Rim

Why is RIM running away from BlackBerry to battle Apple?

By Rene Ritchie, Friday, Dec 17, 2010 a 1:28 pm

Why is RIM running away from BlackBerry in order to try and keep up, never mind compete, with Apple's iPad, never mind iPhone? Georgia, Chad, Ally and I spoke about this at length on last Sunday's iPad Live! podcast but given RIM's financial results and accompanying comments this week, I think it's appropriate to get some text behind it now as well.

Apple iPhone now tied with BlackBerry for US market share, Android catching up

By Brian Tufo, Wednesday, Dec 1, 2010 a 2:57 pm

According to the latest data from The Nielsen Company, Apple's iOS for iPhone and RIM's BBOS for BlackBerry are neck-and-neck for total U.S. smartphone operating system market share sitting at 27 percent each. Android OS, which powered a bunch of phones from Motorola, HTC, Samsung, and others, is hot on their heels now sitting at 22 percent of total U.S. Market share.

When it comes to smartphone loyalty, Apple's iPhone wins

By Allyson Kazmucha, Tuesday, Nov 30, 2010 a 8:28 am

According to Gfk's recent survey, iPhone users remain the most satisfied and claim they'll stick with their iPhones instead of jumping ship to another smartphone platform. Out of all the users surveyed, only 25% of them plan to stay loyal to their current smartphone platform while 56% of those surveyed plan to keep their options open when buying their next smartphone. Out of those users who say they're staying loyal to their current smartphone platform, Apple users made up 59% of that number. Microsoft phones showed the lowest user loyalty base at only 21%. RIM, Nokia, and Android fell between the 24-35% ranges.

Apple stealing RIM enterprise sales staff

By Andrew Wray, Wednesday, Nov 24, 2010 a 8:30 am

The Wallstreet Journal is reporting that Apple has been poaching sales staff from RIM in order to better compete in the enterprise sector with the iPhone. Some of these converts have been high-ranking members of RIM's staff.

In the past 18 months, at least five members of RIM's enterprise-sales team have left the company to join Apple. This includes Geoff Perfect, who served as Head of Strategic Sales at RIM for nearly five years before leaving in April 2009 and joining Apple a month later as Head of Enterprise iPhone Sales, according to LinkedIn, the online networking service for professionals.

RIM puts PlayBook vs. iPad in browser test video

By Brian Tufo, Tuesday, Nov 16, 2010 a 1:16 pm

Today RIM posted a video of their PlayBook vs. Apple's iPad to demonstrate the browsing ability and speeds the PlayBook has to offer. The results are interesting but seemingly skewed as well.

There were three different tests RIM used to compare the browers on the two devices. They went head-to-head in raw web-site rendering, Acid3, and Java.

To start out they are both directed towards IFA.com and then CBS.com. The PlayBook clearly finishing loading and rendering both web-sites faster than the iPad. The CBS site however has flash content on it and obviously will not fully load on the iPad.

On the Acid3 test both devices managed to score 100/100 but RIM boasts that the iPad has an HTML error during this test.

The funny thing about these tests are that the iPad is over 6 months old compared to the PlayBook not even being out yet for sale. Also an interesting note is the fact the PlayBook is running on QNX which is Adobe Flash and AIR programs so naturally it will run flash sites as compared to the iPad not having flash capabilities.

It will be far more interesting to see the 2nd generation iPad pitted versus the PlayBook as the two devices will be on a much more level playing field. Do you think this test has any validity given the fact the iPad is real and the PlayBook is still technically vaporware or do you think this is Apple's chance to step up their game and blow the PlayBook out of the water?

Check out the video after the break!

[ CrackBerry ]

UPDATED: Documents to Go maker DataViz bought by RIM?

By Rene Ritchie, Friday, Sep 3, 2010 a 7:37 pm

Did BlackBerry maker RIM just buy DataViz, maker of Documents to Go for iPhone and iPad (and other platform)? CrackBerry.com has multiple sources saying they did, and for about $50 million cash.

BlackBerry Torch 9800 reviews -- the competition

By Rene Ritchie, Wednesday, Aug 4, 2010 a 10:44 pm

Read the full BlackBerry Torch 9800 Review and BlackBerry 6 Review

Blackberry maker RIM registers BlackPad.com

By Rene Ritchie, Wednesday, Jul 28, 2010 a 10:55 pm

BlackBerry maker RIM has registered BlackPad.com. No, I'm not making that up.

Research In Motion has recently taken over the domain name "BlackPad.com". Now, despite what you think of the name itself, many folks are eluding to the fact that this URL could be one of many used for the rumored upcoming BlackBerry Tablet. Now while we here would like to believe that as well, the fact is Research In Motion owns over 4,000+ registered domain names already.

Phew. But so help me if this time next year we have iPad, PalmPad, and BlackPad -- someone's getting punched in the marketing department.

iPhone is 3% of handset unit volume, 2x profit of RIM, Nokia, Sony combined. iPad next?

By Rene Ritchie, Wednesday, Jul 21, 2010 a 10:54 pm

While iPhone accounts for only 3% of handset market share by unit volume, Finacial Times reveals some Goldman's numbers that show it's set to capture a stunning 2X the profit share of Nokia, RIM, and Sony -- combined.

Updated: RIM responds to Apple over antennagate

By Rene Ritchie, Saturday, Jul 17, 2010 a 8:15 am

Co-CEOs Mike Lazaridis and Jim Balsillie have released an official response from RIM to Apple's iPhone 4 press conference yesterday and Steve Jobs' demonstration of a BlackBerry Bold 9700 suffering from similar signal-drop when death-gripped: