Reasons BlackBerry Failed Spectacularly—and Why They Might Rise Again
BlackBerry, formerly known as Research in Motion (RIM), was once the dominant player in the smartphone market. Remember the days of the BlackBerry Curve and Bold? However, the company has been struggling to keep up with the competition for years, and many people have declared its demise.
So, what went wrong? Here are some of the reasons why BlackBerry failed spectacularly:
1. The emergence of iOS and Android – Before the iPhone and Android smartphones dominated the market, Blackberry was the go-to device for professionals, and it was well-known as the best device for emailing. Unfortunately, the iPhone and Android devices offered a more extensive range of apps and features, and these devices quickly became more popular.
2. Failure to innovate – BlackBerry’s devices weren’t always intuitive to use and the company didn’t seem interested in making them more user-friendly. The company also failed to embrace new features like touchscreens, apps, and multimedia.
3. Security concerns – Over the years, many corporate and government entities have depended on BlackBerry devices for their secure communication. Nevertheless, improving security did not help BlackBerry’s smartphone take over the market from Apple and Android.
However, all is not lost for BlackBerry. Recently, the company announced the launch of its new smartphone – the BlackBerry KEYone, which has generated enthusiasm amongst BlackBerry enthusiasts.
Here are some reasons why Blackberry might rise again:
1. Secure communication – BlackBerry’s reputation for providing a secure communication network has been its primary selling point in recent years. In today’s world where cybersecurity is highly valued, this is essential, and could potentially be a game changer for BlackBerry.
2. Innovation – BlackBerry is attempting to compete in a market that already has giants like Apple, Samsung, and Google. As such, BlackBerry has shifted its focus to other smartphone selling points such as security and productivity, which might just give it an edge in the market.
3. New leadership – Since 2013, John Chen has been at the helm of BlackBerry, and he has had a substantial impact on the company’s recovery efforts. His approach to restructuring has seen the company’s debt drop, and BlackBerry is now in a better position to market its devices and services.
Finishing up, it’s fair to say that BlackBerry has improved over the years, and could potentially make a comeback. Nonetheless, there is a long journey ahead for BlackBerry to regain its position as a leading smartphone company.