John Chen is no stranger to turning companies around, and that is what his main focus was when he came to BlackBerry. So, how did BlackBerry convince Chen to join the company? How is he progressing? Well, Chen recently sat down to answer some questions regarding why he accepted the position, his plans to fix the company and much more.
From John Chen's interview with The Washington Post:
Why did you accept the BlackBerry job?
This is a very important company. An iconic company. This is where and how smartphones started.
It kind of lost its way.
One of the bigger investors in the company, Prem Watsa, approached me. He is a very persistent fellow. I said no the first couple of times. He kind of fooled me by saying, 'Why don't you just kind of come in and build a management team and set the strategy and be the executive chairman?'
How are you going to fix this company?
I want to go back to the people who really need security. So what we're going to be coming back on are security, encryption, privacy, enterprise and a lot more on end-to-end solutions.
The real cusp of what we are focusing on is the software. Our software runs on everything now. Not only on BlackBerry, it runs on iPhone, IOS, Google devices, Microsoft devices. We want to manage all these devices in a very secure manner.
What about other lines of business?
There are 60 million automobiles running out there using BlackBerry software — telematic software, infotainment software, radio and all that. We added a lot more features, like advanced driver's assist, communications between vehicles.
Today's car, if you go to the car manufacturer, they are really building a software platform. They are not building a car.
So how's business?
In the last eight quarters, we're generating cash from operations. EBITDA [earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization] is getting positive. We're getting there. We still have a lot of work to do. I won't fool anybody.
I would like to be profitable, definitely by the end of the year. But I'm hoping it's going to be a little sooner.
Be sure to check out all the questions, and the rest of the conversation with John Chen over at The Washington Post.
Reader comments
John Chen discusses why he came to BlackBerry, his future plans and more
"Are you crazy? They were going to pay me millions,let me continue to live in California, and fly me back and forth on a private jet. What's more, that silly board actually thought I could turn a cell phone company into a software company. I would be crazy not to have taken the job."
Posted via CB10
Sri John Chen may kill BlackBerry's cell phone division sooner or later if he doesn't learn from Nokia, Borland, Sun, Lotus Notes, Sybase or the like as well as from oracle, sap, apple and microsoft.
Posted via CB10
I came straight to the comment. It's more informative.
Posted via CB10
I used to think that JC was a hero for keeping making handsets instead of leaving the hardware business, but He does terribly, at least when There was Thorsten Heins, BlackBerry was being original and developing decent phones, especially the latest BB10 s. Now we're just having expensive phones with android and they still don't seem able compete with competition s attributes. I can't even imagine how many fails can BlackBerry survive before its handsets line up becomes obsolete by either software, hardware updates, price and innovation and loses any decent or unique feature to consumers. BlackBerry CEO needs other attitude, the need to evolve not just survive, miserably.
Posted via CB10
The John Chen hate on CrackBerry is hilarious but sad. If I were the CEO, I would have done everything in my power to axe BB10 immediately upon taking control. I love the OS, but it had to of been so obvious to him it was a doomed road. Yet Chen did his best with BB10, still insists on trying to release two more smartphones despite the Priv under performing, and all the naysayers can't get over the fact he's not Steve Jobs.
Sorry CrackBerry, BlackBerry will never reclaim their lost throne from Apple. If they wanted to stay on top, they should of tried harder. I'm grateful for everything Chen has done, and I'm glad BlackBerry still exists at all.
Posted via CB10
The only one solution for BlackBerry to survive is to change the CEO. U need to have a vision of products and not only worse and expensive copies of something that's all ready on the market. If U have products U can sale it, when U got nothing U simply got nothing to offer. Look at Huawei, it's possible.
Posted via CB10
Thanks JC for moving on in OS.
Posted via CB10
All I care is that John is bringing BlackBerry to profitability. If hardware is second or last in line, let it be, so be it.
Typed using my QNX powered BlackBerry Classic running 10.3.2.2876 on WINDmobile HSPA+
This is what I'd like to see BlackBerry do. Hire some young guns that are hungry to prove themselves and have a ton of ideas on technology. Maybe even created "basement" models of whatever it is they created. Something that doesn't exist on the marketplace now. They can use "BB10" or some QNX offshoot or QNX itself to be the brain or OS. Just don't worry about smartphones right now, as much as it pains me to say that. I'm a Bb10 fan. But to keep chasing that rabbit hole right now I just don't see being successful. Top Michael damage has been done to the brand. Look to the future with products. What products might they be? **** if I know. I'm not a techie geek that thinks of new products. But if they ever want to do anything other than software this might be something to look into. If it worked, the rest of their parts of the company will follow. When Apple made their comeback in the 90s, early 2000s it wasn't built on past products (i.e., Macintosh computers). They created the ipod and iTunes and some other things. Now I don't know if that was all Steve Jobs or not. But he was the CEO when that stuff was launched and took off. Eventually the Mac sales started to make a comeback. Would that necessarily happen with a BlackBerry phone? No. But, wouldn't it be nice to see our beloved BlackBerry company come out with something new and exciting that did well in the marketplace?
