Blackberrys can't challenge iPhone. And they shouldn't.
Rob Pegoraro, blogger and author of Fast Forward, the Washington's Post Personal Technology column, wrote yesterday about the new BlackBerry models (see BlackBerrys Again Get Sleeker but Can't Challenge iPhone).
I like Pegoraro's analysis on the new devices, it is very detailed and comprehensive, however his comparison to the iPhone, misses the point entirely.
I have written extensively about how the iPhone is breaking new ground and challenging traditional handset vendors and operators to rethink their strategy. A quick look at how big players have responded since the iPhone was shown to the world at MacWorld 2007 is proof enough: Nokia recently unveiled its flagship phone for 2009, the N97, a few days ago and of course, RIM's new devices include touch screen devices that do mimic the iPhone user interface.
Experience however, has shown that the BlackBerry VS iPhone challenge exists mostly in the minds of analysts, not in the marketplace.
BlackBerry has positioned itself since its early days in a niche market, mainly business techies, corporate users who rely on their device for constant reachability and increased productivity.
The typical user profile of Apple's iPhone tends to be male, 25-34 years old with high income and with a college degree.
Even though there is a crossover between iPhone and BlackBerry users when we look strictly at demographics, however, there are additional dimensions that paint an entirely different picture.
BlackBerry has been around for a few years and has built a very loyal subscriber base. Operators know that it is very unlikely that a BlackBerry user will switch to iPhone; in fact, BlackBerry users are usually not impressed with the iPhone features and user interface.
The competition to be the number one smartphone is strong between iPhone and Blackberry but each devices seems to be carving its own niche. RIM may be joining the touch screen revolution but it shouldn't worry about challenging the iPhone or playing its game, since it will probably lose to the master. As long as BlackBerry stays focused on its subscriber base and their needs and wants, it should continue to be successful. Blackberry shouldn't challenge the iPhone or worry about who is the number one smartphone as it has everything to retain its spot as the number one productivity device.
I like Pegoraro's analysis on the new devices, it is very detailed and comprehensive, however his comparison to the iPhone, misses the point entirely.
I have written extensively about how the iPhone is breaking new ground and challenging traditional handset vendors and operators to rethink their strategy. A quick look at how big players have responded since the iPhone was shown to the world at MacWorld 2007 is proof enough: Nokia recently unveiled its flagship phone for 2009, the N97, a few days ago and of course, RIM's new devices include touch screen devices that do mimic the iPhone user interface.
Experience however, has shown that the BlackBerry VS iPhone challenge exists mostly in the minds of analysts, not in the marketplace.
BlackBerry has positioned itself since its early days in a niche market, mainly business techies, corporate users who rely on their device for constant reachability and increased productivity.
The typical user profile of Apple's iPhone tends to be male, 25-34 years old with high income and with a college degree.
Even though there is a crossover between iPhone and BlackBerry users when we look strictly at demographics, however, there are additional dimensions that paint an entirely different picture.
BlackBerry has been around for a few years and has built a very loyal subscriber base. Operators know that it is very unlikely that a BlackBerry user will switch to iPhone; in fact, BlackBerry users are usually not impressed with the iPhone features and user interface.
The competition to be the number one smartphone is strong between iPhone and Blackberry but each devices seems to be carving its own niche. RIM may be joining the touch screen revolution but it shouldn't worry about challenging the iPhone or playing its game, since it will probably lose to the master. As long as BlackBerry stays focused on its subscriber base and their needs and wants, it should continue to be successful. Blackberry shouldn't challenge the iPhone or worry about who is the number one smartphone as it has everything to retain its spot as the number one productivity device.
Raul
ReplyDeleteI agree and disagree with you
Take a look at my post about this subject and we can discuss further
http://growstartup.blogspot.com/2008/11/blackberry-bold-and-storm-movements-vs.html
Saludos
CAM
Trust Digital recently delivered a solution that enables enterprise IT to manage the iPhone in the same way that Blackberry devices can be managed by the Blackberry Enterprise Server. Many of our prospects are Blackberry only today, but want to support the iPhone because their users want it. Users are not just limited to 20 or 30 somethings. It typically is a C-level executive who demands it first and has the juice to get it.
ReplyDelete