Earlier this week, BlackBerry maker Research in Motion put out a press release about a new BlackBerry Application Suite for Windows Mobile 6 devices that will allow select Windows Mobile powered PDAs to run a “Virtual BlackBerry” of sorts like an application within Windows Mobile 6.
This announcement came kind of as a surprise to many who follow the mobile industry and there was a lot of reaction, good and bad, to the thought that PDA users may soon be able to buy one of the BlackBerry’s biggest competitors devices, yet still get many of the benefits of buying a BlackBerry.
Personally I thought that it was just a matter of time before RIM started to go down this path and honestly believe that it is one of the strategies that will keep RIM on top for years to come. In the short term, however, I think that the impact of this announcement could have been ten-fold if RIM had announced a Virtual BlackBerry Suite for the iPhone.
Here are my 5 reasons why RIM should create a Virtual BlackBerry Suite for the iPhone.
- The BlackBerry and the iPhone go after different demographics. This may change over time, but, the BlackBerry and the iPhone simply aren’t competitors right now. RIM doesn’t have to worry about declining business user sales because of the iPhone. Why not pick up some extra subscriber fees from iPhone users that want to check email like on a BlackBerry.
- iPhone users would have a ton of applications already developed for the BlackBerry available to them. Word on the street is that third party applications won’t be available for the iPhone so coming pre-loaded with a Virtual BlackBerry OS would open the iPhone to the thousands of BlackBerry applications already developed.
- iBerry, undoubtedly the perfect name for a Virtual BlackBerry client running on the iPhone, just sounds cool.
- And finally, because no matter what RIM does, Apple will eventually sell millions and millions of iPhones to consumers at a rate unlike anything the BlackBerry has ever done and probably will ever do. Microsoft is a huge competitor to the BlackBerry and if RIM is going to put a virtual BlackBerry suite on Windows Mobile 6, why not do the same with Apple, admittedly a “new kid on the block” as far as smartphones go, but, the new kid with the coolest toys that all the other kids want to hang out with.
Maybe RIM can fulfill the Java dream – write once, run anywhere?
“And finally, because no matter what RIM does, Apple will eventually sell millions and millions of iPhones to consumers at a rate unlike anything the BlackBerry has ever done and probably will ever do.”
Hrmm, ok. It’s strange that many typically claim they don’t need data on their mobiles and don’t look into data + voice devices since it’s too pricey. Yet here’s a device that will probably run up a bill of $70 each month. Some adults can’t justify spending that much on their own devices, yet they will for their kids? Last year, there were 80 million smartphones sold compared to a billion cell phones. And I suspect a large portion of that 80 million are business users. People typically get cellphones for free or at a nominal price. Apple hopes to draw normal users to the smartphone world – let’s see if price is a barrier. I think techies, non-business people considering a smartphone, and mac loyalists will be early adopters. We’ll see whether this adds up to “millions and millions” of sales.
The device looks fantastic, but I’m trying to stay level headed admist the reality distortion field. If millions of _regular_ folk all of a sudden switch carriers (if needed) and rush to buy this device with it’s usage fees, my full congratulations go out to Apple.
Like everyone else, I’m waiting in anticipation to see how this goes. I especially like how AT&T likes to speak of “a million inquires”. But level headed people no doubtedly realize that this doesn’t imply a million sales.
My statement about the iPhone selling millions and millions of units has more to do with it being the next iPod than the next smartphone and once Apple comes out with cheaper models, they will sell them like the sell iPods today.
Your right, data is pricey and a lot of consumers opt not to pay those premiums, however, that trend is changing. Every mobile phone eventually will be smart and as we move towards that end you might be surprised what consumers “claim they need” and might be willing to pay for.
Robb, I agree with you that the once the price comes down, the iPhone will be the next iPod. I can even see a model or two going the MVNO route like AMP’d, Helio, or Virgin Mobile. I agree with with anonymous as well because BlackBerry service is expensive and the folks who really need it, probably won’t see the iPhone as a viable option in the first place.
Be realistic! Stop drinking the iPhone KoolAid. The iPhone is late to the game!