Posted via CB10
Sweet talks. Hidden intentions
BlackBerry Q10
If I remember correctly "fix" can be used several different ways, one way positive the other negative.
I think I better check Webster one more time just to be sure. Heheehehehe!!!
Posted via CB10
Mr. Chen! If you execute the BB10 OS just becouse you think you're gonna earn more profit with Android, you're absolutly wrong...
Posted via CB10
This guy is a freaking joke. Get a speaker. How can you say some of the sh^% you say??? OMG.
If Chen would get off the little green robot's tip and go back to 10 where BlackBerry would have complete control over the OS and increase battery life 10 times what it does now while the phone is being used of course it would be a major game changer.
Apps are secondary when battery life is on the table, he can then draw development teams back to BlackBerry.
Posted via the CrackBerry App for Android
I'd like to see BlackBerry hire new, fresh, YOUNG blood. Focus on
Posted via CB10
I think the software focus is the right direction. Enterprise is definitely important but I hope they won't abandon the consumers or the pro-sumers. I'd totally pay to have blackberry hub, calendar, BlackBerry keyboard and such on my android phone. If they can make a regular android powered phone more secure and more integrated, that's a pretty interesting segment right there. Google, Facebook and such are making a killing out there selling nothing but zero and ones.
-typed on a passport
Posted via CB10
At least, negotiate native whats app make a agreement send the people a BB10 all touch new phone and spend in some viral Marketing, if cars are building a platform make a integration with them buy a licence for Google services to run in BB10 with good specks good price
BBLatino
He may not be a stranger to 'turning companies around' (at least to the business of trying to turn companies around) but he was and remains a complete stranger to a company that deserved more than just someone with the mind of an accountant.
Posted via CB10
A company that's deeply rooted in mobile innovation which he knows nothing about.
If Chen doesn't want to invest in app development then he should sell these phones as media devices like Apple did with their iPod. I have no contract on my Z10 but I use it more than my crappy Samsung android phone. Where is the QNX entertainment app? Why can't I buy music or movies in the world store anymore? Why isn't Blackberry offering sim services directly through shop blackberry? So many missed opportunities to increase revenue it embarrassing.
Posted via CB10
Interesting idea!
Posted via CB10
But with a different brand name.
Posted via CB10
He better release a new all-touch Blackberry phone that runs on BB10 OS with a few more updates...we are starting to lose faith in the brand. I look at my abandoned Playbook and I'm typing on my abandoned Z10 and wonder if Chen will ever stop treating Blackberry diehards as red-headed step children...?
Posted via CB10
+ 1
Posted via CB10
The more this guy talks the more obvious it becomes how clueless he really is... and how he was simply in the right place at the time previously... and gets credit for previous simple good luck.
Posted via the CrackBerry App for Android
Still not hearing about blackberry 10 hardware the way I want to hear it. Well I'm just a persistent end user
-trackwheel-trackball-trackpad-keyboardtouch-
If not for Chen BlackBerry would be gone. They are still around, growing software sales and still have 3B in cash. They can't afford to burn through their cash until they get positive cash flow.
Posted via CB10
More than half of this cash is Fairfax debt
Posted via CB10
They need to stop with the niche devices and offer the basics for Blackberry users. A Z10.2 a Z30.2 and a classic upgrade. Three phones that we can get used to an upgrade...Chen released the niche Passport, the downgrade Leap, and the traitor Privy...all while leaving Blackberry diehards without upgrade options.
Posted via CB10
Not to mention former BlackBerry users.
Why did he take the job?
He forgot to mention the $??? I mean he was the highest paid CEO last year in Canada! Though a lot it are shares but still.
Hope he keeps the BlackBerry devices and still hope for more BB10 perhaps minimal not looking for everyone. Just for the Business and Elite.
Posted via CB10
A$$HOLE!!!
Posted via CBX
BlackBerry will be Hands down winner on Just one of its USP
Fast, Fluent and Flawless Messaging.
Provided it markets this USP.
Posted via CB10
I can think of a more apt alliteration.
How about F'ing Fiasco?
Posted via CB10
Doing the right thing!!!
Posted via CB10
Chen update 10.3.3!?!
Posted via CB10
I think it's funny when people say BlackBerry should ditch hardware (read BlackBerry smartphones) and focus only on software, as if selling BlackBerry smartphones isn't mostly about software. Sure, physical keyboards require investment in actual hardware, and BlackBerry has some technology related to antennas etc. But for the most part, making a BlackBerry smartphone is all about software - from hardening the Linux kernel, to all of BlackBerry's services, the launcher, DTEK, virtual keyboard, and all the other apps.
