Update - BlackBerry has now confirmed the new round of layoffs in Waterloo and Sunrise.
While there are some unconfirmed reports of another round of layoffs hitting BlackBerry in Waterloo and Florida, there's one exit that can be confirmed. Gary Klassen, inventor of BBM has now exited BlackBerry after nearly 16 years with the company. Gary Klassen, who joined BlackBerry in 2000 as part of the BlackBerry 950 Software Development team, literally wrote the code for version 1.0 of BlackBerry Messenger, which at the time was known simply as QuickMessenger.
On the day when BlackBerry announced that BBM was going cross platform to support both iOS and Android in 2013, we had the lucky opportunity to sit down with Gary during CrackBerry Live, which is must watch interview. Needless to say, without Gary Klassen there would not be over 190 million people using BBM right now, so it's sad to hear of his departure. However, we certainly do wish Gary all the best in any of his next adventures and send thanks for all his awesome work.
At the time of publishing, BlackBerry has not responded to requests for comments.
Reader comments
Gary Klassen, Inventor of BBM has left BlackBerry
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This is not a good sign. BlackBerry 10......
Posted via CB10
Wow my heart continues to break. Chen... why are you letting your best employees go? First Vivek Bhardwaj, then Jeff Gadway, now Gary Klassen?!! Are you kidding me?? Gosh hire me!! I can turn BlackBerry around, spending 400million on Good Technology and letting all legendary ironic employees leave is not a turn around!! What are you doing Chen?!!
Gosh I hope Chen isn't going to sell BBM!!!!
Posted via CB10
Still loving BlackBerry Passport and BlackBerry Classic :)
Posted via CB10
For his sake I hope he was laid off and he got a huuuuuge severance package.
Did klassen get fired, layed (laid) off, quit or resign. Just wondering what BlackBerry did to avoid paying any benefits
Posted via CB10
Somewhere in Mexico jail, El Chapo is sad to see BBM die lol
Posted via CB10
Lol. He doesn't need it anyway. Seecrypt SC3 is much better.
Check out Seecrypt SC3 in BlackBerry World! You can find it at http://appworld.blackberry.com/webstore/content/59109851
TMO Z10,STL100-3/10.3.2.2789
Thank for the app.
It's impressive
Posted via CB10
The question now is...now that he left, what phone is he currently using and still prefers to use?
BlackBerry Passport on Telus Network
Why
Posted via CB10
WOW, can't believe Gary Klassen is gone! I would hope he left of his own free will, and was not the victim of a layoff, but who knows?
Instead of spending hundreds of millions on software companies, Chen should have spent money building apps for BB10 to fill the gaps.
shame...
Posted via CB10
I'm leaving BlackBerry too. Thanks Chen.
Posted via CB10
Hmm, using the blackberry virtual keyboard on my LG FLEX 2 and it's same within different apps..
Posted via the CrackBerry App for Android
It works great for cross platform. All of my employees that aren't provided with a BlackBerry Classic use Bbm on their iPhone and androids. If they leave the company I simply delete their BBM contacts. It's also great since I don't have to give out my cell phone number like what's app and others.
Posted via CB10
It seems that there is a conflict of interest within the company. I guess not only the consumers dislike some of Chen's disregard towards the Blackberry environment. What does it say when Z10 users are replacing them and not upgrading? So many missed opportunities, and still the lack of advertising, and confidence in the brand.
Posted via CB10
Can't go a day without bbm
Posted via CB10
I wish Chen was the one leaving.
Passport via CB10
We wish this German genius all the best in his next career! He created the best messaging platform in tech history!
Thinking about it, the logical conclusion of going to android is to kill bbm. Why not just use hangouts? In chen's world it is just less costly. Taken to ultimate conclusion, stock Android is just Ok too! So get out of phones, productive software and just manage enterprise. And this is a 'turnaround'? I might prefer it to be called selling your soul. I think the next step should be to change the company name?
Posted via CB10
Hi! I'm typing these words with a newly bought BlackBerry Passport. unless they make a new version of QNX for cellular phones, like android there will be an exit every week. Why android is popular not because that os is as powerful as QNX but it's open.
If you r failure in ur life that's because you don't understand yourself and the same is applicable about products. What's the point in saying QNX is better than android or apple when it comes to automobiles where u r literally searching in the dark for a better future of BlackBerry?
The future is right in the hands of those who governs the co. What will we do when these think tanks are failing listen up and realize the facts behind the success of android. It's easy to copy but it's difficult to compete when u are adamant, conventional and orthodox!
It's pathetic to remain as a BlackBerry user, supporting their QNX os even though I know the green lights r far away! BlackBerry, stay blessed!
Posted via CB10
BBM will have a a legacy and is unparalleled long live BBM after convincing those who download it I've made sum newbie fans of it humbling as they are!
~sweetsweetPRIV
BBM is super. Thanks for all your genius work Gary.
Posted using my elegant and efficient BlackBerry Passport.
It doesn't matter, BBM is still the best
Posted via CB10
Congratulations Gary! I wish you the best of luck in all of your new endeavors.
Working Wide with my Passport to Perfection
I guess my question is even if you are only concerned about the numbers why would you leave a CEO with no vision whose moves have had such an obviously detrimental effect on the stock price in place for this long? Chen obviously needs to be the next one out the door.
Someone will pick him up, probably Google of some other company
Posted via CB10
Sad day. BlackBerry as we know it is being dismantled....
Posted via CB10
Someone will hire him...creating BBM is a huge accomplishment...Whatsapp should hire him.
Posted via the CrackBerry App for Android
Sad to hear of his departure... I hope BlackBerry still has plans for bb10... do not want to migrate to Android or IOS....
