Print | What's Next? Comment from Tech Analyst Jeff Kagan
Greg Bensinger, tech reporter with the Wall Street Journal writes yesterday that Sprint Nextel will not carry the new RIM Blackberry Playbook.
That is another blow to the tech giant. Their stock price has dropped almost in half this year. They face significant pressure from the next generation of smart phones and tablet computers.
Hands down everyone loved the Blackberry over the last decade and they grew rapidly, year after year. However things have changed rapidly for the company and the industry.
I gave a speech two years ago warning RIM to fix this problem or they would be seeing tough times ahead. That comment was pushed back at me by several Blackberry workers in the audience during the Q&A portion. They were RIM after all. Bulletproof.
Unfortunately my prediction came true.
There has been rough treading for the 4G Playbook from all three major carriers. Verizon Wireless, AT&T Mobility and Sprint Nextel have all said no. Yet Verizon and AT&T successfully carry the Apple iPad and Sprint carries a wi-fi version of the RIM Playbook.
Unfortunately for RIM this pushes them further in the wrong direction.
This is a brand and a company that the marketplace would love to welcome back. However the longer they take, the harder it is to snap back. Just ask Motorola who experience a similar problem over the last decade and a half.
The company has to meet the market halfway however. That is not something is it used to doing. It is used to steering their ship and having the customers follow them along like the Pied Piper.
The marketplace has changed.
They need to update their brand and their image quickly and effectively.
If they can do that successfully, they can compete and win again. If they cannot, they may unfortunately be doomed. The clock is ticking.
Jeff Kagan
Tech Analyst
770 579 5810
Other press releases from Jeff Kagan
- Apple iPhone Sales Weaker Than Expected | Jeff Kagan Industry Analyst - January 14th, 2013
- Will FACEBOOK Launch Phone This Week? | Jeff Kagan Industry Analyst - January 13th, 2013
- Nokia Not Out of Woods Yet | Jeff Kagan Wireless Analyst - January 10th, 2013
- Why Microsoft Windows 8 Holiday Sales Were Soft, Jeff Kagan Tech Analyst - January 5th, 2013
- Sprint Nextel Acquiring Clearwire for Wireless Data | Jeff Kagan Industry Analyst - December 17th, 2012
Contact Information
Jeff KaganTitle: Tech Analyst
Jeff Kagan
PO Box 670562
Marietta, GA 30066
Phone: 770 579 5810
Email: jeff@jeffkagan.com
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