The fewer unique physical keyboards BlackBerry designs the less they have to invest in actual hardware. Unless enterprise tells BlackBerry they absolutely do not need any of their add-ons, and are fine with Vanilla (or Samsung/LG etc) Android, BlackBerry will need to continue investing in security from the software side, and selling BlackBerry smartphones.
If BlackBerry wants to grow the smartphone business, they have to have somebody other than Chen at the helm.
Mr Chen is not a friend of bb10 and never has been. If when he arrived he did nothing but sort out the most basic social media apps, just the ones that most businesses use, Facebook, Twitter, really. I can't help thinking it would be a very different story about the future of the best OS ever.
I do not see myself buyng a BlackBerry Driod phone as I simple do not trust the man not to drop devises totally.
No, not a fan of Mr Chen.
Flying the BB10 flag with the wonderful Z30
A real businessman! I think hardware market is indeed very tough. So putting more cards on software, clouding and know-how (including patents) is the right card to play.
Posted via CB10
It just like what IBM is doing right now with cloud computing.
Correct. But staying in the consumer hardware game only hurts Blackberry's business profile. Renounce hardware for the consumer market once and for all. Cement hardware in the niche regulated industries market and go all out on IoT, cloud security and QNX automotive software. If I were Mr Chen, that's how I would save Blackberry. Too bad I am not.
I think that's what he's trying to do.
"This is a very important company. An iconic company. This is where and how smartphones started." "it's kind of lost its way. "
Thanks for that.
Posted via CB10
BB10 is the best OS developed by BlackBerry.
The truth is that it's USP hasn't been marketed at all.
Over the past many years there has been no advertisement through the Print or Electronic Media. The loyal customer has to explore through Google to know about the upcoming devices.
Then there is CrackBerry to the rescue by providing updates.
The question is why is BlackBerry not marketing it's own OS around the world?
Following are the USP which should be exemplified
Search Function
BlackBerry sound Quality
Fluent and Flawless Messaging
Closing Applications
Multi Tasking
BLACKBERRY HUB
Best Email platform
Timeless QWERTY Key Board
The list is endless
Chen should Re dedicate himself to BlackBerry and not to Android
Posted via CB10
"It kind of lost its way."...yes and now because of your "visionary" leadership it is completely lost. This interview contains words like "turnaround" and "progressing"...LOL...does anyone still believe that?!
Bravo Mr. Chen, you get a gold star for your understanding and command of the corporate double-speak and all the other gobbledygook that sounds impressive but means less than nothing...
Too bad you can't show the same knowledge about the very products the company you lead, deals with...
Cartman says: Nothing Due To Censorship
He came to BlackBerry to chew bubblegum...and kick a**...and he's all out of bubblegum.
Posted via BlackBerry Passport
This just in...Windows phones are dead'er an a proverbial doornail!
Posted via BlackBerry Passport
I like him...I like him for the maze!
Posted via BlackBerry Passport
It's like he is retarded or something " I want to get back to the people who need security" - hey Chen - they already have it!
Not to mention security on a smartphone lmao ahahahaahhahahaahha ahhaahaahah - ummmmmm soooooo RIM wants to gain more market share to gullible majority of phone users who need something wayyyy more compelling than "security" you think Sam sung Knox was a selling point over an iFone lmao ahahahahahaha this is like a bad comedy show you not sure if he serious or not but this is just embarrassing!
Your security spill hasn't moved units stfu and try another selling point security security security BLAH stfu!!! ****
Jé Be....Here But Gone...
you are right. Nobody is buying due to "privacy". The whole marketing scheme was way off.
I think John Chen has done a great job. He may not be the best speaker when it comes to interviews and/or product demos yet day-by-day he has done so much to rebuild BlackBerry. Like he said, "we still have a lot of work for do. I won't fool anybody. " is apparent and I like that he is transparent about it.
Posted via CB10
Guys, this man is really smart unlike what some might think. He knows how valuable BB10 (No, actually the whole company) is and what it represents, He's doing the best he can, You'll see. Watch this other interview and you'll know, I've learned a lot from his answering style in this interview:
Here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9KOIOVQ5_4
I love bb10. Whenever anyone on ios or Android sees me swiping or typing, they are jealous.
Keeping my z30 as long as possible.
Posted via CB10
The comments section is its usual chipper self...
Was a really good interview.
Posted via CB10
After 2½ years at the helm, that's all he has to say? Going to plan, going to do, etc. Nothing new to see here. All talk. He said the same things then as he is now. No different.
Posted via the CrackBerry App for Android
Chen, needs to stop going to the far left liberal networks and go where there is a true audience Fox Business
I support Chen by first making the software biz strong indeed and second sustaining the phone business. He has nothing to lose either if he goes on or quits hardware biz.
Posted via CB10
I must say I don't trust John Chen.
I trust even less those who hired him.
They de facto injected (or allowed to inject) Google into BlackBerry devices.
Is there any guarantee that they won't do the same with cars, power plants and other things now powered by QNX?
Privacy, security, and encryption.. things most smartphone users don't care about! BlackBerry needs something different along with all of that if they want to perform well in the hardware division.
