Within the next few weeks Research In Motion Ltd. plans on rolling out several new devices; a plan to reclaim their North American market share. Early this morning (Wednesday, August 3...HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRAMUM!!!), RIM rolled out five new smartphones, including its first all-touch screen phone. RIM executives said the phones will be available in stores world-wide and offered by more than 200 carriers.
With this being the first set of releases in over a year, RIM has acknowledged that delays in launching the new phones have kept them out of some carriers' back-to-school, and other potentially lucrative programs which will undoubtedly cost the company sales. Missed deadlines have also cost the company some credibility with carriers, which want RIM to succeed but believe the company is close to incapable (with the team they have in place) of designing products that appeal to consumers.
As a matter of fact, the Canadian company's stock has fallen 68% year-to-date and on Tuesday closed at $24.15 — pennies away its 52-week low. Utterly embarrassing to say the least.
Earlier this year at a gathering of customers, developers and partners in Florida, RIM previewed its BlackBerry Bold 9900 and 9930. In addition to those models, RIM officially rolled out Wednesday its Torch 9810, with a slide-out QWERTY keyboard, and the Torch 9850 and 9860, BlackBerry's first all-touch screen model.
All the new models will run off of BlackBerry 7, the latest update to RIM's smartphone operating system. RIM promises BlackBerry 7 will offer faster Web browsing and search capability, including voice-enabled search functions and enhanced, high-definition video recording capacity.
And although customers may hold back on the new BlackBerrys, if they know the QNX, the company's recently acquired operating system, phones are right around the corner, RIM executives characterize the new phones as a good bridge for consumers ahead of the QNX roll-out next year.
I guess everyone will just have to sit back, wait and see...
Blackberry Bold 9900
Blackberry Tourch 9810
SCREAM @ ME!!!
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