Posted via CB10
BlackBerry has already migrated to the Android OS. Full migration is not far behind.
I've never been a BlackBerry fanboy as many on here have been. Being a fanboy of anything, makes one blind and naive to what they're a fanboy of. I've always been a supporter of whatever is best and great...which BB has always been.
What a lot of people don't get today is, is that the technology we have today is meant to play into the hands of those that control the technology, not those that use the technology; smartphones, smart cars, smart thermostats...ect.
Getting closer to 1984 as each day passes.
Posted via CB10
The End is Near!
Posted via CB10
If they went cross platform with BBM from the beginning (when there was no competition) that division could have sold for $20 Billion. Just another Blackberry mistake. Enjoying my S6 Edge more and more as my Passport is starting to collect dust on the shelf.
posted by either my Passport or S6 Edge, depending on my mood.
Tara says whaaatttt?
Posted via the CrackBerry App for Android
BBM is still good but it needed to be the best. If it dies I would miss it, but I'm sure I would get over it.
~TheRealFixxxer
BBM just too far behind whatsapp now. They need new people in to compete. Can't even send vidoes on ios.
Posted via CB10
Speaking of competing, Did they ever officially confirm if they were going to go cross platform with BBM video. I think that would have helped them compete and keep everyone communicating cross platform.. It would probably be there last shot.
Fingers crossed with that one. Not to many people that I communicate with on BBM actually owns a BlackBerry.
Working Wide with my Passport to Perfection
Is whatapp secure anyways? So many hacks since launch lol....i love the idea but I don't see the point of what's app when BBM is far superior in security and that's the difference
Posted via CB10
Very sad news, he's my fav BlackBerry member. BBM for life
Posted via the CrackBerry App for Android
BBM will live on! Thank u Gary.
His wife wasn't too gracious with her comments on Facebook.
People who complain about their employers should find another job or start your own business.
Posted via Classic/Passport/Z30
This is not done! I wish him good luck for future invention.
Posted
I think if you were to sell ads in BBM Channels you can generate more than 5k a month. Someone correct me if I'm not correct.
Check out GTR Lifestyle at [URL=bbmc:C001247FA]C001247FA[/URL]
I meant 15k
Check out GTR Lifestyle at [URL=bbmc:C001247FA]C001247FA[/URL]
Using BBM
Posted via CB10
I use BBM every day. Whatsapp is for people with a low Facebook IQ
Posted with Blackberry Passport, last BB10 manufactured ever
You sound like the one with the low IQ here.
Does anyone know, what the **** is going on?
iPhone 5 16GB Black
Ehhh, last one out hit the lights.
None will do what u did at !
Passport
He deserves the best. Wish him the best. I think it's time to move away from blackberry. I was a big supporter of Chen, but from what I see now he just don't cares about the user Base and supporters. I think he is just restructuring the company so it will become atractive for a buyer. For me enough is enough and just because I'm too stubborn I most probably move to microsoft. As a 3 years bb10 user, I'm already used to lack of apps which is currently the biggest problem with wm10.
Posted via CB10
Yes . Instead of docs to go it will he Microsoft word.
Posted via CB10
What a legacy. Cheers Mr K!
Q10 (SQN100-3 : 10.3.2.158), Passport (SQW-100 : 10.3.1.1779)
Too bad for BlackBerry, but wish him all the success.
Posted via CB10
All the best to him. Sad though he had to leave BlackBerry
Posted via CB10
With this news I think it's a good time to post my custom BBM name to all my social media followers again. Lol.
Subscribe to Tri County Catering and Party Idea Channel. Pin #C00123065
He has a face of a very good person
Posted with my loyal Z30
Wow...in addition to not being able to say *****...you apparently cannot even type V.i.a.g.r.a.
Man this has turned into one happy and fun place to hang out...
Cartman says: Screw you guys I'm going home!
Can you say oh *****?! Well depends if the CrackBerry overlords will or won't descend on you with bolts of lighting like Zeus after his daily dose of ******.
But as to the matter at hand...clearly...rats leaving a sinking ship.
Because honestly...if you keep firing people...that's who you will have left at the BlackBerry headquarters in Waterloo. That is assuming those pests would even consent to inhabit that place...
Say hello to the new Google parking lot folks!!!
Cartman says: Screw you guys I'm going home!
I don't know anyone who uses it anymore.
Posted via the CrackBerry App for Android
HI, nice to meet you. Now you know someone who uses BBM.
Posted via CB10
Best wishes on great new adventures, Gary! :)
Typed using my BlackBerry Classic running 10.3.2.2876 on WINDmobile HSPA+
This guy brought us the BlackBerry splat too!!
Posted via the CrackBerry App for Android
BBM died a long time ago ...
via Z30
I love bbm. I just wish they can make it easier to add people to my contacts like whatsapp.
Posted via CB10
BlackBerry must advertise with BBM and tell everyone that they BBM is controling you privacy and that the don't storage or have copyright on your stuff .
BBM - The social media app that don't storage or has copyright about what you send and we give you full privacy control what other big companies don't . also check out the BlackBerry Prive
This is slightly off topic so let me first say good luck in your future endeavors and thank you for creating such a beautiful messaging app.
Might be time for another survey. My wife is my only bbm contact. A quick survey might be telling about the number of contacts each bbm user has.
It could be chicken or egg, but the reason we don't have cross-platform video chat may be because there is not a lot of users with 20 or more bbm contacts. I was hoping that with Priv being on android we would finally be able to video chat cross-platform. But so far it is not to be.
Posted via CB10
Bla1ze is it true know there are 190M BBM users.
