Realistically, when will we find out what is to become of BlackBerry?
This post is for all of us out there like myself that check CB constantly for news and updates related to BlackBerry's survival and are so engrossed in this roller coaster that they gaze over all other blog headlines as of late...
Realistically, when will we find out something that is more concrete and definite in terms of what will happen to BlackBerry?
Will it take past the due diligence period with the Fairfax offer? Will it be later? Will it be sooner? Will it take six months to a year?
I think, personally, I'm at the point now where if BlackBerry is going to die...or change into something that is considerably worse then where they are now in terms of level of adoption, app support, platform development...I want to just know ASAP and get it over with so I can begin my own review of strategic alternatives, decide what to do with extra devices I have, cut my losses, cease buying new apps, and begin researching my next phone and ultimately future platform...
...But I don't want to do any of that if I don't absolutely have to. :(
I know this is asking something that is highly speculative...but are there any expert or at least informed, educated guesses out there? When will we find out what is really to become of BlackBerry?
Heh...for what it's worth, I probably can answer my own question:
No one knows, and no one will know until it is already set in motion (no pun intended). Even if Fairfax takes BlackBerry private, we realistically have no idea of what BlackBerry or Watsa has in mind in terms of "prosumer" target audiences and whether that means we loyals can still obtain new BlackBerry devices. And, we also really don't know what Watsa is really going to do for/to the company. One can argue based on his statements and past positions that he is more likely to leave BlackBerry intact, but that is just one possible outcome still. And if another company buys BlackBerry, will it be for some parts, most parts, all parts, or in its entirety? Some are more likely than the other outcomes, but no one really knows what is going on behind the lines.
I'm afraid that this is still grim old RIM we're dealing with: the company that has one foot in the grave and the other foot twitching frantically and aimlessly for survival, and in the process, kicking early adopters(...and adopters period...)in the behind.
-STV on Z10STL100-3/10.1.0.4780 TMO US