Posted via CB10
Chen is not any better than Thorsten. Worse actually.
Posted via Samsung S6
Nobody could be worse than Heins.
He's turned BlackBerry around alright. So sick and tired of being Chenned.
Z5 - E6853 / Android 6.0 / T-Mobile USA
"Today's car, if you go to the car manufacturer, they are really building a software platform. They are not building a car."
maybe it's the German in me....but come on!
Posted via CB10
Jebus - what negative comments here. If we don't support him with positive encouragement, who will? He's only human and needs to feel we are behind him. I love all my BlackBerry devices and would keep all of them with bugs and all rather than be forced to use the other Monopolies.
Posted via CB10
"Positive encouragement?" Hey gal we ain't running charity here! He better get his game right or get kicked out..... I just pray that happens early enough
Posted via CB10
BlackBerry 10's brilliance worries the duopoly, BlackBerry 10's security irritates Gov't and the authorities. They don't want us using them, they want them... or Mr. Chen and the board have zero business acumen.
Posted via CB10
There's more profit potential in software than in hardware. Chen and the board fully realize that.
He shot his left foot than right foot than had a headshot.. now he tried to discuss he's reincarnation.. :D
BlackBerry Z30 fan nd a Proud Passport SE user
The end of the year isn't that far. Let's wait and see
Expressed from my BlackBerry Classic 10.3.2.2876
Yes.. and hopefully a lot sooner than then.
Posted via CB10
One reason why did not come to Blackberry: increasing shareholder value
Posted via CB10
Security is no longer a niche area - Google, Apple and Samsung have developed hugely in this field, and value adds such as end to end encryption are standard now. The need for higher level security, even amongst enterprise, must be shrinking as a result. BlackBerry might just specialise themselves into obsolescence if they only focus on mega-high level security.
(Remember people - privacy and security are different issues, deep breaths)
Posted via CB10
3Dee, good point about privacy & security. Don't you think John Chen is looking at security in the larger sense of the IoT (Internet of things)?
BlackBerry is moving to security integration of devices rather than the security of specific devices. In this, BlackBerry has the edge over the dedicated device and software (i.e. Android) suppliers.
As always, if users don't understand or care about their personal device privacy, they'll care less about security.
Posted via CB10
All the best Mr. Chen!
Posted via CB10
BB10 has become an archaic train wreck..thanks to Chen...
Posted via CB10
BB10 is dead. Deal with it.
*ME173X
BB10 is alive. Deal with it.
Via my BB10 Q5 and BB10 Crackberry App.
Posted via CB10
Alive... with maintenance updates!
Yippee!!
*C5303
Never mind, johny is always looking to troll :-p. Since all the girls in town has turned him down, he has got nothing better to do. LOL.
Courtesy: CARTOON NETWORK
Posted via CB10
***** that's the funniest comment of the day!! Hahahahahaha
Straight from my BlackBerry Passport smartphone running OS10... Stay away from Junkroid on Steroids!!
Roid Rage Gvo strikes again! ;)
*ME173X
Funny... Last I heard, camels and goats turned YOU down. ;)
*ME173X
Not funny Johnny :|
Posted via CB10
I get that this is a site for Blackberry enthusiasts, but you have to admit that BB10 is dead. Unless your head is under a rock, in which case it's OK to keep dreaming.
BlackBerry world needs fast and real attention, most of the apps are waste of money or not implemented for today's use! I hope BlackBerry consider more investment and concern for their app store, thanks!
Posted via CB10
Here's a thought...start by updating the BB OS system and show some bloody loyalty to the millions of people who still subscribe to it.
Posted via CB10
John Chen is the man!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted via the CrackBerry App for Android
Bring back Balsillie and Lazaridis... What's the worst that could happen now? Lol
Passport/SQW100-3 .2876 CB10
That's the last thing Prem Watsa would do. If he were smart, he'd start recruiting John Legere right now to replace Chen.
No you cant have legere lol.
"This is a very important company. An iconic company. This is where and how smartphones started."
Yes, a little respect. ☺
Where Is Prem?..lol...He Must Be Persistent Everywhere..!
Posted From My Passport In The Jungles Of The Congo
So he's saying there's a chance!
Posted via BlackBerry Passport
http://img.pandawhale.com/58669-so-youre-telling-me-theres-a-c-Sm9B.gif
lol
Hahaha!
Posted via CB10
You got it, comrade! That's it! Ha ha! I love it!
Posted via BlackBerry Passport
The company is dead really how secure can you feel after installing an android app or some fishy apk in your phone the BBW itself lacks plenty of apps and not forgetting the constant bug problem of every blackberry I mean 'EVERY' I just hope my phone doesn't die unexpectedly iphone was better off
Posted via CB10
I have had 5 BlackBerry10 devices in the past 3 years, none of them has had any bugs or malfunction or rebooted randomly.
