Thorsten Heins has been making the rounds again interviewing with various media outlets, this time surrounding the launch of the BlackBerry Z10 in Australia. While BlackBerry 10 and the Z10 are all the focus, Heins did have a few bits to drop in on other topics like the rumors of an updated BlackBerry PlayBook tablet.
We've seen stories flying about BlackBerry 10 coming to the current PlayBook or even a new 10" version running BlackBerry 10, but nothing concrete around an actual release of either product.
While he was in town for the opening race of the 2013 Formula 1 season to check out the new BlackBerry-sponsored Mercedes AMG Petronas car, Heins took some time to speak at the launch of the BlackBerry Z10 in Sydney. He stressed that BlackBerry is currently locked to smartphones for the time being. He also noted that mobile computing is more about services than devices. BlackBerry has referred to their latest OS all along as a "mobile computing platform" rather than just another smartphone OS. While he didn't comment directly on if a new PlayBook tablet was in the works, he did not that it goes "way beyond mobile communications".
"How can we take this to the next stage and not just be another tablet, or another design of a tablet? How can we really add value? ... Tablets in my view, from a hardware perspective, is a very difficult business. There's one company, kudos to them, that did it really well and they own the majority of the market."
It goes way beyond mobile communications
Hein's also riffed a bit on other platforms on the market. While he sent a bit of praise to Apple and the iPhone, he doesn't believe they have been very innovative since the initial launch in 2007. Heins didn't take anything away from them however as he said that "Apple did a fantastic job in bringing touch devices to market " but also noted that at this point iOS is five years old. "There is a reason why they were so successful, and we actually have to admit this and respect that.”
BlackBerry 10 is the new kid on the block, but with the US launch just days away and an order for one million Z10's on the books, the coming weeks will tell us a lot about BlackBerry and what's in store down the road. The numbers have been better than expected across the globe already, so we look forward to good things in the months ahead.
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stu_dg Mar 18, 2013 at 10:30 am
Humble! Love it. Must be the brand new Canadian citizenship on display...
Posted via CB10
george_helgerson Mar 18, 2013 at 1:23 pm
Humble? This sucks. I say compete to win and bring us a better tablet. If not, Blackberry will be the sole ecosystem (Microsoft, Android, Apple) without a complementary tablet/phone pair.
xravishx Mar 18, 2013 at 2:17 pm
All in good time. He's spot on in his self assessment when asks "Where can we add value?" That's what it's all about. Apple all but controls the tablet space. Everyone else is a minority. Us Playbook owners end up being the minority of the minority.
So, in order to even think about invading that space, they require, first and foremost, lots of cash, which BlackBerry does not exactly have right now for highly risky endeavors such as that. If they did, they would definitely need something that not only adds value to the tablet market space, but is also pretty much #mindblowing.
With BB10 phones, BlackBerry seems to be looking to compete with the other fruits and robots through a smooth and addictive user experience. I think it can be compared to driving a car vs driving a motorcycle. If both are going 70mph, you're probably going to FEEL like you're going faster on the motorcycle because the experience is what it is: lower to the ground, lack of protective surroundings, feel of the wind, etc. Well, the specs for the Z10 aren't exactly top-of-the-line, but who needs it when the experience is what it is? It's different enough from the other companies given the current atmosphere surrounding them that they are able to compete enough to keep their foot in the door and still be relevant. One might say that their timing is perfect.
The same can't be said about their tablet space. The timing is bad right now. Their cash is limited. Apple is still going strong with their tablets and the Androids out there now have enough experience that they can at least hold their own. If BlackBerry tries to enter that fight again now, they'll probably get crippled enough that they won't even be able to support and push their BB10 phones, let alone their current tablet base.
I think the best thing BlackBerry can do right now is push their new phones and keep their current tablet base happy with updates. From what I can tell, those who own a Playbook are really happy with them (myself included). It would be pretty damaging to BlackBerry if they didn't keep us happy since it pretty much looks like those who own their tablet are BB loyalists. They'd lose more than just tablet holders, I'm sure.
marcinz Mar 18, 2013 at 2:36 pm
Well said
kill_9 Mar 18, 2013 at 3:21 pm
Using your logic, ax, BlackBerry should exit the smartphone business as well because Android owns that market.
Posted via CB10 from the BlackBerry Z10
costas1966 Mar 18, 2013 at 6:24 pm
No, I believe what he's saying is that fighting on two fronts is probably not the best plan of attack. One fight at a time, in my opinion.
3_M4N Mar 18, 2013 at 7:37 pm
+1
KemKev Mar 18, 2013 at 3:25 pm
Thank you. Couldn't have said it any better myself ^5
kingbernie06511 Mar 18, 2013 at 7:22 pm
if they dont come up with fresh hardware, they are bound to loose that market and make their current users unhappy. myself included.
Rootbrian Mar 18, 2013 at 7:49 pm
By Fresh hardware, I don't want to see a new tablet like they have with android. Then the current becomes obsolete. Forget that. We don't need that. Have you seen what's been happening to current laptops? In less than a year, a hundred or so they say, are now "obsoleted" and they aren't even "old" (15-20 years is old).
