View Full Version : BlackBerry OWNED
Homeslice
03-31-2010, 10:41 PM
Why BlackBerry Users Will Defect
by Mike Schuster
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
provided by MarketWatch
Despite bells and whistles, the device misses the 'fun factor.'
Call it a matter of touch-screen envy, but many BlackBerry users are starting to feel the 24-month-contract itch.
And they're willing to switch to Apple Inc.'s (AAPL) iPhone or Google Inc.'s (GOOG) Nexus One, according to a recent study.
Conducted by the online market researchers Crowd Science, the survey results show that Research in Motion (RIMM) BlackBerry users are more likely to abandon the brand than iPhone or Android users. When asked of the likelihood of buying a particular brand of cell phone or smartphone if the purchase was made the following day, 39% of BlackBerry owners said they "definitely or probably would" nab an iPhone. And roughly one-third of the participants claimed they'd snatch up an Android phone.
Meanwhile, the fierce Google-Apple war seems to have bled into the user base.
An overwhelming majority of iPhone users -- 92% -- would likely stay loyal to the Apple device, and only a tad fewer Android owners -- 87% -- made a similar claim.
However, Apple zealots who unleash a fervent hatred for opposing teams may have met their indignant match. While 15% of iPhone users "definitely or probably would not" recommend an Android device, a whopping 45% of Android users would never dare give Steve Jobs' baby a thumbs up. Whether that's a product of outsider's scorn or buyer's remorse, the study didn't pose the question.
But as the battle between Apple and Google rages on, BlackBerry users look on with a degree of envy.
Despite commanding a hefty lead over the iPhone in the smartphone market share -- 42% versus 25%, respectively -- the numbers for RIM have begun to drop, along with Microsoft's (MSFT) Windows Mobile and Palm (PALM).
According to comScore, RIM's market share dropped a percentage point in the fourth quarter of 2009 from the third quarter, and Apple's rose 1.2%. PCWorld's Tony Bradley calculated that, given the same rate of rise and decline, Apple could surpass RIMM's market share by February 2012. And buoyed by the success of the Motorola (MOT) Droid, Android showed the biggest gains -- rising 2.7% to 5.2%.
Crowd Science Chief Executive John Martin addressed the study in the company blog. "These results show that the restlessness of BlackBerry users with their current brand hasn't just been driven by the allure of iPhone." He added, "Rather, BlackBerry as a brand just isn't garnering the loyalty seen with other mobile operating systems."
So what's the allure of the competitors? Why are BlackBerry users more willing to jump ship?
BlackBerry has long been the choice of tech-savvy executives who are wirelessly tethered to their jobs. But as evidenced in the study, only 7% of BlackBerry owners still use their device exclusively for work. For years, the smartphone has ceased to be merely associated with work -- an evolution that Apple played a large role in influencing. However, the BlackBerrys, the Palm Treos, and the Windows Mobile devices never successfully adopted the veneer of "recreational smartphones" nearly as well as Apple or Android.
Put simply, iPhones, Droids, and Nexus Ones just look like more fun. And as the "fun factor" became a significant reason why smartphones became as popular as they did, any manufacturer still focusing on the business aspects fell out of favor with users.
What's the appeal of a physical keyboard if the iPhone can remember where you parked? Why use Microsoft Exchange when the Droid works seamlessly with Gmail -- a service more businesses are using anyway? Is there a point to waiting for a BlackBerry version of an app that has dozens of variants available in the App Store or Android Market?
Unless a new BlackBerry device sheds the brand's stodgy work image, RIMM is going to miss out on all the fun -- and customers.
I am one of those users waiting desperately for the Nexus One to come out on Verizon so I can dump the Blackberry Storm. It's a piece of shit.
My wife's Storm 2 is nicer, but it's still a lot of the same crap.
Gas Man
03-31-2010, 10:48 PM
IDK... I have played with both iphone and android platform... I'll keep my BB
Particle Man
03-31-2010, 10:48 PM
they've turned into Toyota and Honda - building safe instead of innovative.
