BlackBerry Cool

Forgive me on my opinion. But WHY are these shows posted in the first place? Rob Woodbridge, regardless of how successful he is, his arguements of WHY RIM shouldn't be purchasing a company to make technologies or add synergy with device sychronization to compete with iPods in Cars is not just uninformed or stupid its “strupid”!

So 35% of ppl that carry smartphones – an enterprise & consumer base that has 60%+ consumer sales and device ownership/upgrades around the WORLD not just the USA like Apple's specks like to share in their microcausem events – makes PERFECT SENSE!

RIM has had numerous complaints that devices or their accessories – which like Apple sources out for manufacturing and rebranding by OEM makers (recall HTC was an OEM at one point) – that their devices just don't work with specific models of cars yet other models of the same company works.

RIM KNOWS their users that LOVE their devices are NOT switching anytime soon. So they WANT their phones to work for calls in their cars … its not just a luxury any longer, and with recent Ontario Provincial LAW imposing that headsets MUST be worn to use phones in cars (else a huge $500/incident fine, or worse license suspension), you can BET RIM is affected directly with their OWN staff & rank regarding this (Waterloo is in Ontario afterall).

Now if AutoText, Spellcheck, and word recognition and dictation software like Dragon Naturally Speaking could be interfaced to compose a quick SMS/Email – heck even rear in-car camera's to take a photo of that creepo following you (or license plate for real world use) this would be HUGE! Yes it sounds fantasy like, but you have no idea how much RIM invests in R&D – more than any other North American corporation, bar none – let alone the contributions to Science & Computers at Waterloo ever year!! I have YET to see AutoText or anything similar on ANY other smartphone/PDA EVER or even as an integrated option in any version of Windows, Mac OS, Linux! So don't scoff.

RIM's product cycle for the Storm is 1yr, as we're into the 2nd year and its still a back burner entry and initiative. The sales take a significant chunk out of Apple's coffers. Apple has only made a basic initiative – in terms of iPod/iPhone 30-pin connector – into the vehicle space; which simply means basic control and audio works. Sure major navigational systems that license bonjour or other proprietary code & drivers to work with iPod/iPhone (and soon iPad) have enhanced control but you'll be hard pressed paying less than $400CAN for such an Alphine, Bose, Blauplunkt etc car audio unit that gives that enhanced support.

Rob is looking more and more like a Mac koolaid drinker with each episode, and it takes away any credibility of his opinions. I love Mac, and always have and finally own a MacBook and Mac Mini this past 40days, but the iPhone is just STILL a phone. Switching applications as advertised on OS 4 don't really seem as powerful as on BlackBerry, yet – will have to try first hand. That said I still see (and my 4mth daily use of a 3GS first hand) the iPhone experience nothing more than what a SonyEricsson J2ME phone can do, just as fast and almost as elegant. All reports of web browsing are STILL somewhat speculative as only this past 6mths have awareness of phones with larger screens are becoming more mainstream for users in North America and CHEAPER for them to purchase.

I enjoy the posts here and this video is a good concept but lets pickup the conversational insight up a notch, beyond being a hobby, please? Hobby, that's what my site i for.

You make a good argument for diversifying the product line, and I'm pretty sure we touched on some of what you're saying.

In the end, any line of business that RIM enters is backed up by extensive data collected from their users. All those market research surveys they send out, combined with hired marketing firms, carrier data and site analytics, is surely responsible for the tablet, automotive infotainment, accessories, native apps etc. So yes, RIM have data that says this will make money and users want it, so why wouldn't they build it?

Well the reason they shouldn't build it is based on solid business principles of focusing on one thing and doing it well.

“My success, part of it certainly, is that I have focused in on a few things.” Bill Gates

“We wanted Nike to be the world's best sports and fitness company. Once you say that, you have a focus. You don't end up making wing tips or sponsoring the next Rolling Stones world tour.” Philip Knight

Also, this was really funny: “Rob is looking more and more like a Mac koolaid drinker with each episode”

LoL!

You know some times I agree what Donny is saying that why the heck do we have a Kool-Aid drinker on the show. But I think that it is good to always have an outside view. sometimes being an inside BlackBerry user fogs your viewpoint. To have other people with different viewpoints can sometimes bring a better conversation. I like Rob, his viewpoint is educational so keep drinking your Kool-Aid….

Too funny Caspan! Thanks for that

And dont forget what happened when Uncle Steve came to visit… yeah he's still in the bad books for that one!!!

http://caspan.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/st…

Just for you Rob!!!

http://caspan.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/Ro…

How come when someone defends the iPhone platform they are “drinking the Kool-Aid” but when someone defends the BlackBerry platform, as Donny did so well above, they aren't? I think there is a whole lot of Kool-Aid drinking denial going on here