One Snub Is Not Enough for RIM

The Ontario-based smartphone magnate may be no longer at the top of its game. Many people are switching to other gadgets because BlackBerrys are no longer the star of the smartphone industry. Many have decided to sell Blackberrys in the course of last year and this year too. The people shifted to other cooler brands like iPhones and Android phones. Some have considered Nokia, HTC and Motorola phones. One cannot blame the shift. Since people need more than just a smartphone, it seems that BlackBerry phones are stagnant and not responding to market needs. They are known to cater one specific market: The corporate and the government. However, even people in their market need more than just a BlackBerry.

RIM just received major blows from the US government since several agencies will no longer require their services. The security features are what make these phones a federal favorite. However, over the years, this has been changing:

The Department of Homeland Security’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement decided to swap their BlackBerry phones to Apple’s iPhones because the former can no “longer meet the mobile technology needs of the agency.” They released this decision in the month of October.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and National Credit Union Administration stopped BlackBerry handheld devices this year.

The Defense Department declared another decision about Ontario’s RIM. It announced last week that it has plans for buying a mobile device management system that supports Android and Apple smartphones but possibly will not support BlackBerrys.

That’s could be a reason why the government may want to sell used Blackberry phones. The shift does not exempt RIM’s most famous political client – Barack Obama. He is known to be a BlackBerry patron. However, recently, the President running for a second term is seen using an iPad.

Chief Information Officer for National Credit Union Administration Ronnie Levine says that “The user expectation has changed.” Employees in the agency have been carrying iPhones at all times. Chad Tucker, the administration’s chief for IT Operations, says that out of 1,200 employees, nearly 1,000 use Apple’s smartphone. They have decided to break their bonds with RIM even as the BlackBerry maker ensures their flagship smartphone and improved app release early next year. Tucker says “It was too little too late.”

Like other smartphone magnates, RIM does not disclose their federal market share. However, RIM claims to have one million government customers in North America alone; including the federal government. RIM’s Vice-President for Government Solutions Paul Lucier says that “We are going through a very major transition and we knew it would be challenging, and we are overcoming those [challenges].” Even though people chose to sell Blackberry phones online, more than 400,000 government customers chose to upgrade to newer BlackBerry units last fiscal year. “It’s great to see people upgrading those devices because oftentimes we have people comparing the latest devices in the market to a device that’s four [or] five years old,” Lucier says. The Ontario-based company is said to release a mobile device management solution that will allow agencies to regulate Apple, BlackBerry and Android smartphones.

I Didn’t Expect the iPad 4

“What? I was here for the iPad Mini! I did not know about this. What exactly happened? I should sell my Blackberry soon.” You may have heard this from many of the people who watched the press release of Apple on October 23. Everybody was waiting for the iPad Mini but they came up with something different. Invitations should now come with warnings. Everybody was very excited about the release of the talked-about iPad Mini. What does it look like? Would it be very “mini”? Will it perform well like any other iPad? The specs, are they as impressive as the other iPads? Wait. Any thoughts about the iPad 4? Apparently not.

If you want to get the best reactions, let the element of surprise work its magic. People speculated that the iPad Mini would be released in this last quarter. They even analyzed which date Apple would call the press, and their predictions came true. However, they didn’t anticipate the iPad 4. Well, no one did. The magic of the surprise was effective because of Apple’s discretion. First, the Cupertino-based company released the latest laptop models, the iMac in two different sizes. Both have the same features, with the size as the only exception. These laptops come with powerful RAMs, expanded memories, and an impressive Retina Display. All come in a laptop that is very light and thin at the same time. The supposed main star, the iPad Mini, stayed true to its promise. How could it not when many had decided to sell Blackberry and Lumia phones online? This mini giant comes with a 7.9-inch touchscreen display with a remarkable 1024 x 768-pixel resolution. The A5 processor is installed to give fast and easy use. Like any other iPad, the iPad Mini will surely hit high market demands.

