BerryReview.com Giving Back to the BlackBerry Community |
- BlackBerry PlayBook Sale Now Ending January 28th?
- Remember the Siemens SK65? Was That Thorsten Heins’ First BlackBerry?
- BlackBerry Traffic Gets Bug Fix Update to v3.0.1.21
- What to Make of RIM Appointing Thorsten Heins as CEO
- Patent Troll Wi-LAN Sues RIM Over Bluetooth & SYM Key Patents
- Dingleberry v3.1 Released With Improved Upgrader/Downgrader
- Thorsten Heins Introduces Himself in More Video Clips
- Porsche Design P’9981 Revealed in its Birthday Suit by FCC
- RIM’s New CEO Thorsten Heins Answers Questions During Todays Conference Call
- BBHTool gets a nice update to v2.4.9.5
| BlackBerry PlayBook Sale Now Ending January 28th? Posted: 23 Jan 2012 03:02 PM PST The sale RIM was running on Shop BlackBerry had all three models, 16GB/32GB/64GB, of the BlackBerry PlayBook selling for $299. That discount used to say that it was valid until February 4th. Mr Lego let us know that the Shop BlackBerry website now has the discount ending on January 28th instead of February 4th. This conflicts with an email RIM just sent out three days ago which you can find here. The other thing I noticed is that all of the models of BlackBerry PlayBooks are listed as being in stock but shipping within 7-14 business days. This makes me wonders what is right around the corner in February. New device models? (my guess) Different pricing? Check out the promo RIM sent on Friday with the previous February 4th listing: If you liked this article, you might find these interesting:
Posted by the BerryReview Team for ©BerryReview, January 23, 2012, 6:02 pm. | BlackBerry PlayBook Sale Now Ending January 28th? | 9 comments |
|
| Remember the Siemens SK65? Was That Thorsten Heins’ First BlackBerry? Posted: 23 Jan 2012 02:02 PM PST
RIM's announcement early this morning reminded me that RIM once worked with Siemens. RIM's new CEO and President Thorsten Heins, used to be the President of Mobile Phones at Siemens Mobile back in the day. Long time BlackBerry users will remember that RIM once partnered together with Siemens and a few other vendors to create BlackBerry Connect handhelds and one of the first was the Siemens SK65 in 2004. I actually had one of these devices back in the day and it was pretty slick. It offered up the features of BlackBerry OS 3.8 (Email & Calendar sync along with browser if I remember correctly) and was mostly targeted to executives who wanted to try other device brands. It was also the FIRST phone to feature "BlackBerry Built-In" technology and was shortly followed by some Nokia, Palm, and Sony Ericsson products. I decided to do some digging and it turns out that this BlackBerry Connect licensed Siemens SK65 looks like it was the brainchild of Thorsten Heins. That tells us that Thorsten knows first hand how licensing of BlackBerry products works and why it is better to focus on a vertically integrated offering instead of simply becoming a hardware vendor as he mentioned this morning. The press releases about the Siemens SK65 have quotes from Thorsten Heins when he used to be at Siemens:
Its good to see that Thorsten has first hand knowledge of how licensing works especially since the SK65 was a compromise device that never really caught on. I remember having to jump through a ton of hoops to even purchase one in the US. Either way now we know a bit more about Thorsten's legacy at RIM. Its kind of cool to learn that he was behind the first BlackBerry that did not run on RIM hardware. Update: automan69 pointed out that there is a demo of the Siemens SK65 on YouTube!
Desktop Video Link | Mobile Video LinkIf you liked this article, you might find these interesting:
Posted by Ronen Halevy for ©BerryReview, January 23, 2012, 5:02 pm. | Remember the Siemens SK65? Was That Thorsten Heins’ First BlackBerry? | 5 comments |
|
| BlackBerry Traffic Gets Bug Fix Update to v3.0.1.21 Posted: 23 Jan 2012 10:38 AM PST
Jerry let us know that RIM has updated BlackBerry Traffic in App World to v3.0.1.21. This is a small bugfix update over the previous v3.0.0.389. This version fixes a bug where guidance stops along with a bug in the BlackBerry calendar integration according to the change log Jerry spotted. Either way if you use BlackBerry Traffic regularly especially with the new voice guidance you may want to update. You can pick up BlackBerry Traffic v3.0.1.21 free in App World If you liked this article, you might find these interesting:
Posted by the BerryReview Team for ©BerryReview, January 23, 2012, 1:38 pm. | BlackBerry Traffic Gets Bug Fix Update to v3.0.1.21 | 3 comments |
|
| What to Make of RIM Appointing Thorsten Heins as CEO Posted: 23 Jan 2012 10:25 AM PST
It is a pretty big change for Mike Lazaridis and Jim Balsillie to step down. During the conference call this morning RIM's new chairman of the board Barbara pointed out that the appointment of Thorsten Heins was supposedly came from Mike and Jim. That is leading some to think that he is essentially a puppet for RIM's previous CEOs but it is way too early to judge. On the other hand there are some things that he has made very clear.
