Industry analysts are taking off their rose-colored glasses after examining the results of BlackBerry’s largely lackluster launch of their OS 10 platform. Original estimates had the newly renamed company (formerly Research In Motion) selling as many as 1.75 million new phones following the Jan 30 debut. Using words like “soft launch” and “modest demand”, analysts are now revising their estimates down by as much as 83%, putting BlackBerry’s comeback into serious doubt.
What this means for you:
It’s probably too early to call it, but BlackBerry really needed a big splash with the 10 launch and to keep surging forward with momentum to stay on par with upcoming anticipated Samsung and Apple launches on tap for Summer. Early reviews indicate that version 10 phones have caught up with the competition, but the technology hasn’t leapfrogged the competition, something BlackBerry really needs to do to gain any footing in this market, as they can’t outspend Google, Apple or even Samsung. If your company is heavily invested in BlackBerry and still supports it for corporate communications, you can’t go wrong with a Z10 or Q10, as long as your IT department has committed to keeping their BB infrastructure current. If they seem even the littlest bit wishy-washy on that subject, or they already support Android and iOS devices, you’ll make a safer investment in another platform.
Apple announced their much anticipated iPhone 5 smartphone today, confirming that it was indeed the same design as has been appearing in leaked photos throughout the run-up to today’s launch. It goes on pre-sale via the Apple store on September 15, 2012, starting at $199 for the 16GB model, up to $399 for the 64GB version, most likely with a 1 or 2 year contract. Pre-orders will ship the following Friday, September 22.
What This Means to You:
The new iPhone 5 is lighter, thinner and larger than the previous model, the iPhone 4s, (which will now be available for the discounted price of $99). It has a faster CPU, a larger screen (with numerous technical improvements), a better front and back camera, but most importantly, it has a new hardware connector, dubbed “Lightning” that is 80% smaller than the current 40-pin connector that has been in use for years.
It’s probable that the larger case manufacturers have had early access to prototypes of the new iPhone, so you can expect at least a handful of cases will be available for purchase around the time the iPhone 5 ships, but Apple doesn’t anticipate Lightning-compatible accessories to be available until Christmas 2012. Until then, an adapter is available that will allow you to connect iPhone 5’s to “legacy” 40-pin accessories. Keep in mind that the adapter by itself will probably render dock-style accessories unusable with an iPhone 5, as it looks rather large and flimsy.
(Image courtesy of www.gdgt.com)