BrianBlackBerry1974 Mar 19, 2013 at 1:02 am
Excellent post. I think that this is a "1984 Apple Superbowl commercial" moment in time. Great words. Great ads. Everything is great except you are focusing on the wrong foe. Apple is worried about Samsung. Samsung is worried about Apple. Blackberry is trying to study Android. And while everyone is worried about the next biggest CURRENT competitor, Microsoft just invested billions in DELL. They did not do this because they like Michael Dell personally. In one night, they went and bought an ecosystem and a distribution mechanism for it. The same way that it was Microsoft in 1984 that the focus should have been on. 40 years later, it should be Microsoft that people should keep their eye on.
mscooley Mar 18, 2013 at 2:33 pm
Doesn't exactly suck IMO. Trying to do what others are doing is one factor that got us where we are (excuse me, where we were). The intent here is to innovate forward strategically and not knee jerk react to consumer demands. There's a balance.
birdman_38 Mar 18, 2013 at 9:31 pm
So, basically "Our tablet business is dead."
kill_9 Mar 18, 2013 at 3:18 pm
I have to say I am disappointed that Thorsten Heins basically told BlackBerry PlayBook users to suck it up and move on to another tablet. This is unacceptable. We deserve better treatment from the company that we have stood behind all these years, particularly during the transition to BlackBerry Tablet OS 2.0 and BlackBerry OS 10.0. If his real intent is merely licensing BlackBerry OS 10 to other vendors then get out of the smartphone and tablet business now. He best learn Canadians will turn on their own if the person is revealed to be a charlatan. If Heins is hoping for rock star status and adoration, he should have applied for US citizenship instead.
Posted via CB10 from the BlackBerry Z10
Rezia Mar 18, 2013 at 4:05 pm
THAT'S what he said?! I must have missed it somehow. And please, he's totally a silver fox, even if he isn't a rock star yet.
Rootbrian Mar 18, 2013 at 7:52 pm
Read comment above yours by mscooley. BlackBerry 10 is NOT going to be licensed out. They aren't going to exit the tablet/smartphone business. BlackBerry 10 is a layer on top of QNX, which is licensed out already.
kill_9 Mar 18, 2013 at 10:24 pm
QNX is not BlackBerry OS 10; it is merely the kernel of an operating system. Of course QNX is already licensed to third parties and has naught to do with smartphone and tablet offerings from BlackBerry, formerly known as Research In Motion.
Posted via CB10 from the BlackBerry Z10
Al_I_Ws Mar 19, 2013 at 1:42 am
+1
abwan11 Mar 19, 2013 at 8:22 pm
If you read between the lines, I believe he said that hardware was a cut throat business, and that mobile computing is about services. Put those two together and he may be pointing to a hardware/software partnership. Something that could bring a new perspective to a saturated idea.
Vic_Franklyn Mar 19, 2013 at 4:21 am
lol
Vic_Franklyn Mar 19, 2013 at 4:47 am
Heins is a con artist. Blackberry BB10 is now a huge success and this once strugling company is now concentrating on its new hot cash cow z10 and throwing Playbook owners to the lions as this tablet is completely profitless. I have been a Playbook owner since the beginning but knew this would happen if BB10 was a success, so I went out and bought myself a Samsing Galaxy Tablet 2, 7.0 and this is my new main tablet as Im fed up with Heins lies and Blackberrys cons of bringing BB10 to the Playbook. Heins needs to stop putting out these rediculous smoke screens of his and outright admit that Blackberry has trashed the Playbook. Kevin has said Playbook cant run BB10 and perhaps a watered down version of BB10 will be created for our Playbooks. So be it. Blackberry is making a HUGE mistake concentrating exclusively on smartphones. Tablets are an enormous part of the market. My Playbook will be waiting patiently for some kind of version of BB10, meanwhile I am tremendiously enjoying my new Samsung Galaxy Tab I purchased, as I wont spend one dime on a z10 from a company who has lied to us loyal Playbook owners one to many times,
Vic_Franklyn Mar 19, 2013 at 9:29 pm
@george_helgerson. More delusional than humble. Heins is letting it go to his head the z10 is a huge success and thinks he can save Blackberry money by gearing production costs fully to the BB10 smartphones. What he is overlooking is what you said. The big 3 Android Apple and Microsoft all have tablets which are a huge part of the market. No Playbook? Droves or Tablet fans are gonna get a tablet from one of the big 3 which will hurt Blackberry big time in the end...believe it.
pmich Mar 23, 2013 at 10:27 am
Blackberry is aiming for is to provide a platform in while you can externally connect your phone to larger screens/computer and use it that way.(securely) Another tablet/screen may come soon, but they're putting all resources in advancing the OS and exploiting what it can do.
UMLD Mar 18, 2013 at 10:30 am
Good to see he's being pragmatic.
Posted via CB10
cheadley1 Mar 18, 2013 at 11:32 am
I was hoping for a Playbook update but maybe something even better is in the works! Oh and I guess I am first! Wait I am not First now my day is ruined, how can I live
That was put in as sarcasm...
jogofeio Mar 18, 2013 at 10:42 am
You're the first nerd today that's for sure, haha!
Z3roCinco Mar 18, 2013 at 11:03 am
Lol +1
rulasiu Mar 18, 2013 at 2:00 pm
LMFAO!!!
jstirtzinger Mar 18, 2013 at 10:31 am
I really respect Thorsten's objective and thoughtful responses in interviews. He gives praise where it is earned and points out weaknesses where it exists.
Posted via CB10
kupfernigk Mar 18, 2013 at 5:01 pm
He's positioning BlackBerry as a mature, realistic company for value investors and CIOs, while the videos hint at a sense of humor missing from the competition. Pure marketing. Creating a new and distinctive brand identity, different from Apple (and a little more aligned to Google perhaps).
keefrto Mar 18, 2013 at 10:31 am
Seriously would love my pb to be updated, not a new device just software please
Posted via CB10
NamelessStar Mar 18, 2013 at 10:32 am
waiting for the bb10 to hit my playbook cant wait to see how it looks when it does
birdman_38 Mar 18, 2013 at 6:26 pm
You'll be waiting about 7 months or so. It's on the back burner which isn't even switched on right now.
Rootbrian Mar 18, 2013 at 7:53 pm
Nobody knows, not even you, when it'll be released as an update.
birdman_38 Mar 18, 2013 at 9:25 pm
That's why I stated "about" 7 months. It's an estimation.
mcstravi Mar 18, 2013 at 10:34 am
Shoots that PB10 rumour down...but the ad looked fake anyway.
