| Is Research In Motion destined to fail? As with all holy | | | | fight. The Christians vs. The Muslims in the Crusades. |
| wars, there's always two sides to the fight. The | | | | The Catholics vs. The Protestants in Ireland. Windows |
| Christians vs. The Muslims in the Crusades. The | | | | vs. Mac worldwide. Ford vs. Holden (if you're Australian |
| Catholics vs. The Protestants in Ireland. Windows vs. | | | | :). And, of course, BlackBerry vs. iPhone. And, like |
| Mac worldwide. Ford vs. Holden (if you're Australian :). | | | | anyone with expertise in a certain area, I'm constantly |
| And, of course, BlackBerry vs. iPhone. And, like anyone | | | | getting asked "So what should I get? A BlackBerry or |
| with expertise in a certain area, I'm constantly getting | | | | an iPhone?". |
| asked "So what should I get? A BlackBerry or an | | | | Personally, I'm fairly IT device agnostic. If all you've ever |
| iPhone?". Personally, I'm fairly IT device agnostic. If all | | | | used is a hammer, then it feels like the right tool for |
| you've ever used is a hammer, then it feels like the | | | | every job, and every job starts looking like a nail. And |
| right tool for every job, and every job starts looking like | | | | that's why I try to spend a decent amount of time on |
| a nail. And that's why I try to spend a decent amount | | | | each device before I make my personal choice. If I'm |
| of time on each device before I make my personal | | | | going to be in contract with a telco (yet another evil) |
| choice. If I'm going to be in contract with a telco (yet | | | | for a minimum of 24 months then I want to make sure |
| another evil) for a minimum of 24 months then I want | | | | that the device I choose is going to fit what I need |
| to make sure that the device I choose is going to fit | | | | today, and be able to add features as I need them in |
| what I need today, and be able to add features as I | | | | the future. In my 23-ish years of being in the IT industry |
| need them in the future. In my 23-ish years of being in | | | | I have learnt one thing: no one device does everything |
| the IT industry I have learnt one thing: no one device | | | | for every person every time. This is especially true in |
| does everything for every person every time. This is | | | | the PDA/Smartphone space. |
| especially true in the PDA/Smartphone space. Do not | | | | Do not ask for whom the bell tolls, RIM. It tolls for thee. |
| ask for whom the bell tolls, RIM. It tolls for thee. The | | | | The death knell has been struck. And unless RIM |
| death knell has been struck. And unless RIM makes | | | | makes some dramatic changes, the BlackBerry is |
| some dramatic changes, the BlackBerry is going to be | | | | going to be relegated to an "also ran" device. There |
| relegated to an "also ran" device. There are five areas | | | | are five areas that Research In Motion needs to |
| that Research In Motion needs to address quickly | | | | address quickly before losing the battle entirely to |
| before losing the battle entirely to Apple. Ask almost | | | | Apple. |
| any Joe or Josephine Random in the IT sector this | | | | Ask almost any Joe or Josephine Random in the IT |
| question "Who is Steve Jobs?" and you're almost | | | | sector this question "Who is Steve Jobs?" and you're |
| guaranteed a 100% correct response worldwide. | | | | almost guaranteed a 100% correct response |
| Depending on what side of the Holy War you ask, you | | | | worldwide. Depending on what side of the Holy War |
| might also get a mixture of "saviour", "miracle worker", | | | | you ask, you might also get a mixture of "saviour", |
| "satan in the flesh", or "the personification of evil". Now, | | | | "miracle worker", "satan in the flesh", or "the |
| ask the same sampling of people "What does Jim | | | | personification of evil". Now, ask the same sampling of |
| Balsillie do?" and you'll mostly get blank stares outside | | | | people "What does Jim Balsillie do?" and you'll mostly |
| of the US and Canada. You're may possibly going to | | | | get blank stares outside of the US and Canada. You're |
| get an earful, from the American hockey supporters, | | | | may possibly going to get an earful, from the |
| about Jim's attempt to take over the Phoenix Coyotes. | | | | American hockey supporters, about Jim's attempt to |
| RIM needs a public face, an image to connect to. A | | | | take over the Phoenix Coyotes. RIM needs a public |
| very quick search on Google doesn't seem to show | | | | face, an image to connect to. A very quick search on |
| any international whistle-stop tours by either of RIM's | | | | Google doesn't seem to show any international |
| top-dogs, Jim Balsillie or Mike Lazaridis, nor does any | | | | whistle-stop tours by either of RIM's top-dogs, Jim |
| such information appear on RIM's news or press | | | | Balsillie or Mike Lazaridis, nor does any such |
| release pages. Either Jim and Mike are afraid of flying, | | | | information appear on RIM's news or press release |
| or their feet are nailed to the floor. Or is it just a lack of | | | | pages. Either Jim and Mike are afraid of flying, or their |
| regard for the international marketplace. In fact, I would | | | | feet are nailed to the floor. Or is it just a lack of regard |
| tend to believe that it is this last factor, a lack of regard | | | | for the international marketplace. |
| for the international marketplace, is the core cultural | | | | In fact, I would tend to believe that it is this last factor, a |
| issue that RIM needs to address. On April 1st, almost 5 | | | | lack of regard for the international marketplace, is the |