The most important part of Thorsten's announcements as CEO was the fact that he plans on streamlining the R&D, prototyping, and release schedules. That means RIM will no longer try to innovate during the release cycle which is what has caused them delays in the past. He plans on enforcing accountability and deadlines and confirmed that PlayBook OS 2.0 is coming in February. I agree that this is one of the biggest changes that needs to happen at RIM. They need to drive changes to market faster than ever before. They can no longer do their old 18 months from announcement to release cycle. They need to deliver consistant solid results and focus on their strengths. Hopefully Thorsten is the right guy to deliver on RIM's promise! He definitely will have a busy 2012. If you liked this article, you might find these interesting:
Posted by Ronen Halevy for ©BerryReview, January 23, 2012, 1:25 pm. | What to Make of RIM Appointing Thorsten Heins as CEO | 4 comments |
|
| Patent Troll Wi-LAN Sues RIM Over Bluetooth & SYM Key Patents Posted: 23 Jan 2012 09:59 AM PST
You have to love patent trolls. Wi-LAN is a well known one that specifically buys up patents to sue companies with until they agree to licensing it. According to Wi-LAN RIM infringes on one of their patents for Bluetooth data transmission and another for the "SYM" key (Symbol key) on newer BlackBerry keyboard devices. Seriously Wi-LAN has a patent on hitting a key and selecting symbols from a list of available symbols. Check out the two patents for yourself at the USPO:
As you probably know I am not a big fan of software patents but only time will tell how this one will go. Oh and the best part is that the reason Wi-LAN, a Canadian company, is suing RIM in Florida is because RIM has their BlackBerry World conference there for the last six years. Better yet Wi-LAN just opened up their Florida office last week… via FinancialPost Here is Wi-LAN's press release about the lawsuit: WILAN FILES PATENT INFRINGEMENT SUITDownload this Press Release (PDF 57 KB) OTTAWA, Canada – January 23, 2012 – Wi-LAN Inc. (TSX:WIN) (NASD:WILN) and its wholly-owned subsidiary Wi-LAN USA, Inc. (collectively "WiLAN" or the "Company") today announced that it has filed suit in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida against Research In Motion Limited and Research In Motion Corporation (collectively "RIM") for patent infringement. About WiLAN If you liked this article, you might find these interesting:
Posted by the BerryReview Team for ©BerryReview, January 23, 2012, 12:59 pm. | Patent Troll Wi-LAN Sues RIM Over Bluetooth & SYM Key Patents | 2 comments |
|
| Dingleberry v3.1 Released With Improved Upgrader/Downgrader Posted: 23 Jan 2012 09:04 AM PST
The Dingleberry team has updated their BlackBerry PlayBook rooting tool over the weekend. The new version 3.1 brings some improvements though it is still the same exploit and still only works on previous versions of the PlayBook OS (Hence the need for the downgrader). This new version mostly improves the downgrade/upgrade process. Here is the full change log:
Pick it up at www.dingleberry.it If you liked this article, you might find these interesting:
Posted by the BerryReview Team for ©BerryReview, January 23, 2012, 12:04 pm. | Dingleberry v3.1 Released With Improved Upgrader/Downgrader | Leave a comment |
|
| Thorsten Heins Introduces Himself in More Video Clips Posted: 23 Jan 2012 08:42 AM PST
We posted up a nice video late last night where Thorsten Heins, RIM's new President & CEO, introduced himself to the BlackBerry world. A few people pointed out that there were a few more videos on RIM's YouTube channel and I thought it would be worth pointing them out. These are much shorter clips and tend to answer a specific question or topic. Let us know what you think! Here is Thorsten Heins on: On The Company’s Strengths Desktop Video Link | Mobile Video LinkIf you liked this article, you might find these interesting:
Posted by the BerryReview Team for ©BerryReview, January 23, 2012, 11:42 am. | Thorsten Heins Introduces Himself in More Video Clips | Leave a comment |
|
| Porsche Design P’9981 Revealed in its Birthday Suit by FCC Posted: 23 Jan 2012 08:06 AM PST
The Porsche Design P'9981 has been shown off quite a few times since its debut but nobody has had the gall to dismantle one yet. Turns out we can count on the FCC to make that happen. Wireless Goodness noticed that the FCC has posted up this sort of tear down of the device. These are the unredacted images that were not shown when RIM's original FCC review was posted. Check it out directly from the FCC or from Wireless Goodness If you liked this article, you might find these interesting:
Posted by Ronen Halevy for ©BerryReview, January 23, 2012, 11:06 am. | Porsche Design P’9981 Revealed in its Birthday Suit by FCC | Leave a comment |
|
| RIM’s New CEO Thorsten Heins Answers Questions During Todays Conference Call Posted: 23 Jan 2012 07:15 AM PST