Stefan Blum Mar 18, 2013 at 10:36 am
Just wish he'd say that they're working on bringing blackberry 10 to the current playbook :(
sk8er_tor Mar 18, 2013 at 10:52 am
How many times does he need to say this? It's already been said.
george_helgerson Mar 18, 2013 at 1:40 pm
At least three or four more times. Then I'll believe it.
Stefan Blum Mar 18, 2013 at 2:55 pm
Yeah, he really hasn't said it enough in context of his recent discussions about tablets. Don't think that I haven't kept up to date with the news.
MC_A_DOT Mar 18, 2013 at 10:52 am
Exactly what I'm waiting for.
MozThaGreat Mar 18, 2013 at 1:04 pm
Don't hold your breath.
Vijit Coomara Mar 18, 2013 at 10:38 am
I have been talking in my circles about how Blackberry should stay away from tablets for many reasons. TH mentioned poor ROI, which is obviously a big reason from an economic standpoint. However from a technology perspective, I don't believe the future of mobile computing is about providing different devices that do the same thing but with different fixed display sizes. Instead the mobile computing future should have in its roadmap a move away from fixed displays in the traditional sense.
george_helgerson Mar 18, 2013 at 1:41 pm
If Lenovo is about to buy them then no need to chase after a tablet.
Rootbrian Mar 18, 2013 at 7:55 pm
Lenovo is not going to buy them. That Rumour was never confirmed.
BrianBlackBerry1974 Mar 19, 2013 at 12:46 am
Lenovo has been so far up Microsoft's backside since purchasing IBM's computer business. They probably can't see past Windows.
riverma Mar 18, 2013 at 10:39 am
IMO apple doesn't have to always be innovating. App developers do that for them. An excellent example is the mailbox app that got purchased by Dropbox. It improves the user experience in innovative way and all apple had to do was nothing
Posted via CB10
imcurved Mar 18, 2013 at 2:00 pm
I read about that...
DropBox has good partnership with BlackBerry so hopefully this acquisition leads to something good for BlackBerry users.
jojo beaconsfield Mar 18, 2013 at 10:46 am
thorstien is great, i love the way he projects how important inovation is.bring on the playbook but make it a 21st century dreambook.
nicknac89 Mar 18, 2013 at 10:48 am
Love how detached and smooth Heins is handling the whole media situation! Makes me proud to be german!
Posted via CB10
Vijit Coomara Mar 18, 2013 at 12:45 pm
There is something refreshing about having a European CEO in a North American company. He is the real deal.
BigR3dBri Mar 18, 2013 at 10:51 am
Okay????? I was under the impression there will be a PlayBook update to OS10? Adam have you heard anything more on that? Bla1ze? Kevin?
jcarlos100 Mar 18, 2013 at 10:56 am
yea there will be but its still way too early maybe in the summer or even on Christmas
axllebeer Mar 18, 2013 at 11:03 am
I was certain of this too now I'm starting to wonder if they (BBRY) are regretting that statement like the Android emulator adoption.
bbfanboi Mar 18, 2013 at 10:53 am
I'm sorry but tablets are needed! People need choice.
BB_Bmore Mar 18, 2013 at 11:49 am
Hello +10
george_helgerson Mar 18, 2013 at 1:41 pm
+1 fully agree. Emphasis on "good" tablets, not just "tablets"
bbfanboi Mar 18, 2013 at 10:56 am
We need larger screen sizes for browsing or working with documents. Can't blame PlayBook for RIM's past missteps.
Geeoff Mar 18, 2013 at 4:12 pm
I agree. I think that the Ipad's popularity is related to its screen size.
tgtallinn Mar 18, 2013 at 6:11 pm
Redacting this form ipad mini. 4reasons
screen size (with overall size almost similar to the playbook)
Weight
Speed, playbook shows its age...
But the KILLER one, neither the playbook or the dev alpha managed to connect the the hotel wifi...
I miss the multitasking though, and surprisingly the typing experience, but also of course the hdmi (at least I was able showing a movie to my daughter).
There is room for a tablet that is not looking too much for the cheap like android (my nexus 7 stayed at home). But maybe it is easier for apple fixing the software.
bbfanboi Mar 18, 2013 at 10:57 am
PlayBook is wonderful but needed a complete OS and stable company. Can't sell a BlackBerry without BBM. Things are changing. Uncertainties surrounding RIM is fading now and BB10 is fantastic! Tablets are a natural path forward. Hope Thorsten reconsiders.
axllebeer Mar 18, 2013 at 12:14 pm
Agreed. I think that focusing on phones for now is a good idea. As much as I want BB10 on my PlayBook, BBRY needs to be a stable company 1st and a successful line of new BB10 phones this year with good sales will get them there. Then they can branch out and focus back on the tablet market.
bbfanboi Mar 18, 2013 at 10:57 am
Sorry for the short notes, but I was unable to post it all at once. Got a posting error each time, but shorter posts worked.
TimJW Mar 18, 2013 at 10:59 am
Thorstien, what a guy.
Josh Brolin Mar 18, 2013 at 11:00 am
Nice that he can see the futility in bbry tablets, but another bbry ceo scoffing at iphone, we saw that in 2007 and that didnt turn out so well.
KemKev Mar 18, 2013 at 3:30 pm
Scoffing? Don't think so; he simply stated the obvious and I don't see that as dissing or scoffing at all.
mandony Mar 18, 2013 at 11:04 am
1) Heins is correct, BB makes money on services, and required contracts
Samsung and Apple make their money on hardware.
2) Playbook was far advanced for it's time but BB (RIMM) ran out of money to advance the software.
BB was not able to build support from app makers and to build profitable app re-sales.
Hopefully, the best that BB can do now is to build BB10 for PB.
BB_luva Mar 18, 2013 at 11:03 am
Thooorsteeen!
ziptocrat Mar 18, 2013 at 11:10 am
If I'm not getting bb10 on pb now at least sort BlackBerry bridge out back to how it was.
