Viable 3rd mobile alternative - Blackberry 10 vs Windows Phone 8?

[saintforlife]

With Windows Phone 8 coming out last quarter and now Blackberry 10 about to be launched on January 30th, which of these two platforms do you think has the best opportunity to cement its place as the 3rd major mobile OS platform behind Android and iOS? The duopoly was getting boring and I welcome this competition because ultimately the winner is the consumer. Thoughts?

p.s. If RIM took over the 3rd spot and kept it over Windows Phone, I would mind it at all. There is always something about rooting for the underdog to win. Also the Canadians are such a friendly bunch.

 

[Fernandez21]

I'm hoping both make some kind of impact, but of the two I really like what RIM is doing with BB10. I definitely plan on getting one, though haven't decided between the Z10 (4.2" slate) or X10 (3" portrait keyboard).

I've tried windows phone and I didn't like it. The UI, while smooth, is even more boring than iOS. The live tiles don't really give much more information than the static icons with a badge in iOS, and widgets in android are just so much more useful.

 

[MuffCabbage]

I just got a WP8 8X and its pretty awesome from the phone to the OS. Im amazed at how much I use it over my last Android. I dont even use my computer too much anymore. Its just a much nicer experience than Android. I would love to see iOS and WP leading the pack with BB10 and Android bringing up the rear.

I spent over two years on Android and it was just not a great experience after the initial OOO SO OPEN! factor wore off and flashing ROMs never really benefited that much and became a hassle. Sure JB brought it up a bit, but its still just a lousy experience compared to iOS and WP even though it does have its benefits like the quick access to system toggles.

BB10 looks to be bringing some cool stuff, but admittedly I havent looked too much into it after its initial showing a few months ago that I thought was cool.

Now as far as WP vs BB10; I dont think Microsoft will allow BB10 to bring BB back into mainstream before WP. The app situation seems to be pretty crummy from user reports on The Verge forums so they dont have that over WP. WP is picking up steam because people comment on my phone and are curious.

"Is that the square phone from the commercials?!"
"Whoa! That looks so cool!"
"Oh is that that super personizable phone from the commercials?"
"Thats like the thinnest phone ever"
"This is like the first thing that I think can challenge Apple"

 

[Lava Lamp Freak]

I also hope that both will provide competition for Apple and Google. More competition is good for innovation. Everyone will try to outdo each other, and in the end that is good for us.

I tried the HTC 8X, and while I liked the difference with the Windows UI, I felt very constrained compared to Android or even iOS. It was missing some things that I consider basic necessities, such as the ability to turn off vibrate while in silent while having it on when not in silent mode. There is currently no way around having to go into the settings app several times a day and manually changing the vibration setting. I returned the phone after a few days. I'm keeping an eye on Windows Phone, though.

 

[Rodimus Prime]

blackberry is not going to last. it does not have deep enough pockets to compete with ms.

 

[Cod3rror]

RIM is going to take the 3rd.

It's been two years and WP numbers are still abysmal. The market has spoken, people do not like that square, monotone, wasteful Metro garbage.

 

[Hastings101]

As long as their new products are decent RIM will probably kill off Windows Phone. Almost everyone knows what a Blackberry is while few people have heard of a Windows Phone and that will probably reflect in the sales. It's a shame, Windows Phone is awesome, but it's been two years and it hasn't gone anywhere marketshare-wise.

 

[F123D]

I'd like to see some in depth reviews of BB10. Maybe because it's new, I'm more interested to see what they have to offer at the moment.

 

[Liquorpuki]

IDC predicts WP will be the 3rd with 10% marketshare by 2016. I think it could be even higher if the Surface Pro becomes a success because people might end up switching ecosystems

I know nothing about BB10 but I own an 8x. WP8's killer features are the live tiles and informtation hubs. What's BB10's killer features?

 

[MuffCabbage]

IDC predicts WP will be the 3rd with 10% marketshare by 2016. I think it could be even higher if the Surface Pro becomes a success because people might end up switching ecosystems

I know nothing about BB10 but I own an 8x. WP8's killer features are the live tiles and informtation hubs. What's BB10's killer features?

Its a mullet. Business in the front, party in the back.

 

[surjavarman]

WP hasn't gotten anywhere because no one makes the hardware for it. Just take a look at the current flagship phones for WP. Its basically only the lumia 920 and the 8x. Compare these phones with flagship phones from ios and android and you will see that they are seriously lagging behind in terms of specs and design. No one wants to have a huge clunky phone

 

[ChrisTX]

blackberry is not going to last. it does not have deep enough pockets to compete with ms.

I'm not a fan of the Metro UI, but MS has enough money to keep WP alive. If BB10 is a bust, RIM doesn't.

 

[Cod3rror]

WP hasn't gotten anywhere because no one makes the hardware for it. Just take a look at the current flagship phones for WP. Its basically only the lumia 920 and the 8x. Compare these phones with flagship phones from ios and android and you will see that they are seriously lagging behind in terms of specs and design. No one wants to have a huge clunky phone

You're joking right?

WP has a great hardware. Lumia 920, Ativ S, that HTC phone.

If those ran Android they'd sell like hot cakes, one of them already does.

 

[ChazUK]

I think MS will keep pouring enough money into WP to make it a success by default (just like they did with XBOX). They have the money, resources and then fact it isn't a bad platform art all will help.

