping to sort of advertise and get people to notice the new BB. Even the slightly questionable PlayBook, which allows developer to start early on the platform and building their apps catalogue before even BB10 is launched.
- BIS:
Yes, this is an advantage IMO. Security, data compression and importantly push. I mean real push. For almost everything. Facebook, twitter, emails, whatsapp. This mean that there is no need for apps to poll, or run a small client in the background in order to have instant notification. This saves battery life. The thing i missed most after trying the Lumia 800 as my daily driver is BIS. No kidding.
- Notification LED:
Blinking red lights. Go to a washroom and comes back 10 minutes later, you don't even have to touch the phone to see if there are any new notifications. Just see the lights. I missed them.
- Standards:
RIM is in my opinion an embracer of standards in multiple ways. They adopt things that already has widespread adoption in the market. micro-sd cards, micro-usb, DLNA...etc. Synchronise with mac or PC or even just drag and drop. There is no special software you have to use just to get videos and music into the phone. No proprietary 30 pin dock connector. No memory stick pro cards. No airplay that only works with airplay compatible products. The lists goes on.
However, there are also elements that I like in windows phone.
- UI:
I like Metro UI. It is simple and straight forward and present information nicely. The apps there are well designed and is uniquely WP. One glance and its obvious its WP, which is a nice differentiating feature. Live tiles are nice to use as well. Apps can be nicely integrated to the OS which is nice.
- Browser:
WP has placed the url at the bottom. it is easier to reach as compared to the top, plus when typing, the url is newer to the keyboard meaning your eyes do not have to travel as far. This might be a personal preference, but it would be a nice to have it as a customizable option.
- Gaming:
The advantage microsoft has is with XBox live. The social integration on it is just better than what other people are doing. If only RIM could somehow integrate score loop with BBM?
- Social Integration:
Yes, RIM has Gist, and we have already seen in at work in PlayBook OS 2.0's contacts app. But what Microsoft did with WP in their "People Hub" is truly fantastic. Integration with Facebook, twitter and linked in, similar to PlayBook. But they took it a step further.
-- Contacts' photos are automatically populated as display pics. BBOS already has that, but its manual and frankly the resolution is terrible. It just a thumbnail at best. PlayBook does a better job at that but without phone call its hard to tell. Remember the demo RIM showed off how to answer a call on BB10, with that gorgeous large size contact photo? Having the automatic contact picture in a higher resolution would be awesome. Don't have to manually add photos, but still have awesome contact pictures when someone calls.
-- In messaging app, you can choose to send messages using Facebook chat, even offline messages.
-- In people's hub you can check everyone's latest updates. RIM has social feeds, but its still a separate app.
-- In picture apps, it automatically populates your pictures on Facebook. Albums, photos of you and what not. You can even choose to browse your friends' photos right in the native app itself. View comments and everything. You can view just the latest photo updates that your friends have as well.
These are just a few i think is awesome. Most i can live without, but i seriously hope RIM will integrate the populating of your own Facebook photos/albums, and viewing of others on the native BB10 pictures app. Its a seriously awesome feature.
-- Skype integration in contacts. WIth the pictures shown in BB10 screenshot, there is a video call feature. Just like in video chat on playbook. Which is a nice touch. But sadly the limiting factor is the other party also has to have a BB as well.
Overall, i also feel RIM has an advantage with BB10 over WP8.05-14-12 02:15 AMLike 5 - Apple has been the main reason HTML5 has been mainstream and even Adobe has stopped work on mobile Flash. Remember Steve Jobs famous Thoughts on Flash back in April 2010?
Porting games still requires work and the results can be disappointing and can even hurt the reputation of the receiving platform.
This is true, but is also the reason Apple released WebKit to open source was to battle Windows IE. It worked.