Posted via CB10
JPSKILLZ Mar 18, 2013 at 1:54 pm
That's my concern too. I'm cool, just bring it up to snuff with the Bold functionality. I blow people's minds all the time, "Are you using your Blackberry... as a MOUSE!?" LoL
Michelasmar Mar 18, 2013 at 11:21 am
Glad to see him that confident but he has to remember that the same thing happened to BlackBerry...but now everything has changed and apple has to be careful before they find them self inside the same hole has BlackBerry once was or still is will see with the results soon.
From a huge BlackBerry fan and supporter.
Posted via CB10
BKING2911 Mar 18, 2013 at 11:25 am
The playbook is dead don't see it getting an update to bb10. Once gain bb doesn't deliver on its promise. Love the form factor but the thing is basically useless. I just use it to play my movies via hdmi output. But I'm gonna sell it soon. Hopefully I can find a buyer.
bbfanboi Mar 18, 2013 at 11:44 am
This is the sentiment we do not want. This is why I am asking Thorsten to reconsider his comments. The tablet market is important to RIM as desktops are slowly vanishing. Laptops will be the next to follow as keyboards become obsoleted by voice commands. Tablets are the future.
menaknow Mar 18, 2013 at 2:06 pm
Your delusional if you think a application developer will use voice commands to output code instead of a keyboard...
kill_9 Mar 18, 2013 at 4:55 pm
bbfanboi never said laptops / desktops would be extinct, just that fewer people will use them in the future as smartphones and tablets provide the experience that users' want.
k8bushlover Mar 18, 2013 at 11:48 am
I'll collect any unwanted PlayBooks. Not dead, still getting BB10, NO promises broken yet.
00stryder Mar 18, 2013 at 2:26 pm
+1
Rootbrian Mar 18, 2013 at 8:01 pm
Take your doom and gloom elsewhere please, It's not dead OR useless.
RP Singh Mar 18, 2013 at 11:28 am
Was:
"he did not that it goes "way beyond mobile communications"."
supposed to be:
"he did note that it goes "way beyond mobile communications". "
?
Posted via CB10
BB_Bmore Mar 18, 2013 at 11:53 am
Is this a serious question? NO, it was supposed to be not :| Care to inquire about the punctuation as well?
workerb Mar 18, 2013 at 1:19 pm
RP Singh guessed the author meant 'note' instead of 'not'. But wanted to draw attention to the mistake in a non-critical way. No reason for the sarcastic reply.
00stryder Mar 18, 2013 at 2:28 pm
Plus, based on the context of the sentence, it would appear that RP Singh's guess is in fact correct. I agree, no need for sarcasm.
BB Marissa Mar 18, 2013 at 11:30 am
With BlackBerry bringing out more devices over the next year, I wonder how long it will be before we see a phablet. I suspect we will see this before a Playbook replacement.
Posted via CB10
Vijit Coomara Mar 18, 2013 at 12:37 pm
A phablet may make more sense for Blackberry than a tablet. How about a Z10 with a flexible expandable display? Now that would be interesting. The blackberry experience is currently about getting things done, messaging, multi-tasking. You want to flip around using one hand. On the tablet side I would just buy a cheap google nexus or something like that. Why does your Z10 have to be paired with another Blackberry so you can watch movies? Blackberry needs to lead the way into mobile computing with new stuff, instead of playing catch-up yet again in the saturated tablet market. Do you want to hear the "too little too late" message all over again? How about "wow look at what Blackberry has come up with before everyone else?"
brandonwh Mar 18, 2013 at 11:38 am
Where he says the company is going, very exciting. With what he is talking about, could bring in a lot of talent for employees.
Also, he talks about how important services are. That's apps. Really hoping more top name apps come.
Posted via CB10
Joe Clean Mar 18, 2013 at 11:43 am
This is the kind of CEO that BlackBerry really need right now, the one that's down to earth and see the reality, whilst still dream big for the future.
BB_Bmore Mar 18, 2013 at 11:44 am
Yet just about a week or so ago he was quoted as saying he instructed his team to build him another tablet and that they are working currently on BlackBerry10 for the Playbook.
Hmmmmmmm
Justforfun7 Mar 18, 2013 at 11:55 am
You guys have to listen to all his comments in context to get where he is headed with the tablets.
Playbook was a great way to get feedback on QNX before coming out with the BB10 software. BB10 on the Playbook is a great way to get feedback on BB10 as a tablet software so we will see BB10 on the Playbook by June (the sooner it is out the quicker they get the feedback they need).
They will not issue another tablet just strictly for the sake of competing in the hardware business because the hardware is now commodized. A new tablet will come out when they have figured out how to do this in conjunction with services. This all points to a tablet for businesses who can afford the services charges.
Listen to everything Thor says, not just piece meal comments. He is very consistent once you put all the pieces together.
00stryder Mar 18, 2013 at 2:30 pm
+1 Hit the nail on the head
kupfernigk Mar 18, 2013 at 5:06 pm
I suspect any future BB tablet will be for a vertical market, e.g. Logistics or sales automation.
Justforfun7 Mar 18, 2013 at 7:23 pm
or healthcare applications (huge market getting lots of money now for electronic records and such)
Bastar Mar 18, 2013 at 11:51 am
You mentioned an order for 1 000 000 Z10 smartphones but the article says 1 000 000 BB10 phones. Is it actually 1 000 000 Z10's?