Like to see an article how BBM is doing, how it is with BBM momey and some comparing about privacy with whatsapp, facebookmessenger, telegram. call it BBM is on the move :)
Bla1ze wrote false information. There is 91million users officially.
one of the things that destroy Blackberry the stupid over-transparency with people
people is not shareholders
when everyday tell them there is layoffs and people left from the company no now will take phones from you
I do not know how Blackberry marketing division who responsible on news think !!
you tell me everyday there is no support for OS 10 and there is people fired and the one who made BBM left how you want me to spend time and think of buying Blackberry devices !!
layoff and fires and left people happens everywhere but other companies did not speak or let people know about that or at least by there own news sites !!
The vast majority of people in the US have thought BB has been out of business since Heins announced they were for sale. Chen has not done anything to change this.
Heins plan was to the company private. The Board decided on announcing as they did and then went with the advice of a Silver Lake consultant named John Chen. The rest is history. You can blame Thor for ordering too many Z10s and spending for long term growth when the stock market wanted short term results. But, most of the real damage was Chen.
Posted via the CrackBerry App for Android
190 million monthly active users? No way. Save Nigeria, S.A, Indonesia and a handful of North Americans nobody uses BBM. More like 1/100th of 190 million
According to BBRY there is 91 million MAU...same for several Qs.
I'm wondering why
wish him the best!
posted via CB10 from Passport
I converted some family and friends to BBM. While I'm the only BlackBerry 10 users they are Android and iOS, and they are hooked!
Posted via CB10
I tip my hat to the man. Class act and gentleman. Well wishes for his future.
Posted via my Z30 Droidberry.
How does BlackBerry plan to attract talent and stay relevant? Those are big shoes to fill for anyone. I really enjoyed BBM but now no longer have anyone else use it. All the best to Gary, wish him luck.
Posted via CB10
Seeing the enthusiasm in the interview strikes a chord. I remember crapping my pants with how good 10.2.1 was when it came out and just the attention to detail like Gary says. My extended thanks to all who worked on that team!
Posted via the CrackBerry App for Android
Ditto as others here have said... it's only BBM and SMS/text. All the other shinola just adds another layer of complication to daily life.
Posted via CB10
I'm wondering WHY he has left Blackberry.
The calm before the storm...
Posted via CB10
He left before he got fired...
Posted via CB10
^^^This.
It was his job to monetize BBM. He failed. Resign or be fired.
Z10, 10.3.2.858, MPJ 5000 mAh extended battery.
Just to be clear, it was not Gary Klassen 's job to monetize BBM. As far as I know, he hadn't worked on BBM for years.
Posted via the CrackBerry App for Android
Mr. Klassen, I'm sorry to hear you've left.
Thank you for your work and guidance in BlackBerry. I benefit daily from your efforts, as well as, those of the other team members I shall never know.
Give your wife a hug, she knows the personal cost of your efforts there. Her post explains much.
All the best.
Posted via CB10
As long as his wife is happy with his decision than I have no choice but to believe that he made the right decision. WKB (Wife Knows Best)!
Working Wide with my Passport to Perfection
Anyone know exactly what happened? I doubt he was laid off. My take is that when hour saw what happened to the BB10 team, he couldn't take it and quit.
He seems to me like a man with integrity, and did what his heart told him. His wife Jenn pretty much cleared any one of my doubts. As far as BBM goes, its simple, try all of the options out there and decide which is better, without taking into consideration whether one person uses it, or one million. In the end it boils down to your circle of friends.
As far as blackberry making it as a software only company, I bid them good luck and farewell. A comp any is made out of people, not brands or products. Best example is when apple was bankrupt and about to close, what was their "turn around plan"
Unfortunately BlackBerry wont wake up in time to become RIM again, and buying Good, AtHoc and Secusmart, will not win back all that was lost. With this brilliant leadership, my best guess is that those three companies have been sentenced to death, the same way Heins did RIM with Chen giving the last blow.
I really hope I'm wrong, but without any solid info or comments to back anything up, one can only speculate.
I'll use BBM, BB10 and my lovely PB21 for as long as I can and hope something that would be a worthy replacement, not expecting anything sensible from BlackBerry at this point.
Too sad. :(
Posted via CB10
It's too bad. BBM is easily the best messenger but without any users it's pretty pointless.
Posted using my Z30 via CB10
He probably got tired of all the dumb moves the company makes.
Posted via CB10
I think Garry knows something we don't...
Posted via CB10
Me 2
Working Wide with my Passport to Perfection
I like to think of myself as among the more reasonable optimists, but with this latest news one does start to assume...
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=gBzJGckMYO4.
I bought a BlackBerry as my first smartphone because I didn't want an iPhone or Google-based Android. Doesn't anyone realize there is a huge market for a third-party candidate in the smartphone world? BB10 is the most secure smart phone OS. Why would you kill it!?
Posted via CB10
I know.
BB10 on BlackBerry hardware is unique to Blackberry and gives users a non- andoid, non-IOS alternative, and people will switch given time and awareness.
Blackberry are too short-sighted to see this or do anything about the latter.
Shame, Shame.
Posted via CB10
The Bold was my first smartphone and honestly looking back at it it was bit of a joke in the "smart" department. But dang I've never had a phone as indestructible as that, it made Nokias look fragile lol. And that was the thing, BB always had great hardware and BB10 seems leaps and bounds better then the nonsense I put up with on my Bold.
If they were gonna hop on the Android bandwagon it should have been long ago *sigh*
I hope that Mr. Klassen is going to a better opportunity.