Amber Lamps
03-31-2010, 10:51 PM
I actually agree with this article. I had absolutely no need, use or desire for a smart phone but I have to admit that I was brought in by all of the other stuff you can do with my phone.
dReWpY
03-31-2010, 11:01 PM
I actually agree with this article. I had absolutely no need, use or desire for a smart phone but I have to admit that I was brought in by all of the other stuff you can do with my phone.
this
once i get back from Africa this summer, I will be defecting from the BB to either the iphone or the nexus one...hopefully the nexus will be available on ATT, if not its the iphone for me
Amber Lamps
03-31-2010, 11:13 PM
once i get back from Africa this summer, I will be defecting from the BB to either the iphone or the nexus one...hopefully the nexus will be available on ATT, if not its the iphone for me
Already available.
well that about sums it up then...nexus one it is!
or maybe i'll just stick with the apple products, we'll see. but from my limited thumbing around on the nexus i kinda like that one a little more
Homeslice
03-31-2010, 11:18 PM
once i get back from Africa this summer, I will be defecting from the BB to either the iphone or the nexus one...hopefully the nexus will be available on ATT, if not its the iphone for me
Is ATT's service better where you live? Because otherwise I can't think of any reason why you'd want them. They are weaksauce IMO......
Tons of dropped calls indoors.
1-2 second delay between when you speak and when the other person hears you.
People leave you messages but no flag appears for hours.
Have to reboot to get the correct time after landing in another time zone, etc.
:ws:
azoomm
03-31-2010, 11:33 PM
I am a recovering BB user. Nexus one all the way!
Gas Man
03-31-2010, 11:37 PM
What I can't stand is the touch screen. I'm so over that.
Amber Lamps
03-31-2010, 11:40 PM
What I can't stand is the touch screen. I'm so over that.
My touch screen works very good. I too was a touch screen skeptic!
having lived through 2 years of a blackberry for work, 2 years of a windows mobile phone, and now 2 weeks with android. My android device is much more user friendly, versatile and all around better. So far the down side to my android phone (t-mobile my touch) is the dismal battery life. I feel like I am constantly charging it.
As to the functonality of the phones, the BB and the WM phones have keyboards, great I really like keyboards. The android doesn't but the more I use it (and the more screen keyboards I try out, the more I like it. I still want a physical key board, but I found one that invisibly changes key sizes based on the letters it expects you to type. The iphone has always done this. I also discovered the swype function on the android keyboard, basically you just slide your finger over the letters you want and it recognizes the word you are typing. I havt quite got the hang of it yet, but the first few times I have used it it works great, but I start forgeting where letters are after a few words.
Windows really is lost in the background, its just crappy. they tried to make the phone into a mini computer rather than a smart phone, windows mobile 7 might just change that.
The Iphone is great probably the best all around system available packaged in a very good phone, but the restrictions that apple places on the system, (screw AT&T), and some of the restriction on the software available (I want naked women apps, and the ability to tether it to my laptop).
-Blackberry is great, but it is missing the people, the applications, and the online support that Iphone and android have.
And android is the new boy on the block but has shown signs of being a big player, the software is great and the open source ideas of it are great, but there really are 2 problems, both have to do with too much choice. Android needs to upgrade everybody at the same time, I understand that olger android phones (G1) have a hard time with android 2.1, but something needs to be done. There are 5 or more versions of it out there, and not all applications work with all the versions. The next big problem is the android app stores, the problem being storeS, and not all stores are equal. I have seen some programs that are free in one, $.99 in the next, and $2.99 in the third. Both of these apple has solved by standardizing hardware and with the Iphone app store. but android is open source, I have tried a dozen free keyboards, a tether program to use it as a mobile modem, and a game called XXXtic tac toe (try it, it's cool).
Gas Man
03-31-2010, 11:45 PM
No. I've already had one. Been there done tt.
One of the things I luv abt my bb is keys.
Homeslice
03-31-2010, 11:47 PM
What I can't stand is the touch screen. I'm so over that.
What I can't stand is really stiff buttons. With some of them it feels they need 10 lbs of pressure to push them, and they're placed so close together.........Doesn't make for fast typing IMO.
marko138
04-01-2010, 08:15 AM
Bbm.
Bbm.
thats what I am going to miss when I go android. BBM is nice.
marko138
04-01-2010, 09:18 AM
thats what I am going to miss when I go android. BBM is nice.
Yeah, I really like it. Thats really the upside for BB for me.
Gas Man
04-01-2010, 10:25 AM
What I can't stand is really stiff buttons. With some of them it feels they need 10 lbs of pressure to push them, and they're placed so close together.........Doesn't make for fast typing IMO.
I have never found that issue... IDK
Trip... I forgot you had BB... send me your PIN
goof2
04-01-2010, 10:53 AM
Is ATT's service better where you live? Because otherwise I can't think of any reason why you'd want them. They are weaksauce IMO......