Compared to the near million number that Android and iOS will have, this number is pathetic.Last edited by sf49ers; 05-14-12 at 02:28 AM.
world traveler and former ceo and morganplus8 like this.05-14-12 02:24 AMLike 2 - you missed the point, I am not making tall claims that BB10 will kill IOS or Android, simply it is a comparison for 3rd Platform showing what RIM has up against the WP. RIM may not oust Android but they can still be viable and attract developers if RIM can gain their confidence by better monetization of their apps in next 3-5 years. Considering IOS will have the most dev mind-share, IMO with BB10 RIM might and can get to a point where they can attract developers to build apps for BB10 before they plan to port/rebuild their IOS apps to Android or WP because of the unified approach that RIM is planning to take.
Consumers and enterprise demand compatibility. Consumers want to use the same platform as their friends family and co-workers do (same apps working).
This is why Windows dominated for two decades and whyiOS will dominate for the next decade.
And what about your Flash argument?mud314 likes this.05-14-12 02:42 AMLike 1 - amount of apps doesn't equate to quality of apps, imo. Its pointless to compare numbers. What is important is the quality of the apps, and whether it has all the important apps that most people will need and want. Of course right now, both WP and BB are still lacking in some areas, i'm not denying that at all. But i'm just saying, the numbers is not the best gauge for how good an ecosystem is.
I also hope RIM will offer some sort of integrated online storage with an app on PC. Like with skydrive, i can put in a picture on my desktop into the skydrive photos folder, and it would show up on the native pictures app. When i take a picture, i can choose to upload it to skydrive as well. I can backup app data onto skydrive for certain apps as well. Perhaps a with every BIS account, you would get 10gb of storage. BlackBerry Drive or something like that. but they don't really have to build their own service either, as dropbox is a nice service too.
Just a thought.morganplus8 and world traveler and former ceo like this.05-14-12 02:51 AMLike 2 - The only tangible advantage RIM has is it's user base. All of these speculative OS comparative aadvantages were lived by webos and its fanbase.
All battle plans (read os features) seem sound until they make first contact with the enemy.
Best to wait and see.Alex_Hong likes this.05-14-12 02:55 AMLike 1 -
In terms of advantage, i agree as well. RIM has more user base. WP7/8 is nothing like windows mobile, most would have jumped to other platforms years ago. Current WP7 user base is still smaller than RIM's user base.Thunderbuck likes this.05-14-12 03:02 AMLike 1 - The flaw in your logic is that there is no room for a third or forth platform. There will barely be enough room for a second.
Consumers and enterprise demand compatibility. Consumers want to use the same platform as their friends family and co-workers do (same apps working).
This is why Windows dominated for two decades and whyiOS will dominate for the next decade.
And what about your Flash argument?05-14-12 03:18 AMLike 2 -
They will wait. They can afford to wait.
This is what they do.
Microsoft will eventually win the coveted #2 position.05-14-12 03:20 AMLike 0 - There are some points that don't exactly agree on.
Take the automotive industry as an example. The reason we now can have more horse power and efficiency from our modern engines, and better safety, is because everyone is trying to outdo each other. There are many companies doing R&D instead of just one. A lot of manufacturer offered something new and it caught on with everyone. Think variable valve timing, ignition timing, turbo charging small engine, 3 point seat belt, airbags, crumple zone, electric starter motor...etc I don't think it would be possible for one single company to come up with all that. Different companies came up with different ideas that caught on and became standard.
People want compatibility, yes. But my opinion is that people do not necessary want the same platform. They just want the same apps and services working on their preferred platform. Things like whatsapp, skype, netflix, dropbox, exchange...etc. As long as these work, platform is purely up to personal choice.
My 0.02 cents.05-14-12 03:38 AMLike 2 -
PC platforms aren't really the same as Mobile platforms. People aren't as loyal to tech as you think they are.05-14-12 03:44 AMLike 0 -
People are only loyal to the platform that they invested money into. Consumers are not investing money in Android apps (Google only wants free, ad supported apps in their store), but they are investing in iOS apps. Android phones are disposable. The iOS ecosystem is not.
This is why the winning platform will be the one people are willing to pay for.
Microsoft will be the number two guy because of the xBox franchise (and the Windows brand).Last edited by sosumi11; 05-14-12 at 09:48 AM.
