There is an interesting poll over on BlackBerry Forums that asks BlackBerry users if on a future BlackBerry model if they would rather see the BlackBerry OS or Microsoft’s Windows Mobile installed. The Blackberry OS appears to be on its way to a landslide victory with over 82% of the votes thus far, however, the more I think about a Windows Mobile powered BlackBerry, the more I think that it might not be a bad idea.
Now, before I get flamed to death, I am not saying that Research in Motion should scrap the BB OS for Windows Mobile. I am, however, saying that with RIM clearly getting into the consumer market and plans for a BlackBerry with multimedia capabilities and an integrated digital camera seemingly on the way, offering a device based on the Windows Mobile OS is not a stretch.
There are a ton of applications already developed for Windows Mobile. RIM would be able to tap into this large application base and not have to reinvent the wheel when it comes to adding new features to the BlackBerry. Microsoft is in this space to stay and it is always easier to partner with Microsoft than it is to compete head-to-head against them. I honestly don’t think that Microsoft cares if you use a BlackBerry or some other PDA type device so long as it runs Windows Mobile and connects to Exchange on the back end. Just look at how well the Treo 700w is doing right now.
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Thought 03.12.06 at 10:59 pm
A Windows Mobile BB only would cheapen the brand. The BB OS is far superior to Windows Mobile.
Why risk the one major differentiation between your product and everyone else’s…namely, a superior system? It’s like putting a Ford engine inside of a BMW or Porsche…sure you can do it, but why?
A BB is a combination of great hardware and great software. To trade out that great software for something less functional, more buggy, and just flat out inferior, would be a huge marketing disaster. Kind of like Coca Cola introduced their “new Coke.”
Let BB be BlackBerry, and let it compete against Windows Mobile and all other competitors. BB can win out, as long as it keeps the edge it currently enjoys in terms of innovation, stability, reliability, and usability.
Robb Dunewood 03.13.06 at 7:39 am
I see your point, not so sure that I totally agree. Most consumers that buy their own BlackBerry don’t buy them because the BB OS is superior to Windows Mobile. They buy them becasue they want to hook them up to their corporate email.
I hate to keep refering to the Treo 700w, but, you see TV commercials, hear radio spots, read magazine and web ads that are specifically promoting Windows Mobile 5 and Microsoft and these things are selling like crazy.
Treo 700W Convert 03.13.06 at 7:58 am
I did the unthinkable. I switched from a Blackberry 7250 to a Treo 700w when I quit my job and went into business for myself. I continued to use my 7250 for about 6 weeks but honestly it sucked because it wasn’t hooked up to my old job.
If BlackBerry made a device with Microsoft on it I would buy one in a New York minute because you can do so much more with Microsoft than blackberry when you don’t have it hooked to a company.
Hell NO 03.13.06 at 9:19 am
Windows on a BB? That would be the last BB I would buy, heck I’d sell my current BB knowing RIM would be making the biggest mistake ever. Lots of BB’s are bought now because they work, they are secure, they are reliable and because they are NOT windoz. Add a OS from the $haft into the mix and 3/4’s of BB users will drop BB even the idea of a M$ on BB brings thoughts of what POS it would be.
Robb Dunewood 03.13.06 at 9:33 am
I just think that there are way more people who buy BlackBerries because of the email. The OS that they run is a distant after thought if even they think about it at all.
I know that there are CrackBerry addicts that would never buy BlackBerry running Windows Mobile but I don’t understand why if RIM ever creates such a device, you would sell your current BlackBerry.
That is kind of like saying that I love my BMW but if they ever start making pickup trucks, they will lose me as customer forever.
I don’t get it. What does one have to do with the other?
Windows Mobile 5 Blackberry 03.13.06 at 10:20 am
There is a rumor on howard forums that T-Mobile is coming out with a Windows Mobile 5 Blackberry.
Thought 03.13.06 at 8:40 pm
It’s not that so many people go to purchase such a device with the thought that I’ve got to have this or that OS…it’s that they choose the one with the OS that works the best.
