Thread: RIM Taking a Beating in the Market

June '10 was when RIM's stock was at its highest this year, in the $60's. Now, those numbers have plummeted into the mid $40 range. It starts you wondering if it will hold, or continue the decline?

There are a multitude of issues that RIM faces, such as solving UAE and India problems with monitoring communications for their national security. If this challenge isn't overcome then BlackBerry e-mail and messaging services could be discontinued with them.

Compiled with that mess, the reviews of the newest release, the BlackBerry Torch, have been middle-of-the-road.
Although the Torch has a new look coupled with beefed up specifications, it just doesn't make the cut when compared to other smart-phones released just recently.

Amidst the obstacles that RIM has in front of them, many consumers have no intention of going anywhere soon. "I talk to the most risk-averse type of users, like defense contractors, and they would not even consider going outside of RIM," Wunderlich Securities analyst Matthew Robison said.

With the glass half full, there is a strong global presence, and an attempt at contending with competitors. Half empty though, there is a noticeable loss of clients. So where does that leave us? What are your opinions? Will you stay or will you go?

Give your feedback below!

benzinga

Originally Posted by Neolantis

June '10 was when RIM's stock was at its highest this year, in the $60's. Now, those numbers have plummeted into the mid $40 range. It starts you wondering if it will hold, or continue the decline?

There are a multitude of issues that RIM faces, such as solving UAE and India problems with monitoring communications for their national security. If this challenge isn't overcome then BlackBerry e-mail and messaging services could be discontinued with them.

Compiled with that mess, the reviews of the newest release, the BlackBerry Torch, have been middle-of-the-road.
Although the Torch has a new look coupled with beefed up specifications, it just doesn't make the cut when compared to other smart-phones released just recently.

Amidst the obstacles that RIM has in front of them, many consumers have no intention of going anywhere soon. "I talk to the most risk-averse type of users, like defense contractors, and they would not even consider going outside of RIM," Wunderlich Securities analyst Matthew Robison said.

With the glass half full, there is a strong global presence, and an attempt at contending with competitors. Half empty though, there is a noticeable loss of clients. So where does that leave us? What are your opinions? Will you stay or will you go?

Give your feedback below!

benzinga

I will stay
Posted via mobile device

Somewhat foreboding of misfortune . . . it appears that large corporations (historically very loyal users of BlackBerry) have been quickly adopting iSometing, while many friends of mine have already switched from RIMM to AAPL.


http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/morga...or/id387257344

HP Calculator Software

http://www.investorplace.com/news-op...ate-sales.html

The market in the US has been hit hard for BlackBerry. Android continues to be the top seller in the US. I believe RIM is trying to push for the global market. But, one problem with that is the global market does not consume like the US market. So either RIM should become a Nokia and make cheaper but inexpensive devices, or, step up and come out with a device that is ahead of the game in a couple areas.

I also think that the lack of Apps for the BB has killed the phone. Sure RIM will always have a edge in the choice for business users. The other factor has been Verizon's choice to not promote the BlackBerry as much. What seemed to be Verizon pushing the Storm device has turned into Verizon now pushing the Android device. Just a lot of factors going on at once that is affecting the BlackBerry.

I will stay with RIM for now but would like to see some form of Loyalty payback. Common pwr connectors, charger docking stations for like models should support each (Storm 1 and Storm 2 come to mind). The investment in models and accessories from all users should show something. Their stock is down and who knows if it will continue to dive, hold steady, or recover. Their current status makes it difficult to continue to support when they come out with models, and continuous OS updates for it seems everything other than the S2. If their goal is to innovate and lead then they have fallen way short on that one. If it is to play catch up and hold steady then that is not or who I want to invest in.
They will have to come with the Black Pad or whatever it is going to be called with innovative features and or the S3 with some carrier support to keep, gain, and convert other smart phone users. Maybe some DAMAGE CONTROL is in order or a statement from the President or VP of Development.

Yep sticking with RIM...but really need something for the loyalty for real, like a 1Ghz processor :-)

