[Homo Erectus]

When Research In Motion Ltd. in 2011 announced the first delay in the launch of its next-generation mobile operating system, then-co-CEO Mike Lazaridis said the platform when it finally emerged would be worth the wait.

On Wednesday, with RIM set to unveil the BlackBerry 10 OS and two handsets, likely touch screen and tactile keyboard versions in a multi-city launch event, consumers will get a sense about whether he was right.

Many specifics of the software and hardware upgrade have already been revealed in RIM demos and with the release of thousands of so- called Alpha devices for application developers.

And RIM has passed a key hurdle in that reviews from analysts, tech bloggers and journalists of the OS and hardware, a radical departure from BlackBerries of the past, have been almost uniformly positive.

Writing in techradar.com, for example, John McCann and Mary Branscombe said the BB10 interface resembles Android and Apple�s iOS, but includes several compelling and innovative distinctions.

�RIM has merged homescreens, widgets, app lists and a unified inbox into one slick interface, offering up an easy-to-navigate user experience,� they wrote.

Controlled by gestures, users can tap an app, slide down to open other options such as phone and messages in the integrated BlackBerry Hub, then slide up from the bottom to leave the application without actually closing it.

�Nobody should have to worry about opening apps,� RIM CEO Thorsten Heins said at the company�s annual developer conference in September.

�They should just be there.�

Features that allow users to toggle between personal and encrypted business apps, along with a virtual keyboard that anticipates keystrokes in multiple languages have also drawn praise.

Some analysts believe RIM engineers have succeeded in building an operating system from the ground up strong enough to challenge Microsoft�s Windows 8 � a platform being adopted by a growing list of hardware vendors � for third spot in global sales.

But RIM has paid dearly for its commitment to getting BB10 just right as its U.S. market share plunged to 1.6 per cent in November, according to Kantar Worldpanel ComTech, from more than 40 per cent in 2010.

Many analysts say product refresh delays and other setbacks including a three-day BlackBerry outage in the fall of 2011 and release of a tablet PC without native email opened the door for Apple and Samsung.

�Wow, what a disaster,� Edward Snyder of Charter Equity Research said after RIM announced a delay in the BB10 launch to the first quarter of 2013, past the critical back to school and holiday shopping season. The first BB10 device based on QNX software was initially slated to launch in early 2012.

RIM is in �a handset death spiral,� he said about a company that dominated the U.S. market in 2008, when its stock peaked at $148 (U.S.).

With BlackBerry relying on an aging lineup of devices and lagging Apple and Android in the adoption of apps that allow users to personalize their smarthphones, rivals rushed into its territory.

Apple declared a new focus on enterprise customers and rivals emerged in markets that had been RIM strongholds, such as secure e-mail and text.

Vendors such as Symantec and IBM launched new offerings in the mobile device management sector RIM is counting on to bolster service fees � revenue that is under pressure with the BlackBerry�s declining market share.

And Samsung rode the Android software platform to surpass Apple as number one in global smartphone shipments in the final quarter of 2012, according to research from IDC.

Manufacturers in Asia have churned out low-end handsets, with Huawei taking third spot in global smartphone shipments in the fourth quarter, posting year-over year growth of more than 85 per cent, IDC added.

RIM went from relentless growth to it first sales decline in 2011 and in its most recent quarter reported a drop in its global user base to 79 million from 80 million.

It said BlackBerry sales fell in the U.S., Canada and the U.K. while its growth was largely derived from developing markets where lower cost, legacy BlackBerry handsets predominate.

The company will have posted several consecutive quarters of operating losses before impacts from the BB10 rollout are felt on its balance sheet, with some analyst forecasting red ink into 2014.

The upshot is that RIM needs a game-changer in BB10 if has any hope of winning customers from Apple and Android in the U.S., which may be required for the company to return to profitability and avoid a break up or hostile takeover.

Shares in RIM have surged since September on optimism that the BB10 launch will drive short term share value, but some analyst think the run up overestimates demand for the new OS and hardware.

Citigroup�s Jim Suva, with a sell rating on the stock, said in a note this week that shareholders have been given false hope.

