RIM eyes competitors’ platforms in search for new revenue channels

By on Jan 17, 2011 at 6:59 PM
mobile January 17, 2011

At an event last week in Boston, RIM VP Pete Devenyi said the company is exploring the possibility of introducing cross-platform solutions that would allow IT professionals to manage smartphones made by companies other than RIM. “BlackBerry is and will continue to be dominant in most corporations,” Devenyi said in an interview. “It’s not going to be the only device, given the fact that consumers have the choice to bring in their own devices, and IT departments are often letting them in. So there’s a question there: do those corporations have to manage those devices differently or is there the possibility that RIM might extend capabilities to make it easier for those corporations to manage those devices as well?” This is hardly the first time RIM has explored its competitors’ platforms as a possible way to widen its net. For years, RIM has been experimenting with a variety of cross-platform tools that might help the company develop new revenue channels. The most well-known example is likely RIM’s BlackBerry Application Suite, which we showed off exclusively two years ago. BAS would have allowed BlackBerry software to be installed on platforms like Windows Mobile and Symbian so that companies could deploy BlackBerry services on a variety of popular smartphone operating systems. The current state of RIM’s BAS software solution is unknown.

[Via Electronista]

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  • Anonymous

    This idea reeks of desperation.

    • Anonymous

      I can see why you would think that but I also think it is a great idea in many ways also. More and more, businesses are being faced with the issue of staff wanting to use devices not supported by the organisation. In my case we use Blackberry and staff are keen to use their iPhone. The main reason for this is that the line between a phone for business use and a phone for personal use is being blurred and people (including myself) only want to carry one device for both.
      If RIM were to enable organisations to secure iPhones and HTC’s with their level of security then we would be more inclined to support staff in this way.
      I think this could be a great value add for RIM however if their device game doesnt improve they will only be a software company as time goes on.

  • http://twitter.com/gnomehole The Gnome

    +1 on desperation… they just need to go down with their ship like Microsoft is doing… (quick spin off xbox before its too late!)

  • George

    This is basically RIM acknowledging that locking down BBM to only BlackBerry users is not feasible for the long-run.

  • Stan Winstone

    Right because RIM does such a bang up job of supporting their own hardware with best in class utilities and client side applications… not. What you’re seeing is a train wreck in slow motion.

    • Private Citizen

      Yes, it must be a super slow motion, the kind that will wind down long after you and I have left this life. LOL, sooner or later, those calling for RIM’s downfall may be right but it ain’t gonna be you or me. I remember people talking about the fall of IBM when companies like Dell, Gateway (remember them) and Compaq started pushing out cheaper PCs. Do people even remember when IBM used to be exclusively a hardware company? Let me say this. Any company can change its core competency when that competency is threatened and remain viable or even become more successful. It is ignorant to think that it’s desperation that’s leading RIM to open up its solution to other platform. It’s called evolving. Maybe RIM has already acknowledged that it will never compete successfully on the hardware side and is thinking about the software and service side. Think long term, folks.

  • Jawbreaker604

    It’s basically the same thing as Windows being able to run on apple- makes more money for Microsoft. You didn’t think apple got those windows versions for free, did you?
    I figure it’ll be the same thing with BAS- gotta cough up the ching in order to enjoy the benefits of BB.

    • http://twitter.com/VDubb722 Vic Webb

      Actually, that’s not a good comparison. Microsoft never cared what manufacturers’ device their OS ran on, so Windows running on Apple is nothing special. A better comparison would be Apple allowing their OS to be used by other manufacturers since Mac OS is currently exclusive to Apple’s computers.

  • http://twitter.com/j_nathaniel Jason

    They NEED this and I am really hoping for it. I love the idea of having the advantages that RIM’s network provides along with a choice of devices that work better for me.

  • Mahsoud

    I know that RIM used to have an app for some smartphones that was basicly an blackberry emulator (this of PSP app on laterst xpreria phone) it be cool to have blackberry running as a side app and maybe even sertain services… :p

    Sounds pretty cool feature to have on that extra powerrful droid and iphone 5 … QNX should make it very easy for rim

  • http://mindmirror007.blogspot.com/p/home.html Sathya

    This is a very good business decision by RIM, they are smart enough to know they are losing the ground in smart phone business and they need a different string to hang on to so they can save themselves! If they bring all the features that they have on their Blackberry devices, I would be so happy! I use Android for my work purposes but I really miss using Blackberry but I like Android too much and I have accepted the trade off! I hope this puts sense in Android team and improve the email app and give some great features! Unless, Blackberry makes a deal with Google and integrates with Android, then it will be just unbelievable for both!