05-14-12 09:44 AMLike 0 - I share your excitement for BB10 Alex, I truly do. But I think you're letting your enthusiasm colour your perception. As sosumi11 mentioned, MS has several key advantages going for it that are impossible to discount or downplay.
First and foremost, MS is promising a mobile phone/tablet OS that completely integrates with the desktop PC. No company before has claimed to offer this kind of synergy. Let's not forget that Windows is in about 90% of people's homes worldwide. And businesses... MS is pretty near to a virtual monopoly there. Once those people migrate to Windows 8 in their homes and offices, WP8 / Windows 8 tablets are going to be a natural fit. MS knows this, and it's no mistake that this is the core of their comeback strategy. They are using their PC monopoly to fuel and drive their mobile sales. Damn clever move, which could only be accomplished by someone with the muscle to pull that off.
On the app front, am I the only one who finds it quite telling that the big gun developers we've all been complaining about not having are practically tripping over themselves to jump on board Windows 8... months before it even becomes a reality? And just to solidify this, MS is footing the entire bill for them to do so. RIM's version of this is:
IOU $10k**
**offer only valid if we deem your app to qualify and only if your app is a success. While quantities last. Offer limited to one coupon per person
Ok, I'm being a bit of a smart alec there but you get the gist
MS is a leviathan. They have nearly infinite resources to throw at this contest. And they've demonstrated a lot of cunning all these years. He11, Bill Gates goes to Bilderburg along with the Rockefellers and the European monarchies. You'd have to be pretty damn optimistic to think this giant mega company was going to take WP7's lukewarm reception and just quietly go away.
What you're suggesting Alex, is that there even IS a fight, when in actuality there isn't. RIM made it pretty clear at BBW that their intended goal is NOT to duke it out with the larger companies, but to create a market of their very own and do it well. This announcement was perceived as the most clever strategy RIM could employ in the current mobile market by many people, and rightfully so. They don't need to enter into direct combat with MS or Apple, or Google. What they need to do is make a good product and sell enough of it to remain a valid player in the field.
This battlefield is littered with the broken carcasses of companies that attempted to take on giant mega companies head-on. I think many of us are well aware of the tragic defeats of Netscape, Sun Microsystems, and WebOS.
I think Thorsten and Co. are extremely savvy to recognize this and take measures not to join them. I'm looking forward to the polished products that RIM brings us with BB10 devices. I don't want to see those devices or RIM ruined in a senseless self-destructive battle against MS.Last edited by omniusovermind; 05-14-12 at 09:48 AM.
jivegirl14 and Alex_Hong like this.05-14-12 09:45 AMLike 2 - The percentage of smartphones compared to feature phones is still quite small. There is still a lot of room for growth. When smartphones completely take over feature phones, just having 10% of user base would be sufficient to make a company extremely wealthy. If different platforms each offer something unique in their experience, i can't see why they can't all exist. More choice is good for everyone, and it allows the companies to always try and innovate and do better.
Take the automotive industry as an example. The reason we now can have more horse power and efficiency from our modern engines, and better safety, is because everyone is trying to outdo each other. There are many companies doing R&D instead of just one. A lot of manufacturer offered something new and it caught on with everyone. Think variable valve timing, ignition timing, turbo charging small engine, 3 point seat belt, airbags, crumple zone, electric starter motor...etc I don't think it would be possible for one single company to come up with all that. Different companies came up with different ideas that caught on and became standard.
People want compatibility, yes. But my opinion is that people do not necessary want the same platform. They just want the same apps and services working on their preferred platform. Things like whatsapp, skype, netflix, dropbox, exchange...etc. As long as these work, platform is purely up to personal choice.
This is a Catch-22. Developers will only work on platforms that has customer support, and customers will only support platforms that has developer support (apps).
Microsoft and Apple are the only companies that have been dealing with updating operating systems for the last three decades.RIM has never gone through this process before and are feeling the pains. Palm took five years before they finally came up with WebOS and it was too little too late.