Tons of dropped calls indoors.
1-2 second delay between when you speak and when the other person hears you.
People leave you messages but no flag appears for hours.
Have to reboot to get the correct time after landing in another time zone, etc.
:ws:
I've had AT&T for over 3 years and it has worked well for me all over the east coast. I have been on Cape Cod with people who have Verizon and Sprint. Those of us with AT&T were the only ones getting a signal. Those results have been consistent with a Motorola Sliver and Razr as well as the iPhone.
Avatard
04-01-2010, 10:56 AM
Really, my life won't be complete until I can stroke my phone.
Homeslice
04-01-2010, 03:26 PM
Research In Motion (RIMM 69.92, -4.05) is a primary source of weakness in the Nasdaq this morning. The company posted for its latest quarter earnings that came short of what Wall Street had forecast. Its shares were subsequently downgraded by analysts at Goldman Sachs.
:zowned:
Flexin
04-01-2010, 04:08 PM
I haven't had my Bold very long. I could have bought an Iphone. I have used my sisters more then once. The more I used it the more I wanted a Blackberry. I do miss my Treo touch screen at times but I love the fact that I still have the full keyboard.
BBM will keep me around for a long while i think.
James
CrazyKell
04-01-2010, 04:27 PM
BBM and Blackberry's are much better for business (imho).
Digifox
04-01-2010, 04:28 PM
RIM joins the Phail party with the other CRAP OS's
Microsoft's Windows phone 7(WM7) Fail.com... for real
Palm, havent kept track with them...just the Pixi is bad ass.
Android, With the release of Eclair (droid 2.0/2.1) and the Nexus one.
(dont you love how all the versions are food? Cupcake, Donut and eclair)
Droid market is still growing...
Apple has done something pretty cool, BUT as some one compared the WM7 to the i-phone they are both "n00b" or Unsmart phones for stupid people..
How many are there now 3? the i-phone, i-phone3G and the i-phone 3Gs?
Marketing:
*Lets not put the abilities on yet so in a few months the next will be "better"*
Sorry, But i think AT&T is fucking Apple up the ass...
And speaking of apple, Verizon users you might be getting the first CDMA iphone, they are supposedly working on it.
A big plus for the T-mobile users...We got the first android phone released BTW.
HSPA+ = 21MBPS and is backwards compatible with HSPA7.2(3G 7.2MBPS)
T-mobile is going to release it soon... So all you Mytouch 3G, HD2, etc users your 3G punted 4G to....Africa with its 10MBPS
Sixxxxer
04-01-2010, 04:53 PM
Eh, You will ALWAYS have a Cell Phone War,
I Absolutely Love my Tour. And I just Downloaded 5.0 for it and its Awesome.
I dont see the Appeal of the Iphone enough to warrant spending Hundreds of dollars to "Jump Ship"
And ATT is Garbage...So sure they can conduct studies and surveys...let the ppl switch to ATT...Have fun with your Shitty Service and Dropped Calls.
Ill Stick with Verizon...Watch how many people switch to Verizon when they get the Iphone...It's gonna Be Biblical.
:zowned:
take that canada
Mr Lefty
04-01-2010, 05:24 PM
Blackberry owned themselves when they released the Storm. Fucking shitty ass phone.
Homeslice
04-01-2010, 05:55 PM
Ill Stick with Verizon...Watch how many people switch to Verizon when they get the Iphone...It's gonna Be Biblical.
plus trillion
My biggest issue with my BB is screen size. I have the 8900/curve.
Gas Man
04-01-2010, 07:50 PM
A good bud of mine just switched from ass rappin Verizon to Sprint and got the moment. It has the google android platform with the market. I played iwth it a bit. Its nice but as others have said... I'll stick with my BB
pauldun170
04-02-2010, 12:38 AM
Still pisses me off that Verizon forces you to get a data plan with every damn phone that does something other than make calls.
Yes i know you can just buy it for full price but what idiot spends that amount of cash for a phone?
Homeslice
04-02-2010, 12:53 AM
Still pisses me off that Verizon forces you to get a data plan with every damn phone that does something other than make calls.
Yes i know you can just buy it for full price but what idiot spends that amount of cash for a phone?
If you are suggesting just using hotspots, well..............I can't see myself spending $400 for a non-contracted phone and not being able to use its features unless I'm in a hotspot.
pauldun170
04-02-2010, 01:06 AM
If you are suggesting just using hotspots, well..............I can't see myself spending $400 for a non-contracted phone and not being able to use its features unless I'm in a hotspot.
