Legacy device (BBOS) back in production

Since E.R we've been discussing a lot about - the good, the bad - of (re-)issuing a legacy device.
As I had the chance to talk with BlackBerry officials today, I asked them to make it crystal clear.

So here we go (my understanding and shortcut).
It appears that the 9720 hasn't been referenced by U.S carriers while the 9900 is not EOL there.
In Europe, 9720 has been well referenced and 9900 is EOL for months.

The return of legacy device will be in the form of a 9900 for U.S market only. (salt here =>) it will not be produced by Foxconn.
Where 9720 is referenced, there will not be 9900 new distribution.

This is intended to offer a solution for BES5 companies that prefer to hold until BES.
It is a transitional move, until the "Classic" appears (<= don't call it Q20 anymore, this won't happen !)

P.S: Don't want to start a new hostile thread, so I won't give my personal opinion to avoid lighting the match myself. Be nice ! :D

Cheers
SF

A lot of time and energy being spent here... hope it pays off for them.

My opinion is it is an ugly mess that somehow no one at BlackBerry saw coming and thus didn't plan on. Sometimes its good to have people that say "what if" and brings a little more negative view to the table.

But at this point, they might as well do whatever they can to make money now.

So MANY great lessons on what not to do in business can be taken away from this company over the last seven or eight year....

No its a straight answer to customer demand. That cannot be argued much.

Posted via CB10

I bought a 9720 for a business associate the other day, I think I paid 169€ if I'm not mistaken.

The corporate and government sectors have longer upgrade cycles hence the need for BlackBerry to continue supporting the current mobile/email infrastructure they are presently using - even if it is outdated. This is an important revenue stream that is helping to keep BlackBerry afloat.

So the answer is to go back to the strategy that got them in trouble in the first place? awesome.
I guess Blackberry is just milking the cow until it runs out of juice.

Originally Posted by propeller10

So the answer is to go back to the strategy that got them in trouble in the first place? awesome.
I guess Blackberry is just milking the cow until it runs out of juice.

They need to be able to sell bb10 phones for the same price as the bb7 phones

The GIF Exchange C001B7B16?

Originally Posted by playbookster

They need to be able to sell bb10 phones for the same price as the bb7 phones

The GIF Exchange C001B7B16?

If the OP is correct and this is only for the U.S. market, then selling BB10 phones for the same price as BB7 phones would mean RAISING the price of BB10 phones.

On AT&T a Z10 is $299.99 off contract; a certified "like new" 9360 is $329.99; a Q10 is $389.99; a certified "like new" 9900 is $449.99

On Verizon a Z10 is $299.99 off contract; a Q10 is $399.99; a 9930 is $499.99.

Let's make this clear once and for all - it is NOT an issue of BB7 phones being less expensive than BB10 phones. They are MORE expensive.

Originally Posted by propeller10

So the answer is to go back to the strategy that got them in trouble in the first place? awesome.
I guess Blackberry is just milking the cow until it runs out of juice.

The point here is "what is the question answered" and the result is quite simple : providing (high end) devices to enterprises that are currently satisfied with BES5 and don't want to upgrade to BES10 they consider as transitional and wait for BES12. BlackBerry wants to keep these account under the ES umbrella and avoid they consider competitors in the meantime.
Important points to note :
- BES12 will come as an update of BES5 (simplified installation/infrastructure)
- BES12 will be released together with the "Classic"

For those focused on revenues, this means BlackBerry - dealing with long purchases cycles - is ringing the bell for Q4. We might see then a great conversion rate to BES12, as the (free upgrade) EZpass program (https://blackberry.secure.force.com/ezpassen) will encourage migration to BES12. At the same time, those migrating will likely upgrade their legacy devices for the "Classic"; I'm pretty sure (warning: personal guess here) we will then see a strong incentive package on the device front.

P.S: Yes, 9720 is not really a "high end" device. Yet they consider it can "do the trick" for the few months ahead where re-issued 9900 will not be distributed.

Originally Posted by jonty12

If the OP is correct and this is only for the U.S. market, then selling BB10 phones for the same price as BB7 phones would mean RAISING the price of BB10 phones.

On AT&T a Z10 is $299.99 off contract; a certified "like new" 9360 is $329.99; a Q10 is $389.99; a certified "like new" 9900 is $449.99

On Verizon a Z10 is $299.99 off contract; a Q10 is $399.99; a 9930 is $499.99.

Let's make this clear once and for all - it is NOT an issue of BB7 phones being less expensive than BB10 phones. They are MORE expensive.

We had no info about pricing. But I guess 9900 will be priced as low as possible.

I remember when I thought the 9900 was as good as it gets. I really was happy with that device, thought it had the best keyboard.

I got the Z10 after the 9900, and then I got the Q10, and now I can't even imagine how someone could go back to that 9900. I haven't had any big issues with my Q10, and had the benefit of learning BlackBerry 10 on the Z10 before getting the Q10, but I'm sad for people who will never experience the Q10 because they're getting a three year old device.

I hope the Classic or whatever they'll call the Q20 will get some of these people to at least consider BlackBerry 10, or else they'll just leave BlackBerry thinking its 2011 technology was the best they could do.

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