Perhaps Jim Balsillie said it best a year ago:
�No other technology company other than Apple has successfully transitioned their platform. It�s almost never done, and it�s way harder than you realize. This transition is where tech companies go to die.�Alex_Hong likes this.05-14-12 10:09 AMLike 1 - I have been a Windows power user / admin for years and I have pretty much no interest in Windows 8 (Windows 7 is great though). I'll be sure to take another look at some point, but I was put off by the first preview release, as it appeared to be two separate things.
As far as Windows Phone being #2, that's about as likely as BB10 becoming #2. MS has been a huge tech company for decades, yet they have less market share than RIM does for smartphones. So their size doesn't really matter. iOS devices are huge not because Apple was, but rather their approach and innovation. Having said that, they aren't for everyone (myself included), so targeting a certain audience makes sense. Windows Phone is a decent OS, and WP8 will improve upon that. So I do see their market share growing, but I also see the same for RIM with BB10.pcguy514 likes this.05-14-12 10:48 AMLike 1 - I share your excitement for BB10 Alex, I truly do. But I think you're letting your enthusiasm colour your perception. As sosumi11 mentioned, MS has several key advantages going for it that are impossible to discount or downplay.
First and foremost, MS is promising a mobile phone/tablet OS that completely integrates with the desktop PC. No company before has claimed to offer this kind of synergy. Let's not forget that Windows is in about 90% of people's homes worldwide. And businesses... MS is pretty near to a virtual monopoly there. Once those people migrate to Windows 8 in their homes and offices, WP8 / Windows 8 tablets are going to be a natural fit. MS knows this, and it's no mistake that this is the core of their comeback strategy. They are using their PC monopoly to fuel and drive their mobile sales. Damn clever move, which could only be accomplished by someone with the muscle to pull that off.
On the app front, am I the only one who finds it quite telling that the big gun developers we've all been complaining about not having are practically tripping over themselves to jump on board Windows 8... months before it even becomes a reality? And just to solidify this, MS is footing the entire bill for them to do so. RIM's version of this is:
IOU $10k**
**offer only valid if we deem your app to qualify and only if your app is a success. While quantities last. Offer limited to one coupon per person
Ok, I'm being a bit of a smart alec there but you get the gist
MS is a leviathan. They have nearly infinite resources to throw at this contest. And they've demonstrated a lot of cunning all these years. He11, Bill Gates goes to Bilderburg along with the Rockefellers and the European monarchies. You'd have to be pretty damn optimistic to think this giant mega company was going to take WP7's lukewarm reception and just quietly go away.
What you're suggesting Alex, is that there even IS a fight, when in actuality there isn't. RIM made it pretty clear at BBW that their intended goal is NOT to duke it out with the larger companies, but to create a market of their very own and do it well. This announcement was perceived as the most clever strategy RIM could employ in the current mobile market by many people, and rightfully so. They don't need to enter into direct combat with MS or Apple, or Google. What they need to do is make a good product and sell enough of it to remain a valid player in the field.
This battlefield is littered with the broken carcasses of companies that attempted to take on giant mega companies head-on. I think many of us are well aware of the tragic defeats of Netscape, Sun Microsystems, and WebOS.
I think Thorsten and Co. are extremely savvy to recognize this and take measures not to join them. I'm looking forward to the polished products that RIM brings us with BB10 devices. I don't want to see those devices or RIM ruined in a senseless self-destructive battle against MS.
Do you think Windows 8 in phones, tablets and PC are the same? The ARM version of the kernel used in Windows RT might be the only commonality but that's about it. I gaurntee you that the phone and PC/tablet version of Windows will differ by a mile.
MS advantage is offset by some of the decisions that RIM took, if you notice they are going with the open frameworks and platform independent languages which are having a far bigger developer backing than MS ever will have. RIM's message to dev folks is asking them to bring their code to BB10 platform as is and not worry about any proprietary aspects, this alone should developers going forward. The thing is post PC era started 5 years ago and MS was late, Google took its mojo and Apple the profits. And what RIM is doing putting their money where their money where their mouth is and IMO BB10 has fair chances. I know MS is persistent and they never let go anything easily - by hook or crook they will get into the race even if they have to acquire RIM/Nokia etc..but that is a different story.Last edited by sf49ers; 05-14-12 at 11:08 AM.