The unexpected iPad 4 also impressed many spectators of the press release. Without any doubt, this device is meant to be praised and bought by the public and tech experts alike. Are you not content with the 7.9-inch tech goblin? Then this 9.7-inch monster is here to roar its prowess. All the normal iPads mostly have the same specs but the iPad 4 brings more than just your typical iPad magic. The iPad 4 almost has the same specs as the latest iPad 3. Connectivity features include Wi-Fi and 4G LTE. A one GB RAM is implanted in the gadget and its memory ranges from 16 GB to 64 GB. One of the differences between both gadgets is the front camera. Instead with a 0.3 MP camera in the previous iPad, the latest one has a 1.3 MP camera. Another difference is the chip processor. In the previous model, a 1 GHz dual core A5x chip is installed while the iPad 4 has a 1.3 GHz dual core A6x chip processor. I would sell my blackberry for this one.

Will it become a landmark in the tablet PC industry? Only time can tell. Only the people can decide. Only Apple can pull off something as grandiose and surprising as this. The iPad 4 is out but is it ready to woo you?

RIM Courts Gamers to BlackBerry 10

Courting is an exciting and sweet moment. You try to persuade the one you like, or even love, to go with you and share memories together. You become lovers, become close, and create a bond far stronger than what you usually have. Courting may also imply that you have to present what you are and what you can be for the love of your life. Courting may be both successful or a failure. Knowing that you tried makes you realize that you should not cry over spilled milk. However, the pain must be endured. In the smartphone industry, BlackBerry’s makers are taking a strong grip on the market. That’s why many have sold their Blackberry phones online. RIM is trying to court people. They are not courting executives or experts but game developers.

RIM’s BlackBerry Jam Americas Event in San Jose, California highlighted BlackBerry 10’s gaming capabilities of RIM’s future operating system. The BlackBerry demonstrated how good it is in terms of gaming and apps. It even presented usage of other operating systems’ apps. They say that these iOS and Android apps may be debuting in BlackBerry phones once the BlackBerry 10 is released. Why would RIM want to do this very drastic move? The makers of the well-loved phone want to show their flagship smartphone as a game-friendly and gaming smartphone, like the iPhone 5 and Samsung S3. This could mean that RIM is expanding their market and realizing which areas they lack. In order to make the gaming phones, they need developers to make games. There’s no point of making it for gaming when they are only a handful of gaming apps for the BlackBerry 10.

It is pretty hazy how game developers will react to RIM’s aggressive move. Game developers may have to decide what games they want to develop for the BlackBerry 10. RIM is very open to developers with the phone’s codes to create games for the flagship phone. Developers can now submit applications for BlackBerry’s App World within the month. Mr. Taylor has initiated the move. He says that these drastic changes will help make the future BlackBerry 10 gamer-friendly and will increase the phone’s potential in mobile gaming. That could explain why many people have sold old Blackberry phones.

BlackBerry phones were always known for their corporate-friendliness. The multi-tasking features and instant messaging are some of RIM’s highlight in their phones. This may be the reason why up until now BlackBerry phones still have sales, even though they are not on top of the game. Because of the rigid specifications and market they feed, RIM phones could not catch up with the dynamic of the entire smartphone industry. RIM was so focused on corporate phones that they didn’t realize that now most smartphone users include the general mass, the youth, and the tech savvy. To remedy this mistake, they have to make BlackBerry 10 that can address both the corporate market and the dynamicity of the smartphone industry. Even though many sell Blackberry phones because they have lost hope, RIM still remains firm and dedicated and hopeful to succeed with their BlackBerry 10 in the future.

Here's a full video of BLACKBERRY 10 Demo at BlackBerry Jam Americas Keynote last September 25, 2012 San Jose

One Step at a Time for BlackBerry 10

American Idol winner, Jordin Sparks sang “One Step At A Time.” The song became such a sensational hit that it became one of Spark’s remarkable songs. The song reached the Billboard top charts. Debuting during the season finale in the show’s seventh season, the song received positive criticism. Billboard’s Chuck Taylor says that the song was “a beautifully blended, soulful number percolating with optimism.” Entertainment Weekly considers the song a “sudden epiphany that Jordin Sparks has put out three good songs in a row.” However, RIM is not in the same position as that of the singer. After hardening itself from severe criticisms, the smartphone manufacturer has received another critique by analyst Peter Misek. You might want to say, “I want to sell my Blackberry” because of all this mess.