As for the BBM, it is BlackBerry's property. It is already written down. They have the codes. If BlackBerry, like other corporation, who is smart enough, I'm sure they made him signed some exclusive confidentially contract that will bare him using the same 'codes' or 'program' to develop similar apps outside BlackBerry organisation. And likewise, if BlackBerry wants to continually improve it, they can do it with or without the inventor.
Posted via CB10
It's been a rough 5 years for everyone involved @BlackBerry, I'm sure he can relax now.
Posted via CB10
Love BBM and that won't change because Gary is gone.
Find it very confusing when people keep blaming Chen, and/or Heins, when the real reason BlackBerry as a company is in the state it's in is because of Mike and Jim. The guys following are only trying to salvage the company from the mess they started.
Posted via CB10 - Z10 /STL100-3/ 0S10.3.2.2474
tj, you've nailed it.
You may or may not agree with his methods, or goals, but John Chen is trying to save BlackBerry as a coherent entity.
The damage that he is trying to correct was done years ago when the response to iOS was a failure. (I'm speaking of the rushed and faulty carrier driven launches of product that began the destruction of BlackBerry's reputation and the resulting confusion and disabling internal in-fighting.)
Posted via CB10
Ah, remember the blackberry storm?
Posted via CB10
Zero People use BBM in Asia....0 I cannot add any friends.... Zero
Posted via CB10
That's because you are lonely. Millions use it in Asia, you just have no friends
Posted via CB10
No because wechat, Line, etc.
Posted via the CrackBerry App for Android
....And all the Kings Horses and all the Kings Men couldn't put BlackBerry back together again....
Posted via CB10
Thank you very much Mr. Klassen for all the work and of course BBM. I use it as my primary messenger! Good luck with your future!
Posted via CB10
Bad to worse
Posted via CB10
Sad to see talent like this go.
Excellent come to Google or Apple or Microsoft
Posted via the CrackBerry App for Android on my Priv where I am out of toilet paper
Thank you so very much for BBM, Gary and your team. BBM allows our spread out family a daily immediacy of communication that's as close to a face-to-face conversation as one can get without being within earshot. Of course BBM Voice and Video are better... in fact, with the fantastic BlackBerry hardware, better than a land line phone call and head and shoulders better than Skype. BBM Groups provides the best (only?) shared shopping list option available, again with the above acclaimed immediacy of communication. My spouse and I rely on it. I read a post recently that sharing short videos in Channels seems to be an upcoming option and many of us will be looking forward to that. I do wish that Channels would get a lot more development love and attention. I think that it could be so useful in commerce, we're PayPal and credit cards could be linked in.
If you read this, Gary, it can be in your train load of validation. All the best to you.
If anyone else in a position of influence at BlackBerry reads this, it can be my two cents of input as a fan.
Most likely posted via CB10 from my amazing Z30, but may have been posted from my awesome PlayBook.
Gary Klassen was also the principal architect of BB10 and, later, the head designer at TAT. There's no reason why top talent of Gary's level should be at BlackBerry these days. John Chen has made it very clear that BlackBerry is no longer about being a great company. All the best to Gary and his family!
Does anyone know which company he left BlackBerry for? Or he just simply quit?
PassportSQW100-1/10.3.2.2639
Restructuring, to do so, you must let some people go.
CA Governor on Passport SE
Gary Klassen pretty much was BlackBerry. It wasn't just BBM. For some time, his title was "principle architect" and that was accurate. I'm guessing he left to do a startup. He loved the innovative, fast-paced, scrappy, effort to build BB10. Chen is just about shrinking the company to profitability. If BlackBerry gets small enough -- and he's already halved its revenues -- he might be able to say he won by selling a bunch of BES licenses until there's profitability. We'll know it's actually a loss, but regardless, what does Gary Klassen do at a company as unambitious as John Chen's BlackBerry?
I think BBM will never die if BlackBerry just have one best worker leaving the company they have to keep looking forward. I love BlackBerry phone use it the most & I have Samsung Galaxy S5 use it as my second phone love it too. Every company have there up & down moments we shouldn't think it this way.
Posted via CB10
Gary, thanks for all you did for BlackBerry and specifically for BBM. Those of us who use it many times daily will be forever in your debt. Best to you in your future endeavors. That said, it is becoming abundantly clear that the end is near for BlackBerry as we now know it. You cannot continue to play catch-up in the tech world and expect to survive. You need to excel and surpass your competition. Sad but true.
Posted via CB10
I hate bbm
Posted via CB10
Here in Germany BBM is not important... It lives in the shadow of the past...
WhatsApp is the winner here...
Very sad.
Posted via CB10
According to CBC: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/kitchener-waterloo/blackberry-cuts-waterlo...
Gary's wife Jenn, posted some telling information:
Klassen's wife Jenn posted a photo of herself and her husband on her Facebook account earlier today, with the caption, "My husband has walked out of BlackBerry for the last time!" She added, "Gary you've been a wonderful example of integrity, faithfulness, and patience working there but I'm glad you're out."
Definitely seems to be more to the story than what meets the eye. Honestly I'm glad he got out of this train wreck of a company. Google or Apple will grab you in no time. There will be a LOT more of this in the future before or if it ever gets better.
Agreed. BlackBerry hasn't been a good company since John Chen took over. There's simply no reason for anyone talented to work there anymore. They are a boring MDM / EMM company with a mid-tier product that burns cash to buy customers instead of to innovate.
Klassen was the principle architect of BB10. It must have been extremely unnerving for him to watch Chen kill BlackBerry's platform and pretty much lie about it. For the last year or so, Klassen has rarely tweeted about BlackBerry, at all. What could you say when you know the CEO is simultaneously selling your dream and killing it at the same time. Wish he would have done a little better job on the selling it part!
