You can see RIM’s determination with the message contained in these BlackBerry commercials, and we’ve embedded two of their recent ads below this article. One explains that BlackBerry “mean business” and their users need tools rather than toys, although the other video pushes reasons “to be Bold“. After watching the reactions to both these videos it seems the message is not working with Android and iPhone users, which is seen with comments like “I’ve never been more proud to own an iPhone“. We’ve also seen Android users explain that their phone is “just as good for business as any BlackBerry“.

You got to give it to RIM’s CEO, he’s taking action – if you don’t change then nothing in a business can change and this is something we see missing from many failing businesses. After RIM reported a $125 million loss last week and sales heading one way, this seems just the right time for RIM’s new CEO to take major action to try and turn things around. There are a lot of rumors pointing to big names leaving RIM, these include senior executives, and you can see more details on this in this article.

It’s a good idea to change people not innovating in the correct ways, but if RIM bring in new talent they got to make sure these people can create new innovation for BlackBerry that not only keeps up with the likes of Apple/Android, but also does it a different way. The last thing we need is another copycat brand.

If positive results are to come it will not be anytime soon – it’s worth pointing out that you can expect to see bad results for a couple of quarters yet, although the stern changes being made now are needed if anything is to improve. The real challenge will be to connect with millions of phone users jumping on the iPhone and Android bandwagon.

Have a watch of the BlackBerry Bold ads below and let us know if you think they could save RIM? Could you imagine a world without BlackBerry, especially in the business world? The real challenge now for RIM and BlackBerry is the ability to innovate, and this is needed to turn things around. What would you like to see from BlackBerry over the next 12 months?

More About: Blackberry Bold, RIM

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BlackBerry smartphones and other devices are thought to be getting BlackBerry 10 this coming fall, but in the meantime according to a report on BGR the company still has plans to launch some BlackBerry 7 legacy devices in certain regions.

There are two new Curve handsets being introduced in the coming months that include the BlackBerry Curve 9320, and the BlackBerry Curve 9230. The Curve 9320 is going to be an HSPA handset, while the 9230 will be an EDGE device.

Again there is talk of a brand new PlayBook tablet PC with an unknown screen size, but will have a 1.5GHz processor, NFC, and HSPA+ 42Mbps data support. This is expected to be available around May or June.

The BlackBerry London is still stated for a September release with another BlackBerry 10 handset in the pipeline but under the Bold model range. This will feature a QWERTY keyboard coupled with a touchscreen display.

Coming early next year is another BlackBerry 10 handset that will be a QWERTY slider device. Some of these devices could see some minor changes ahead of any release tough. Despite recent troubles the company with the right products could once again appeal to some users.

Trouble is both the Android and iPhone platforms have streaked ahead of the BlackBerry now. It also has increasing competition from the Windows Phone platform to contend with as well. What would it take for you to consider a BlackBerry device again?

More About: BlackBerry 10, BlackBerry Playbook, RIM

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Jim Balsillie and Mike Lazaridis who were both responsible in getting BlackBerry to their previous position of the number one smartphone maker, have both stepped down from their positions with immediate effect. According to a report on The Telegraph German executive Thorsten Heins, will be taking the rein.

The iconic brand was once the device of choice for business executives and bankers alike for checking emails and other information when away from their PC. But along came the Apple iPhone and the Android platform to steal away the company’s market share. This saw both Mr. Balsillie and Mr. Lazaridis under pressure from the company’s investors as the RIM share price fell away.

This announcement comes ahead of the news of a management review into the company, but both former CEOs said the decision wasn’t down to the pressure from investors. Lazaridis who originally founded the company in 1984 will now be vice chairman, with Basillie remaining on the company’s board.

Since its peak in 2008 the company has lost more than $70 billion of its value, and continues to experience delays in releasing a new operating system. The BlackBerry PlayBook has not captured the public’s imagination while competing with Apple’s iPad. Thorsten Heins has said he will be looking to employ a new marketing chief, but whether it’s too little too late remains to be seen.

