Category Archives: RIM
BlackBerry demands probe into ‘misleading claims’ over Z10 customer returns
Lack of apps and poor user interface cited for returns
Claims that some retailers are finding more customers are returning their BlackBerry Z10 phones than the outlets are actually selling has prompted demands by the manufacturer for an investigation into the research company involved. The troubled Canadian firm is to ask the Securities and Exchange Commission and Ontario Securities Commission to probe what it says is “a false and misleading report” about retail return rates. The report, by Boston-based Detwiler Fenton, initially sparked a fall in the value of BlackBerry shares, though at close on Nasdaq last night the price had recovered slightly to $13.64 – albeit still well below its January peak of $18.32. Continue reading
Six in ten smartphones sold in UK now Android, says Kantar
But the clouds still over BlackBerry
Latest figures from market researcher Kantar confirm Android’s overwhelming dominance of the UK smartphone market, accounting for six in every ten handsets sold. But, as with the rest of the world, Kantar’s quarterly survey up to February [2013] also reveals BlackBerry as continuing to lose ground, with the once dominant manufacturer taking just 5.1 per cent of sales in the period, down from 16.8 per cent a year ago.
Update: BlackBerry’s new OS doesn’t fail crucial security test in Britain
UPDATE: The Guardian’s article on which this story was based has since been amended to retract the allegation that BB10 has been failed over security worries
See our latest story here. Read our original story ….
Government agencies could turn their back on new smartphones
Canadian smartphone maker BlackBerry could lose millions in potential revenue after British government experts ruled that its latest Z10 and Q10 smartphones are not secure enough. According to The Guardian newspaper, the UK’s Computer Experts Security Group (CESG) has refused to endorse BlackBerry’s new BB10 platform, despite the fact that BlackBerry phones have traditionally been the preferred devices for government workers because of their high security thresholds. Continue reading
BBM Voice for 5.0 OS is a fight back too late for BlackBerry
Rating: Seems a tad user unfriendly, too
First the good news. Recently [March 12th 2013], BlackBerry announced that there was a brand spanking new version (7.0.1) of BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) which features a new facility called BBM Voice. This feature provides voice chatting over a Wi-fi connection and will work now with BlackBerry smartphones running the BlackBerry OS version 5.0. What this effectively does is to put BlackBerry smartphones in direct competition with the likes of Skype. Don’t forget that Skype only ever produced an official Skype client for BlackBerries on the Sprint network. So it is BlackBerry fighting back. In our humble opinion, it is too little too late. Continue reading
Chance remark by China’s Lenovo boss sends BlackBerry’s shares soaring
And it’s not the first time Lenovo has hinted of a takeover
Takeover speculation sent shares in handset maker BlackBerry 14 per cent higher on Nasdaq last night [11th March 2013], despite analysts pouring cold water on the rumours. The surge in BlackBerry’s stock price came after Yang Yuanqing, CEO of giant Chinese PC maker Lenovo, told a newspaper that his company could be interested in buying the troubled Canadian manufacturer at some point in the future. Continue reading
BlackBerry’s former joint boss ditches entire shareholding
News unsettles confidence in firm as it struggles to regain position
BlackBerry‘s former co chief executive Jim Balsillie has quietly disposed of his entire stake in the Canadian manufacturer, it has emerged, putting a dent in the company’s share price as nervous investors followed suit. The company, until recently known as RIM, is struggling to regain ground lost to Apple and Samsung, having launched its make-or-break BB10 platform and new smartphones only a few weeks ago. Continue reading
Guest Post: Ready, set, go! with BB10
Retailers hold the key to getting Blackberry 10 users off the blocks
by Dror Haliva, head of marketing with Cellebrite
The recent launch of the Blackberry Z10 is set to spark excitement among consumers looking for the next smartphone upgrade. However, whilst getting a new mobile phone can be something to look forward to, for many customers it can also be a data nightmare. People can’t get started until data has been transferred from an old device to the new one – a laborious task which can take hours. Continue reading
Guest Post: The new Z10 – will it knock the competition into touch?
by Tim Douthwaite, head of mobile sales with Ardencom
So what does can we make of the newly launched BB10 powered BlackBerry Z10? I’d summarise my verdict into three sections: – the handset; functionality; and cost.
