BlackBerry Bold preaches to the faithful
14 May 2008
Excerpt from Smart Devicewatch, issue 2008.04
Research in Motion (RIM) used its Wireless Enterprise Symposium (WES) to confirm details and a summer 2008 launch for its next-generation BlackBerry 9000 terminal, which is branded as the Bold. Highlights include support for HSDPA (3.5G), GPS, and Wi-Fi. The formal details were preceded by an in-depth sneak preview on CrackBerry.com, which suggests that RIM’s first 3.5G device will be a feature-packed device likely to prove a hit with the vendor’s core customer segments. The form factor is very similar to the Curve, possibly slightly larger (taller, wider, and heavier, but also thinner), and with a jazzed up exterior design (“Sleek, shiny, and sharp in design”), featuring a chrome-style frame on the front. Operator pricing of $300-$500 is predicted. Investors and commentators reacted positively to the unveiling.
Research In Motion was said to be experiencing delays in bringing the Bold to market, with claims that an anticipated launch by AT&T in the US has been pushed back to August 2008 from June 2008. The reason for the delay was not detailed, although some reports stated it was related to “call quality”. Both RIM and AT&T declined to comment on the rumours. According to speculation, AT&T may also have looked to delay the release of the Bold due to the anticipated impending debut of the 3G iPhone, to avoid debuting two “hero” products at the same time. There was related concern that the postponement of the Bold could impact RIM’s device shipments and subscriber growth figures, although the company appears to be in good shape off the back of its existing 2.5G efforts.
The Bold also features: a more powerful processor and more onboard memory; an updated version of RIM’s device operating system (two ‘point versions’ ahead of the one currently available) that adds mouse-like capabilities; an apparently impressive “half-VGA” higher 480×320 resolution screen; improved browser and syncing (notably with Apple’s iTunes); improved email adding HTML rendering support; bundled DocumentsToGo software enabling access to Microsoft Office documents; a two-megapixel camera with new video-recording capabilities; dual speakers, and external access to removable memory cards. Battery life is estimated at five hours’ talk time and 13 days’ standby, indicating that recent concerns look overstated or addressed. It is unclear whether the Bold can act as a tethered 3.5G modem for portable computers, which could prove to be popular functionality. The device software update (see separate report) appears to complement updates also being made by RIM to its server software, thus enhancing messaging and collaboration capabilities, with an update also expected for existing devices.
Early reviews are generally favourable, with the screen, keyboard, performance, interface, industrial design, and overall specifications all well received. A number of commentators enjoyed correcting the misconception that the Bold is RIM’s first 3G device, when in fact it is considered to be the seventh or eighth since 2005. However, the Bold is RIM’s first 3.5G (HSDPA) device.
It is not immediately obvious that the device will stand out in the wider consumer market, where comparisons with rival high-end consumer devices are likely to suffer by resembling it competitors’ current and past specifications and designs, rather than presenting anything especially ground-breaking. Indeed, while the mishmash styling is relatively pleasant, and the interface is said to be effective, the industrial design seems to blend design ideas introduced by the Apple, Nokia, and Palm design studios. There have also been concerns about battery life, and the imaging specification and consumer value-added services are put to shame by offerings from the tier-one handset players.
Nevertheless, ‘more of the same, but better’ might be exactly what RIM intended, enabling it to secure its hinterland from risk of iPhone incursion, and enabling it to continue its steady expansion into the prosumer space and beyond. RIM’s best-of-breed messaging, simplicity, pleasant designs, and business-friendliness look set to continue driving strong recent growth, and the addition of 3.5G support fills a glaring hole, but the Bold seems unlikely to extend the core franchise further, meaning that RIM may need more if it is really to move up yet another gear.
” The new BlackBerry Bold represents a tremendous step forward in business-grade smartphones. ”
– Mike Lazaridis, President and Co-Chief Executive, Research In Motion.
” What has made us strong is the iconic BlackBerry look. So, we’ve taken our best-selling product and kicked it up a gear. ”
– Mike Lazaridis.
RIM has beaten the anticipated 3G iPhone to the unveiling with the Bold, but rumours of delays and operator channel conflict suggest that Apple could still start shipping first, and with larger volumes than the 2G iPhone now that it has secured far-reaching operator group partnerships with América Móvil (Latin America), Singapore Telecom (Asia-Pacific), and Vodafone Group (EMEA and Asia-Pacific) that potentially add access to dozens of new markets. Additionally, the Bold does not seem to go far in countering the iPhone’s core strength of interface, multimedia, browser, and style.
