Why RIM is in trouble
Recently, we did a post of why RIM Needs to up their Game to Compete. Today’s post is the extension and other supporting trends as to why this is further the case.
RIM’s stock has fallen considerably recently and as predicted one of the few things they have going for them is security. See our post a review of Bold 9780. We compare features and functions to Android and some to the iPhone. As the days progress, I am considerably more frustrated with Bold 9780 for lack of usability and inconsistent back up and syncing. It syncs occasionally and backs up but never finishes a full backup of the device. It has been intermittent at best for consistency purposes.
Outside of the fragmented versions (which is common in all mobile platforms) the ways the RIM products navigate have become increasingly difficult over their devices. They range from touchscreen, to trackball, to arrow keys, these complex navigation issues are forcing developers to jump ship to Apple and Android app development. If RIM developers leave in droves the RIM marketplace will have fewer available apps and consequently a diminishing user count. This decreased user count will translate to lower marketshare for RIM, thus reducing its marketshare once again.
Popular app development houses such as Seesmic and PurpleForge are questioning their app development strategy for the RIM devices. They both site increasingly difficult navigation and a market where there is no growth. The Apple iOS 5 and Android have shown consistent growth. One figure estimates that 500k Android devices are activated every day, thereby rapidly increasing the Android marketshare and device usage.
If consumers see the diminishing user base, will they anticipate it as a sign of weakness by RIM ? Will organizations follow a mass exodus to abandon RIM for use with other platforms. Apple is making a push into the enterprise market with the iPad and iPhone and Android’s user friendly interface makes it an easier choice for making your workforce mobile.
What would RIM need to do bounce back as a company and also their devices, I look forward to your comments.
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