RIM co-CEOs: Apple's attempt to draw RIM into self-made debacle unacceptable

By on Jul 17, 2010 at 8:30 AM
General July 17, 2010

rim-small

Yesterday, Nokia released a statement about antenna design in response to being called out by name in Apple’s iPhone 4 antenna press conference. Early this morning, RIM followed suit. In a statement signed by co-CEOs Mike Lazaridis and Jim Balsillie, RIM gave Apple a quick and concise corporate tongue lashing:

Apple’s attempt to draw RIM into Apple’s self-made debacle is unacceptable. Apple’s claims about RIM products appear to be deliberate attempts to distort the public’s understanding of an antenna design issue and to deflect attention from Apple’s difficult situation. RIM is a global leader in antenna design and has been successfully designing industry-leading wireless data products with efficient and effective radio performance for over 20 years. During that time, RIM has avoided designs like the one Apple used in the iPhone 4 and instead has used innovative designs which reduce the risk for dropped calls, especially in areas of lower coverage.  One thing is for certain, RIM’s customers don’t need to use a case for their BlackBerry smartphone to maintain proper connectivity. Apple clearly made certain design decisions and it should take responsibility for these decisions rather than trying to draw RIM and others into a situation that relates specifically to Apple.

That ladies and gentlemen is how not to mince words. It is only fair. If you want to pitch, you have to catch. Right Apple?

Tags:
, , , , , , ,
240 Comments

Related Articles

  • PXLated

    Videos everywhere replicating the grip of death on Blackberrys – and a lot of others – Just a few I noticed tonight…

    Incredible – http://bit.ly/aBNy9p

    NexusOne – http://bit.ly/aii8kP

    Blackberry Bold 9650 – http://bit.ly/adwj75

    Palm Pre – http://bit.ly/aoGaCg

    Blackberry – Several models – http://bit.ly/cMeg52

    Nokia Eris manual – Yep, just like Steve Jobs said, don’t hold it that way – http://bit.ly/cbfHaQ

    The interesting thing is Consumer Reports recommended a lot (maybe most) of the other offenders. So much for fair and balanced and their credibility.

  • http://thepatriotring.net Gary Mazza

    Fact: You have companies and their executives with huge egos. No one likes to admit it when they mess up, make bad decisions. The acid test and real resolve between those that do admit and make no excuses for their mistakes and accept and deal with consequences and then move on is their character. Anything other than this hype, blame, confusion and finger pointing all of which poor leadership. We get enough of that crap from the government. God Bless the USA, and the FREE ENTERPRISE system with integrity.

  • aylw

    No, they don’t have the ‘same’ problem. And neither did RIM in this statement deny that you can reduce the connectivity by smothering the phone. That’s just common sense. All phones have THAT (attenuation) problem. The Iphone 4, on the other hand, has ANOTHER (detuning) problem that exacerbates the above issue to the point it drops calls. That is connecting the two antennas with your fingers, detuning them.

    The fact that people on this forum bought into SJ saying ‘all phones have the same problem’ is proof that intended or not, SJ misled a number of people on this issue. Why do you think a Bumper works? Because it removes the detuning problem, and leaves only the attenuation problem that all other phones have.

    If you love your iphone 4, fine. But unless you wrap it with a bumper, don’t say your phone’s problems are the same as everyone else’s.

    • http://Wait...whatthehell...?? DRayMIS

      @aylw: Bullshit. RIM’s statement claimed they don’t suffer from the problem of losing signal when holding the phone in a certain way, and they do.

      So, what’s your point?

      • Max

        Could you cite the part of their comment you are talking about? I don’t see where they claim that they “don’t suffer from the problem of losing signal when holding the phone in a certain way” I think maybe because that’s not what they are claiming. They have phones that you can hold in different ways and lose different amounts of signal strength but there’s not a design option on their phones where if you touch a part with your finger it loses any where near as much signal strength as the new iPhone. It was a design problem that was solved years ago with internal antennas.

        Ever touch a boombox antenna and hear the difference in reception? Ever use rabbit ears with the old TVs? If not, you’re loss in basic antenna engineering 101. Internal antennas don’t suffer from this and by using an external antenna as well as by placing two of them right next to each other where users are likely to bridge the gap is a bad move and seems to be only for the sake of looks.

        They could have just as easily coated the antenna with something that was non conductive like a clearcoat that would keep the most signal reception for their users. Stopping them from breaking the cardinal rule in antennas, tune them and keep them tuned if you want them to work. They’re decision.

  • Idaho Jones

    “The fact that people on this forum bought into SJ saying ‘all phones have the same problem’ is proof that intended or not, SJ misled a number of people on this issue”

    EXACTLY!!!!!!!! Thank you! SJ is the whiny kid at the playground that rats everyone out when he gets in trouble. He’s a bitch.

  • la verdad

    I’d wager good money that this “non-issue” will miraculously fix itself – with the next manufacturing run. Watch as those who waited to buy for a few months have fewer issues.

1 … 3 4 5
blog comments powered by Disqus