The RIM investors are restless, and apparently there are murmurings for a new CEO to replace the two co-CEO’s currently running the Blackberry empire.

“These guys are very emotionally invested, taxed for time, and feel the pressure of being left behind and seeing your market fade away,” said an investor at a top-30 fund that would likely support but not instigate an activist play.

In an open letter ahead of the BlackBerry conference, Northern Securities analyst Sameet Kanade asked RIM to consider dropping Balsillie as a co-CEO, among other recommendations. (Reuters)

Unfortunately for some of the investors, Balsillie and Lazaridis both share power not only as co-CEO’s, but also apparently as chairman of the board (note: do they rotate with each other?)

Forcing either of them out would require not only a large amount of cash (as one has to buy up a certain percentage of stock), but also a viable plan from the rebel investor to challenge Apple and Android in the upcoming smartphone wars.

Although it’s doubtful that RIM can recover from the blow Apple dealt them during the launch of the iPhone, Blackberry does have a shot of thriving in the tablet arena (as the company is beating everyone save iPad 2).

That latter fact might be Balsillie’s key towards silencing his critics (although if TouchPad steals the silver from Playbook, it might be over for both co-CEO’s).

Do you think RIM should replace their co-CEO, or should the company come up with a better strategy for their Blackberry phone?

(Image via Blackberry Insight)

Originally posted on May 30, 2011 @ 5:13 pm

Apparently RIM has decided to expand IT management solutions beyond the Blackberry and upon other mobile OS devices.

Unfortunately the company pulled the press release from their website, although bloggers and journalists were able to view some of the juiciest details before it was pulled.

The single web-based console is being designed to provide IT administrators with a simple and efficient way to distribute software and manage policies, inventory, security and services for BlackBerry devices, as well as other mobile devices. IT administrators will be able to manage devices over-the-air, including activating devices, distributing software and applications, locking or wiping devices, enforcing and resetting device passwords, setting IT policies, and managing optional mobile applications for end users.  (Courtesy of ZD Net, original PR from RIM)

The company is planning on supporting smartphones upon other platforms including iOS, Symbian, Windows Phone 7 and Android (the latter which RIM has been courting for quite some time).

While while embracing rivals will boost RIM’s image amongst IT professionals (as they’ll only need one tool to managed multiple smartphone OS’s), it’s probably also a sign that RIM is losing confidence in their ability to compete against iOS and Android.

RIM seems to be preparing themselves for a corporate world dominated by iOS and Android devices, with Blackberry smartphones becoming a rarity instead of the norm.

Originally posted on May 2, 2011 @ 1:54 pm

Today is the day that the Blackberry Playbook will either prove their critics wrong or collect dust alongside other tablet devices.

Blackberry addicts can now pick up their shiny Playbook today (provided you live within 2 specific countries).

We are thrilled to be launching the BlackBerry® PlayBook™ tablet – the world’s first professional-grade tablet. It is available today in thousands of retail outlets across the United States and Canada.  (Official Blackberry Blog)

Although RIM poured out their heart and soul into this device (with a camera that blows iPad 2 out of the water), the lack of a native email and calendar client from the go makes the device almost worthless to consumers and corporations.

In order to gain access to those features, you will need a Blackberry smartphone (since Playbook “borrows” those apps from Blackberry) making the tablet useless for Android and iOS fans who may not want an iPad 2.

Hopefully RIM will consider adding these features to Playbook, as the last thing the company needs is buyers remorse due to the inability to send a message without the assistance of a nearby Blackberry.

Originally posted on April 19, 2011 @ 12:36 pm

Blackberry fans will be excited to learn that they can finally pre-order the Playbook, which should arrive in the hands of users next month (April 19th at the earliest).

While the mini-tablet does boast a few features lacking upon iPad 2, RIM might want to rethink their pricing strategy if they want to thrive in iPad 2’s shadow.

The BlackBerry PlayBook will be available in Best Buy, Best Buy Mobile, Best Buy Canada and Future Shop stores April 19th in the following models and price points:

• 16GB Wi-Fi, $499
• 32GB Wi-Fi, $599
• 64GB Wi-Fi, $699

You can pre-order your BlackBerry PlayBook from Best Buy and Best Buy Mobile stores in the United States and Best Buy Canada and Future Shop in Canada right now[.] (Official Blackberry Blog)

While RIM’s prices are competitive against iPad 2, the problem is that the Blackberry Playbook is about half the size of Apple’s tablet which won’t appeal to consumers who often look at the price tag when shopping in stores.

RIM might want to consider shaving off the price by $50-$100 or even having carriers heavily subsidize the device in order to remain competitive against Apple.

Originally posted on March 22, 2011 @ 1:46 pm