It was the predecessor CEO(s) that buried the company. Chen has given it new light in other avenues. Had BlackBerry changed with the market trends back in 2007, they would still be competitive.
Posted via CB10
Like what? Chen is selling licenses to BES/MDM a Mike Lazaridis product. He completely flubbed on developing and selling BlackBerry's BB10 platform after a billion+ investment, but it's not like he replaced it with anything, right? I mean, Android is hardly a Chen innovation. What new visionary product or service has Chen introduced during his couple of years at the helm? Meanwhile, phone sales tanked and revenue fell by half under Chen.
Like O'Dell refusing to go 4G when all carriers were ready to roll out their campaigns. Like when Iphone first released and BlackBerry said, most of the world is still on our phones, touch screen isn't desirable. Chen is trying to clean up the mess of the predecessors.
Posted via CB10
I didn't mean how did the other guys make mistakes, I meant what visionary product has Chen introduced to try to "clean up the mess of the predecessors?" It's been years and the company continues to shrink into insignificance on his watch.
BTW, I agree BlackBerry should have gone LTE. You know who else didn't? Apple. BlackBerry had a touchscreen device out within a year of the iPhone being released. You've got to remember that BlackBerry completely destroyed Apple in sales on that first generation. And BlackBerry was on a path to reboot it's platform until John Chen took over and immediately sabotaged the effort.
BlackBerry "destroyed" apple in its first gen phone because BlackBerry was established already. But they never countered Apple's Entry into the market until Apple started gaining traction. And BlackBerrys counters were mediocre at best. They kept delaying change in thinking they had a stronghold on the international market. To this day, their marketing sucks, but during the early days of the rise of Apple is when Blackberrys marketing was most needed and crucial. Besides that, a company that has 2 CEOs is a problem in it self.
CHEN, At least Is trying to make the company viable again by getting into and owning markets outside of Apple and in some ways, Android. BlackBerry is more than just a smart phone company. Apple is ONLY a smartphone Company with the Iphone accounting for almost 70% of its revenue.
Posted via CB10
I keep on asking about what unique contribution Chen has made in terms of products or services and you keep on giving me circular statements. So, above, you say, "Chen, at least is trying to make the company viable again by getting into and owning markets outside of Apple and in some ways, Android..." You do realize that MDM/EMM was in BlackBerry's suite of products long before Chen. The push towards auto and embedded systems were both Lazaridis and Heins. We still haven't seen much, but Heins placed a heavy emphasis on the Internet of Things, as well. What "markets outside of Apple" is it that Chen has redirected BlackBerry into? I'm interested because I believe he is the least visionary CEO in tech -- one of the worst communicators, too -- but, you keep on talking as if he has rebooted the company with something new. Maybe that investment he made in his buddy's anti-cancer company? The acquisitions in enterprise software companies -- which were all weirdly in line with competencies BlackBerry might have already had? Anybody check to see if they Silver Lake clients?
Agreed.
Posted via CB10
BlackBerry (/RIM) hasn't been a good company ever since Lazaridis and Balsillie fell alseep and started taking the company into the ground while failing to respond to competitive pressure (the keyboard-less iPhone and the App Store), well before Heins and Chen.
Naturally, I disagree. I loved the excitement and potential surrounding the new platform launch. And BlackBerry 10 was very cool. We're now learning that Chen was never committed to it, but even with two years of neglect, I think it's a great OS. Can you imagine what Blend and the Blend APIs would have developed into if Mike L. or Thor were running the company?
You "naturally" disagree? lol You can un-naturally disagree too if you like, it's a free country. I'm trying to make you understand that BlackBerry was tanking badly well before Chen. And it's still tanking under Chen, but he's doing damage control for a company he inherited that was (and still is) on life-support. You think if we had brought back Lazaridis or Balsillie or Thor instead of Chen, that it would have made a difference or made things better? And BlackBerry 10....Lazaridis and Balsillie weren't even thinking about a replacement to BBOS until the public (finally) made them realize it was getting slow and clunky, and then BB10 was born....too late, like everything else RIM released under their management, when Apple and Google came knocking. Of course, none of that stuff has made an impact to current BB phone sales you're going to tell me, right? Of course, it's Chen's fault. Finally, PlayBook, something I still own and use...you wanna talk about sales of that too? Sales of that are at what, zero? Chen's fault, right. And what about BBM's late cross-platform release. Past mistakes by management WERE expected to impact current phone sales, with Chen or without Chen. To what extent, nobody was really sure when Chen took over. Now if you still don't understand that, then it's not worth my time explaining.
Yes. I suspect if the board chose the Mike L. and Qualcomm deal we'd be better off today. I said so at the time. John's poor performance has confirmed it.
I understand that his predecessors dropped the ball, too. But, Thor had begun to reverse that trend, albeit at significant cost. The Z10 sold 5 million units in its run and BlackBerry moved over 7 million phones the quarter of its release. Chen couldn't move 1 million last quarter and that's not because of Mike L. It's because Chen decided to niche down to enterprise where Apple killed him and cut almost every effort for the company to showcase on the national stage. I have fond memories of checking the national and international press as they covered BlackBerry Live just like they did Google IO and Apple WWDC. That all went away with Chen as did any effort to compete for ecosystem or talent. Don't get me wrong, I think Chen will have BlackBerry profitable next quarter, but he had 2 billion in cash and a treasure trove of IP from his predecessors left over. An ***** could shrink this company to profitability. Yes, BlackBerry can be profitable as a mid-tier MDM/EMM company if it lays off its chance at being a mobile computing leader. I just don't understand why you respect this guy and especially on a thread about Gary Klassen. Do you think losing talent like Sebastian, Dan, and Gary is good? I even miss Alec and Vivek. Yes, I know we may not need really good people for Chen's play, screw Chen and his ***** fan boys who think they can cut their way to greatness.
