5.2 million a year is a long way from 10 million, Chen's target. He should abandon hardware.
Weak quarter though.
They did well to make a net profit. Still $350 million under for the year. If they can make a net profit over a year and stop their revenue slide, they may survive.
I certainly hope they are successful in the transition to a software only company, but it reminds me of a company a while ago with similar plans led by one of the founders of Apple: NeXT.
I certainly hope they are successful in the transition to a software only company, but it reminds me of a company a while ago with similar plans led by one of the founders of Apple: NeXT.
I certainly hope they are successful in the transition to a software only company, but it reminds me of a company a while ago with similar plans led by one of the founders of Apple: NeXT.
It's BB's only way to continue to be successful in any way. They have lost the mobile device wars -- as has MS, btw -- so software/services is pretty much the only way for them to put together profits and a real model.
Look, we all know that the mobile market is too mature for someone new to come in anytime soon. Apple and Sammy just own the hardware mobile device market. What did I read the other day about HTC? They had less than 2% of the market, if I remember correctly. Now, sure, that's a lot of money. But let's face it: It's Apple and Samsung. OK, that's not entirely right, since there are Chinese companies who sell a lot of phones. But volume means nothing if you don't have good margins. Heck, ask most Android device makers.
So, I think BB is smart to focus on something different. They stand NO chance of ever breaking back into the hardware market. So ... do something different. It seems like Chen knows what he's doing. Now, whether or not it will work, that's a different question. But I never root against anyone's success, unless they really piss me off. So, I hope the software/services model works for them.
Good question. With the failed hardware business and pointless OS no longer being contributing factors to a black number and most hardware development being outsourced (easy to cut off)... Chances for somebody wanting access to regulated businesses / governments might be better now.
Only fools where expecting this "turnaround" to bring BB back to the old glory days. Apple is the only electronics maker that ever had a comeback, and that was a "once in a lifetime" story. But no longer bleeding cash and still having the largest installed base in the, for now, important MDM market is at least something. They must sell while this still makes any sense, the systems of the future (and several products are already moving into that direction) will manage everything that is remotely a computer, without requiring different management tools for every platform. BB will not be able to play there, companies like MS and IBM are lightyears ahead.
True. But of course it wasn't just a fluke, Apple did have a secret weapon, Steve Jobs. Rim doesn't appear to have anyone like that lying around.
This is what happens when you go to where the puck is instead of where it will be. Apple is always looking ahead and the others are always looking where Apple is and trying to follow.
It's like to see them make a comeback and take 20% of Android market share!!! More competition is a good thing. It's a very, very long shot at this point though.
The US Government still uses them as do some enterprise entities. I wonder how many went to the Government?
Good point... I've been a technology contractor for the US Government for over 10 years. The Government appears to be a dumping ground for technology just before it goes out of date.
Good point... I've been a technology contractor for the US Government for over 10 years. The Government appears to be a dumping ground for technology just before it goes out of date.
As I remember it -- and possibly incorrectly I will admit -- there was something about BB that the Government felt was most secure, so they stuck with it.
If I'm wrong about this, I'll be the first to admit it. But that's how I remember the story.
Comments
Weak quarter though.
People making crumble.
They did well to make a net profit. Still $350 million under for the year. If they can make a net profit over a year and stop their revenue slide, they may survive.
It's also reminiscint of Apple 1996-2001
I certainly hope they are successful in the transition to a software only company, but it reminds me of a company a while ago with similar plans led by one of the founders of Apple: NeXT.
It's BB's only way to continue to be successful in any way. They have lost the mobile device wars -- as has MS, btw -- so software/services is pretty much the only way for them to put together profits and a real model.
Look, we all know that the mobile market is too mature for someone new to come in anytime soon. Apple and Sammy just own the hardware mobile device market. What did I read the other day about HTC? They had less than 2% of the market, if I remember correctly. Now, sure, that's a lot of money. But let's face it: It's Apple and Samsung. OK, that's not entirely right, since there are Chinese companies who sell a lot of phones. But volume means nothing if you don't have good margins. Heck, ask most Android device makers.
So, I think BB is smart to focus on something different. They stand NO chance of ever breaking back into the hardware market. So ... do something different. It seems like Chen knows what he's doing. Now, whether or not it will work, that's a different question. But I never root against anyone's success, unless they really piss me off. So, I hope the software/services model works for them.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2007/02/12/us-rim-iphone-idUSN1236561320070212
True. But of course it wasn't just a fluke, Apple did have a secret weapon, Steve Jobs. Rim doesn't appear to have anyone like that lying around.
LOL
This is what happens when you go to where the puck is instead of where it will be. Apple is always looking ahead and the others are always looking where Apple is and trying to follow.
Yeah, right. Specially when it comes to Phablets
That was my first reaction ... 'they sold some?'
Jam makers mostly.
The same people who are buying typewriters at this point.
Good point... I've been a technology contractor for the US Government for over 10 years. The Government appears to be a dumping ground for technology just before it goes out of date.
As I remember it -- and possibly incorrectly I will admit -- there was something about BB that the Government felt was most secure, so they stuck with it.
If I'm wrong about this, I'll be the first to admit it. But that's how I remember the story.
RIP.
Apple sold that much every Two days in the last qtr.
Possibly still a niche market, some enterprise, government:, though IIRC they're have been reported cracks in their enterprise security?
An older one: http://gizmodo.com/5985255/blackberry-security-flaw-could-compromise-enterprise-servers
Now: "BlackBerry begins slow rollout for FREAK security flaw, most devices still at risk"
http://www.zdnet.com/article/blackberry-slow-to-respond-to-freak-flaw-says-it-has-no-fix/
Oh lord... here we go again.
I'd love to see these mythical landfills where people think most smartphones end up. They must be packed after all these years.
And all landing on top of that buried mountain of "E.T.: The Extraterrestrial" video games...