Rootbrian Mar 18, 2013 at 8:03 pm
Probbaly both Z and Q10 maybe?
gsansone Mar 18, 2013 at 11:52 am
Can't complain about that perspective. Putting out an updated tablet for the sake of putting out a tablet makes no sense. The market is owned by Apple. Apple's iPad created the marketplace and own the space. Android tablets, say what you want, are all over the place and just run a phone OS with very few attractive apps designed for a 10.1" screen. Every time I use an Android tablet I feel like I've got a spec'd out monster that seems like an afterthought among developers. I am sure apps are "coming" but they're coming at a very slow pace. Not worth it. Heck, they don't even have a Facebook app designed for tablets -- or a good eBay app. The PlayBook at least tries to be a bit more of an integrated business device, but until they find a new angle that will make it a must-have kind of device I would wait until the opportunity presents itself. Give me a reason to carry the thing around instead of making a big phone with all the same functionality.
bbfanboi Mar 18, 2013 at 11:54 am
So, is Thorsten telling me to go out and buy an iPad?
gsansone Mar 18, 2013 at 12:11 pm
I think he's acknowledging Apple owning the tablet space and that BB needs to create a unique angle for its own devices, and there's no need to put out the same device again. Probably wait and see where things go with BB10 and the new phones and go from there...(hurry mail and get here...waiting for my Z10)
00stryder Mar 18, 2013 at 2:34 pm
Exactly. It's refreshing to see a CEO that appears to see the big picture rather than just trying to follow the "me too" or "leapfrog the competition" ( :P ) mentality. Don't release a device just to say you released a device; provide a service, a reason for people to use it.
gsansone Mar 18, 2013 at 7:34 pm
And let's be honest, BBRY can not afford the cost of releasing a new or refreshed product that falls short in the marketplace and gets trashed in the press. Been there, done that.
00stryder Mar 18, 2013 at 9:03 pm
+1
JPSKILLZ Mar 18, 2013 at 1:56 pm
Excellent post.
bbfanboi Mar 18, 2013 at 11:56 am
Crackberry, I'm getting too many posting errors. Annoying!
RubberChicken76 Mar 18, 2013 at 12:03 pm
" he doesn't believe they have been very innovative since the initial launch in 2007. "
Come on - that isn't what he said. Amazing how this story is making the rounds all over the place as "Heins bashes iPhone!". He heaped a bunch of praise on them and simply said that the OS is now 5 years old. Which is completely true.
Nowhere did a say, "They were cool five years ago, but have been sitting on their ass" or anything like it.
dperry360 Mar 18, 2013 at 12:09 pm
Respectable statements coming from the Top of Blackberry, a nice read.
D.Vader Mar 18, 2013 at 12:27 pm
Well considering there are some of us that don't own any Droid or iOS tablets a new Playbook would be great news.
Basically Heinz told us to wait again LOL.
Soeasy Mar 18, 2013 at 3:19 pm
Actually it sounds like he's telling you to look at the great options that exist and consider them as well.
tlegend2012 Mar 18, 2013 at 12:29 pm
That's what I always say... it's the same rectangle and same Icons.. "same" doesn't work well in technology...
DenimAndLeather Mar 18, 2013 at 12:35 pm
Thorsten is definitely smooth when it comes to the media, l Iove how he gave a balanced response -- he gave praise to Apple first before busting out the truth of the matter. way to go Thorsten, keep it up!
BlackBerry's future is looking awesome :-) makes me wanna buy some stock in it....
airmo Mar 18, 2013 at 12:36 pm
I think what bb should do is focus on the phones and make them better, more apps etc. then focus on the tablets and bring them up to par.
joshua_sx1 Mar 18, 2013 at 12:55 pm
TH is probably not using PlayBook... because if he does, he knew the importance of BB10 to current PB... he will have the urgency to totally commit on it with measurable time frame...
Posted via Z10
xBURK Mar 18, 2013 at 1:06 pm
This is how a CEO is supposed to act. Perfect! I really have a good feeling about Blackberry's future.
Bolderholder Mar 18, 2013 at 1:16 pm
Totally agree with previous posts. Get the bb10 and it's bugs ironed out first. There's still gripes many folks have cited here. Once you can put those issues to rest, then re deploy resources as needed.
BlackBerry fell victim to spreading themselves way too thin in the past. Can't afford to make the same mistake.
Posted via CB10
lynxs_claw Mar 18, 2013 at 1:21 pm
BB doing the right things right now.. they're listening to the customers and actually trying to innovate what would be useful to the customer. They should take the time and get it right the first time.
cd1105 Mar 18, 2013 at 1:41 pm
I agree........
jkomo001 Mar 18, 2013 at 1:26 pm
Great post and great speech by Heinz.
Thanks!
VR6 Mar 18, 2013 at 1:35 pm
@Adam, the order was for 1M smartphones, not specifically Z10s
cd1105 Mar 18, 2013 at 1:40 pm
I love this dude....blackberry really did their homework when they hired thorsten heins....i said it before a 10in playbook isn't a gud or gr8 move....
Mo Cat Mar 18, 2013 at 1:55 pm
Just bought some more BB shares ;)
jojo beaconsfield Mar 18, 2013 at 3:20 pm
i,m all tapped out,money,money,money!!!drives me crazy.i am long bb
Driftdreams Mar 18, 2013 at 2:09 pm
Every Tech News writer is spinning this as a Jab to Apple. Only CrackBerry has the full quote up. Everywhere else is taking it out of context to make a story. That's just pathetic. Here Thor makes a great point to highlight how great Apple has been over the years before pointing the obvious (that their os IS 5 years old) and they spin it as hateful jabs. Bravo to TeamCrackBerry for actually reporting the full story as always
lynxs_claw Mar 18, 2013 at 2:17 pm
+100
Arthur108 Mar 18, 2013 at 2:28 pm
"iPhone is dated" says Heinz ! Sound's like the guy who told us that " amateur hour is over "! :)
And... is Heinz really the man to define passe ???
bsdnix Mar 18, 2013 at 3:19 pm
They don't give a f... about playbook users, they mentioned an os update of playbook just to buy more time... I really sick of listning bullsh... (also bullshit from blackberry zombies, who always defending RIM, sorry Blackberry). they've changed name, they've produced new devices, but what about applications? 70000 apps and more of 85% are stup!d android ports, no native C++ apps! promising some updates for playbook but not having a clue when it will be released (that is immature), gues what waiting for 2 years for some OS to be released, is showing how serious they are.... I hate Blackberry and all their stup!d devices, they doesn't worth that money. and for all those brain dead Blackberry fans who cannot see further of their plastic sh..., grow up...!
