BlackBerry to focus on software _ not devices

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP-Excite

By ROB GILLIES

TORONTO (AP) - BlackBerry lovers left could be in for some bad news.

The device that was so addictive that it was dubbed the "CrackBerry" might not have much of a future: Its new chairman and interim chief executive says he wants to emphasize software and services - not devices. That could mean the company might ultimately get out of the business of selling smartphones.

The possible change in strategy comes as Fairfax Financial, BlackBerry's largest shareholder with a 10 percent stake, said Monday it won't buy the struggling smartphone company and take it private. It said that instead Fairfax and other investors will inject $1 billion as part of a revised investment proposal.

CEO Thorsten Heins is stepping down and John Chen was appointed chairman of BlackBerry's board of directors and interim CEO. Chen, the former CEO of software data company Sybase, told The Associated Press on Monday that BlackBerry employees need to start thinking differently about the company and accept that "we're really not in phones but we're in phones for software, for services."

FULL story at link.


Read more: http://apnews.excite.com/article/20131104/DA9S2D3G1.html

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In this Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2013, file photo, Thorsten Heins, CEO of Research in Motion, which is changing its name to BlackBerry, is seen in Toronto on a video link from New York as he introduces the BlackBerry Z10. As of Monday, Nov. 4, 2013, CEO Thorsten Heins is stepping down and John Chen was appointed chairman of BlackBerry's board of directors and interim CEO. AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Nathan Denette)

[riqster]

1. Eedjits. The keyboard is the feature that users are addicted to.

Focus on apps instead of the keyboard, power supply and security, and you throw away your biggest competitive advantages.

[moonlady0623]

3. EXACTLY

that's why I chose the Blackberry - a real keyboard. I don't mind that I don't have a bunch of apps, I want to be able to communicate with this phone not play with it.

[tomm2thumbs]

2. it took this long to even change their company's name... that should tell you how this company works

Can't imagine investing a billion dollars in a vehicle that is careening haplessly around a corner with no guardrail...

wondering if 'concentrating on software' is another way of saying 'we're going to use our patents to sue ourselves rich'

[jsr]

4. They look like the Prime Computer of the cellphone world