Do you think it’s too late for RIM?

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Now the carrier has officially launched the device we are able to bring details of what price they’re offering. In addition to the LG Spectrum, Verizon are now offering the BlackBerry Curve 9370 as well, RIM’s slimmest Curve yet, which also run’s their latest OS BlackBerry 7. As reported at BGR, the LG Spectrum will be available for $199.99 on a two-year contract, $100 less than our original estimates which was based on the pricing of Verizon’s other 4G LTE devices they currently have on offer. The BlackBerry Curve 9370 is also available with a two-year contract for the price of just $99.99.

Both devices also have a lot to offer as far as specs are concerned. The LG Spectrum features support for Verizon’s 4G LTE network as well as an 8 megapixel camera with full 1080p HD video capability, a dual-core 1.5GHz processor, a sharp 4.5” True HD IPS display and will run Android Gingerbread with a promise of an Ice Cream Sandwich upgrade.

The slim line BlackBerry Curve 9370 meanwhile features a 5 megapixel camera as well as 512MB RAM, Wi-Fi support, GPS and GSM and CDMA radios. While neither of these new devices is likely to set the market on fire, they offer great value for money with their mid-range specs and reasonable prices, the perfect introduction for first time smartphone buyers. Do you agree that they are great value for money?

More About: lg, RIM, Verizon

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Samsung has denied the rumors that it is thinking of purchasing BlackBerry maker RIM, but meanwhile an article on Appboy is reporting that Newsgeek are claiming that Amazon are the company looking to snap up RIM. It is reported that RIM has turned down a number of bids from a variety of companies including Microsoft and Nokia.

But it is being claimed that talks between Amazon and RIM have restarted with an alleged offer on the table, and a deal is reportedly close. When RIM was at their peak around three years ago, the company was probably worth around $144 billion. But times have changed and the company has seen its market share slip away.

By the end of last December RIM had lost more than 90 percent of its value that now sits at under $7 billion. This lower price has stimulated interest among perspective buyers who would like to have RIMs assets that include its many patents. Many companies have been touted as possible purchasers of RIM such as Microsoft, who could use it as a way to expand its Window Phone platform.

Amazon is seen as an ideal suitor who could use the purchase to further expand into the mobile market. Some of RIMs biggest investors have previously called for the sale or breakup of the company as it tries to recover its position. It is being claimed Amazon are trying to close the deal to buy RIM and have offered almost $10 billion for the privilege.

The source is claiming that both companies have agreed a preliminary understanding, and are looking to move the process forward with an announcement made during the first quarter of this year. Although this is purely speculation RIM are looking vulnerable to a takeover. Do you think Amazon buying RIM would be a good deal?

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We first heard about the BlackBerry Bold 9790 late last year alongside the Curve 9380. Now pricing for the Bold 9790 has been made available for UK consumers, and according to a report on recombu is available for free from £21.50 per month.

Retailer Phones 4U has revealed a variety of contract prices for the new BlackBerry with the £21.50 per month contract available from O2 over two years. This provides 100 minutes of talk time, 500 texts, and 500MB of data and BlackBerry email.

Rival carrier Orange will also let you have the Bold 9790 for free if you agree to a 24 month contract priced at £25 per month, which will provide you with 500 minutes of talk time and 3,000 texts. You will also get 500MB of data with BlackBerry Messenger.

Vodafone also will let you have the handset free with a contract for £36 per month that gives you 300 minutes, 3,000 texts, and 500MB of data that includes BlackBerry. The handset is available to order now for delivery on the 30th of January.

Meanwhile if you want the handset unlocked to any carrier Clove will sell it to you for £342, with a shipping date of January 20th. To recap the Bold 9790 has a 2.45-inch touchscreen with a full size QWERTY keyboard, and is powered by a 1GHz processor. It has 768MB of RAM with 8GB of on-board storage. It will come running BlackBerry OS 7 but will be updated to OS 7.1 in the future.

Are you thinking of buying a new BlackBerry handset?

