[homl]

Sounds like Chen is rolling up his sleeves, and outsourcing the marketing.

[arlene_t]

I don't think they will stop producing hardware. Their hardware goes hand in hand with BIS and BES. They have full control over that because they produce hardware. Say they go cross-platform iOS and android for sure they will not have 100% in controlling software configuration with these devices. I wouldn't want them to loose the hardware I like my bb

Posted via the Amazing Q10 10.2.0.415

[PlayBookUserMT]

I believe that BB is scrambling to improve BES10's ability to work with iOS and Android, and hoping to compete in the BYOD world. Chen has said as much, in fact ("fully embracing BYOD"). Which is another reason I think that the hardware business is in BB's past, other than selling existing stocks.

You have to look at all the evidence and read between the lines. Look at what the press releases actually say and don't say, without "interpretation." Remember that those announcements go through the Legal department, and are very carefully worded. Press releases are routinely worded to SUGGEST things that absolutely aren't true, but that it's in the company's best interest for people to believe are true; in this case, that BB will continue to be in the smartphone handset business. But if you read carefully, you'll see that there's really nothing there that would assure anyone that they'll really stay with hardware.

And as for comparing to the situation a year ago, prior to the BB10 launch, there's really no comparison. BB's situation, with 3 abysmal quarters and BB10s failure in the marketplace, another $1B write-down, plus the failed sale of the company and being in debt for the first time in forever, is far, FAR worse than it was then. A year ago, there was real hope that BB10 was going to be a market success and make BB competitive again. That didn't happen; BB10 has not been a success in the marketplace, and the erosion in carrier support, installed base, and service revenue (XBBM is killing the BIS business very quickly as people switch from BBOS devices to Android with BBM) has forced BB to make some hard choices. I believe, looking at the data, that shedding the hardware business is the only viable choice. That doesn't mean it's a choice that anyone LIKES, but it's simply not sustainable for BB to remain in the handset business at this time.

Try not to make things up...

[felixweber]

A company without COO? Doesn't make sense. Even a software only company needs somebody selling the stuff.


Posted via CB10

[Omnitech]

A company without COO? Doesn't make sense. Even a software only company needs somebody selling the stuff.

A COO doesn't "sell stuff", that is the job of sales and marketing people.

In a company that manufactures things, the COO typically oversees manufacturing and the supply chain. This was Thorsten Heins role at the company before he became CEO.

[Omnitech]

"BB eliminated the Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) and Chief Operations Officer (COO) positions today. They didn't just fire the folks in those positions, they dissolved those positions. "

I didn't read the press release did Chen actually say that the positions were dissolved?

Several financial publications reported this including the WSJ. I don't remember the exact wording of the press release but I believe that is correct.

[felixweber]

Just did a little research and no news site is reporting that the position are erased.

And by the way Microsoft announced the departure of their ceo, in your logic that means they are shutting down the company?

Posted via CB10

[felixweber]

Okay WSJ is the only source telling this: "BlackBerry said it won't name a new chief marketing officer or chief operating officer, putting even more of the weight of the company's turnaround squarely on Mr. Chen."


But BlackBerry without devices would not make sense. All other players are going to offer a whole ecosystem of hardware and software. So BlackBerry would be doing the exact opposite?

Just take MDM: what does BlackBerry do when Samsung starts preloading their own mdm software onto all phones? And maybe giving the backend for free so companies get locked into their ecosystem?



Posted via CB10

[chopachain]

A lot of companies like to fire before Xmas and hire in the new year so as not to pay out Xmas bonuses.

[belfastdispatcher]

Sounds like Chen is rolling up his sleeves, and outsourcing the marketing.

I don't know about marketing but PR has always been outsourced from Elderman and other companies.

[cgk]

Just did a little research and no news site is reporting that the position are erased.

And by the way Microsoft announced the departure of their ceo, in your logic that means they are shutting down the company?

Posted via CB10

Adam Emery, a spokesman for BlackBerry, said that the company would no longer have chief operating and chief marketing executives.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/26/bu...ives.html?_r=0

[cgk]

Okay WSJ is the only source telling this: "BlackBerry said it won't name a new chief marketing officer or chief operating officer, putting even more of the weight of the company's turnaround squarely on Mr. Chen."


