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    BlackBerry 10 Smartphones: 10 Features These Devices Need to Thrive

    By
    Don Reisinger
    -
    March 26, 2012
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      Research In Motion was once the company that all others compared themselves to in the mobile space. RIM was the firm that understood how to appeal to enterprise users, found a way to target consumers through the office and, along the way, dramatically improved the way in which those customers interacted with their smartphones. Without RIM€™s lessons, it might have been extremely difficult for Apple to have delivered the iPhone.

      But unfortunately for RIM, Apple did deliver the iPhone. And now, Apple€™s smartphone, as well as Android-based handsets, is dominating the mobile space. RIM, meanwhile, is left to hope that it can turn things around with its upcoming software launch, BlackBerry 10. That operating system, RIM says, will carry the company well into the next several years.

      Although it€™s hard to know exactly what BlackBerry 10 will look like or what features it will ship with, RIM does plan to provide prototypes to developers in May. This likely paves the way for a launch later this year. But for that operating system and the devices running it to be successful, several things must first fall into place.

      1. A solid design

      Want to know the secret to Apple€™s success? Design. The company knows how to build software and hardware that people want to use€”and show off to others. RIM, meanwhile, doesn€™t do anything of the sort. For BlackBerry 10 to be successful, it must work well and be stylish, and run on devices that deliver the same feel.

      2. Big displays

      RIM has historically made the odd decision to offer up devices that come with very, very small displays. The Torch and Storm2 are the only exceptions to that rule. With BlackBerry 10 devices, RIM must forgo the past and deliver devices with big displays. At this point, a 4.3-inch screen should be the company€™s minimum display offering.

      3. Ditch the physical keyboard

      As much as RIM executives don€™t want to believe it, the physical keyboard is a major issue for consumers and enterprise users who are considering buying new devices. The physical keyboard is a relic of the past and something that most customers don€™t want any longer. And yet, RIM continues to deliver it. With BlackBerry 10, RIM must wake up and realize that it€™s going about the mobile space all wrong.

      4. Responsive software

      One of the biggest issues with RIM€™s BlackBerry 7 is that it lacks the kind of responsiveness found in Apple iOS. Like it or not, RIM€™s BlackBerry operating system cannot match Apple€™s platform, and unless BlackBerry 10 achieves that feat, expect RIM to continue to slide in the mobile space. BlackBerry 10 is a make-or-break offering for the mobile firm.

      Developers Are a Must

      5. Developers must sign up

      One of the biggest issues with RIM€™s BlackBerry operating system is that it lacks adequate developer support. For now, third-party vendors are content to develop apps for Android and Apple iOS and leave BlackBerry OS out in the cold. If RIM wants to make BlackBerry 10 a success, it€™ll need to change that€”or else.

      6. A familiar experience€”to Android and iOS users

      Going from BlackBerry OS to Android or iOS is a groundbreaking moment, for sure. Apple€™s operating system is fresh, fun and intuitive; the same might be said for Android. RIM€™s operating system, meanwhile, harkens back to the old days and leaves many customers befuddled when they first break it out of the box. It€™s time for RIM to offer up in BlackBerry 10 a familiar experience to Android and iOS users.

      7. A launch that comes sooner rather than later

      There was some talk that BlackBerry 10 would make an appearance at the end of 2011. But right around when RIM was supposed to launch the software, the company announced the launch would come later this year. That€™s an issue. The longer RIM€™s current devices sit on store shelves, the less likely they€™ll be able to attract new customers. BlackBerry 10 must launch sooner rather than later.

      8. Think about the PlayBook

      RIM€™s BlackBerry PlayBook is still on store shelves, despite selling a relatively small number of units since its launch last year. Although the PlayBook comes with its share of flaws, RIM says it€™ll eventually bring BlackBerry 10 to the tablet. It€™s a smart idea. Like Apple, RIM must offer the same experience on all of its mobile devices. To not do that would be a huge mistake.

      9. Remember pricing

      Looking around the mobile space, one will quickly find that BlackBerry devices are somewhat expensive. The BlackBerry Bold, for example, is available for $200 on AT&T€™s service€”the same price as the iPhone 4S. When RIM launches BlackBerry 10, it must find a way to get carriers to reduce the price on its new offerings. RIM can€™t survive at the same price as the iPhone€”and it€™s about time everyone understands that.

      10. A new way for executives to think

      Finally, and perhaps most importantly, RIM must not allow its old ideas to seep through into BlackBerry 10. Mike Lazaridis and Jim Balsillie didn€™t know how to address RIM€™s troubles, and the company faltered. Now, Thorsten Heins says he plans to follow much of the same strategy. It€™s a mistake. RIM€™s board needs to persuade its executives to rethink their strategies. To not do so could be disastrous for the mobile firm.

      Follow Don Reisinger on Twitter by clicking here

      Don Reisinger
      Don Reisinger is a longtime freelance contributor to several technology and business publications. Over his career, Don has written about everything from geek-friendly gadgetry to issues of privacy and data security. He became an eWEEK contributor in 2009 producing slide shows focusing on the top news stories of the day. When he's not writing, Don is typically found fixing computers or playing an old-school video game.

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