BlackBerry smartphones have become so common in the Caribbean, it almost seems odd when someone does not have one. Many of us don\u2019t know what we would do without our BlackBerry, but could the device be on its way out?<\/em><\/p>\n
In terms of mobile phone, BlackBerry devices are by far the most popular phone in the Caribbean. For years \u201cthe BlackBerry\u201d was seen as a prestigious device that people aspired to own. With the falling prices of mobile phones and \u201cthe BlackBerry\u201d becoming more mainstream \u2013 not just for executives \u2013 millions in the region and around the world are now part of this no longer elite group. However, industry pundits are concerned that Research in Motion (RIM), the manufacturer of the BlackBerry, has not acknowledged fundamental shifts that have occurred in the mobile computing market, which they believe inherently signals the company’s imminent demise.<\/p>\n
The concerns about BlackBerry\/RIM are varied, and some have been in existence for a while. For example,<\/p>\n
It therefore seemed that BlackBerry has been playing \u00a0game of “catch-up” to to the more popular smartphones. However recently, grave concerns have been expressed about RIM\u2019s intention to abandon the current Operating System (OS), version 6.0, when its new phones are released in a few weeks. The new OS, version 7.0, will run on the new BlackBerry Bold 9900 only<\/strong>. More importantly, previous phones, even the company\u2019s most recent releases, such as the Torch or Bold 9700, will not be updated to this new OS and as such, they will not benefit from the extensive improvements RIM has reportedly made.<\/p>\n
In this day and age, some experts are criticising RIM for not seeing the BlackBerry OS as a platform, similar to iOS or Android, but instead it focuses on producing discrete devices that have little relation to each other (Infoworld<\/a>). As a result, there is limited (if no) compatibility between its various phones, or even between the BlackBerry phone OS and its tablet OS. This major failing is being seen as indicative of the company\u2019s imminent demise.<\/p>\n
As indicated in previous paragraphs, BlackBerry smartphones are still very popular. Users love the keyboard, and the platform is known for being one of the strongest and most secure on the market. They are also considered durable and reliable, and are available with a wide range of functions and styles.<\/p>\n
However, reviews for the BlackBerry PlayBook tablet have been mixed. Within days of its release in April this year, users complained that the devices failed to restart, so there have been a number of software patches and updates since the launch. However, it seems that the PlayBook’s greatest strengths still are the features that are geared towards the corporate environment.<\/p>\n
For BlackBerry users in the Caribbean , the short answer is yes \u2013 we must watch this space. In the US, BlackBerry smartphones have already lost market share to the iPhone and Android-based phones. Even businesses that had been faithful BlackBerry customers are moving to other platforms, especially as security and affordability have improved. Most tellingly, and again in the US, in the first quarter of 2011, sale of Android-based smartphones overtook the BlackBerry for the first time since their launch (Mashable<\/a>). However, in the Caribbean, the BlackBerry might be better positioned to hold on to its supremacy in the market:<\/p>\n