Am sure you have had issues that's how you found CrackBerry forums let's face it no shame the company needs real reforms we all wish that if truly BlackBerry was iconic then we wouldn't be in need for thousands of forums on petty issues my camera fails,I can't select multiple files at once and many more problems,a simple China phone can give u service much easily than a costly BlackBerry device
Posted via CB10
I think he came to kill BB10.... and he was good at it... Cheers dude!!
Straight from my BlackBerry Passport smartphone running OS10... Stay away from Junkroid on Steroids!!
BB10 couldn't survive with lack of proper marketing and native apps.
Indeed. On bb10 launch, half of the needed apps were already there. It's just that Chen refused to develop the rest of them and to market Bb10 when he had 3Billion (not 1Billion dollars in. The bank).
Instead, he moved resources to develop ANDROID apps, spent 2B buying software products, developed no software product, and killed BB10.
That's Chen's legacy at BlackBerry
He came to kill the company... that's the ugly truth
Posted via CB10
Chen was hired to turn it around and sell it, like he did with Sybase. It's not working out as quickly as it did with them because he has no grasp of the mobile market.
No matter what anyone says Blackberry 10 is way more stable than any Android based phone.
Posted via Blackberry Passport. Long live Blackberry.
Posted via CB10
More stable than any BBOS phone.
Long live BlackBerry and Sir Chen!
Posted via the CrackBerry App for Android
Listening to Chen or Charlie Browns parents is the same.. wuh woh woh wuh woh
Posted via CB10
Way to go... get it right fast! Chen is the man.
Posted by Z30 BB
2.5 years at the helm and the company is still not profitable. The man, indeed.
He is the man to take $90M in salary and still not have much to show after two and a half years. Think Prem is now looking kind of like a sucker..
Posted via CB10
I refuse to get another BlackBerry 10 phone or Androidberry. I don't care how much they go on sale for. That is how much Chen has hurt the brand.
Posted via CB10
BlackBerry fan base died.
Chen has been there how long and they're still not profitable? This guy should be a lot more scrutinized than he is. Especially after earning $3.4 million last fiscal year to lead only around 5000 employees.
The only way that BlackBerry can be profitable is focusing on what they do best. If I were Chen I would take a short hiatus on smartphones and release a "QNX" smartphone when the time is right.
Posted via the CrackBerry App for Android
Yeah that would solve the app problem....
RIM already tried that. It didn't work.
Boldbb10 ment QNX branded. Make the name QNX popular in the market like for cars and security and stuff. Then drop a phone with that brand.
Posted via CB10
Like donnation said, how would that work with no native apps? Look what's happening to Windows Phone.
Then make it Android. As long as it doesn't have the name BlackBerry on it, it should do well. :)
Posted via CB10
Actually to a degree I agree, if Blackberry branded the PRIV as a device other than blackberry, without a blackberry logo, it would have sold better haha
Call it QNX, call it XYZ, anything is better then the name blackberry on a phone theses days.
Posted via my BlackBerry PRIV v.6.0.1
You are just nuts! The only reason to by a Priv is that you want a phone that says BlackBerry on it. I'm guessing 80% of sales went to previous BlackBerry owners - - at least.
Go today and check out a Samsung Galaxy S7. It's better in every single way. At the time of its release, the Priv was not competitive on price and shipped with an awful experience aimed almost exclusively at convincing BB10 users to accept it as a BlackBerry. It's BlackBerry's worst effort and biggest flop and anyone could have predicted that. I can't imagine someone who isn't enamored with the BlackBerry brand buying one.
Posted via the CrackBerry App for Android
I understand that 80% bought the phone because it was a blackberry, but 80% of 500K is 400K and the general public cringe at the blackberry name or logo and won't go near it.
If it was marketed as a "branch" of blackberry, everyone that loves blackberry would still buy it, but branded differently to attract new customers who are scared to even pick up a phone with a blackberry logo.
Posted via my BlackBerry PRIV v.6.0.1
Okay, I kind of see what you are saying. I just think in the current environment, BlackBerry is a stronger brand than Android for prompting phone purchases from companies other than Samsung, LG, or HTC. The Android branding just communicates the following to potential purchasers: "This is the same thing as you'll find on the much-better Samsung hardware over there."
When Thor was running BlackBerry, they were selling as many as 7 million phones a quarter. That was outselling Sony, an integrated manufacturer making a play for the Android space. I can't see BlackBerry coming close to competing with Sony on Android. Sony can put the best sensor in their camera phone, design a 4k screen, and even include some components at a loss to try to move the market to a point where other Android OEMs are forced to buy those component lines for them. It's going to be really hard for me to believe that going Android was about selling more phones; but I could believe it might be about losing less money in the short run by cutting costs dramatically. That would be at the expense of profiting in the long run by growing BB10 marketshare to critical mass -- something that would probably require the Board to fire John Chen in order to achieve.
Yeah simple stuff. Just make QNX popular in cars and security. Should translate well into phone sales of even that were a simple task to do.