�We remind investors that actual sell through matters to determine the true financial impact . . . on the company�s financials, especially in an increasingly competitive environment.�

BB10 � What we know

While questions around pricing, sales dates, even the names of new devices remain, a good deal is already understood about Research In Motion's BlackBerry 10 operating system and smartphones to be officially released Wednesday.

The Waterloo-based company has been offering teasers and has revealed a 4.2 inch, pitch black touch screen device with a virtual keyboard.

A QWERTY version would be launched soon thereafter and RIM has reserved the right to makes changes before final products are unveiled.

BlackBerry Hub

� RIM�s messaging strength has been given a lift. BlackBerry Messenger texts, e-mails, voice and social media are managed through the Hub.

BlackBerry World

� Formerly BlackBerry App World, BlackBerry World will have more apps than any other app store at launch, RIM says, and will offer music and movies.

BlackBerry browser

� RIM�s Web browser is expected to have similarities to Android�s Chrome and iPhone�s Safari.

Multitasking

� Called Cascades, RIM�s version allows users to swipe apps from view while leaving them open in the background.

BlackBerry Balance

� Users can toggle between personal modes to secured work-related apps

Hardware

� Boosted screen resolution and improved camera.

Michael Lewis
RIM and how the West was lost - thestar.com

[Goint]

The star, what a rag.

[anon(5624621)]

"But RIM has paid dearly for its commitment to getting BB10 just right as its U.S. market share plunged to 1.6 per cent in November, according to Kantar Worldpanel ComTech, from more than 40 per cent in 2010."

Not really related to the article, but I see this 1.6 percent a lot, and (correct me if I'm wrong) it seems to be based on extrapolated consumer panel numbers only and excludes enterprise purchases, which would obviously make RIM's position look worse than it is. (Not that RIM's position isn't bad, we all know that things have been in the toilet for them)

[Jonesy1966]

I have to say that The Star does have an over whelming bias against RIM but had been playing nice recently. It's odd that people keep bringing up the delays, they only add up to 5 or 6 weeks and yet they're talked about like they're 2 or 3 years behind schedule.

[BaconMunch]

The way journalists continue to use the word "share" is unrepresentative of the truth and exaggerates for impact, AFAIK the 1.6 per cent refers to new sales in that month/quarter, the actually paying subscribers are a few percentages higher. I do agree that current sales point to a weak future, however it is not correct picture of active ownership.

[richardat]

The way journalists continue to use the word "share" is unrepresentative of the truth and exaggerates for impact, AFAIK the 1.6 per cent refers to new sales in that month/quarter, the actually paying subscribers are a few percentages higher. I do agree that current sales point to a weak future, however it is not correct picture of active ownership.

Incorrect. They are using it the correct way as per the accepted definition. You are not.

[sf49ers]

Incorrect. They are using it the correct way as per the accepted definition. You are not.

What @baconmunch said is correct it was sales for nov month or that quarter and not the total market share. Actual US share is around 7% or 9 million consumers as per garner report that was reported last month

[Bold_until_Hybrid_Comes]

What @baconmunch said is correct it was sales for nov month or that quarter and not the total market share. Actual US share is around 7% or 9 million consumers as per garner report that was reported last month

I concur with @baconmunch and @sf49ers

[richardat]

What @baconmunch said is correct it was sales for nov month or that quarter and not the total market share\.

Correct. There really is nothing to argue here; this place still amazes me on occasion. You are free to make up your own definition of marketshare, and claim that everyone else is using the wrong one, or you can do a search and find out what the accepted definition is, and WHY it is used.

This article (and others) are clearly referencing phone sales. The sentence before the statistic specifically says "sales". It doesn't get any simpler or more explicit than that.

You (or at least: most) do not walk around saying the Chevy Cavalier has a huge marketshare.

Believe what you wish. I'm not going to argue terms that should have been learned in high school consumer ed. with people who cannot even be bothered, in this day and age, to look it up before declaring themselves right. What hubris! In any case, it really doesn't matter outside of here, you can use the term incorrectly, the rest of the world will use it as they have been, and you can rail against the incorrectly perceived injustice.

[BBerryPowerUser]

The only thing certain in today's smart-phone market is change.