I'm surrounded by hotspots.
When I checked the phones available for my contract renewal...even camera phones needed a data plan? Keyboard? data plan. Color screen? data plan.
music player? data plan..
Probably makes more sense to just keep my old lg ( I don't even know the model. Its 2 years old and has a keyboard) and pick up an iTouch.
I'm not much of phone hound I guess. I use maybe 10 minutes a month and send about 10 texts.
marko138
04-02-2010, 09:03 AM
I'm surrounded by hotspots.
When I checked the phones available for my contract renewal...even camera phones needed a data plan? Keyboard? data plan. Color screen? data plan.
music player? data plan..
Probably makes more sense to just keep my old lg ( I don't even know the model. Its 2 years old and has a keyboard) and pick up an iTouch.
I'm not much of phone hound I guess. I use maybe 10 minutes a month and send about 10 texts.
Just go with Sprint. They use Verizon towers. It's all good, sucka.
Flexin
04-02-2010, 11:38 AM
My biggest issue with my BB is screen size. I have the 8900/curve.
The Bold 9000 has a nice size screen. That's one reason I went for it.
James
The Bold 9000 has a nice size screen. That's one reason I went for it.
James
Yes, it does... it's just too big for my hands. I look like a 5 year old playing with my parents' toys :lol:
Cutty72
04-02-2010, 02:03 PM
Pretty sure when I get home I'm ditching my BB flip and going with a plain old "dumb" phone.
Homeslice
04-02-2010, 04:05 PM
Just go with Sprint. They use Verizon towers. It's all good, sucka.
ALL of Verizon's towers? Seems hard to believe
And is that for voice service, data, or both?
marko138
04-03-2010, 08:55 AM
ALL of Verizon's towers? Seems hard to believe
And is that for voice service, data, or both?
Correct.
You can roam on some of Verizon towers. Sprint doesn't use both of the freq Verizon uses so you can't roam on all their towers.
Amber Lamps
04-03-2010, 09:48 AM
You can roam on some of Verizon towers. Sprint doesn't use both of the freq Verizon uses so you can't roam on all their towers.
True, in Mi my Helio/Sprint phone worked great. When I moved here...nada.
Gas Man
04-03-2010, 04:34 PM
I also know that in sprint packages like mine there is no roaming...
Sixxxxer
04-03-2010, 04:40 PM
The Verizon Tour Just got Push To Talk...Which is Freaking Sweet...and its free.
Is the an Iphone App for that??
Didnt think so ;)
The Verizon Tour Just got Push To Talk...Which is Freaking Sweet...and its free.
Is the an Iphone App for that??
Didnt think so ;)
That is a pretty cool application
i was >< close to getting a droid today...then we found out the buy 1 get 1 offer ran out. Now we're waiting for the next one and no bitch we dont want your crappy storm2. Grr
i was >< close to getting a droid today...then we found out the buy 1 get 1 offer ran out. Now we're waiting for the next one and no bitch we dont want your crappy storm2. Grr
good call
wait for the nexus one to see how you like it
good call
wait for the nexus one to see how you like it
ill like that it will bring back bogo on the droid. i need a physical keyboard
Cutty72
04-04-2010, 01:10 PM
The Verizon Tour Just got Push To Talk...Which is Freaking Sweet...and its free.
Is the an Iphone App for that??
Didnt think so ;)
How does that work exactly? Don't both parties need to have push to talk for it to work?
One of the "dumb" phones I'm looking at has that, but I figured it would be a waste since I don't know anyone else with that feature
Amber Lamps
04-04-2010, 04:16 PM
How does that work exactly? Don't both parties need to have push to talk for it to work?
One of the "dumb" phones I'm looking at has that, but I figured it would be a waste since I don't know anyone else with that feature
Dude I was so happy to literally trash my Nextel... I HATE push to talk! It is dang irritating.:panic:
Cutty72
04-04-2010, 04:21 PM
That doesn't help me with how it works! :lol:
do both parties need it to use it?
can you just not use it, or does it come on with the push of a button?
Gas Man
04-04-2010, 04:34 PM
ill like that it will bring back bogo on the droid. i need a physical keyboard
I agree on the full physical keyboard. But the sprint moment does have one. It slides like a rumor. I just don't want the touch screen. Not now anyway.