Exactly
Posted via the CrackBerry App for Android
I am optimistic! Go Chen, Go BlackBerry!
Posted via my BlackBerry Passport
In Short he talks about software, security, software, security no mention of mobile devices hahaha because its not on his prio bucketlist
Posted via CB10
It's the least of their concerns at the moment. The only reason they are bringing out more phones is for the end to end mobile solution. Also the reason the classic is still priced at 500 maybe? Hahah
Posted via CB10
He does talk about mobile devices. He says that handsets are their main focus. He's just not talking about them from a consumer point of view. He has said a number of times before that he wants to stay in the hardware business in order to be able to offer an all BlackBerry end to end security solution for handsets.
Turn around indeed...
Blackberry was once a specialist OS, and now it's a common Android device!!
Posted via CB10 on my ClassicSQC100-1/10.3.2.2876
To his defence, Research in Motion should have released an Android device in 2009. They were late to the game.
Oh you and android..... man just go to Android Central....
Straight from my BlackBerry Passport smartphone running OS10... Stay away from Junkroid on Steroids!!
Why? BlackBerry is only releasing Android devices now.
LOL true!
Because of you clueless sheep, the big numbers ...
Big numbers, however, as everyone should have noticed, fight hard against human evolution nowadays...and Chen hopefully knows...
"...you'll come back to me and buy my stuff."
BB10 / QNX 4 EVER
Z30 10.2.1 FLOWING. Powered by QNX!
Truth be told: had BlackBerry released an android phone back in 2008/2009, they would probably be "samsung" now at least. That could have given them the time to properly develop BlackBerry10, they had the money to put two teams working at the same time (one on Android and the other one on BB10).
Maintaining their lead and position as top player would have given them the opportunity to then shift all customers (who by then were all using android) to BlackBerry 10, along with the app developers.
All this should have been done alongside the multiplatform launch of BBM, BlackBerry suite, etc.
It's all history now and we could really spend weeks imagining the possibilities. All I can hope now is that they stay in the hardware business so I don't have to look for a different OEM in a couple years time...
Posted via CB10
I agree to a point. BlackBerry Android would have been targeted at consumers while their homegrown OS could have been for enterprise. Nobody could have predicted how prevalent enterprise applications would become though.
Sorry, your point is akin to saying that if Abraham Lincoln hadn't gone to the theatre he'd be celebrating his 207 birthday this year.
RIM didn't understand the implementation of the Apple iPhone release in 2007. How could they imagine the affect of Google's Android OS?
It's the folly of a market-leader. They simply believed that they were smarter and, hence, better than everyone else.
If there were people at BlackBerry who had the required foresight, they weren't in a power position to effect change.
Posted via CB10
[I completely agree with the hope that BlackBerry stays in the hardware business... I've always loved my BlackBerry devices and understand the superiority of OS10.]
Posted via CB10
Actually, Jim Basille is rumored to have urged BlackBerry to go Android rather than invest in QNX and build BB10. Mike L believed that the company needed to strongly differentiate and that such differentiation required BlackBerry to have their own hardware.
BB10 launched late and ended up being very cool at on a technical level, but not different enough on a UX level. Much of what Mike had envisioned still wasn't implemented when Chen took over and gutted the effort.
My opinion: Going Android is a losing move. The board needed to accept that BB10 like iOS would start with a small user base and grow at a loss. Chen tried to make what was a startup effort essentially profitable overnight by cutting it's ability to compete. Chen literally killed a multi-billion dollar effort to build a platform that Qualcomm was interested in and had long-term profit potential and made BlackBerry into an Android OEM, instead. BlackBerry can never compete in hardware with integrated manufacturing companies like Samsung creating Android devices... the Priv has flopped and it should have. There's now no path for success that BB10 could have given the company.
Posted via the CrackBerry App for Android
Right, BlackberryFan777. They had to bet the company on BB10. Just because the launch was screwed up was not enough reason not to market the OS to the public or stop its development.
They decided to play with their money rather than risk losing everything. Now they see they don't have anything. Yes, they bought some little startups. Maybe Blackberry survives as a little software company.
This seems to me like you have a pro golfer that doesn't make the cut a few times and gets discouraged. So instead of working at his swing, he decides to try baseball. It also involves swinging. But he's never going to succeed playing baseball, and his real success was going for broke playing golf.
I agree they should of kept the BB10 but on a business stand point, I dont think they had the funds to operate in the negatives much longer since, the share holders wanted profit. That's my guess though, and I still dont understand why a lot of the app developers gave up on BB10 OS. Is it harder to develop apps for it? due to security?
I feel like they're going to keep BB10 around, I think they're just waiting to make little more money with mid range android phones and after that refocus on BB10 hopefully.
Can't see another BB10 device being released.
"The folly of a market leader is to believe they are smarter and hence better than everyone else" - hence very little real progress with iPhone development since approximately the 4s.