On the flip side, BB10 is looking very nice with some innovative features and gestures. I'm genuinely looking forward to try it.

Both are worthy of the third place and I'd go so far as to say they deserve better market penetration and developer interest.

I'm going to jump on to another platform soon enough but will wait to see what RIM offers now considering I was pointed to a potentially large issue for me when it comes to WP8. I did love using Windows Phone 7 which is what sparked an interest in me getting a Windows Phone 8 device.

I'll always primarily use Android as I've been more than pleased with how well it has been developers over the years but there is room for me to go for something else over iOS as my second platform.

 

[saintforlife]

I think the Blackberry 10 + QNX integration is the wild card here. QNX already has a major presence in many business applications. If RIM is able to seamlessly integrate and control all those QNX running devices through the Blackberry ecosystem, I think they have a big winner on their hands.

From Wikipedia:

QNX Neutrino is widely used as the basis for automotive electromechanical components, for industrial control systems, medical instruments, defense systems, nuclear power plants, and other mission-critical applications.

 

[roxxette]

Got a lumia 900 today few moments ago updated to OS 7.8 and its really good everything is very smooth and the keyboard is fantastic; sadly the lumia 900 its nothing fancy (not great screen resolution and camera) but performance wise its a top notch device so il assume the 920 and htc 8x are pretty awesome too with all the windows 8 perks.

 

[sentinelsx]

blackberry is not going to last. it does not have deep enough pockets to compete with ms.

Isn't that sad because (well mostly they are Canadian so a downer for us) BB10 truly does look something they never did before and it would be glorious to have a decent modern BB10 device being sold?

I do hope they survive.

 

[G51989]

I know nothing about BB10 but I own an 8x. WP8's killer features are the live tiles and informtation hubs. What's BB10's killer features?

Blackberry's are not targetted for most Average consumers, they're targetted towards business users, hence the lack of crap like angry birds and fruit ninga,.

Blackberry's killer features are BlackBerry Messenger, and its unbeatable secuirty, Blackberry's are the only mobile platform thats even more secure than iOS, added to insane battery life and tons of productivity features. They're phones for work, not for fun,

 

[scott craft]

Microsoft has deep pockets so that will help them out a lot, even though WP8 is a bit buggy. If BB10 is solid it could do well, but it will depend on how the carriers push it.

 

[ChrisTX]

With the Galaxy S4, HTC M7, and Galaxy Note III coming out this year I won't be going anywhere near a BB10 device!

 

[Rodimus Prime]

Isn't that sad because (well mostly they are Canadian so a downer for us) BB10 truly does look something they never did before and it would be glorious to have a decent modern BB10 device being sold?

I do hope they survive.

sad yes but at the same token rim has no one to blame but themselves. the endless delays in bb10 is what killed them. BB10 is at least 2 years to late at this point.

 

[Liquorpuki]

Blackberry's are not targetted for most Average consumers, they're targetted towards business users, hence the lack of crap like angry birds and fruit ninga,.

Blackberry's killer features are BlackBerry Messenger, and its unbeatable secuirty, Blackberry's are the only mobile platform thats even more secure than iOS, added to insane battery life and tons of productivity features. They're phones for work, not for fun,

I know about BBM and BB's historical role in enterprise. All that hasn't been enough because RIM's been slipping. So I'm asking, what are the killer features in BB10 OS that are supposed to push it to 3rd place and save RIM?

 

[Fernandez21]

Well, RIM is currently in 3rd place, even after two years on the market, windows phone hasn't been able to overtake the ancient offerings from RIM, and now this new updated BB10 will at least keep the current BlackBerry fans around, which should cement them at in 3rd place.

 

[siiip5]

RIM is already dead. The main consumers of BB10 are the ones still on BB7. Once the initial hype is over and the small bubble bursts that is being grnerated right now (which will only benefit short term stock buyers), RIM will be unsalvagable within the mobile industry. The few million that bought these devices will be left holding an outdated brick.

1. RIM has very little cash reserves and bleeding money.
2. Job cutting and liquidation of assets continue
3. RIM has no cash to innovate. They will remain behind the tech curve by a minimum of 1 year.
4. First quartet sales numbers will put RIM in the Junk status or penny stock category.
5. Canadian gov't will not allow RIM to be sold to a foreign company.

 

[Fernandez21]

RIM is already dead. The main consumers of BB10 are the ones still on BB7. Once the initial hype is over and the small bubble bursts that is being grnerated right now (which will only benefit short term stock buyers), RIM will be unsalvagable within the mobile industry. The few million that bought these devices will be left holding an outdated brick.

1. RIM has very little cash reserves and bleeding money.
2. Job cutting and liquidation of assets continue
3. RIM has no cash to innovate. They will remain behind the tech curve by a minimum of 1 year.
4. First quartet sales numbers will put RIM in the Junk status or penny stock category.
5. Canadian gov't will not allow RIM to be sold to a foreign company.

RIM currently has 2 billion dollars of cash on hand, sure it's not 120 billion, but not too shabby. RIM also hasn't been "bleeding" money, their first loss was this past quarter, when they released absolutely no new devices, haven't released a new device in over a year, and everyone knows something new is coming. They are currently in 3rd place and have been outselling windows phone with an ancient OS, I think they'll be more than fine.