Umm yah I just realized looking over the stats that the reason for this is that BlackBerry launched across Canada in 1999. BlackBerry became an instant success and within a few years had dominated Canada. However RIM didn't go global at that time only pushing globally in 2002. So I guess you living in South Africa would not have seen what I saw here in Canada. In fact as far as I know RIM's phones have been traditionally stronger in the western markets. However I watched a documentary last year that said BlackBerry's popularity in African countries is growing.

In fact look at the share of the market RIM currently has. According to Gartner research group RIM has a current OS market share of 12% compared to Apple's 18%. By far Android appears to be the largest threat currently as it has a 43% market share. In fact if I recall correctly RIM was still the market leader in 2010, when I-Phone surpassed them.

As for what I think RIM needs to do to turn this around.

I am not a huge smart phone supporter, I will be buying my first smart phone when my contract ends in January. Will it be a BlackBerry? No it will not it will likely be an I-Phone5. The reasons for my choice is the app support and content available for iOS devices, also the fact that everybody who's in the games industry these days seems to have an I-Phone. I would go with BlackBerry if it had a decent i-Tunes like service, but it takes a lot of money and support to get all that music, movies and games on the platform.

How could RIM change my mind or anyone else's. They need to innovate again, when BlackBerry's first came on the market they innovated the cell phone industry. Palm was no match for BlackBerry however since then BlackBerry has stuck to its formula but the fact is the industry is evolving and I-Phone and Android have now innovated where BlackBerry has stayed the course.

I think RIM needs to innovate, what innovation do I think they need? I don't know, but a company like RIM must be able to create something new and unique. If RIM is incapable of creating something new and mind blowing then maybe RIM needs to look for help outside. RIM can't take on Android or iOS in a direct fight, they need to adapt and gain an edge at all costs.

Personally I still know a few BlackBerry fans. One of my friends is going to buy a new BlackBerry very soon, I have talked to him about why he is choosing BlackBerry over iOS or Android. He said he's always owned BlackBerry phones and he loves the email and the txting services and the browser. He said that he wants the best phone on the market. According to him Android and Apple are good at multimedia like movies, games and music. But when it comes to the actual phone he prefers BlackBerry. He was like I am buying a phone primarily as a phone and the best phone on the market is still a BlackBerry.

So I think RIM still has a chance. But they have to move fast before they begin loosing money, right now they are still profitable if they are going to make a move they need to do so now.

if they change their OS to Android, maybe.
Otherwise, no.

They are still widely used in the business community. If they start adapting a bit faster, they might have a chance.

Well today RIM is said to have purchased a world renowned software developer NewBay for 100-million dollars one of the largest aquisitions it has made this year. The news report then drew attention to the fact that RIM has been acquiring software companies steadily since earlier this year at an alarming rate.

It would appear RIM is putting its finances into software as the best chance of taking on iOS and Android! The question is will these app developers and software engineering companies actually give BlackBerry devices an edge or opportunity to compete. The journalist reporting the story stated that the company acquired is not alone. All the apps and software that company has in its disposal have direct competitors on iOS and Android who offer the exact same services. So is it really worth the huge investment if the company isn't offering any exclusive services not found on competing platforms?

According to Royal Bank Of Canada's analyst RIM will likely take around a year to actually get the software from its various aquisitions into BlackBerry products. The thing is what about the next OS, if BlackBerry has all these talented software developers could they assist in creating a more competitive OS as well as the software vital to taking on Apple and Google?

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