  • Anonymous

    Sounds to me like it’s a great way for the company to give more ‘RIM Jobs’!

    Ra-Ra!

  • Anonymous

    This is a great idea! This would be competition for Good. Messaging is still better on a Blackberry, but the full user experience is still better on Android or maybe even iOS.

  • Anonymous

    RIM is just adapting to the market. For many years they have been stagnant and ignored what’s happening in the whole smartphone market. Now they are looking to make a change. Of course people will start saying too little, too late, or this is desperate of RIM. However, they deserve credit for trying to keep themselves relevant in the game.

    • Private Citizen

      Stagnant? Relevant? Sorry but RIM has not been stagnant or irrelevant in the market segment it is targeting which is the enterprise segment. I agree it is struggling to crack the consumer side but it’s exactly the same as Apple and Android struggling to crack the enterprise market. All platforms are on a steep learning curve in market segments which they are not familiar with.

  • Booboolala2000

    I’ll say it again, Rim just needs to put a skin on Android, or they can sell a Rim Home Launcher. But having some of their apps available in the market would be a very good first step. A little late though. Better late than never.

  • max

    So what does rim bring to the party? Why would say an Android want to partner with ancient tech like RIM?

  • Bob

    If they would just let you use their phones with exchange without their BES (you know, like my treo 600 did). Until I get OTA corporate sync BB is not an option.

  • http://twitter.com/BlackBerrySith Sith_Apprentice

    RIM is still currently developing its BlackBerry App suite. They have looked extensively into iOS at this point but I would imagine Android and WP7 are on the list as well.

  • What

    Does anyone here talking about desperation pay attention to the news? RIMs profit last quarter was nearly a billion dollars and they have broken their own records something like 8 quarters in a row. What desperation are you speaking of?

  • Warrentotheg

    Nokia Communicators back in the day had BlackBerry services. So this really isn’t new. Anyone that’s been in the mobile industry would know this.

  • EZ

    They’re a day late and a dollar short. Thyre throwing everything on the table and the kitchen sink. Shouldve bought palm rim!!! But instead u choose to manufacture second grade devices of the poorest quality and function on the same os as in 2002. Shame ! But let’s see if we can cross a bulldog and a shihtzu and manufacter real bullshit. . Can’t wait for nokberry !

  • http://twitter.com/Syk0Matik420 Beefy McBigDick

    I have always had alot of respect for RIM. There is no denying BlackBerrys are extremely reliable, extremely useful devices with outstanding battery life and amazing media players. I would never use any device besides a BLackBerry if I were running a business, and especially if security and ecryption was mandatory. This is why RIM will always be a major player in smartphones, Business and Government use mostly BlackBerry. However, They desperately need to make a change. I think perhaps they should launch a separate line of smartphones, geared more towards the commercial user, Different hardware, UI, OS, etc than the business and government versions of BB’s we have grown accustomed to. They started doing this with the BlackBerry Storm and the Torch but they need to continue to grow and develop their mobile OS. I think the BB playbook will do very well but not as good as say the ipad. The reason for this: there are way more casual smartphone users than there are business/gov’t. RIM just needs to realize that and respond accordingly

  • KarlH

    Mobile Device Management is definitely a growing market. I’ve been in enough seminars with various vendors and they all agree that nobody can support Blackberries like RIM with the BES but can they do iPhone and Android etc. RIM definitely has the experience in what the corporate client needs and wants to secure the corporate environment. They just need to get hungry enough to go out and conquer the market. I think they keep reading their qurterly reports and think “We’re OK” and aren’t ready to go out and conquer anymore. This gives the new players in the market time to get established and steal market share.

  • http://caspan.com Caspan

    I would love it if RIM did the same as the PlayBook allow me to download BlackBerry Bridge to my PC or MAC and I can BBM from my desktop see my work calendar, contacts etc all from my nice large monitor! once i have disconnected info is gone!

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