The iPhone’s touch interface was a revolutionary breakthrough but it is a user interface that has been left behind by the times, according to BlackBerry CEO Thorsten Heins.
In an interview with the Australian Financial Time before the Australian launch of his company’s BlackBerry Z10 phone, Heins said Apple’s market lead is being gobbled up by recent smart phone releases by other manufacturers.
“There is a reason why they are so successful and we actually have to admit this and respect that,” he said. “…The user interface on the iPhone, with all due respect for this invention was all about, is now about five years old.”
However, he pointed out that the speed of innovation is the mobile space is so fast that market leaders can easily find themselves replaced
For instance, he said, the new BlackBerry 10 phones have outdone the iPhone in multitasking because users of the new phone can run multiple apps at the same time as they do on their laptops.
Saying that phone manufacturers cannot afford to standstill when it comes to design and innovation, Heins called BlackBerry’s launch of theBB10 merely puts the company at the starting line of the “mobile computing grand prix.”
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The BlackBerry chief also said that high profile organizations such as photo sharing site Instagram and movie streaming company Nettflix are adopting a wait-and-see stance on the BB10. He said once return of investment on developing apps for the new phones is assured more companies are likely roll out apps for BB10.
Heins admitted the company had made a mistake in its initial venture into the tablet market. A lack of email and applications doomed the PlayBook, but Heins said the tablet device was important in showcasing its operating system and serve as a trial run for the BB10.
