RIM pulls an Apple and blocks kik
Edit: title should be "RIM pulls an Apple and blocks kik"
Article from local newspaper.
Basically, it looks like kik is becoming too successful with their messaging application, that is cross platform and mimics what might be considered a core function of the BB; certainly a popular BB function. RIM terminated kik's developer agreement, removed them from their app store and, most importantly, pulled them from their Push services so kik messages to BB users are no longer instant.
I live Waterloo and work in development. Both kik and RIM are headquartered here. This is surprising for a number of reasons. RIM is the most successful startup from the region. They should remember that it is the atmosphere of co-operation between local tech companies that in part helped them achieve their success. Also, Jim Balsillie, one of the co-CEO's at RIM, has recently been making a lot of noise about people being few up with the control Apple exerts. And he is right. Apple has made great efforts recently to loosen up on the App Store and SDK restrictions, yet RIM, one of the companies hyping the negatives of the control Apple does exert, now shows that they are more than willing to do the same.
It was bullshit for Apple to use their control of the App Store to bully developers away from areas they wanted and it is bullshit for for RIM to be doing the same. Maybe our Competition Bureau (sort of our FTC) will jump on this.
Article from local newspaper.
Basically, it looks like kik is becoming too successful with their messaging application, that is cross platform and mimics what might be considered a core function of the BB; certainly a popular BB function. RIM terminated kik's developer agreement, removed them from their app store and, most importantly, pulled them from their Push services so kik messages to BB users are no longer instant.
I live Waterloo and work in development. Both kik and RIM are headquartered here. This is surprising for a number of reasons. RIM is the most successful startup from the region. They should remember that it is the atmosphere of co-operation between local tech companies that in part helped them achieve their success. Also, Jim Balsillie, one of the co-CEO's at RIM, has recently been making a lot of noise about people being few up with the control Apple exerts. And he is right. Apple has made great efforts recently to loosen up on the App Store and SDK restrictions, yet RIM, one of the companies hyping the negatives of the control Apple does exert, now shows that they are more than willing to do the same.
It was bullshit for Apple to use their control of the App Store to bully developers away from areas they wanted and it is bullshit for for RIM to be doing the same. Maybe our Competition Bureau (sort of our FTC) will jump on this.
Comments
It was bullshit for Apple to use their control of the App Store to bully developers away from areas they wanted and it is bullshit for for RIM to be doing the same. Maybe our Competition Bureau (sort of our FTC) will jump on this.
Doubtful. Apple can block whatever and whoever they want. So can RIM.
Doubtful. Apple can block whatever and whoever they want. So can RIM.
People said the same when GV got blocked by Apple. Saying it didn't stop the investigation in the US. Even Apple seems to have recognized how weak that arguement is when they threw open the doors and allowed apps that break no rules.
Any serious investigation in Canada is doubtful because kik is tiny and RIM is the darling of the Canadian government as their biggest recent success story.
BB Messenger was an advantage when BB's were the dominant smartphone. Now, if something like kik takes off on other platforms, people that really want to use it will have a reason not to go with a BB. Allowing kik would mean that people that want to use kik can still consider a BB. RIM is picking the wrong fight here and trying to protect a feature that is no longer a real advantage. As fewer and fewer people are using BB, it becomes less important to have a tool that allows one to connect with other BB users exclusively. If I want to communicate with someone, it shouldn't matter what platforms we are using, and if choosing BB means that it matters, then I won't choose a BB (not that I would anyway).
RIM should just buy Kik, rebrand it as BB Kik by RIM or something and put it out on all major platforms. If it keeps building a following the way it has been, then millions of people on other platforms will have the RIM/BB brand in front of them everyday.