When I purchased my BB I was excited because I finally had a BB. I saw myself being able to use BB devices for years to come. But after purchasing my first -- the Storm 1 -- I became disappointed very soon thereafter. When the Storm 2 was released I thought that it would change my opinion about the Storm, specifically, and RIM/BB in general. The S2 addressed my concerns but then I became familiar with other smart phones and I became disappointed again. This time it was because of the design process. Even today as I read about BB I am surprised that they have not addressed some core problems -- problems that may lead them to lose their market standing. Even the new Torch showed me that RIM doesn't have a clue about what their users want or needs. Its almost as if RIM is taking for granted that there core base will still be there. Why else will a company continue to make smart phones with an inadequate amount of onboard memory? Why else would a company make smart phones that do not compete competitively with Apple and Google? I have not decided if I would move from the BB but the inability of the Storm 2 to handle BB OS 6 is doing little to convince me to stay. My concern is next year. When RIM releases OS7 will any new phone purchased from RIM this year be adequate enough to handle that release? I just don't know if its worth it for me. I don't buy phones for the ability to make phone calls -- I use smart phones to give me computing capabilities where ever I am and with the necessary tools (or the ability to download the tools) to work where I am!!!! I know I am just one person and perhaps a blimp on RIM's radar but I need to see more from RIM than what I have seen so far. If the BB Torch is an indication of what RIM is going to release in the next 6 to 12 months then, IMO, RIM will continue to take a pounding in the markets.

Agree with your comments Mcannjul.....
Posted via mobile device

All I have to say is that companies should be driven by their mission statement. Here is RIMs

Research In Motion (RIM) is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of innovative wireless solutions for the worldwide mobile communications market.

Through the development of integrated hardware, software and services that support multiple wireless network standards, RIM provides platforms and solutions for seamless access to time-sensitive information including email, phone, text messaging (SMS and MMS), Internet and intranet-based applications.

RIM technology also enables a broad array of third party developers and manufacturers to enhance their products and services with wireless connectivity to data.

The par that is killing RIM is the third party developers issue. Once Android hit all bets were off. Even apple and the iphone would be in trouble if it wasn't for their advertising domination IMHO.

But other than that they hit their mission pretty right on, might be time for a new statement if the old one isn't getting it done.

IMHO, RIM is being eaten alive in the US market by the big players, iPhone and Android, but it feels like the latter two are mainly focusing on the US. Internationally, and specifically in developing countries, I think BlackBerry has done a good job at beating their competitors to market, and that is exactly why the issues faced with the Indian, Emirati and Saudi governments are pretty big deals. It does not make sense for BB to stick to their "closed" model when they risk losing their biggest and growing international share, and in consequence risk losing it all. The constant release of new, albeit minorly upgraded, models work well in growing markets such as India and the likes; you hardly have yearly contracts in those spaces, so people keep upgrading phones as new models are made available. Besides, those markets need to go through the physical keyboard stage before jumping to touch-screen technology, something that RIM is cognizant about and servicing well.

In contrast, users in the US do not upgrade phones as often, partly because they are bound to two/three year contracts that make them eligible for a newer model, for a cheap price, upon contract expiration. US users expect to get more for their money, and in the Smartphone business, this translates into continuously improved software for existing devices. RIM is doing a very poor job at that: (1) premature release of device/software, (2) poor hardware compared to competitors, (3) lack of support for existing models, (4) poor promotion of 3rd party application support, etc. Notice the rating for the applications developed by Research in Motion: they all rate 3 of 5 stars or lower. All in all from a technical and innovative standpoint, RIM is now lagging behind and settling for playing catch-up. Not good.

I live in the US and own a Storm 1, and found no reason to upgrade to Storm 2 as the two looked awfully similar. OS 5 did a decent job at making both more usable; however the Storm series still lagged responsiveness and speed, especially with internet browsing. After the Torch announcement, I thought an OS 6 release for the Storm series would naturally follow; that did not happen, nor were there any announcements that it would happen at all. That got me very disappointed. Now that my 2-year Verizon contract is coming to an end, with plenty of highly rated Android phones hitting the market, and with speculations that the iPhone might be coming to Verizon (probably far-fetched), I think I'll hold off a bit before deciding whether I will remain "forever BlackBerry".

HadsterC,

Nice comments.
Posted via mobile device

As of today 10:49 PST RIMM is at 44.47 up 1.6 and Apple is at 250 up 7.4 on the market. Given the new product announcements by Apple and nothing as of yet from RIMM it may be a bumpy ride for us BB users and BBOS supporters. Sure would like to see or hear something from RIMM ASAP. They are loosing the marketing battle and first to marketplace with items and apps at this point.

Where is RIMM???????

What i really don't understand.
There is a lot of talk about the dissapointing sales for the new torch in america (only about 150K+ devices sold), while here in Europe (i am in the Netherlands) the blackberry sales are skyhigh and the new devices with OS 6 are much anticipated.
Why is RIM not hurrying up with getting those devices over on this side of the ocean?
Here in The Netherlands we have the same GSM and 3G networks, so we do not need the CDMA devices.
So, are there any other reasons known, why RIM has not come up with a time-table in which there are planning to launch the new 9800 Torch?