In the United Kingdom, the new Q10 BlackBerry smartphone was released over the weekend, and Guardian.uk reported that Q10s were flying off the shelves and is the “fastest selling” electronics device ever sold at major retail chains across the nation.
But as the Canadian-based phone company, BlackBerry, celebrates the news, is this a hint of things to come or just a temporary spike in interest for the new smartphone?
I will survive
BlackBerry, formerly RIM, has had a wild ride in the cell phone industry. Once considered the phone of choice for businesses, corporations, and governments, it has fallen from grace and lags way behind in sales and popularity against behemoths such as Apple and Samsung.
But in spite of all its problems, BlackBerry has refused to go under and is making its comeback attempt for being a viable alternative to its competitors. But the big question is this: Can they do it?
The new phones
The Z10, which has already launched in many parts of the world, including the United States, has received generally positive reviews, although not necessarily outstanding ones. The Z10 breaks from tradition and offers a touchscreen environment rather than the physical keyboard input method made famous by BlackBerry phones.
The user interface has a learning curve, and a comment often heard is that it may take a little time getting used to. However, most reports say that the phone is swift in performance, and is a pleasure to use once the operating system is mastered. Has it become a runaway hit? No.
The Q10, just launched in the U.K., is creating the most buzz because it stays with the familiar BlackBerry-styled design and keeps the physical keyboard. But the positive reports of Q10 sales have been met with suspicion by some BlackBerry observers.
The invisible BlackBerry
Some industry watchers in the U.K. are completely baffled by the weak advertising campaign for the Q10, prior to its launch in the country.
Oli Farago, a technology partner at M7 Real Estate LLP, said that he was puzzled that BlackBerry didn’t advertise the launch event better than it did.
Farago said in no uncertain terms that BlackBerry has fumbled the ball once again:
"Am I surprised they sold out? Not at all, when people were buying as many in a single transaction, how could they not. Was it a huge success for BlackBerry? No, I don't think it was. I don't understand what the point was.
“Why organize a UK exclusive sale and then not make any obvious fanfare about it? Why no big Blackberry presence demoing phones? Why not cap the sales to deter resellers and make the phones last longer to get in the hands of actual consumers. Why no press?
“The lack of genuine consumer interest certainly doesn't bode well for the second part of the BB10 launch (Q10) which most of Blackberry's future seems to hang on, but perhaps if anyone had known about it, it would have been a different story."
Buying for profit?
SeekingAlpha reported that large quantities of the Q10 were often sold to buyers who were there to make some quick cash.
“..."there were lots of exporters there buying 20+ units each. They had suitcases, and one used the suitcase to block people in the escalator so his pal could be first to the counter.”
There is evidently a healthy user base for BlackBerry products, but to be truly successful, the company must make some serious headway into customer demographics that are outside of its immediate fan base.
Can BlackBerry do it?
The glory days of past may never appear at BlackBerry’s doorstep again. Its products, while innovative in certain aspects, still suffers from a serious lack of apps in its library, when compared to Apple and Android.
The Z10 looks and feels like many other smartphones, and BlackBerry seems to be making the same mistake it did in the past—while innovation of an operating system is a plus, consumers are not interested in just the inward aspects of their gadgets; the unit itself must offer something exciting and cutting edge in design, appearance, and function.
The Z10 and Q10 will most likely keep BlackBerry afloat as a company, and give it some breathing room before it introduces its next line of smartphones.
But until BlackBerry is able to produce a blockbuster hit, it may delegate itself to the “also ran” category in the race for smartphone supremacy, and the Z10 and Q10 may very well be some of last smartphones BlackBerry ever produces.
Via Guardian.uk
via Examiner National Edition Gadgets & Tech Channel Articles http://www.examiner.com/article/the-q10-and-z10-can-they-save-blackberry-or-will-they-be-the-last-models?cid=roadrunner