That said, the Bold is suggested to be simply the first of three or more launches planned by RIM, with new clamshell, touch, and slider formats rumoured to be in the works, meaning that the Bold might just represent the latest traditional BlackBerry, with new, more consumer-focused devices yet to be unveiled.
” The Apple iPhone is a device, while BlackBerry is an end-to-end solution. RIM offers choices of devices, services, network technologies, as well as our unique push mechanism to deliver email and data. There may be competitors in each of the different segments, but there is no competitor in the full end-to-end solution suite. ”
– Teresa Chang, Asia Pacific public relations, Research In Motion.
” If you were just looking at the client, the actual thing you hold in your hand, the iPhone would be a clear choice for most people. What distinguishes the BlackBerry from the iPhone is the back-end support. ”
– Roger Kay, President, Endpoint Technologies Associates.
” People tell us, ‘don’t futz around with your keyboard’. They say, ‘whatever you do, don’t get rid of that keyboard’. But I don’t think anyone could accuse us of not reinventing ourselves all the time, and you’re going to see different devices from us. ”
– Mike Lazaridis.
AT&T is lined up as the launch partner for the Bold, with worldwide availability starting in the summer; again drawing comparison with the 3G iPhone, which is also expected to debut with the US mobile market leader. Canada’s Rogers Wireless confirmed it will be offering the Bold, and global mobile group Vodafone also appears to be signed up.
Prior to RIM’s announcement, references to the BlackBerry 9000 were found in a BlackBerry system file, along with an otherwise unreported variant, the BlackBerry 9100. A number of operators were referenced, including both CDMA and GSM players, indicating that the data file may support multiple devices.
It was also rumoured that as well as a WCDMA 3G version, RIM will offer a CDMA EV-DO variant of the Bold, apparently codenamed Javelin. The units are likely to share features. At the unveiling of the Bold, Mike Lazaridis confirmed that RIM is likely to quickly ship variants, following the debut of the AT&T-localised tri-band HSDPA 850/1900/2100 model.
RIM is also said to be readying a BlackBerry 9000 with 2G (EDGE)-only connectivity, presumably for operators and markets where 3G is unavailable — although possibly also to create a lower-priced version. This model was said by some sources to include Wi-Fi, but others disputed this.
Other WES highlights: venture fund; Microsoft — details and comment
In another ‘anything Apple can do, we can do better’ move, RIM trumped the $100m iFund by announcing a $150m BlackBerry Partners Fund (BPF) in co-operation with Thomson Reuters (a global information player), Royal Bank of Canada (RBC), JLA Ventures, and RBC Venture Partners (the latter pair are the fund co-managers). This group includes three of Canada’s largest companies by market capitalisation, leading to the impression of a national championship. The fund is intended to promote development of mobile applications and services. Further demonstrating its confidence, and unlike the iFund, the BPF is not restricted to RIM’s own devices. Like other device vendors, RIM appears keen to promote mobile value-added services, especially at the enterprise level, so as to increase the usage and importance of mobile terminals. However, there are suspicions that the Java-oriented BlackBerry device operating platform may already be reaching its limits (hence the on-off talk of a Linux-based successor), which could make the capability and performance of the on-board web browser critical — an area where it is currently considered relatively weak compared to Apple and others, and where Microsoft has made clear it will be raising its game by achieving Windows Mobile browser parity with the personal computer market-leading Internet Explorer 6. RIM is expected to keep strengthening its browser, but rivals are not standing still, thus risking relegation to perpetual catch-up mode.
” It is gratifying to see world-class Canadian companies and investors joining together to help fuel further innovation globally in the thriving mobile ecosystem. The BlackBerry Partners Fund recognises that mobile applications and services represent some of the hottest opportunities in the technology sector today and will seek to fund the best and brightest innovators from around the world. ”
– Jim Balsillie.
” The mobile world has evolved well beyond phone calls and simple messaging to require more empowering and liberating solutions that connect people to everything that matters most to them, wherever and whenever they want. RIM, RBC, and Thomson Reuters share the common belief that mobile applications and services will propel the industry forward, and the BlackBerry Partners Fund is being formed to help fuel innovation and activity in the mobile ecosystem. ”
– Jim Balsillie.
” Thomson Reuters is committed to supporting the development of next-generation mobile applications that will provide our professional and business customers with anywhere, anytime capabilities. The ability to make business-critical decisions with intelligent information available on mobile devices will give our customers a clear competitive advantage. ”
– Devin Wenig, Chief Executive of the Markets Division, Thomson Reuters.