Absolutely correct
Posted via CB10
That's your opinion, but with BlackBerry's device sales having consistently fallen along with its overall revenue for almost the entirety of Chen's tenure, you might be just another Chen fan -- one of the most pathetic things a human being can be. I urge you to invest heavily in BlackBerry stock. You might remember that the stock market valued that failure from Lazaridis and Balsillie much more than it has valued the awesome success you see from John Chen. If you are correct, they are all wrong and BlackBerry stock will soon return to its previous highs and maybe exceed them. ;-)
BBM is as good as dead. The moment it went cross platform. Back in the days I had a good 150 and chatting to more then half. Now I'm down to less then 10. Sadly people are moving away from BlackBerry nevertheless I'm stand fast to my BlackBerry Passport silver.
Good luck in the future. I hope the young girl or boy who fill your place bring back the good old days of BBM.
Posted via CB10
It should have went cross platform with the first iPhone.
Hit the nail on the head
Posted via CB10
Dam. You're right!
Posted via CB10
Chen is blind to marketing. He decided bb10 was dead way too early. He could release an updated bb10 Z30 and sell millions to Z10, Z30 owners.
Posted via CB10
Don't go to Apple, Don't go to Apple
Z10
Why not? Unless there is a signed confidentiality agreement, he owes nothing to Blackberry. At least if he does, he will be able to continue to feed his family.
Posted via CB10
Bla1ze - how about getting an interview Gary Klassen?
This is really sad news, but then again the invented of BlackBerry self step down from the company and it still survived so, we all shall see what's next for him and bbm hopefully he don't follow and go working for Apple but you never know, all the best thank you for your contribution to the better of society.
The power of the force and the passport.
Well it seems that the original cast is now gone. The company is not what it was. Management keeps on talking about the turnaround plan and growth, but it's true that it has fallen so far and the only way to go, if anywhere at all, is up. In the process it will leave all its consumer fans behind. I for one still wish bb10 could have been saved. Had the company itself invested more of its cash in first class apps from the beginning, it might have worked. Maybe not. I had thought there might have been room in the market for a fourth OS - high premium, no ads, no data mining privacy.
Posted via CB10
It's the end of Blackberry as we know it.
Wishing him all d best and thank you for giving us BBM.
Posted via CB10
I've met Gary a couple of times, and he has this really infectious, genuine excitement about his work. Met very few other people that are as jazzed about what they do. He gave me a demo of a really awesome thing the Sweden team was working on a few years ago, if you want to check it out.
@Simon Sage...Hey stranger,It's been a while ,miss you :-)
Aw, shucks.
For the many times that BBM has brought me closer to my family over many years, a heartfelt thank you Gary
These people at BlackBerry have me shaking my head. Had they spent $100 million in marketing dollars, they wouldn't be in this situation. It's really that simple.
That would be enough for Canada. But not the rest of the world.
This is more about BlackBerry 10 and the overall direction of the company. I love BB10, but I am afraid that people within the Blackberry who feel the same are being pushed out in favor of those that support Android....Its really sad though because with only few extra apps in 2013 and some serious marketing BB10 would be thriving now.
Posted via CB10
He most likely sees a dark future for the company and decided to jump off the sinking ship Orrrr it might be because BlackBerry wants to go fully Android and he didn't sign up to be a Google Pawn... but I'm just speaking out of my own ***.
Posted via CB10
Or could be 1 he wants to start his own company
2: he didn't like the idea of cross-platforming
3: he just felt he done as much as he could have and step down.
4: he just want to enjoy his life peacefully for a while.
The power of the force and the passport.
BBM is not was great. Thanks Gary, good luck with future and congrats on a great BlackBerry feature so many years ago.
Michael in Atl
Posted via CB10
I used to love to come to this site and check out all the BB news. Now its usually bad.......UGH
The site has had a lot of bad news for years. Its all of the negative users on this site that are driving me away...
I couldn't agree more. The entire tenor has changed. Almost everyone has gone from being loyal BlackBerry fans to being dejected, cynical people waiting for the next bit of bad news to drop. And BlackBerry /Chen is doing nothing to boost morale or retain the devotion of these people. It's pretty pathetic.
--~~--~~--~~--~Et too, Chen?~~--~~--~--~~--
As a BlackBerry fan how much abuse can you take before you see BlackBerry management for who they really are?
Posted via CB10
Changed my signature the other day to this one. So. I guess we allowed ourselves to this point. Lol. I can take a beating for years. But just found my wall! (crys).
Well. Was gonna go Priv. Guess I'll just go Samsung. Later BlackBerry sad to have loved you so. Cause switching is gonna suck!
I only use bbm outside of text. It's the only secure way to stay in touch with my family. To have that kind of talent leave after all these years... I just hope it's not a sign of the future of BB.
Another one Chenned.
Z30STA100-5 / 10.3.2.2813 / T-Mobile
The real sadnes are the dedicated people losing their jobs which affects also family units. I hope after 16 years that he walks away with a sense of accomplishment and pride that he created one of Blackbery's core apps. I would hope that Blackberry gave him some extra $$$ dollars.
According to MobileSyrup - Blackberry had more job cuts in the Waterloo area in the last 2 days and laying off 75 jobs in Sunrise Florida.
Getting prety close to hearing TAPS for BB10.
Sad news indeed.
Well done with all of your BBM and BlackBerry achievements, Gary. Your pet project has been an invaluable communications tool for many of us, worldwide, who continue to benefit from it daily. You didn't just change the game, you created a whole new one! Thank you, Sir. All the best to you in your future endeavors.