| months ago, the BlackBerry App World was released | | | | core cultural issue that RIM needs to address. On April |
| to the world of BlackBerry users. Well, no, not really. | | | | 1st, almost 5 months ago, the BlackBerry App World |
| Only if you are lucky enough to live in the US, Canada | | | | was released to the world of BlackBerry users. Well, |
| and the UK. The App "World" was recently extended | | | | no, not really. Only if you are lucky enough to live in the |
| to some more European countries, but still no joy for | | | | US, Canada and the UK. The App "World" was |
| anyone who lives in the Southern Hemisphere. Maybe | | | | recently extended to some more European countries, |
| the App World should have been name App N. | | | | but still no joy for anyone who lives in the Southern |
| Hemisphere.. or even App Nemesis. Even Apple | | | | Hemisphere. Maybe the App World should have been |
| managed to release the App Store in all countries | | | | name App N. Hemisphere.. or even App Nemesis. |
| where the iPhone was being released. The App World | | | | Even Apple managed to release the App Store in all |
| should have been the great opportunity to unify the | | | | countries where the iPhone was being released. The |
| sales or distribution of BlackBerry applications, but no. | | | | App World should have been the great opportunity to |
| App World should have brought the BlackBerry onto a | | | | unify the sales or distribution of BlackBerry applications, |
| level playing field for the consumer comparison | | | | but no. App World should have brought the BlackBerry |
| between iPhone and BlackBerry, and providing a | | | | onto a level playing field for the consumer comparison |
| professionally managed repostiry. As it stands, I have | | | | between iPhone and BlackBerry, and providing a |
| to hunt for new programs via Google or the many | | | | professionally managed repostiry. As it stands, I have |
| third party blog sites. Ridiculous. Come on RIM! Release | | | | to hunt for new programs via Google or the many |
| App World wherever you sell BlackBerry's. Do it now. | | | | third party blog sites. Ridiculous. Come on RIM! Release |
| Or close it entirely. And take a long, hard look at the | | | | App World wherever you sell BlackBerry's. Do it now. |
| application development tools for the BlackBerry while | | | | Or close it entirely. And take a long, hard look at the |
| you're at it. The desktop management of the iPhone is | | | | application development tools for the BlackBerry while |
| another area that RIM really needs to take a lesson | | | | you're at it. |
| from Apple on. I'm not a fan of iTunes, not the | | | | The desktop management of the iPhone is another |
| attempted subterfuge of indicating Safari as a | | | | area that RIM really needs to take a lesson from |
| Mandatory update. But iTunes, either on PC or Mac, | | | | Apple on. I'm not a fan of iTunes, not the attempted |
| works the same. You can integrate the | | | | subterfuge of indicating Safari as a Mandatory update. |
| synchronisation of music, photos, applications, | | | | But iTunes, either on PC or Mac, works the same. You |
| whatever, and there's no implied judgement on your | | | | can integrate the synchronisation of music, photos, |
| desktop operating system of choice. There's a Mac | | | | applications, whatever, and there's no implied |
| version, there's a PC version. Oh and there's even | | | | judgement on your desktop operating system of |
| open source versions for your favourite Linux | | | | choice. There's a Mac version, there's a PC version. |
| derivative. But what Operating System do you have to | | | | Oh and there's even open source versions for your |
| use to upgrade a BlackBerry. Windows. And even | | | | favourite Linux derivative. But what Operating System |
| with the latest version of software upgrade tools, | | | | do you have to use to upgrade a BlackBerry. |
| what web browser do you HAVE to use? Internet | | | | Windows. And even with the latest version of |
| Explorer on Windows. Come on RIM. If you even had | | | | software upgrade tools, what web browser do you |
| half a grain of salts worth of wisdom here, you would | | | | HAVE to use? Internet Explorer on Windows. Come |
| have written the latest update tool for FIREFOX, which | | | | on RIM. If you even had half a grain of salts worth of |
| at least does run on Windows, Mac and Linux. I hadn't | | | | wisdom here, you would have written the latest |
| heard that Canada was the land of Windows. And | | | | update tool for FIREFOX, which at least does run on |
| while you're in the decision-making mode, how about | | | | Windows, Mac and Linux. I hadn't heard that Canada |
| you nail down what products you're going to sell. From | | | | was the land of Windows. |
| Apple, theres the iPhone, either 3G or the 3Gs. They | | | | And while you're in the decision-making mode, how |
| look the same, operate the same, run the same | | | | about you nail down what products you're going to sell. |
| software, have the same input adapters. RIM sells four | | | | From Apple, theres the iPhone, either 3G or the 3Gs. |
| styles of BlackBerry - full keypad, reduced keypad, no | | | | They look the same, operate the same, run the same |
| keypad, and the flipphone. Oh, and software for the | | | | software, have the same power adapters. RIM sells |
| Storm (no keypad) won't easily run on anything else. | | | | four styles of BlackBerry - full keypad, reduced |
| Oh, and just change the power adapter to the new | | | | keypad, no keypad, and the flipphone. Oh, and |