This morning RIM held a conference call to discuss the transition of Thorsten Heins into the role of CEO and President of RIM. They had him on the call along with RIM's new chairman Barbara Stymiest to discuss the transition. Here is a quick recap of their statements and answers to the questions posted during the call. Barbara Stymiest – Mike and Jim setup RIM for the future. Mike and Jim came to the board with the succession plan that they had previously submitted of placing Thorston as the new CEO. The board unanimously agreed. Mike and Jim will continue to serve and board members along with chair of innovation committee. Thorston Heins – RIM is not just a device company but an integrated solution company. I plan on building on this heritage. RIM has $1.5 billion in cash as of last statement. Hit a few bumps in the road here and there. Stronger today for what we have gone through. Mike and Jim are visionaries. Pioneered the development of the smartphone industry. 18 months ago they made the decision to purchase QNX. PlayBook 2.0 coming out in February we see this was the right path to go. Effective execution of our strategy. Bring in new talent as required. Bring in a new chief marketing officer. Empower employees to take risks, be successful, and accountable for their endeavors. Flawless execution a focus. Q: What does you (Thorston Heins) plan on doing in the next 100 days? What processes are you going to work on? A: Outside of the US we are doing well and thriving but in the US we are still envisioned as a enterprise product. Engage more with consumer base with marketing communication and go to market plan. Another area is execution, resource planning, rigid program and project management, defining a product and executing on it. RIM scaled very fast and innovated while creating the product but now with more emphasis on prototyping and testing. Execution on this information. Q: How will RIM tackle the low end markets in emerging markets and what software changes at RIM? A: RIM is going for the entry level smartphone market. These are not feature phones but there is a huge potential of people to switch from feature phones to smartphones and BlackBerrys offer a good landing point and onboarding new smartphone users. Take them on a journey to more mobile computing with the BlackBerry for everyone program. BlackBerry 10 is not just a new OS it is a whole architecture including a new development environment. Preparing for an upgrade path to bb10. Q: What is it in QNX that makes you think you will be successful in the market. Is it not a Me too OS that is just catching up in the market? What will make people come back to BlackBerry? A: QNX is not a new OS it already is around and has been proven for years. QNX is just a framework and foundation for BlackBerry 10. PlayBook is not a tablet but a mobile computing platform. Q: Last RIM investor call Jim commented on strategic options RIM was looking at. Has anything changed on that front? Is it about licensing? A: My view on RIM is a very clear view. I have been in device only businesses and it is a cutthroat price and cost business. We are strong because it is a vertical solution. If we have requests for licensing and if it makes sense they will entertain the decision but it is nowhere near my focus one. There is not that much competition since there are not that many other vertical solutions. There really is only that other fruit solution. Q: What is your timeframe for adding the marketing person and what are you looking for in them? A: I want this ASAP because I see this is an area that needs to be strengthened. There is the core communication to RIM's base but it is also to listen. A bit more of an ear to the consumer market and feel out trends. Not listen to the street but get a closer relationship in the US specifically with our consumer base not just our enterprise base. Q: You have been at RIM since Dec of 2007. Now that you are on the top what couldnt you do previously that you can now do as CEO. What was holding you back that you could not do before? A: I was not held back before but I think this is not a seismic change but scaling the company further. One element is that we are a technology business and we also need to be more consumer driven. You can listen to the whole recording here on RIM's website If you liked this article, you might find these interesting:
Posted by the BerryReview Team for ©BerryReview, January 23, 2012, 10:15 am. | RIM’s New CEO Thorsten Heins Answers Questions During Todays Conference Call | 2 comments |
|
| BBHTool gets a nice update to v2.4.9.5 Posted: 23 Jan 2012 05:36 AM PST
Lyricidal from BBH-Plus has just posted an update to his BBHTool software. This update brings a lot of great changes, especially the @BerryReview and @OpenSourceBB Show Tweets options. If you are unfamiliar with BBHTool you can read all about it here. A full set of changes and links after the break. The full change log for V2.4.9.5 of BBHTool is: - Added Install after completion to APK Converter (previously disabled) You can download the public version from the BBH-Plus forums. If you liked this article, you might find these interesting:
Posted by Fubaz for ©BerryReview, January 23, 2012, 8:36 am. | BBHTool gets a nice update to v2.4.9.5 | Leave a comment |
|
| You are subscribed to email updates from BerryReview.com To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. | Email delivery powered by Google |
| Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610 | |
Tidak ada komentar:
Posting Komentar