KemKev Mar 18, 2013 at 3:41 pm
That is a lot of pent up emotions. If you "hate BB and all their stupid devices" then do yourself a favour - sell them all and go buy something else that works for you Life is way too short to be this riled up about a phone and / or a tablet..
BBVegasGirl80 Mar 18, 2013 at 4:20 pm
+1000
jojo beaconsfield Mar 18, 2013 at 4:40 pm
+one MILLION
bsdnix Mar 19, 2013 at 2:20 pm
as I said before, there always will be some blackberry zombies that cannot get the point. let me enlighten you: this is a matter of principles, if you sell something than you need to provide support, unless you are trying to con someone. 2 years of not getting any support from RIM proves that they are immature, and that is why their stock share collapsed... I wish that I could sell this peace of crap and get my money back but unfortunatelly that is imposible...
costas1966 Mar 18, 2013 at 6:32 pm
Someone is PMS'ing, methinks...poor baby. :(
timmy t Mar 18, 2013 at 3:46 pm
I think there will be a new PlayBook in the next 6 months. It will be a surprise, somewhat.
airbatross Mar 18, 2013 at 3:59 pm
In my opinion, there'll be no BB10 for Playbook, and no tablet for 2013.. Probably a quad core, Full HD display 9"/10" tablet with BB10.2 in 2014. And from my point of view, it's great. They don't want to bring another tablet out there without a wow effect. Clever.
kupfernigk Mar 18, 2013 at 5:10 pm
No chance; that will be everybody else's spec. Bridge for Android is more likely.
Rootbrian Mar 18, 2013 at 8:16 pm
Didn't you read everything? It doesn't make sense to make another tablet if one is already on the market. Thousands of android tablets, but the same experience in each one...
Novaone Mar 18, 2013 at 4:30 pm
Hiens is killing it. I feel he takes on just the right tact speaking in the media.
edwinsberry Mar 18, 2013 at 4:41 pm
I read this twice and sorry but I don't think anything was said of significance which is probably the point. I'm not reading too much into this comment in terms of direction.
SecondLight2 Mar 18, 2013 at 5:03 pm
It's good to see that Thor realizes that the Playbook was a failure. Kudos to him.
Rootbrian Mar 18, 2013 at 8:17 pm
It's not a failure. He didn't even say it was a failure either.
nick canada Mar 18, 2013 at 5:08 pm
If you check out the leaked blackberry roadmap it looks like there will be a tablet this year. Everyone laughed at it before but it seems like it was right all along
Am I wrong? Search Web for leaked BlackBerry roadmap.
Posted from my z10. Haven't been able to put it down for a month now.
Posted via CB10
BillW69 Mar 18, 2013 at 5:46 pm
Good for Hiens. I'm not ready for a new PlayBook, either. Mine (32GB, Wifi) does everything I need it to do. As long as my new Z10 (due to be shipped to me Wednesday) will bridge as cleanly as my Torch 9800 does, I'll be quite satisfied. My PlayBook, even without OS10, is infinitely more useful to me in the conduct of my business than my wife's iPad will ever be.
Rootbrian Mar 18, 2013 at 8:17 pm
1++++++
yvpan1 Mar 18, 2013 at 6:48 pm
this is the man we need to lead the boat of BBRY. Mr. Heins, well said. stay humble and let the BB10 ship sails away to the victory.
itmccb Mar 18, 2013 at 6:52 pm
Doesn't seem like I'll need to worry about my Playbook being outdated any time soon.
nabil114 Mar 18, 2013 at 7:11 pm
I thought it was the job of the CMO!
gsansone Mar 18, 2013 at 7:39 pm
I just bought a 4g Playbook unlocked. What the hell. Price was OK. Still like the device, even if everyone else doesn't.
Rootbrian Mar 18, 2013 at 8:18 pm
I love my playbook.
Luiserafim Mar 19, 2013 at 11:12 am
I also love my playbook.... I use it every day...
Rootbrian Mar 18, 2013 at 8:18 pm
Great news as always! Who needs to re-release another tablet if the current one performs well? I like thorstens thinking.
lorax1284 Mar 18, 2013 at 9:31 pm
Yeah, the iPhone is dated... we dated for a while, but then I found out that despite being handsome and in great shape, he wasn't all that bright, and, despite having diverse tastes, he couldn't keep up his end of the conversation... after a while, the sex got boring... I admit that every once in a while (since he's so hot) it's fun to just play around a bit, find out what's new, but then I remember why I just can't commit to him... there's no way I'd ever want to be 'exclusive' with him. I am seeing someone very special right now, who has almost everything that the iPhone had, but is MUCH BETTER at communicating and is a great life partner. Oh, and the sex is HOT, and getting better ALL THE TIME. I think I'll make him my Hub-and.
seageath Mar 18, 2013 at 10:30 pm
+1 for Mighty Thor.
I prefer updates not new one, just like I prefer shaken, not stirred :D
IqWaN Mar 18, 2013 at 10:59 pm
Lets get back, way to go BlackBerry :D
Maxey05 Mar 18, 2013 at 11:25 pm
Thorsten Heins has great confidence and seems to know what he is aiming for, but he needs to deliver! Even though Apple may not seem innovative or "new", they are the most complete platform! In terms of being able to complete all tasks and being compatible with all the services we use. I use other non-BlackBerry devices because BlackBerry can't do certain things... So if Thor is talking about "Mobile Computing" and how that's the future, then it needs to be more complete! Make BlackBerry the only device and platform I need!