05-14-12 11:04 AMLike 0 - Don't be spreading this fallacy. Apple didn't just create WebKit and then through its own generosity, give it to open source. They took an open source project, KHTML, forked it, and released it under WebKit. The open source license demands that the code stay open source as /there are many contributors/ to the code, with everyone holding copyright on their portion. Open source is not public domain.
Last edited by cbvinh; 05-14-12 at 11:20 AM. Reason: fixed quote
05-14-12 11:15 AMLike 0 -
As far as Windows Phone being #2, that's about as likely as BB10 becoming #2. MS has been a huge tech company for decades, yet they have less market share than RIM does for smartphones. So their size doesn't really matter. iOS devices are huge not because Apple was, but rather their approach and innovation. Having said that, they aren't for everyone (myself included), so targeting a certain audience makes sense. Windows Phone is a decent OS, and WP8 will improve upon that. So I do see their market share growing, but I also see the same for RIM with BB10.
Apple is no doubt prepping iOS to be a desktop class OS and eventually replace Mac OS. Once this conversion takes place (Apple TV?), then it will reset the counters once again.
The amazing thing about tech is that it is not standing still. The main problem with tech is that too many consumers (and companies) think of the future based on existing tech. Consumers don't know anything till you show it to them, and companies don't know how it will sell till it gets in the consumers' hands.
The problem RIM is having is that they are reacting as if today's tech will still be relevant tomorrow. In other words, just having something "as good" as today's tech tomorrow is a path to ultimate fail. RIM needs to think that the mobile industry is merging into the computer industry. They still think that there will be a smartphone industry ten years from now.
And there will be. Just as there are typewriter and calculator industries.05-14-12 11:21 AMLike 0 - As the market matures it will be down to android and maybe WP. Being locked in to one mfg as with Apple and RIM is not a recipe for market dominance.05-14-12 11:32 AMLike 0
- What is the difference between a computer you have on your desktop versus a computer you put in your pocket? Outside of size, NOTHING!
People are only loyal to the platform that they invested money into. Consumers are not investing money in Android apps (Google only wants free, ad supported apps in their store), but they are investing in iOS apps. Android phones are disposable. The iOS ecosystem is not.
This is why the winning platform will be the one people are willing to pay for.
Microsoft will be the number two guy because of the xBox franchise (and the Windows brand).
By your logic, this is like comparing a lorry with a car, which outside of size, has no difference. But they do have a difference, and it is in its intent. Even though both are able to do transportation, but they serve different purpose entirely.
As i said earlier, people are not as loyal as you think. I had tons of paid apps and games on iOS, i jumped to BB nonetheless. Just look at the increasing divorce rate. If people could abandon a marriage/family, what is an ecosystem worth? I digress. Take BBOS for example. When BBOS becomes a thing of the past, people will eventually abandon that ecosystem and move on to the next. You're not going to see people hanging on BBOS for another 10 years just because they already invested money into it. Its all about whether the "perceived" value gained by switching platform, is worth more than the invested ecosystem. The keyword is "perceived" as everyone measures value differently.
Regarding what the winning platform will be, that is your opinion to have. I may have different thoughts about that, but there's really no point in debating as everyone has different opinions. Which is what makes us human. If everyone were to have the same opinion, life would be pretty predictable, autonomous, and boring. Almost robot-like.05-14-12 12:05 PMLike 3 - I understand your reasoning behind this. though for the point above, Apple (i think it was Tim Cook) has already said that Apple will take a different approach as compared to Windows 8. They will be keeping iOS and Mac OS as it is. This was mentioned is one of the recent iMore podcast. There will probably be flowing of ideas from one to another but i don't think they intend to merge it completely. i think at least not for the next few years.sf49ers likes this.05-14-12 12:22 PMLike 1
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