Amber Lamps
04-04-2010, 04:37 PM
That doesn't help me with how it works! :lol:
do both parties need it to use it?
can you just not use it, or does it come on with the push of a button?
:lol::lol::lol::lol: Sorry, I believe that both parties must have it. They quit charging for it quite a while ago. I don't understand how "breeping" someone is better than just calling them?
Sixxxxer
04-04-2010, 04:41 PM
Yes both parties need to have it...But such was the case with nextel...And Tig, You wanted to trash your nextel b/c again...There service Blew Monkey Chunks...And As far as just being able to call someone instead of "Beeping" them...Its quicker than a phone call...its like a long range walkie talkie...And who doesnt love walkie talkies.
Its not something I'll use everyday, But its nice to know I have the option to.
Yes both parties need to have it...But such was the case with nextel...And Tig, You wanted to trash your nextel b/c again...There service Blew Monkey Chunks...And As far as just being able to call someone instead of "Beeping" them...Its quicker than a phone call...its like a long range walkie talkie...And who doesnt love walkie talkies.
Its not something I'll use everyday, But its nice to know I have the option to.
works great till you are one the job with some young thing and wifey breeps ya lol. Hypothetical situation of course
Sixxxxer
04-04-2010, 05:25 PM
Wifey doesnt have a Blackberry...Lol
marko138
04-04-2010, 06:40 PM
We used to use Nextel when I was in TV. The direct connect was great for run and gun news. Then Verizon floated us a sweetheart deal for some advertising. Their DC blew fcking goats.
Sixxxxer
04-04-2010, 06:47 PM
Marko, It has gotten ALOTTTTT Better. It's as quick as nextel was/is.
I was leary going into it as well...but its Definitely rival worthy of Nextel.
marko138
04-04-2010, 08:39 PM
Marko, It has gotten ALOTTTTT Better. It's as quick as nextel was/is.
I was leary going into it as well...but its Definitely rival worthy of Nextel.
Our biggest complaint was mostly the phones. 2 years ago Verizon only had 2 Push to Talk phones. And they gave us the cheapy, it was free, in exchange for ad time on TV. A total horseshit deal made my upper management. News photogs are hard on phones...and these weren't made for life on the road. The mil-spec Nextels held up to severe beatings.
Homeslice
04-05-2010, 09:46 AM
http://money.cnn.com/video/technology/2010/03/25/tt_sprint_4g_htc.fortune/
I see how PTT would be helpful in some business applications.... delivery people, maybe construction type gigs.... but real world? I just don't get it. I'd rather get a text or a call.
I see how PTT would be helpful in some business applications.... delivery people, maybe construction type gigs.... but real world? I just don't get it. I'd rather get a text or a call.
It def has it's uses. When I was doing construction I used it all day long
Sixxxxer
04-05-2010, 05:03 PM
I see how PTT would be helpful in some business applications.... delivery people, maybe construction type gigs.... but real world? I just don't get it. I'd rather get a text or a call.
You'd think that right?? I dunno, Its just a diff way to communicate.
You'd think that right?? I dunno, Its just a diff way to communicate.
walkie talkie mode FTL
it does come in handy at work sites though.
Kco3rdSOG
04-06-2010, 11:00 PM
I have a BB Curve and I HATE this damn phone. After only having it for about 8 months the charging port on it broke and my cell provider and BB both basicly told me to screw myself when I asked them to fix or replace it. It is going to the shooting range with me when I get home from Iraq. BlackBerry Vs. GLOCK >:)
Gas Man
04-06-2010, 11:45 PM
I have a BB Curve and I HATE this damn phone. After only having it for about 8 months the charging port on it broke and my cell provider and BB both basicly told me to screw myself when I asked them to fix or replace it. It is going to the shooting range with me when I get home from Iraq. BlackBerry Vs. GLOCK >:)
Take pics!
marko138
04-07-2010, 08:16 AM
Take pics!
Agree! But I've had my Curve for nearly a year and I charge it every single night and the port is good to go.
Cutty72
04-07-2010, 03:50 PM
FYI, when BB batteries are left for an extended time, they go dead... VERY dead.
I just pulled out my flip from my locker. Hasn't been touched since mid feb when I got back here. I threw it in the locker with a full charge. I figured it would be dead after sitting a month and a half unused, but after I plugged it in, it took a solid 15 minutes before the screen even turned on with the charging symbol. another 10 before I could actually turn it on. Crazyness.
Can't wait to get back to my regular phone.
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