He obviously saw the writing on the wall.
Which said;
"Blackberry's gone to **** and has decided to ***** it's *** out to Google".
Posted via CB10
Or after 16 years, he's looking to do something different.
That's possible too of course.
Posted via CB10
What is really happening in blackberry's camp? All the best to the Gary and to whatever his next endeavors may be. I wonder how blackberry would feel if they got to know he's moved on to either Google or Apple's terrain. Anyway. Blackberry better sit up and excite us this year. Starting with MWC2016 . This year is going to be fierce in the mobile space and anyone caught off guard will pay dearly. Nokia is classical case study.
Where those 190 million people are? I only know 2...my wife and me... sad the leaving of the BBM creator.
Posted via CB10
Well, you don't really want to have a list of 190mil friends. You are better off with just the wife :)
My list is made up of 10 poeple but I speak regularly with 4.
Powered by BB10
I love this
Posted via the CrackBerry App for Android
LOL same here ! the only person i could convince to use BBM was my wife ..there is no one else on BBM that i know
Folks, outside of your bubble of a world are countries that live strictly on BBM. Most of the continent of Africa as well as the Eastern and Southern Pacific are BlackBerry countries. BBM specifically because you don't need a phone number to use it, this eliminating the need to be with a carrier.
So yes, there is 190M users out there!
Posted via CB10
It's true that you don't need a phone number or a carrier to use BBM. I finally have both my Z10 and Z30 paid off and took my Z10 off my plan, but i can still use my Z10 for BBM. Only thing is, i need to be on WiFi.
Posted via CB10
I mandated that my teenage son use it. And I have one employee that's on BBM. Other than that. No one.
Well. Was gonna go Priv. Guess I'll just go Samsung. Later BlackBerry sad to have loved you so. Cause switching is gonna suck!
You are right and Bla1ze is wrong. Official number for BBM user is 91 millions. This number is same for several quarters.
Good luck to him. Doesn't change my usage of BBM though.
Posted via CB10
Too bad to hear that... well I am an whatsapp guy.. so no pain...
Posted via CB10
Will we get now BBM Video on Android?
Posted via the CrackBerry App for Android
Roflmao. No. We will loose BBM. My guess. Gone by 2020.
Future Private Priv (phone auto corrected)-Current Z30, (Z10-Torch-Storm 2- Pearl)
I would shout on the mountain top if we do. I love this feature very much.
No! Whats app will get it then BBM will add the feature 4 years from now.
Posted via CB10
I sense a little bit of head bumping with fellow leadership at BlackBerry. He talks a lot about BBM and BB10 specifically and how excited he is for the future of BB10. He talks a lot about the quality and the hard work that people have put in developing BB10. Chen seems to be a little cut throat with his business approach in looking at his company with a dollar sign only point of view. Seems like Chen doesn't really appreciate the hard work that some of the BlackBerry people have put in to BB10, or the quality of the OS itself. After all if it's not making money for the company then scrap it I guess. It's a shame though. BB10 had the potential to be the best mobile OS on the planet. All it needed was an App Store and better advertising.
in reference to the interview ^
This
Posted via Z30
This
Posted via CB10
This
BlackBerry Z30 (10.3.2)
I agree. You could see the excitement Gary was feeling to be part of the BB10 team during that interview. I also got the sense that his impression of what Blackberry was attempting to do was build a platform that stood apart from the rest. I think they achieved that. The problem however, is that the market is demanding more thanks to Apple and Google having convinced folks that cellphones are about entertainment rather than communications. The one "consumer" demographic segment that Blackberry could have had sewn up if they had put any effort into marketing at all were the baby boomers by stressing dominance in terms of reliability, functionality and security. Instead they focused on the younger generation, whose only interests were texting, social media and games and tried to position themselves as competitors to the already established heavyweights, iOS and Android. A huge mistake given the lack of independent developers in the BB10 camp.
Here's the thing, Blackberry is primarily a software and services company at this point and will be perfectly content making money in those areas. Too much emphasis has been placed by them on the mobile device division needing to be a money maker for the company rather than as a break even vehicle meant to be a lure for business and government contracts and of course the wise consumer. BB10 still has a place in the market and can still succeed with the proper person calling the shots who is dedicated to the mission. At this point, I'm not so sure John Chen is that man.
I agree with rapperman. RIP Gary Klassen, your wreath will be delivered soon; courtesy by Chen
Rest in Peace? Here's merely leaving the company, he didn't die!
i also agree. his positive attitude stikes me! Good energy. Maybe he will do something on his own?
at the time of the interview they were building an awesome platform. but somehow development halted. A BB10 device was intended to be a solid and secure productivity tool that could run android apps. .... ! It has not become that way.
I miss my BB7 user interface, wich was awesome. the BB10 interface is not:
Ever tried to text? typing is within 1 line and within 1/3 of the width of the screen. NOT awesome.
Sound profiles are poorly developped.
you cannot mute the key-sound when typing a telephone number. it is LOUD!
The scientific calculator is a disgrace. it uses two screens, no landscape mode, it does not make a sound when typing a key, it lacks the arctg/sin/cos. it has ans ANS key (!?) it is simply not good enough!
contacts hangs when opened in phone mode and then again in contacts.
etc etc.
And this is for three years now.
Nothing changed for the better in this period. and BBM turned into a relic. everybody uses whatsapp.
So Chen runs a company in limbo and fear. nothing awesome comes out of it.
the PRIV should have been on an awesome platform:
BB10, with a decent BB7 userinterface and a solid android port.
i am not going to buy an android blackberry.
if i had to buy a android phone i'd rather go for something windows10.