More About: BlackBerry Bold 9790, RIM

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It seems that RIM are still pushing ahead with the tablet PC market with a possible two new models later this year. A report on SlashGear is claiming that that a leaked roadmap has revealed that one of the new devices will feature LTE technology, and have a ten inch screen size. It is thought the devices will be available in time for the holiday season sales.

The current PlayBook has recently seen some major price cuts in most parts of the world. There is also the suggestion of a new 7-inch device with 3G+, which could be available in April 2012. The roadmap also hints that the first BlackBerry 10 handset won’t be available until September.

This keeps in line with RIM timescale of a late 2012 release for the BlackBerry 10 platform. It is not known exactly what the device will be, but there is the chance it could be the BlackBerry London. Before then it is thought there will be two new BlackBerry Curve smartphones, which will focus on emerging markets with one only being 2G.

RIM is believed to be set to showcase BlackBerry 10 at the Mobile World Congress 2012 next month. The rumored 3G+ PlayBook is thought not to feature LTE, but earlier leaks of PlayBook OS 2.0 revealed support for 1280 x 800 resolution and LTE iconography.

Do you think RIM can still be successful in the Tablet PC market?

More About: BlackBerry 10, BlackBerry Playbook, RIM

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According to a report on the Inquirer security researchers have found a problem in RIM’s BlackBerry PlayBook Bridge software, which can result in data and emails being stolen. The authentication token is sent between the PlayBook and a BlackBerry smartphone when communicating, and it is put in a readable place.

A hacker could grab the token that would then give the attacker access to the tablet PCs files remotely. The BlackBerry Bridge software allows the PlayBook to communicate with a BlackBerry handset via a Bluetooth connection, and was one of the devices big selling points when it was first released.

RIM have since stated that the problem will be fixed once the BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0 software is downloaded to the device, and is set to be released sometime next month. This comes after the tablet PC has become available at a much lower price, and the company will be hoping that with the new OS and lower price sales will pick up.

Do you have the BlackBerry PlayBook?

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The good folk over at BGR were the source of this news as they received a preview copy of the BlackBerry smartphones’ latest version of WhatsApp. They suggest the entire app has been refreshed bringing a whole new user interface to the app to start with, amongst other improved features. They also claim the new interface is one of the best you can find on a BlackBerry product.

The other features of the app that have been noticeably updated for the RIM devices include a more light and natural feel to the five basic WhatsApp tabs; settings, status, contacts, favorites and chats. One of these changes is the addition of an ‘intuitive’ context button which is now located on the top tab bar’s right side. It changes and offers useful shortcuts depending on what tab you’re on. For example it becomes an add a friend button when on the settings tab, add a status when on the status tab and start a new chat button when in the chats tab.

Despite BGR’s overall praise for the preview there were a few issues they found with the new version of the app which they hope will be addressed once it has started rolling out. For starters the rows that list contacts and favorites are very narrow making them difficult to select with the touchscreen and the touchscreen tab area buttons are very small which could lead to users selecting the wrong ones.

What do you think of the new version of WhatsApp for BlackBerry?

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One of the biggest criticisms of the PlayBook has been its operating system, and the features it lacks. Now RIM has announced it will be showing off version 2.0 of its operating for the much maligned BlackBerry PlayBook. The company will then be showing of its BlackBerry 10 operating system a month later in February at the Mobile World Congress according to Digital Trends.

The company has starting to send out invitations to an “intimate event” that will take place at CES 2012 in Las Vegas. Unfortunately RIM has not said when either of these software updates will be made available, as currently they are only set to showcase the operating systems.

With the BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0 it would be nice if the company could announce a concrete release date for the software. At first it was believed to be available shortly after the device was first released, but since then we have seen numerous delays. The last rumored release was thought to be in February, so with it being showcased next week that is still a possibility.

Considering the recent price cuts if RIM could release the update early it would probably boost sales, as well as pleasing many current users of the device. Are you fed up waiting for the OS update?

More About: BlackBerry Playbook, RIM

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