BlackBerry would never have become Samsung.
Samsung is a large diversified hardware company with a semiconductor fab, that is about to be come the world's most advanced, ahead of intel's, TSMC's and Global Foundries.
Those are the last four advanced CMOS semiconductor foundry companies left.
Apple, Google (if it ever makes hardware) Tesla, Qualcomm, Microsoft, ARM, anybody who will develop IoT and AI hardware will use one of these four foundries.
Samsung's IC manufacturing and phone development cost will always be better than BlackBerry's because they can leverage the vertical integration and a much larger product portfolio.
Plus, along with TSMC, they pretty much dictate the price of ICs for Apple, Mediatek, Qualcomm and the like...
BlackBerry would have failed sooner if they had chosen android in 2009 and would have lost all its security and privacy reputation by 2010.
That's the only reason BlackBerry is still alive today, despite many predicting it's death every day since September 2013.
No government and enterprise customers would have used BlackBerry's android.
Stay away from "Roid Rage" Gvo! :D
*ME173X
Hemo... ?
That would really hurt... =8-o
• There's a Crack in the Berry right now... •
They didnt have to go Android, they needed to have a new OS with new capabilities at that time, Android is not that good now, imagine in 2009.
It worked for Samsung.
Please read my comment above. There is NO comparison between BlackBerry and Samsung.
I'm comparing RIM and Samsung from 2009.
Right. There's no comparison between RIM and Samsung in 2009. Samsung succeeded in Android because they were vertically integrated in manufacturing mobile phone components. RIM was not in 2009 and is not today.
Posted via the CrackBerry App for Android
Sry we live in 2016, you can go back to 2000 all you want old man.
Posted via CB10
I'm referring to 2009 young man.
I had friends and family saying the same thing years ago. Anyhow, I think he was pretty straightforward. I think making an Android phone was a good call. The Priv should do well. I love my passport but if atleast now if I was to switch phones I would try out the Priv and it's Android version. Still love my Passport, just saying. :-)
Posted via CB10
I'm planning on getting an SE though I have a 3 month old Z30, should I switch? The Passport SE is the phone I wanted for a long long time.
Posted via CB10
once the software makes a greater share of the profits, they will probaly dump the phone division and just lease out the patents to the highest bidder
Go Chen go!!
PASSPORT
FAILURE!!!
Blackberry Passport (I0maginary 10.3.3)
Go Chen
Posted via the CrackBerry App
The software focus comments will really go over well in here.
Smokescreen
Posted via CB10
Yeah, the zero marketing which leads to awful sales are all just a smokescreen. Got it.
I wouldn't say there's "zero marketing“ but there's not nearly enough. BlackBerry would need a $1 billion marketing budget to make a real difference.
They don't have that
Nice "fair play" profile picture
Posted via CB10
It would not change anything. Look at Microsoft. They spent more and have more or less same results than doing nothing. The economic model of Android is killing the competition. That's all. If Blackberry want to beat or keep their OS the only solution is to be definitely focused on Enterprise with a dedicated market and full Android compatibility.
Posted via CB10
Microsoft has invested a lot into Windows mobile. They hardly made a dent in advertising though.
Surface Phone x86-64 would be killer... :-D
• There's a Crack in the Berry right now... •
And yet according to market researchers, most people still want/desire iOS
Android is not a solution at it's best it's a band aid not a market differentiator
Especially when you're selling point is privacy and security
Posted via CB10
No they do not. All they had to do is properly Market BB10 and its devices to North America, South Africa, UK and India. that's it. A lot cheaper then marketing World Wide. Concentrate on these core areas 1st. And come out with devices that people actually want to buy. Not 2012 spec'ed smartphones that cost an arm and a leg. BBRY cannot demand high prices for its smartphones ATM.
There's a lot of stuff JC could have done that WOULD have Quadruppled its device sales and stimulated BB10 Development.
Device sales each and every Quarter were going lower and lower. JC did nothing to stop this trend, and in fact contributed to it. A strong hardware division and sales Equals an even stronger Software division. It's not rocket science.
IBM abandoned their hardware division too in favour of cloud computing.
They could spend far less....but in the right way. Get a good PR company on board. The odd slick TV ad like Apple does from time to time...... it's not rocket science.
Posted via CB10
I guess Chen is worse than Stephen Elop!
Yes you are all correct, because you've all been CEOS of a company before. I just love when people criticize and nitpick over things they absolutely have no idea about
Posted via CB10
Yeah! All of these self proclaimed CEO's in here think they can save the company just by marketing. Mr John chen knows how to implement things much better than you guys. He was the reason 'Sybase' became a multi billion dollar business. Have any of you had any experience with turning around companies? If you have, I will take your advice. If not, let the man do his job! And trust him. He means what he says. He is not working blindfolded, He knows all the issue the company is currently facing and has bigger responsibility than you guys here. I hate all this negativity and **** you guys keep moaning about. Atleast for god sake, Grow up!