The handset
I’d say that from a distance, lying on the desk, the handset could easily be mistaken for an iPhone or Samsung Galaxy S2. Continue reading
RIM/BlackBerry may have ultimate BYOD killer app
Rating: Lost in the BB10 disappointment is BlackBerry Balance
Of course, it was about time that Research In Motion (RIM) finally got wise to the fact that in future we can finally refer to the maker of the BlackBerry smartphone as BlackBerry instead. Good move. Years too late, though. RIM displayed an obvious ignorance of the power of brands by not renaming beforehand, of course. Overall, the industry reaction to the new Z10 hasn’t been very positive. However, that’s probably because mobile generalists fail to appreciate what put the BlackBerry up the top in the first place. It is a corporate tool. And the introduction of the new BlackBerry Balance feature means that organisations will feel a lot safer about deploying these smartphones within their own BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) strategy. Continue reading
RIM’s shares down nearly 8% soon after BB10 launch
Shares in Canadian manufacturer RIM went into a nosedive in New York today [30th January] as investors seemingly acted unfavourably towards the firm’s vital BlackBerry launch.
Within less than an hour after CEO Thorsten Heins took to the stage at a nearby venue, the company’s shares plunged nearly 8 per cent to just under $15 by midday. Continue reading
New BlackBerry phone ‘available at Vodafone stores from tomorrow’
Comes free with a two year contract, it’s claimed
Vodafone customers will be able to get their hands on RIM‘s new BlackBerry 10 phones within less than 24 hours of today’s launch, it’s claimed. According to The Verge website which says it was tipped off by one of the carrier’s employees, an internal memo reveals how customers will be able to order their BlackBerry Z10 online at 5pm today and then pick it up at any Vodafone store tomorrow [January 31st 2013]. Continue reading
Get ready to switch to RIM’s BB10
Rating: GoMo’s Top Tips for migrating from an old Berry to the latest models
With RIM all set to launch the very latest version of its mobile OS – BlackBerry 10, tomorrow [January 30th 2013], it has drawn our attention to the process of migrating from one BlackBerry model to another. The need for backups is therefore a must. GoMobile News thought it might be useful to provide some Top Tips for doing so from our recent experience of migrating from an 8250 to a 9320. We don’t know how much easier it might be to migrate to a BB10 device yet but there’s no harm in being safe rather than sorry. Continue reading
Lenovo boss down-plays RIM acquisition remarks
Didn’t mean it, he says, after shares in Canadian phone maker shoot up
Chinese electronics giant Lenovo is playing down reports that it is planning a takeover bid for RIM, a rumour that pushed the Canadian manufacturer’s shares up by 2.3 per cent last week, adding to earlier gains brought on by excitement surrounding the launch of its long-awaited BlackBerry 10 devices on Wednesday [30th January 2013]. Continue reading
UK retailers favour Samsung over Apple, says survey
Commission hungry sales bods reckon Korean maker’s devices are safer bet
A mystery shopper survey of UK high streets has revealed that Samsung’s smartphones are the most recommended by retailers, with BlackBerry and LG devices rarely suggested. The survey, by Informa Telecoms and Media, found that the Samsung Galaxy SIII and the Galaxy Note II were the most recommended, followed by the iPhone 5. Phones from other manufacturers such as ZTE, Motorola, LG, RIM and Nokia were rarely proffered to customers. Continue reading
Crucial milestone for RIM as it starts shipping new BES
Download now available ahead of next week’s BB10 smartphone launch
RIM has begun shipping its long awaited BlackBerry Enterprise Service 10 (BES 10) operating system, designed to support its upcoming BB10 smartphones also due to be launched next week. Available as a download to governments and corporate clients, it also offers support for the Canadian maker’s PlayBook tablets, Android devices, plus Apple’s iPhone and iPad iOS products through a unified web-based console. Continue reading