The song is allusive to RIM’s current situation. Interestingly, the song starts with the paragraph:

Hurry up and wait
So close, but so far away
Everything that you've always dreamed of
Close enough for you to taste
But you just can't touch

People have been waiting and vehemently waiting for BlackBerry 10’s release. The manufacturer has moved the release from 2012 to 2013. Now, Misek says that instead of January, BB 10 would be released in March because BB is not entirely ready for it. As the second paragraph says:

You wanna show the world, but no one knows your name yet
Wonder when and where and how you're gonna make it
You know you can if you get the chance
In your face as the door keeps slamming
Now you're feeling more and more frustrated
And you're getting all kind of impatient waiting

RIM has been trying to please big companies to make a good launch of their future flagship phone. They have been trying hard to get huge inventories from carriers to distribute their products and they are still looking for big companies to license their operating system. However much effort they exert, they are still shut down. They certainly feel frustrated. That’s why many sell used Blackberry phones. The chorus is an allegory of what RIM always says about their current state:

We live and we learn to take
One step at a time
There's no need to rush
It's like learning to fly
Or falling in love
It's gonna happen when it's
Supposed to happen and we
Find the reasons why
One step at a time

RIM’s Thorsten Heins says that climbing the mountain takes one step at a time. He is honest enough to confess that their company is not in its best shape but he is honest to say that the BlackBerry 10 will be their redeemer. They have learned from their experience of being insensitive to the market’s needs. The BlackBerry 10 was analyzed to be released in March. That means financial loss for RIM. They don’t have the financial resources to fuel the company and release the phone. In the end, the song concludes:

When you can't wait any longer
But there's no end in sight
when you need to find the strength
It's your faith that makes you stronger
The only way you get there
Is one step at a time

Even though many sell Blackberry phones, RIM should believe it will rise to the occasion.

Internet Is the New Market

Agora used to be the most commercially active place in the Western World. Etymologically speaking, it comes from the Greek word meaning “gathering place” or “assembly.” Ancient Greeks gathered at the agora to discuss relevant issues including art, politics, religion, and philosophy. The agora was where people argued and shared their thoughts with the public. They discovered who was wrong or correct, or the “more correct” in that matter. The agora was a dynamic place. However, times have changed. The internet is the new agora and the internet is truly dynamic. Like the agora, you can discuss current relevant issues like politics and love. The internet did not limit itself to just being a place of discussion but a place to sell BlackBerry phones and other gadgets.

The internet is similarly dynamic as human beings themselves. How the internet evolves is reflective on how human beings have changed in the past few years. Since convenience is done only with the use of the internet, people would have wanted to do things on the internet. You want to read the hottest news? You want to know how to get there? You wish to see Paris in seconds? You hope to earn money? You want to have a bachelor’s degree? The internet will positively answer all these types of questions. In these hard times, you really want to earn a lot of money. The internet can certainly help you. All you have to do is take a little leap of faith.

When you deal with money, you always hesitate. It is natural to be cautious but being aware and knowledgeable of the ins and outs of the internet is a big advantage especially to those who have no idea how to do things. The internet can provide you a spectrum of avenues to money making from transcribing to selling BlackBerrys. Here are some suggestions to earn money online:

Writing

Websites need articles. You do not see websites without text. From social networking sites to blogs, articles are needed. If you have the niche in writing and you need that extra cash, writing can be your avenue to earn cash and fulfill your passion for writing.

Data Entry

This job is very simple. You just have to input data in a program. This is probably a no-brainer job but be careful, this job is for those who are very particular to details. One mistake can equate to loss of your job. So, those who want a challenge in a non-challenging place will find this job fun.

Sell Gadgets

If you don’t want an online job, then selling is the best way to earn money. All you need is some functional, even broken and unused, cell phones and you just sell them online. Since many of us have old gadgets just sitting at home, you might as well use them to earn money. For example, when you have BlackBerry phones at home, you may want to sell them online on websites like Gazelle, CashforBerry.com, NextWorth, and BuyBackWorld. They just let you go through a process and you get cash fast. It’s pretty easy to sell BlackBerry phones online.