Dear RIM, we have a problem. Despite your best efforts at revamping your OS, launching a decent smartphone (not to mention a mini-tablet), people around you are predicting doom and gloom for your company.
Worse, developers are balking at creating apps for Blackberry and your flirtation with Android isn’t building much confidence in your mobile OS.
With market share declining and Apple constantly refining iOS, it might be time for RIM to consider taking a cue from Nokia and embrace Windows Phone 7.
App Momentum Baby!
Despite Android supplanting Symbian on the global stage, Google’s mobile OS still lacks some of the premier apps available upon iOS.
Surprisingly many companies (like Netflix) are courting Windows Phone 7 before Android, despite the former’s smaller market share (note: can anyone explain why?)
Instead of trying to lure developers upon the Blackberry OS, RIM could take advantage of WP7’s app momentum in order to boost Blackberry’s market share.
Proprietary Vs Open Source
Despite my preference for open source software, many companies are (unfortunately) hesitant about courting anything that isn’t proprietary as they view the latter as more secure.
With malware apps becoming a bigger concern upon Android, some corporations may shun Android out of fear out of having sensitive data stolen via a hostile app.
Since Microsoft embraces Apple’s app tribunal theology, RIM’s corporate clients might feel more at ease with Windows Phone 7 than Android (even if the latter provides more power for the user).
Refocusing Efforts
Embracing Windows Phone 7 will also allow RIM to focus on their strengths (which is hardware and signal security) instead of being dragged down by their weaknesses (developer friendly mobile software).
RIM would also benefit by allowing Microsoft to spend money promoting WP7 Blackberry phones in order to reach new customers unaware of the latest and greatest devices.
Although it would be foolish for RIM to put all of their eggs in one basket (i.e. avoid ditching Blackberry OS), adding WP7 to their lineup could revitalize interest in Blackberry and help RIM compete against rivals.
Should Blackberry Embrace Windows Phone 7?
Although RIM’s co-CEO’s have helped build up Blackberry in the past, the company unfortunately hasn’t proven themselves competitive against Apple and the zillion Android devices hitting the scene today.
Embracing Windows Phone 7 could allow them to play “catch up” OS wise, until they can come out with a stronger mobile OS.
While the end has yet to be written for RIM, they need to come up with a smart strategy soon before Google and Apple assimilate the rest of the market.
Originally posted on April 18, 2011 @ 12:58 pm
Not sure if this will help them. According to a recent article published by Forbes Columnist Adam Hartun http://bit.ly/hbsGmr if you have any stock in RIM you should sell it.