No company can rest on their current platform indefinitely. There will always be change and consumers will always keep a lustful eye on what is "new". Believe it or not, even iPhone will need to be vigilant. The current iOS will fade, and Apple will have to do something, eventually, to upgrade that platform. Some new player may come forward with a totally unique platform that as of yet we can't even imagine, and shake up the market - again.

RIM has a solid base, and they've got fans. Some of us will always stick with them no matter what. And, unless they are boarded up, closed down, and extinct, they can ALWAYS re-invent themselves. "10" may be the answer for now. 10 years from now, it will most likely also be a Dinosaur, and need another jump-start to stay competitive in today's market.

[sf49ers]

Correct. There really is nothing to argue here; this place still amazes me on occasion. You are free to make up your own definition of marketshare, and claim that everyone else is using the wrong one, or you can do a search and find out what the accepted definition is, and WHY it is used.

This article (and others) are clearly referencing phone sales. The sentence before the statistic specifically says "sales". It doesn't get any simpler or more explicit than that.

You (or at least: most) do not walk around saying the Chevy Cavalier has a huge marketshare.

Believe what you wish. I'm not going to argue terms that should have been learned in high school consumer ed. with people who cannot even be bothered, in this day and age, to look it up before declaring themselves right. What hubris! In any case, it really doesn't matter outside of here, you can use the term incorrectly, the rest of the world will use it as they have been, and you can rail against the incorrectly perceived injustice.

what part of the following statement you didn't understand(and that claim is simply wrong)

"But RIM has paid dearly for its commitment to getting BB10 just right as its U.S. market share plunged to 1.6 per cent in November, according to Kantar Worldpanel ComTech, from more than 40 per cent in 2010."

[richardat]

what part of the following statement you didn't understand(and that claim is simply wrong)

"But RIM has paid dearly for its commitment to getting BB10 just right as its U.S. market share plunged to 1.6 per cent in November, according to Kantar Worldpanel ComTech, from more than 40 per cent in 2010."

I see...you're confused. I understand the statement, and don't "claim is simply wrong". I said it was a VALID statement. You need to direct this inquiry to Emstardeluxe and/or Baconmunch, and help them.

[Bold_until_Hybrid_Comes]

I see...you're confused. I understand the statement, and don't "claim is simply wrong". I said it was a VALID statement. You need to direct this inquiry to Emstardeluxe and/or Baconmunch, and help them.

Common. Show some positivity. Its an exciting time. Seems like you are always hostile

[richardat]

An easily accessible version of marketshare that is indeed in-line with the way marketshare of phone sales is being used. Anybody who has read (and understands) analysis reports, etc. will be able to verify that. Again...this isn't rocket science, and it isn't open to debate. This IS how it is being used.

Definition of 'Market Share'
The percentage of an industry or market's total sales that is earned by a particular company over a specified time period. Market share is calculated by taking the company's sales over the period and dividing it by the total sales of the industry over the same period. This metric is used to give a general idea of the size of a company to its market and its competitors.

Investopedia explains 'Market Share'
Investors look at market share increases and decreases carefully because they can be a sign of the relative competitiveness of the company's products or services. As the total market for a product or service grows, a company that is maintaining its market share is growing revenues at the same rate as the total market. A company that is growing its market share will be growing its revenues faster than its competitors.

Market share increases can allow a company to achieve greater scale in its operations and improve profitability. Companies are always looking to expand their share of the market, in addition to trying to grow the size of the total market by appealing to larger demographics, lowering prices, or through advertising. This calculation is sometimes done over specific countries such as Canada market share or US market share.

Investors can obtain market share data from various independent sources (such as trade groups and regulatory bodies), and often from the company itself, although some industries are harder to measure with accuracy than others.

[richardat]

Common. Show some positivity. Its an exciting time. Seems like you are always hostile

I'm not interested in juvenile personal attacks. Only content. This is regarding claims about the definition and usage of a term. Your antics and hostility have no place, and I will not be goaded by such trolling.

[anthonysira]

Where are Jim and mike these days????

[Bold_until_Hybrid_Comes]

Where are Jim and mike these days????

My dad's friend's ex-wife is dating ballsillie. I heard that around two months ago.