RIM isn’t too thrilled with Apple’s latest press conference in which Steve Jobs was able to “duplicate” antennategate upon a respective Blackberry device.
RIM’s co-CEO’s Mike Lazaridis and Jim Balsillie decided to issue a joint statement which accuses Steve Jobs of lying about Blackberry’s signal woes (at least when compared to the iPhone 4).
Apple’s attempt to draw RIM into Apple’s self-made debacle is unacceptable. Apple’s claims about RIM products appear to be deliberate attempts to distort the public’s understanding of an antenna design issue and to deflect attention from Apple’s difficult situation. RIM is a global leader in antenna design and has been successfully designing industry-leading wireless data products with efficient and effective radio performance for over 20 years. During that time, RIM has avoided designs like the one Apple used in the iPhone 4 and instead has used innovative designs which reduce the risk for dropped calls, especially in areas of lower coverage.
One thing is for certain, RIM’s customers don’t need to use a case for their BlackBerry® smartphone to maintain proper connectivity. Apple clearly made certain design decisions and it should take responsibility for these decisions rather than trying to draw RIM and others into a situation that relates specifically to Apple. (Inside Blackberry)
Unfortunately instead of calling up a counter press conference, RIM has decided to respond via blog, which means that their message will probably not expand beyond the geek-o-sphere.
While a YouTube video would probably have been a better idea (as users could spread the BB gospel via Twitter and Facebook), RIM probably needs to confront Apple in the media who will probably report RIM’s signal woes as fact.
Even though Apple also accused Nokia and HTC smart phones of the same issue, neither of those companies have been able to match iPhone 4’s popularity amongst the masses save RIM.
With Blackberry 6 about to be unveiled to the world, RIM may want to present a counter case to the public lest their brand suffer damage via Cupertino’s iPulpit.
Originally posted on July 19, 2010 @ 9:01 am