| "standard". And the features for each new BlackBerry | | | | software for the Storm (no keypad) won't easily run |
| seem to depend on the phase of the moon, the | | | | on anything else. Oh, and just change the power |
| availability of vestal virgins, buckets of goats blood, red | | | | adapter to the new "standard". And the features for |
| candles, and a single silver bell. Why, oh why, RIM, don't | | | | each new BlackBerry seem to depend on the phase |
| all of your current devices have 3G? Wireless? GPS? | | | | of the moon, the availability of vestal virgins, buckets of |
| External SD Card slot? Flash on the Camera? I can | | | | goats blood, red candles, and a single silver bell. Why, |
| understand the desire to have different products for | | | | oh why, RIM, don't all of your current devices have |
| different markets, but there are certain things that just | | | | 3G? Wireless? GPS? External SD Card slot? Flash on |
| should be standardized on AND THEN LEFT ALONE! | | | | the Camera? I can understand the desire to have |
| You're just making it harder for your internal Operating | | | | different products for different markets, but there are |
| Systems development teams. Pick a standard feature | | | | certain things that just should be standardized on AND |
| set, and then stick to it. If it's hard for me to | | | | THEN LEFT ALONE! You're just making it harder for |
| recommend which BlackBerry to get then it must be | | | | your internal Operating Systems development teams. |
| nigh on impossible for the Telco's who sell them. Just | | | | Pick a standard feature set, and then stick to it. If it's |
| recently, an Australian telco had a print ad in a major | | | | hard for me to recommend which BlackBerry to get |
| newspaper for BlackBerrys, and the specs were | | | | then it must be nigh on impossible for the Telco's who |
| wrong (No, the Storm does not have Wifi, you know | | | | sell them. Just recently, an Australian telco had a print |
| who you are, my favourite Telco you!) Perhaps it is | | | | ad in a major newspaper for BlackBerrys, and the |
| the lack of clarity in product direction that causes this | | | | specs were wrong (No, the Storm does not have Wifi, |
| final issue - a lack of innovation. I mean, how easy is it | | | | you know who you are, my favourite Telco you!) |
| to come up with new features when the target | | | | Perhaps it is the lack of clarity in product direction that |
| platform keeps changing? I found an old 7-series | | | | causes this final issue - a lack of innovation. I mean, |
| BlackBerry laying around. After managing to find yet a | | | | how easy is it to come up with new features when |
| third variant of USB connector cable and charging it up, | | | | the target platform keeps changing? I found an old |
| lo and behold, the 3.x version of the operating system | | | | 7-series BlackBerry laying around. After managing to |
| and interface was almost identical to that of my Bold | | | | find yet a third variant of USB connector cable and |
| running the latest O/S. I guess there is that old adage | | | | charging it up, lo and behold, the 3.x version of the |
| "If it's not broken, don't fix it", but that old adage is just | | | | operating system and interface was almost identical to |
| that: old. There are many areas where time has | | | | that of my Bold running the latest O/S. I guess there is |
| caught up and broken the BlackBerry, and shows its | | | | that old adage "If it's not broken, don't fix it", but that old |
| age. Web Browsing on a BlackBerry is about as | | | | adage is just that: old. There are many areas where |
| enjoyable as giving yourself a papercut and dipping it in | | | | time has caught up and broken the BlackBerry, and |
| lemon juice and salt. Compare this experience to the | | | | shows its age. Web Browsing on a BlackBerry is |
| native web browsers on an iPhone, or even a | | | | about as enjoyable as giving yourself a papercut and |
| Windows Mobile device, and the experience is | | | | dipping it in lemon juice and salt. Compare this |
| markedly different. HTML Email is another area, where | | | | experience to the native web browsers on an iPhone, |
| time does weary the BlackBerry - even if I wanted to | | | | or even a Windows Mobile device, and the experience |
| hardset the BlackBerry to download email-based | | | | is markedly different. HTML Email is another area, |
| images, I can't. And don't get me started on the | | | | where time does weary the BlackBerry - even if I |
| limitation of the size of attachments - If I want to | | | | wanted to hardset the BlackBerry to download |
| download the attachment then let me download it. | | | | email-based images, I can't. And don't get me started |
| Streaming media, its about time to get on it. AJAX and | | | | on the limitation of the size of attachments - If I want |
| Web 2.0 - it's no longer cutting edge. So, how long can | | | | to download the attachment then let me download it. |
| Research In Motion keep serving up more cans of | | | | Streaming media, its about time to get on it. AJAX and |
| Who-hash? Yesterdays software isn't going to cut it in | | | | Web 2.0 - it's no longer cutting edge. |
| the workplace of tomorrow. Hey, it's barely cutting it | | | | So, how long can Research In Motion keep serving up |
| today. Steve Ollis is a self-professed geek, who is | | | | more cans of Who-hash? Yesterdays software isn't |
| amazed that he gets paid for something he loves so | | | | going to cut it in the workplace of tomorrow. Hey, it's |
| much. His blog can be found at The IT Juggler | | | | barely cutting it today. |
| As with all holy wars, there's always two sides to the | | | | |