MRJUCY Mar 18, 2013 at 11:33 pm
What he said is true iOS is the oldest of the 4 major smartphone & tablet operating systems. It has some advantages of being the most mature but as Blackberry found there is a tipping point where old is just old.
People who complain about their Playbook not being updated need to get a grip if they'd bought any other tablet when the Playbook was released it would have been several generations obsolete by now.
nt300 Mar 19, 2013 at 12:09 am
Wow, I know many that cannot find a brand new PlayBook and want one. I know a few more that are looking forward to a more powerful PlayBook but the 10" version all based on BB10 to replace there current iPad 2's.
Get new BB10 tablets out the door ASAP because Smart Phones and Tablets go hand in hand.
nt300 Mar 19, 2013 at 12:17 am
BlackBerry Exec Reportedly Pegs Possible BlackBerry 10 PlayBook Launch Before June... Awesome!!!
http://www.berryreview.com/2013/03/18/blackberry-exec-reportedly-pegs-po...
Iamanonymous62 Mar 19, 2013 at 3:48 am
Nowhere in that article do you see Mike Al Melfah QUOTED saying anything about Playbook release. The writer drew his own false conclusions.
nt300 Mar 19, 2013 at 5:50 am
Here is the QUOTE: “We have a very clear road map. The company will launch six additional new devices in 2013,” said Al Mefleh" (and added that the PlayBook will be in addition to these six new devices). As you can see in the brackets, the author of the article must have heard Al Melfah state sometime within the live interview and/or speech that a PlayBook was among the 6 BB10 devices for 2013.
So far we know two of them, the Z10 and Q10. I believe we will see one more QWERTY phone and two more full touch, one mid range and one high end, followed with a Tablet.
Will BlackBerry be continuing to supply the PlayBook with the 2.0OS? Because I cannot find them anywhere, not even at Best Buy, Future Shop, The Source, WalMart, Staples etc.
Iamanonymous62 Mar 19, 2013 at 1:25 pm
"... the author of the article must have heard Al Melfah state.." Yeah, he must have heard, yeah, yeah, that's the ticket. LOL!
Oh, but wait, what if he heard wrong?
Vic_Franklyn Mar 19, 2013 at 7:40 pm
All Blackberry has ever done is promised and never deliver a BB10 update for Playbook. Thorsten himself says in this article Blackberry is abandoning the Playbook and any future tablets. Face it guys, our Playbooks will soon become bricks like the Microsoft Zune. Theres no BB10 coming to Playbook.
shootsscores Mar 20, 2013 at 9:26 am
TH has said on several occasions that BB10 is being developed for the PlayBook. Other BB officers have said the same. None have ever said that the PlayBook would not be supported. You have to laugh at the stupid jerks moaning and crying here on this site leaping to their ridiculous assumptions. Call the whambulance! All in due time cry babies.
krackerjack69 Mar 19, 2013 at 12:27 am
Heins is taking a beating on the web and news for saying Iphone or Apple has not been innovative for a while. Bloomberg has been pretty synical in the write up about Heins comments. Taking bits and pieces and not the whole story of what he had said. BB time for damage control !!
Secureberry Mar 19, 2013 at 12:40 am
When it comes to new product developments, BB must be able to set its own time table - the tablet market is overly saturated already and is now a dog's breakfast market with limited future.
BB must break out of this boxy confinement of the dying tablets industry and start thinking inventively of things like wearable playbooks, like merging tablet functions into BB phones, flexible screens as second monitors for BB phones, BB's that wirelessly project images onto eye glasses and any white backgrounds, economically encrypt voice transmissions and internet browsing (possible nightmares for CIA) and make them available to ordinary users every where, create higher level web based programming algorithms to completely replace the apps (apps are structurally inefficient by nature and are dumming down our future generations).
Meaty123 Mar 19, 2013 at 1:14 am
I think a new innovative PB is in the works. it has to be.. ppl loave tables. BB just have to make it different. Not necessary ming blowing, although, mind blowing would be great... Time will tell. I predict by end of summer, we'll hear more realistic plan for PB
Supa_Fly1 Mar 19, 2013 at 2:37 am
You guys Still don't get it!
RIM Endgame is qnx not smartphones! I did that Blogger post last month on my serious mobile WordPress site and still I'm seeing loos end posts like this over the web.
BlackBerry + QNX + NOC = Machine to machine business!! do you all really think F1 presence is for simple marketing?! Seriously?! Think of provider tele metrics and qnx in the F1 car along with NOC what does that equal. This is NOTHING new for BlackBerry either they have lots of this kind of experience with military drones in flight using qnx as well.
Posted via CB10
Iamanonymous62 Mar 19, 2013 at 3:54 am
To the guy who thinks he gets it: "RIM" won't have an end game if their smartphones aren't successful!
Enrique Luaces Mar 19, 2013 at 5:12 am
I want to see more phones with BB10 and lower prices
spjones77 Mar 19, 2013 at 9:40 am
I'm a huge BB fan and have been avid reader/visitor to crackberry for many years. I've never posted anything but I feel compelled to now. I've been trying to post this all morning but get a posting error message. I'll post in several shorter messages
spjones77 Mar 19, 2013 at 9:40 am
Just like so many others, I bought a PlayBook at launch and struggled through the dark days until 2.0. I still love it but its usefulness is deteriorating rapidly. But my point is to agree with Vic regarding the salespitch given to all us diehard PlayBook fans.
spjones77 Mar 19, 2013 at 9:40 am
We were told to "hang on in there" because the new OS is coming and we'll get the apps that everyone takes for granted.My children were asking for Galaxy Tabs and iPads last Christmas, but I held on to the belief that the app store would soon change and developers would be coming on board in droves.
spjones77 Mar 19, 2013 at 9:41 am
I bought PlayBooks for my children and my wife and I now feel like a complete tool. Quite soon, the only app for the playbook will be "Tumbleweed" and I dare say we'll have to pay for that. I'm absolutely gutted that my loyalty to RIM/BB has been abused in this way.
