BlackBerry 10 Unveiled

arcite writes "Research in Motion Ltd's new CEO, Thorsten Heins, unveiled BlackBerry 10 in Florida today. Will new features such as a virtual keyboard that learns from typing behavior and a camera that easily focuses on faces be enough to scrape back precious market share (which could possibly fall to 5%) from the likes of Apple and Android? With no physical device yet revealed and a release date ranging anywhere from August to October, it will be an uphill battle." Engadget had some brief hands-on time with a dev Alpha. It seems RIM is trying to jumpstart app development through its App Generator and financial incentives.

Comments

Really?

[Kupfernigk]

I spent all day in a meeting in which I did all my necessary stuff with a BB phone and a bridged PlayBook. I am not a corporate drone; I'm a small company person who has to stay in contact with a number of people, watch my servers, and attempt to capture a load of customer requirements before I get back to the office and start redesigning the architecture and doling out the jobs. With a phone and an unobtrusive tablet I can do all of that without having the wall of a laptop screen in front of me. without needing a power socket. Since Nokia abandoned Maemo/Meego, BB is the only company that meets my needs in a well integrated way.

The PB is not a disaster; it is the most business-friendly tablet out. That might change if Samsung does a really good job on ICS for the Note, but at this point they are behind RIM, even though they are ahead on consumer tablets.

One key thing for Blackberry is that, if they go for a touchscreen keyboard, they must do it better than anybody else (or I will stay on my 9810 till it dies...) My belief, having seen the report, is that they get this. Six months ago I too had written them off. Now, I'm not nearly so sure.

I'm a fan but they are STILL missing the boat.

[XB-70]

To regain market share, RIM needs a product that will:

1. Be the BEST and most integrated social networking tool.

2. Be a WALLET by leveraging their existing encryption infrastructure.

Humans are social creatures. Making a product directly targeted at these two areas will be a winner. Humans are fed up with carrying around a ton of credit cards, bank card, coins and bills.

RIM needs to get away from feature-itis and gimmicks. There are no legs to this approach. Leveraging the existing social and commercial ecosystem is the way to go.