In yet another strategic play, Microsoft and RIM revealed BlackBerry device support for Windows Live mobile services, including Hotmail and instant messaging, from summer 2008. Availability is said to be at the discretion of mobile operators. While essentially ‘more of the same’ for BlackBerry users who can already access much of this capability in one form or other, the move does show Microsoft strengthening its cooperation with Windows Mobile rivals, in a move that is easily interpreted as shoring up defences against the common disruptive enemy represented by Apple and its iPhone. With the iPhone built on a UNIX operating system heritage, it has potential as a platform that goes far beyond practically all rivals, other than mobile Linux (which shares the same roots), meaning that Microsoft could — or should — be genuinely afraid of the threat to its core Windows desktop computing hegemony and be strongly attracted to its enemy’s enemies. Microsoft previously announced BlackBerry support for Windows Live Search and has similar arrangements with Nokia.
” Here it comes: yet another proof that Windows Mobile does not have high priority for Microsoft. Step by step, one by one, features that were unique differentiators for Windows Mobile are being given away by Microsoft to other mobile platforms: wireless Exchange synchronisation, Windows Media DRM [digital rights management] and playback, Silverlight, etc. Now, Microsoft is working on Office Mobile for Apple iPhone, and already today Microsoft announced availability of Live Messenger and other Live services for RIM BlackBerry devices. ”
– msmobiles.com.
…as clamshell rumours resurface…
There were renewed reports that Research In Motion (RIM) is readying its first clamshell BlackBerry device, with Boy Genius Report publishing pictures claimed to be of the unannounced unit.
The terminal has a SureType keypad, and the keypad layout is more curvaceous than previous RIM products. Codenamed Kickstart, it also has the traditional BlackBerry trackball, both internal and external screens, and will include an integrated camera.
While there were reports of a clamshell BlackBerry some time ago, in recent months the focus has turned to the anticipated BlackBerry 9000.
Feedback to Kickstart among the enthusiast community was mixed, with much of the concern related to the as-yet unconfirmed size.
…and touch-screen back in the frame
Canada’s National Post published a report detailing future BlackBerry devices, including a mix of expected units (the clamshell and touch-screen models) as well as new suggestions, apparently based on comments from investment house Canaccord Adams.
Research In Motion (RIM) is expected to launch the “3G 9000-series” in August 2008 (separate reports claimed both WCMDA and CDMA EV-DO units will be available); followed by the Kickstart clamshell later in August (see separate report); and the Storm touch-screen-enabled unit in November 2008 (also tagged as the Thunder, or BlackBerry 9500). Both Kickstart and Storm were reported previously, but focus has shifted to the Bold in the meantime — although the former are still clearly high on the agenda.
In addition, it was said that “next year, RIM should upgrade the Pearl, release a touch-screen BlackBerry [presumably Storm] with a slide-out keyboard, and then a device that has desktop-like applications that can be used without a wireless connection, along with streaming and video storage”. The use of the word “should” indicates it is unclear if these are the company’s actual plans, or an analyst’s suggestions.
Separate reports suggest that the Thunder will be perpetually exclusive in the US and European markets of Verizon Wireless (VZW) and Vodafone Group (which owns 45% of VZW and co-owns Vodafone Italy), if they meet minimum sales targets, and that its form factor will be closer to multi-button touch-screen devices already offered by LG Electronics and Samsung, featuring four buttons (call, home screen, back, and disconnect) than the single-button iPhone. The exclusivity arrangement could be intended as a shot across VZW rival AT&T’s bows (for buddying up so closely with Apple for the iPhone launch), and a reward for Vodafone’s recent decision to anoint BlackBerry as one of its preferred consumer device platforms. The Thunder could also be a ‘world phone’ supporting both VZW’s CDMA- and Vodafone’s GSM-based networks, and is expected to ship in November 2008, just in time for the peak Christmas sales season, and only a few months after the 3G iPhone’s anticipated arrival in the summer. It was also suggested that 4G/LTE (long-term evolution) might be supported (or Ultra Mobile Broadband), which both operators are converging on, but this would seem premature because LTE is not expected to become widely available before 2010-2012.
Further reading
- BlackBerry Cool, 13 May 2008
- Boy Genius Report, 30 April 2008
- CNET News.com, 12 May 2008
- CrackBerry.com, 6-9 May 2008
- Electronista, 6 May 2008
- Engadget, 30 April and 6 May 2008
- Forbes, 13 May 2008
- inquirer.net, 13 May 2008
- Fortune, 24 April 2008
- globeandmail.com, 12 May 2008
- InformationWeek, 12 May 2008
- internetnews.com, 12 May 2008
- Mobile Magazine, 12 May 2008
- msmobiles.com, 12 May 2008
- National Post, 3 May 2008
- PC Magazine, 12 May 2008
- PC World, 26 April 2008
- Research In Motion, 12 May 2008
- Ubergizmo, 17 April 2008
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