Until then, i use my z10 till it dies and just live with the faults.
THIS 1000 x over!!!
Posted from my awesome Z30 on 10.3.2.2876
I agree
Posted via CB10
Couldn't agree more.
Still loving original BlackBerry Passport
i totally agree all it needed was a better App Store and advertising...
Maybe he wrote in a time bomb. He is wise to get out before the end which is near...
Posted via CB10
I'll have to agree with you! Sadly.
Future Private Priv (phone auto corrected)-Current Z30, (Z10-Torch-Storm 2- Pearl)
Good luck in your next venture Gary. Thanks for bringing BBM to us!!
Passport via CB10
Exactly what he said. Love your work and I will continue to live it for a long time
Blackberry Z10 was the beginning. The Z30 is my upgrade
Amen to that.
The power of the force and the passport.
That sucks
Posted via CB10
Don't count BBM down cause he is gone. Sure he wrote the code and made it what it is today. But him leaving should be look as a positive move instead of a negative one.the the door is publicly open for a developer to come up with the next big thing for BlackBerry or innovative the BBM application. I whish him all the best and thank him for leaving the door open for the rest of us
Posted via CB10
Nice words. But the position is probably gone and his desk has been on Craigslist for days.
Future Private Priv (phone auto corrected)-Current Z30, (Z10-Torch-Storm 2- Pearl)
Blackberry is selling his desk for a monthly subscription of $1.99
Posted via PRIV by BlackBerry
Gold! Ad free for an additional $0.99 tho.
Posted via the CrackBerry App for Android
Does the cubicle come with free stickers? But seriously, wishing him the best! Great job and obvious dedication to his craft!
Wish I could like this comment.
OMG I spit out my root beer!!! Hahahaha
Posted via CB10
Lmao
Posted via CB10
Good way of looking at this.
The newest member....Cobalt Classic
Actually the layoffs were confirmed by BlackBerry. MobileSyrup posted a statement from BlackBerry.
What is happening at BlackBerry?!
All the best to him!
Posted via CB10
Top talent leaving, layoffs, plus an overcompensated CEO.
Overcompensated right to the tune of 89 million is it?
Still loving original BlackBerry Passport
Nice of him to have implemented such an amazing app. ¡Buena Suerte!
My Z10 is better than yours!
Next Stop...WhatsApp...
The dude is not moving from a life of security based program to a telemarketing app...
Posted via CB10
Telemarketing app? I've never received a call from someone I don't know.
Posted via CB10
No calls, just constant text ads.
I haven't experienced this, maybe I don't use it enough
Posted via PRIV by BlackBerry
I don't get any ads either and I actually USE BBM every single day, all day long...and I don't pay for any subscriptions to customize it either. The only thing BBM advertising related I see is the little red asterisks over the shopping cart icon.
Not talking about bbm, they went doen a different path here...
Try to keep up
true
Gotta feed the Kids somehow... but in all seriousness WhatsApp could definitely use someone like him to improve coding and Security.
Well, I certainly see way more ads in BBM than in WhatsApp.
Exactly
Seems like it depends on the country, here in Canada I have never received ads from BBM.
Posted via CB10
Also use BBM everyday, never any ads.
Telegram is closest service to BBM and everyday more and more people joins it, so I'd say best alternative to try.
Posted via CB10
ISIS seems pretty satisfied
Is it well running and supported on BlackBerry?
There are at least 5 clients in BBW but each with different set of issues. Even port of desktop version - that's actually pretty useful on Passport. Say stop to mobile crippled apps :). So I'm using Android version now. But it's nice how multiplatform telegram is, it works on every single os (even Ubuntu Phone) + they even have very nice web app. We used it for pretty big developer conference this weekend, 1000+ attendees, 100+ organizers and volunteers and it worked pretty well.
I was checking possibility to use libqtelegram to write better client but the all world already moved to Qt 5... BlackBerry is not going to move to. It's possible to write Qt 5 apps but no hub integration...
Thanks for the info!
Still loving original BlackBerry Passport
Thanks Gary! I appreciate your contribution to the world of mobile instant messaging. #BBM4Ever
Every major contributors leaves BlackBerry now a days. Is it me or is it just android?
Pity!
Posted via my lovely Passport
Yep.
All the years I've spent in Sunrise and I never knew BlackBerry had an office there.
Where is it?
TMO Z10,STL100-3/10.3.2.2789
It's the same office adjoining yours. You couldn't find it because board outside read Google.
Posted via CB10
I said a year or maybe two years ago that Chen will not be good for BlackBerry. Just wait, he starts with leaving BB10 and going to Android OS. Next he will even abandon the BlackBerry framework all together.
Never hire a foreigner!!
Posted via CB10
Sad to see you go
Red passport
BBM keeps on rocking... :-D
• There's a Crack in the Berry right now... •
John Chen should leave BlackBerry. Non sense.
He should write a book -
How to make company go from hero to zero.
Posted via CB10
Dude was all class. A moment of silence and a wish for all the best!
Posted via CB10 and the BlackBerry Passport
Is BBM Now Dead?
I'm still on it, so it's still alive.
Posted via CB10
I'm using BBM among families and friends everyday. I love it very much when I send a message, it shows "Delivered" and when the recipient read, it shows "Read". I can also delete message I send from my device.
I think you two were missing the joke, I was referred to the moment of silence which is traditionally used when death a current.
I'm a BBM fan as well, it's the only Messaging Service I use which is a statement that many cannot make.
I deleted WhatsApp when Facebook bought them, now it's only BBM and Text / sms.
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