Posted via CB10
Why is it grown up to ignore Chen's proven record of failure at BlackBerry?
I'm not even sure the Sybase example is a good one as Sybase is a database company that grew in a growing market. Not really analogous to BlackBerry. I don't think Chen had sold a single mobile phone before coming to BlackBerry... and he hasn't sold many since.
I mean at what point is it fair to criticize him? He didn't make his own turnaround to profit timeline. Do we just let him destroy all the value in the company for years while reassuring ourselves that he knows best?
Posted via the CrackBerry App for Android
It's still work in progress... Prem wants his money back, lol... ;-D
• There's a Crack in the Berry right now... •
+10000..I'm sick of the naysayers..........JC is the man for this job
Let him keep going....
Something good is gonna come out of it. BlackBerry NOT dead! :-)
• There's a Crack in the Berry right now... •
+100
Posted via CB10
Sybase was an enterprise focused company. Consumers were not customers of Sybase. If BBRY remains in the device business that part of the business has to deliver to consumer needs, because a device that only delivers to the needs of enterprises is not likely to be a desirable device to any professional or business person who desires to carry just one device.
Also, when a single device is the only device used security and privacy would be easier to enforce.
Thank you for pointing out the obvious and what some of are thinking. Lots of CEOs here in their own minds. The nuances of turning a company around to where it will survive, compete and make a difference again requires experience that the majority of us do not have. The specifics of BlackBerry internally none of us truly know.
Now, that said, I am "disappointed " personally that there is not a road map for consumer growth for bb10 and I will look elsewhere for my next device as I have no interest in android. But, that is a personal need as I use a phone mainly for professional use. I prefer elegance and quality product rather than millions of apps that do nothing useful. Mr. Chen will follow his game plan and we will see what's next.
Posted via CB10
Well... Priv is not the device that I would buy. BlackBerry betrayed it's loyal customers. I will not buy their Android. However it is my individual preference.
My Z 30 is still functioning... then I will get new Note.
Nokia bought their company back from Microsoft and will introduce their new phones this year. Good news.
BlackBerry Android strategy will not work without marketing. Chen is playing with sentimental stock holders and preparing BlackBerry for sale. Show profit and sell it.
Posted via CB10
So you won't get the Priv because it runs Android, but you'll buy an Android phone?
Seems legit to me...
JB
Posted internationally thanks to my Passport
They are armchair CEO's like the sub-forum name here, lol.
Posted without the aid of AutoCorrect with my physical keyboard via CB10
I think they are marketing. I don't think they are marketing to the general public very much. I think they are marketing to groups of people who need security and privacy. Their target market is those people and not the general public. If they can score some extra sales from the public that's fine but it wouldn't be their focus because they have limited cash.
Exactley. The vast majority don't need what blackberry is offering. They are scaling down to meet those needs. The android phone venture is just proof of concept to show the capabilities of blackberry as a company. They don't care about unit sales in this area. They are providing an end to end solution though. Hope this strategy works for them.
Posted via CB10
The vast majority also don't need what Apple is offering. Even though, Apple is one of the most profitable companies.
Furthermore, Apple is going to offer masses privacy. Something BlackBerry should have done years ago.
Apple also has a target market. It successfully markets to those people. Whether those people actually need the product is another matter. They are very good at taking money from their target market, even long after they have sold them the hardware :-)
Here's where BBY has made a mistake and continues to make a mistake. Yes, there window of opportunity to turn around their struggling market share in the cell phone market has passed. BUT, they didn't have to ditch BB10. Mistake #2. They should have focused on Enterprise and security minded consumers (such as North American conservatives such as talk radio listeners). OK, what's done is done. It's not enough to be a software company I don't think. Software is all fine and dandy, but it's not going to grow the company long run, I don't think. They need forward thinking product developers on staff. "Whats the next big thing that can revolutionize the world?" is what they need to be asking themselves. Apple didn't turn themselves around by trying to remarket the Macintosh computer. No, they created iTunes and the ipod. Later after people got hooked on their new products did people start to take a look at the Mac again. What BlackBerry needs is a new record label and a new A&R rep. Look at rock music for just a second. Aerosmith in the 80s changed their look and their sound to be relevant in the 80s. Dude Looks Like a Lady sounds nothing like their stuff from Rocks. Whitesnake also changed their look and sound. The band that made huge MTV hits in 1987 and 1989 is nothing like the band when they first started out in 1978. Same with KISS. They need young blood running the company to give it a new look and feel. Don't throw away Bb10 but forget about "consumer market" too much damage has been done to the brand, perception wise. It's even worse now that they switched to Android. The IoT market is not going to be enough to keep this company afloat long term I don't think.
Posted via CB10
He was talking about device management software because that's the business BlackBerry is in now. The device OS is no longer a key issue for BlackBerry.
Microsoft's MDM is far more integrated for enterprise customers that even BES isn't that appealing any more.
Posted via the CrackBerry App for Android