Will The BlackBerry Bold Be Released In Time To Capitalize On The iPhone’s Buzz?

I don’t think that there is any doubt that last weekend and probably this week, as far as the mobile industry goes, belong to Apple and the iPhone. I also believe that once the initial surge of everyone getting an iPhone simply because the iPhone is out passes, handset manufacturers not named Apple have a definite… finite…, but, definite window to capitalize on all of the buzz created by the iPhone 3G.

We know that there are consumers who either just don’t want an iPhone, or, are on some carrier other than AT&T and aren’t going to switch so that they could get an iPhone, but, all the iPhone buzz makes them want to get a new device too. My guess is that carriers other than AT&T are already starting to realize these consumers and it won’t be long before AT&T starts to notice them as well.

The big question for me is if the BlackBerry Bold will be out in time to realize these benefits of the iPhone buzz. We know that BlackBerry users overwhelmingly won’t be lured by the iPhone and will wait on the BlackBerry Bold no matter how long it takes for it to come out. I am wondering, however, if RIM and AT&T will release the Bold in time enough to capture the attention of the smartphone consumer with no allegiance that would actually compare multiple devices and weigh the pros and cons of each that initially came into the store to look at the iPhone 3G.

This worked for RIM last year with the BlackBerry Curve. Do you think that it will work again this year with the BlackBerry Bold?

Written by Robb Dunewood on July 15th, 2008 with 8 comments.
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8 comments

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Get your own gravatar by visiting gravatar.com Ed M.
#1. July 15th, 2008, at 9:38 AM.

I sure hope so!!!

Get your own gravatar by visiting gravatar.com BlackBerry Killa
#2. July 15th, 2008, at 9:59 AM.

If you think about it. RIM is kind of shooting themselves in the foot always coming out with new BlackBerrys on AT&T first. The BlackBerry Bold would probably sell like crazy on T-Mobile or Verizon because of all the folks that are jazzed up about the iPhone but not willing to switch carriers.

Get your own gravatar by visiting gravatar.com Robb Dunewood
#3. July 15th, 2008, at 10:43 AM.

The BlackBerry Bold isn’t CDMA yet, so, Verizon is out. T-Mobile just isn’t big enough of a wireless provider.

Get your own gravatar by visiting gravatar.com Stuart
#4. July 20th, 2008, at 8:03 AM.

Well, here I am a loyal BB user with an aging 8700c, waiting for the BB Bold to come out. I’m a Mac guy these days and enjoy the ownership of several Macs in the household and at work. However, these past few days since the iPhone 3G release have been tough. I’m temped to go to NYC to one of the stores there to purchase one since all the store in the Philly area are out :( Anyway, I’m finding the new iPhone 3G hard to resist. Even though I know the lack of tactile keyboard will at first be a troublesome departure. Now, if RIM were smart, They would have release the Bold before Apple. I know the decision for me would have been easy, I would not have hesitated to upgrade (I’m at the point where I have no commitment to my carrier, AT&T). However, now, I’m not so sure, I may just give up on the RIM device and go for an iPhone. So to quote someone here, I too feel RIM “Shot themselves in the foot”. Bad move.

Get your own gravatar by visiting gravatar.com Tired of waiting
#5. July 22nd, 2008, at 10:12 PM.

I personally am tired of waiting for the bold and might jump ship to the Iphone if they don’t hurry up and release this!! They haven’t even given us a date, it’s ridiculous.

Get your own gravatar by visiting gravatar.com ALEX
#6. July 31st, 2008, at 2:59 PM.

I AGREE THEY ARE HOLDING THE BOLD A LITTLE TO LONG FOR WHAT IDK BUT THEY DAMN SURE NEED TO RELEASE IT BEFORE OR BY SEPTEMBER

Get your own gravatar by visiting gravatar.com Garrett
#7. September 1st, 2008, at 12:28 AM.

Why the hell does it take Verizon so long to get all the new phones. I am so sick of it. I think its time to get on AT&T

Get your own gravatar by visiting gravatar.com Michael
#8. September 4th, 2008, at 1:03 PM.

Verizon is a joke. They are more concerned with their own proprietary controls then they are about providing a good experience for you and me. Leave them - let the market teach them a lesson.

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