Zev Mo Tech Blog

Blackberry Storm 2 trying to get noticed

Posted on 29. Oct, 2009 by zevmo in AT&T, Android, Apple, Blackberry, HTC, Microsoft Mobile, Mobile, Palm, Sprint, Technology, Verizon, WebOS, iPhone

Hey, over here!

The release of the Blackberry Storm 2 on the Verizon’s network, yesterday, seemed to be the least publicized event in quite some time.  This product that has the ability to hold or expand RIM’s market share (currently at approx. 40%),  but with the marketing and pizazz of a Kleenex commercial, fails to live up to the desires of its current base of support.

Look, let’s face it, the Blackberry will have the strong support of the Corporate market.  Apple just hasn’t had the ability to make their case to most businesses, outside of schools and hospitals.  YET.  Battery-life, true push-messaging, and platform roll out unit costs have been the main issues.  And many businesses are finding it difficult to get common implementation questions answered.

One of the problems is perception, naturally.  But the main problem is that Apple doesn’t have a corporate sales team out there trying to get companies on board.  If they did the things that other businesses do, you know, like lunch / free phones to try / cold calling / trade shows, basically what RIM and Verizon do, perhaps their share of the corporate markets would be better.  And AT&T’s network not being capable to handle the unbelievable growth in data traffic is another reason.  Mind numbing.

Anyway, back to RIM’s Blackberry Storm 2, return of the bland.  The platform should be everything that people need: a good network, touch support, a growing app store, media library support, strong brick and mortar support structure, accessories, reliable name, and already holds (but is slipping) in market share.  A recipe for success, no?

Question: Why is it that the first phone was a total dud?  Bad hardware? Desktop software? Firmware (after the initial issues were fixed)? UI?

Answer: All of the above.

So, a year later, RIM is banking that the touchscreen was the problem.  Ahh, the touchscreen feeling better was it, all along!  Yeah, that’s the ticket!  Really, RIM!!? Sigh.

I won’t go into my usual rant on the horrible interface or the myriad of problems with the desktop software (even though most of the configuration is done online for Verizon smart phones).  But I think that RIM is becoming too complacent with its base, and not demanding more from their usability division.

Palm (WebOS), Google (Android), and Microsoft (who cares) are trying to gain traction against the iPhone and Blackberry by having features (mostly a flashy UI) that set them apart (well, maybe not Microsoft Mobile 6.5), BB remains as uninteresting as Jon Gosselin’s career.  And the release of Droid is the beginning of the fight towards driving the smart phone market, rather than simply releasing a product just so Verizon’s sales people can say “oh, it’s like the iPhone” because it has a touch interface, rather than producing something better.

When I get my hands on it, maybe my opinion will change.  Maybe the touchscreen was the problem.  Maybe the millions of smart phone users were unfair and were harsh critics of the Storm platform.  But maybe, just maybe, RIM will realize that people actually want a pretty, emphasis on easy to use, User Interface.  The good news… it is a software problem.  Of all of the issues that could go wrong, if RIM beautified their interface, cleaned up the settings menu structure, and simplify the desktop software, and they could hold or even increase their market share.

In the meantime, while these other companies are improving their UI as per their customers demands, I hope RIM will get their act together.  If they would, it would be a tremendous force in moving all platforms to become better.

Tags: Action, ads, Ai, Android, Android, Apple, Apple, AT&T, AT&T, blackberry, Blackberry, Bus, Car, Cell Phone, Chart, corporate, easy, firmware, fix, Google, Hardware, HTC, HTC, IE, iPhone, iPhone, iPod, LAN, Media, Microsoft, Microsoft Mobile, Mobile, Mobile, network, OS, Palm, Palm, phone, Phones, Pre, RIM, smart phone, Software, Sprint, Storm, Technology, touchscreen, UI, Verizon, Verizon, Watch, WebOS, WebOS, XP, youtube

Related posts

• Mobile messaging has to grow beyond single sync (0)
• Apple, you need to hire an in-house crank (0)
• The future for Blu-Ray, Apple, and Media Devices? [DadsonTech post] (8)
• Disney’s Mobile Magic application- the future for WDW guests? (0)
• The Google Cloud and Android mobile OS… a marriage must be made (5)

Tags: Action, ads, Ai, Android, Apple, AT&T, blackberry, Bus, Car, Cell Phone, Chart, corporate, easy, firmware, fix, Google, Hardware, HTC, IE, iPhone, iPod, LAN, Media, Microsoft, Mobile, network, OS, Palm, phone, Phones, Pre, RIM, smart phone, Software, Storm, touchscreen, UI, Verizon, Watch, WebOS, XP, youtube