Android users buy specs, iPhone users buy brand, but BlackBerry users buy an experience. I have heard variations of such a statement throughout my time here in CrackBerry and it has me thinking if there is any substantial truth to it. As we consider where BlackBerry sits currently and moving forward, CEO John Chen faces one of the biggest challenges with the company, its perception. If...
It's 2005 and a young man named Erik Slaven, living in Los Angeles, just purchased his very first smartphone, the BlackBerry 7250. Although he was never a fan of cell phones, the addiction was immediate and Erik suddenly possessed mobility power over those still attached to desktop computers. "It was awesome and empowering to be able to email anyone from anywhere." Erik proclaimed. He...
This is such a sensitive topic for many PlayBook owners — and rightfully so. As a fellow BlackBerry lover, a respectable level of sympathy should be given to those who have invested in BlackBerry's only tablet. It is truly a remarkable device that had a lot of promise. However, business will always be business no matter what opinions or emotional attachment we may have for our products...
I can't tell you how many times I get a strange or confused look whenever I mention that I'm not on Social Media. Even Kevin admitted his envy when he discovered that I'm not on Instagram, Twitter, foursquare, Facebook or anything else. In fact, he asked me to share my reasons about it on CrackBerry even though it's not news. I initially shied away from writing such an article but I...
BlackBerry quietly and slowly exhales as it sits unnoticeably at a table surrounded by other high profile players sporting taller stacks of chips. Nobody's head is turned at BlackBerry's direction but their eyes are secretly watching. The river has quite possibly changed the outcome for BlackBerry, but what cards the other players hold has yet to be revealed. The world audience waits...
During CrackBerry podcast episode 114, Chris Umiastowski brought up the reality that it probably doesn't matter if BlackBerry unquestionably had the best devices and OS in the world, because it still wouldn't help them gain market share. The CrackBerry team engaged in this discussion a little but it deserves more attention and certainly makes for an interesting conversation. Of...
The quality and durability of BBOS and legacy devices are so legendary that they continue to outsell BlackBerry 10 devices still after a year of BB10's launch and, as announced, will stay in BlackBerry's handset business. Why is this happening and what does this mean for BlackBerry moving forward? Some explanations are obvious, such as the lack of effective marketing by BlackBerry and...
My first assignment for CrackBerry entailed meeting BlackBerry CEO John Chen, President of Global Enterprise Services, John Sims, and the VP of Global Alliances and Ecosystems, Marty Mallick. Suffice it to say I wasn't expecting to meet these gentlemen let alone be speaking with them. But before I continue, let me start at the beginning. BlackBerry Experience: New York was held in the...
Dear Mr. Chen, It’s been just about a year since we’ve received our first BlackBerry 10 software update that was made available about one month after the launch of the BlackBerry Z10 (not talking about the US of course). This morning, as the CrackBerry team woke up we all received links (via email, twitter and BBM) to a Thunderclap post which is the inspiration for this letter. The...
If you're been around CrackBerry for a while you'll know that Ryan Blundell was a big part of the team. For years he carried out duties as our Apps Editor and we would have been lost without him. Sadly though, Ryan was forced to step down from his position at CB when his son Keian became ill. Our condolences go out today to the Blundell family as Keian passed away last night after a...
We just wanted to take a minute to wish everyone a Merry Christmas. It's been a big year for us here at CrackBerry -- there were plenty of ups and downs but there was no shortage of news, that's for sure. We rode the BlackBerry 10 train from the start of 2013 and haven't looked back since. There's no telling what's to come for 2014 but no matter what happens, rest assured we'll be here...
A little over a year ago, the CrackBerry family was deeply saddened by the news that Keian, the son of one of our writers, Ryan Blundell, was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of cancer called T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Six year old Keian has spent much of the last year in the hospital, receiving chemotherapy and undergoing test after test. Just a few short months ago...
The announcements last week during BlackBerry's Q1 earnings report and the subsequent announcement regarding the BlackBerry PlayBook not getting BlackBerry 10 left much of CrackBerry Nation with spinning heads and a lot of anger and disappointment. This was definitely not the way to head into the weekend (and a long weekend for those in Canada!) so in typical CrackBerry fashion we...
The dreams of seeing BB10 come to the BlackBerry PlayBook were officially shattered today...
Today is Thorsten Heins' first anniversary as the CEO of Research In Motion, and it only seems fitting to recap the huge changes that we've seen since he took the job. Long story short - he's made a lot of incredibly important changes inside of the company. So with it being the middle of January in Toronto, the very epicenter of CrackBerry Nation where the temperature is minus freakin'...
In lieu of a Happy New Year post we decided to stick to our BlackBerry fanness and go with this instead. It seems like it's been forever since BlackBerry 10 (then BBX) was announced ... and then announced again. We've stayed strong and patient and finally made it however -- Q1 of 2013 is finally here and that means the BlackBerry 10 unveiling is only a few short weeks away. January...
If you celebrate Christmas - today is your day! It's a day to relax, hang out with friends and family, eat lots of food and just be thankful for everything you've had this year. It's been a long one for BlackBerry users, but our 2nd Christmas is almost here (just 35 days!). While you most likely won't be getting a shiny new BlackBerry Z10 under the tree this year (if you do, by all...
Marissa Mayer apparently doesn't care for BlackBerry. This was evident back in September when she announced that Yahoo! employees had to kick their BlackBerry to the curb and opt for an iPhone 5, Lumia 920 or Galaxy S3 instead. Mayer took another jab at RIM during an interview with Fortune last night, inferring that a BlackBerry isn't even considered a smartphone. "One of the...
To all of our friends in the US (and those elsewhere that are celebrating) have a happy and safe Thanksgiving day. Eat lots, drink a bit and most of all enjoy the time with your family and friends. Don't stay glued to your BlackBerry the whole day -- you'll be able to get back at it first thing tomorrow. The holiday season is officially upon us so get ready for it. BlackBerry 10 is only...
Does this device look familiar? If you've been following along with all the BlackBerry 10 fun the last few months it should -- It looks pretty damn close to the image we first leaked back in January of what was rumored to be the first BlackBerry 10 full touchscreen phone. This image here comes via Twitter from @TyC4all who says it's the "first image of the pre-commercial version". We...