But BlackBerry without devices would not make sense. All other players are going to offer a whole ecosystem of hardware and software. So BlackBerry would be doing the exact opposite?

Just take MDM: what does BlackBerry do when Samsung starts preloading their own mdm software onto all phones? And maybe giving the backend for free so companies get locked into their ecosystem?



Posted via CB10

That is a long-term problem, the short-term problem is that BBRY loses money on every BB10 device it makes because nobody wants them and now he has the problem that carriers are starting to drop the devices as well - so not only does you have oversupply but now the channel is getting smaller and smaller.

[parthokarki]

They have already produced the hardware to back their smartphone sales which by the way isn't that heavy.

They gotta really revamp their Os appearance and capabilities with BlackBerry branded apps that can do things which other in the race cannot.

Once they are out of stock and demands are high they could again start producing.

There isn't a ban or sth on that.

Posted via CB10

[abwan11]

BlackBerry has tracked Nokias performance over the years, and with Nokia exiting hardware, it could prove to be a precursor of things to come.

Making android apps available to bb10 could be the driver for any interested licensing partner to build hardware with a full android ecosystem. Anything and everything is possible at this point.

I'm still curious to know how Qualcom would have played into Mikes plan or if that is still a possibility.

Posted via CB10

[felixweber]

BlackBerry has tracked Nokias performance over the years, and with Nokia exiting hardware, it could prove to be a precursor of things to come.

Making android apps available to bb10 could be the driver for any interested licensing partner to build hardware with a full android ecosystem. Anything and everything is possible at this point.

I'm still curious to know how Qualcom would have played into Mikes plan or if that is still a possibility.

Posted via CB10

And you really think Nokia will survive without the handset part?
As a developer using maps I really started laughing as Nokia executives said they will focus on software (primary the maps). Because nobody needs a 3class maps solution...
I don't think Nokia will long survive... maybe they buy some software...

Posted via CB10

[Bluenoser63]

The fact that you state this means that you don't have an understanding how the enterprise part of the company works. BES, NOC, BB10 and hardware devices all work as ONE unit. You cannot take one piece away and have it function securely.

[Bluenoser63]

He spoke of "delivering devices". They're sitting on a warehouse full of unsold BB10 devices, and probably some BBOS devices as well, and at this rate, they might still have plenty for sale 2 years from now. Nowhere did he say a single word about making or manufacturing devices. Nor has he said BB10 by name; he's been absolutely mum on that subject, if you'll notice.

Apple says that they are coming out with iPhone 6, nowhere did they mention iOS. They are dropping iOS. See how simple it is to show where you read in between the lines to stuff that has no basis in reality? Unless you think that Apple IS dropping iOS.

[darkehawke]

I prefer to see it as he recognises that BlackBerry is a small player in a big field. Reducing the c level staff may be a smart move. Time will tell

Posted via CB10

[canuckbear]

Wrong

Z30. " I'm back in black. Yes I'm back in black!!! "

[kbz1960]

Blackberry's hardware division is eating up the company's cash. It makes sense (financially) to stop producing new hardware (for the time being).


Sent From My New IPad using Tapatalk

Maybe they stop and contract someone else?

[MobileZen]

Read between the lines? More like opinion of no evidence here and more stirring the pot on Crackberry and continued slagging of BlackBerry from the OP. I know this reply won't be popular with him but it has to be said.

Posted via CB10

[MarsupilamiX]

The fact that you state this means that you don't have an understanding how the enterprise part of the company works. BES, NOC, BB10 and hardware devices all work as ONE unit. You cannot take one piece away and have it function securely.

I see that you would do phenomenally as the future CMO.
And I actually thought that you don't like marketing and buzzwords...

Posted via CB10

[Bluenoser63]

I see that you would do phenomenally as the future CMO.
And I actually thought that you don't like marketing and buzzwords...

Posted via CB10

Those aren't marketing or buzzwords. These are technical elements on how everything works.

[MarsupilamiX]

Those aren't marketing or buzzwords. These are technical elements on how everything works.

Sounds like a damn sales pitch to me.
You probably could have used some more "tools, not toys" and "playtime is over" but I am sure that you'll make for a great Boulben successor.

Posted via CB10

[lnichols]

Low volume hardware. They will still have customers that want both for the secure spaces that don't care about BYOD. I don't see them exiting for a while.

Posted via CB10