I think most people like BB’s because:
1) Simply, they work and work well at what they are supposed to do.
2) They are easy to operate.
3) As a side note, the construction of the BB devices seems so much more substantial than other smartphones. Of course, this would still be the case even with a different OS.
To me, BB is at a place very similar to where Palm was at its height. They are respected as the competitor in the market offers the best reliability and usability, largely through elegance, simplicity, and economy of software design, which is the opposite of most Microsoft products.
The question is where do they go from here? I think where Palm lost their edge was when they stopped innovating and allowed the many MS devices to take the lead in features like multimedia, color screens, etc.
BB doesn’t need to start to sell Windows Mobile devices, it needs to keep ahead of WM devices. If they add multimedia capabilities that will do much to ensure that WM doesn’t overtake them.
For instance, consider the great BB 7130e. Imagine if they added to that an SD card slot, a camera, and some nice software to play music and video. That would be a true Treo competitor.
As for the Treo 700w…sure it’s selling well. But I attribute that to:
1) it’s a new Treo, and any new Treo device would generate buzz
2) it runs on that sweet Verizon 3G EVDO network.
If the new Treo had been a 700p running the Palm OS, does anyone doubt that this device would also be selling very well?
To summarize, I think BB’s strength is its identity in the market as the smartphone device that offers the best usability, reliability, and simplicity. To offer BB’s with Windows Mobile would dilute that identity, and in the long run hurt the brand more than help it.
Supermanfan 04.09.06 at 10:54 am
Sounds a lot like running Windows XP on an Apple Mac. Oh wait, you can do that now. This is another example where you would think it would never happen because why would you want to dumb-down your Mac with Windows.
If Microsoft can convince Steve Jobs to release a dual-boot product to run Windows on the Mac, I can easily see Microsoft getting RIM to run WM on a Blackberry.
I’m not saying that I am for it, but I would be surprised if it didn’t happen at this point.
why not offer it? 05.13.08 at 3:21 pm
Why not offer wm to the people that want it. I’d try it out. So long as it was truly compatible with the device. If it performs like my BB does now, with the trackball and sd slot and whatnot, and had the functionality and versatility of windows, I’d buy it.
Suwanh 08.06.08 at 7:09 am
i would like the BB to have windows. the blackberry has a nice firmware but it need feature like internet explorer, ms word, windows media (most compatiable with everything on the plant media). other than that they are the best in phone that i have ever used. I’m tired of converting video and music. Blackberry is the most soild device i ever use but, without some features people go running. if blackberry ever comes out with blackberry os with windows media, internet explorer,ms words theu would be the king of phones, that why blackverry is called the RIM the rim of every phone.
jonny 09.06.08 at 7:07 pm
I’m new with bb. and like the hardware, but yes I think that will be much compatible and interfaciable with a windows aplication, dont know much about the WM. and dont know if I can download it in the bb. but definaly will be a more complet hand computer, so if any one know how this can be don, please will definatly will like to know?? even better if it was some form of Mac mobile MM. dont know if this abailable but will be gand to have it like that!!!
Luca 10.23.08 at 8:59 pm
I would love a blackberry that could run WinMobile, i have had experience in both software fields and i truly enjoyed WinMobile more. Having said that on my phone i am currently running a mobile Linux that me and 4 coworkers have worked on for months and that is what i will stick with until i get my G1
Jimmy 10.23.08 at 9:01 pm
Blackberry Curves need a built in PDF viewer then i will be completely satisfied
Chris 11.16.08 at 12:15 pm
I’ve never tried a Blackberry. Never even gave it a second thought because of the fact that windows mobile so easily integrates with the windows experience on my laptop. This is especially true with the onset of windows live. That integration (or lack thereof) is what keeps Blackberry from being a viable option for me. If RIM were to make that integration possible, I would be all over it, especially if it could be done on the new Storm…..