I can't bring myself to give cash to the fruit or even to shamsung so I will continue to turn up to meetings with my chunky playbook. But I'm really, really annoyed to have been treated this way.
Vic_Franklyn Mar 19, 2013 at 8:03 pm
@spjones77. Hey my friend I know how you feel. I have been a loyal Playbook owner since the beginning and after hearing this moronic announcement by Thor, I ran to Best Buy and got a Samsung Galaxy Tablet 2, 7.0, I've had it with Blackberry's constant lies and obfuscation lying to us saying they are giving us BB10 on our Playbooks. Face it guys...BLACKBERRY ARE LIARS AND WE ARE NOT GETTING BB10 EVER ON OUR PLAYBOOKS. Abandoning the Tablet market is a moronic mistake. One Blackberry will pay for in the long run. I love my new Samsung Tablet. Its so hot and fast and best of all, 90% of the apps are FREE unlike Blackberry where they charge you through the butt for everything. I will still use my Playbook for watching HD movies on my big screen Tv, and Playing the exsisting games I have on there, but won't spend another cent ever on a Playbook app.
Fnen90 Mar 20, 2013 at 7:20 am
thats why i bought an ipad mini...the thing is the apps, only and always been a BB problem!
spjones77 Mar 19, 2013 at 9:42 am
Sorry for the disjointed post but I couldn't post it all together for some reason. :-(
GoJaysGo Mar 19, 2013 at 9:58 am
The comments from Thorsten about the iPhone might end up hurting BlackBerry the most. If in fact iOS is stale as every technology blog, BlackBerry and Android fan boy points out on a daily basis and Apple refreshes iOS 7 along with a new iPhone/iPad, it might be bad news for BB10. We won't know what's in iOS 7 until WWDC in early June/July. With Jonathan Ive revamping the GUI, it could breath fresh air on the stale iOS, and BlackBerry might be the one that would suffer the worst.
Vic_Franklyn Mar 19, 2013 at 6:28 pm
Whats gonna hurt Thor the most is abandoning Playbook. I am fed up with the constant lies concerning BB10 coming to the Playbook. The Tablet market is huge and Thor is an idiot for abandoning it. Both super giants Android and Apple have huge tablet markets. Bad move for abandoning Playbook Thor. You just lost a customer here, the first of many to come.
shootsscores Mar 20, 2013 at 9:33 am
TH hasn't lied about anything. Moaners and cry babies abound on Crackberry.
spjones77 Mar 20, 2013 at 9:43 am
No? Ok. Who started the rumour about BB10 on the playbook? I'm pretty sure I read it quoted from an authoritative source here on CB. As a loyal PB owner from the start, I think I've been pretty patient considering we've had next to no eco-sytem from day 1.
Seriously though I'd love to know who give me and so many others false hope for what was and still is in many ways, a fantastic tablet.
C'mon, who started the BB10 on a PB rumour?
Vic_Franklyn Mar 20, 2013 at 4:05 pm
@shootsscores. Thor hasnt lied? LOL at that one. Go google how many times in the past year he promised that BB10 was coming to our Playbooks. I cant count them. And now in this article he's dumping the Playbook and concentrating solely on BB10 phones. Thats a mega lie buddy!! Research what you say before posting it and looking like an idiot. Thor is a major con artist.
shootsscores Mar 20, 2013 at 4:56 pm
Everything TH has promised to deliver has been delivered. He said all PlayBooks will be updated to PB10. I'll take his word over a snivelling cry baby's rantings any day.
Vic_Franklyn Mar 20, 2013 at 9:41 pm
@shootsscores. Ya Thor also promised to deliver BB10 to Playbook BEFORE the Q10 was released. Guess what, the Q10 was released. Where is it? We're not being ''cry babys'' you presumptuous idiot. Just pointing out Thor's lies. Learn the difference there son.
Luiserafim Mar 19, 2013 at 11:15 am
Easy to see... "We don't want to be another one... we will follow our own path..."
"Things will be ready when they are... and then you'll know about them!"
BBRY isn't struggling with anyone... They're moving foward... And I think the path is the correct one!
Keep up the pace!!!!
Dan Donahue#WN Mar 20, 2013 at 12:33 am
They should give all of us who bought a $800 Playbook a Z10 for supporting them.
Vic_Franklyn Mar 20, 2013 at 1:08 am
@DanDonahue. Sounds great in theory but Blackberry is a greedy company who are dumping their Playbook customers so they can make mega profit from their new Z10's to line their own pockets.
Fnen90 Mar 20, 2013 at 7:17 am
Apps apps, cross platforms popular apps and bb10 will be very popular! Do what people like...just apps! FREEEE !!!!! Spend money on that please!!
marko868 Mar 20, 2013 at 7:44 am
The fact is before 2007 touchscreens were a thing of the scifi realm Apple pioneered the touchscreen no they didn't invent it but they perfected it speaking from where Blackberry is right now(fighting for third spot) it seems a little soon to claim any sort of title.
edwinsberry Mar 20, 2013 at 8:29 am
This post has been on the landing page for days now and as a playbook owner is becoming quite irksome. Just saying . . .
spjones77 Mar 20, 2013 at 9:38 am
+1million! Really annoying. It's like having our noses rubbed into it repeatedly.
jz1 Mar 22, 2013 at 12:43 am
Just hope that bb will at the very least provide bb10 update to existing PB owners
Vic_Franklyn Mar 25, 2013 at 8:53 pm
@jz1. I have a Playbook and would like to see that happen, but good Luck with that. Its clear from the sound of this article Thor threw the Playbooks and their owners in the trash. But then again whats a mere Playbook to a company who just got 1 million Z10 orders? They are a write off. Id be really suprised if we ever see a Playbook update to BB10.
Eduardo Gonzales1 Mar 31, 2013 at 4:38 pm
iPhone is dated, waiting for playbook update :D