Time To Say Bye Bye BlackBerry For That Last Time
Once a top brand in mobile communications that earned respect among many, BlackBerry ending its support for devices running the original operating system today. I wonder how many still use the old BlackBerry devices. Many have moved on long time ago. Even BlackBerry, the company stopped making its own smartphones back in 2016. I am surprised they didn't give up earlier.
After stopping making its own devices, BlackBerry decided to only focus on software and licensed its bran and services to TCL Communications Technology Holdings. TCL made devices powered by Android until 2020 when the deal came to an end. Android powered BlackBerry devices will continue to be supported until August of this year. It is safe to say BlackBerry no more.
It is a little bit sad to see game changing companies, brands, technologies disappearing into the history and becoming obsolete forever. But that is the nature of technological evolution. Just creating something new, something awesome, something to solves a problem and being the best of the times is not enough to stay relevant through times. It is the ability to keep up with the innovations, and technological changes and advancement; it is the ability to stay competitive with vision of the future, what makes companies, brands, and technologies truly great.
This story also shows how no company, no brand, no technology is immune from what future may present. Apple may have been the brand and the company that brought better tech, better solutions, better devices that made giants in telecommunications like Nokia disappeared from the space. Yet, Apple too is vulnerable to overall progress in knowledge, technology, and innovation.
When I recently upgraded my iPhone, for the first time I felt buyers remorse in regards to Apple devices. It wasn't much of an upgrade from my previous iPhone that was a couple of years older. In fact, my older iPhone seemed to be more efficient, productive, and comfortable to use. Apple continues to deliver in quality, and I would hate to see them fail. But are they really keep up with the technological evolutions. That is yet to be seen. Just the fact that they haven't realized the true innovation in bitcoin and crypto space, how it could help their brand and company, suggest it is possible they too are late in this game. Late in adapting to the changes, just like BlackBerry, Nokia, Microsoft and others were.
Success of BlackBerry, however short-lived it might be, was one of the greatest accomplishment. As a technology they were the pioneers in making phones smarter. As a service provider they were pioneers in secure email and messaging communications. As a company they earned trust and respect among professionals of many fields like lawyers, doctors, business people, etc. They were able to secure deals with major companies and governments to offer their devices and services. What they offered was truly revolutionary.
Did they become too complacent? Did they not see the magic of touch screen technologies? Or were they simply unable to innovate again? These questions have been asked and answered in the past and will continue to be the topics of future discussions and perhaps lectures in business schools.
My personal opinion they obsessively and unreasonably became attached to the physical keyboard and could never see a virtual keyboard could do a better job. I don't blame them. Many had shared the sentiment and couldn't envision physical keyboards on mobile phones going away. At least not that fast. However, true visionaries can see what masses don't. Just having a good business model and business relationships is enough for any tech company to remain relevant. Nokia did the same mistake.
By the time companies like BlackBerry and Nokia realized that capacitive touch screens was the future, and keyboard had to go, it was too late. They did attempt in moving away from physical keyboards and create only touch screen smart phones. But by this time, the competition has moved to the operating system level. It wasn't about physical keyboard or not anymore. It was about better operating system that Apple and Google aggressively were competing against each other with their iOS and Android operating systems.
During these changes and competition who can get how much of the market share, true winner did emerge. It was Samsung. Samsung saw exactly what was happening. They made all the right moves, even if it meant copying others, at right time. Today Samsung makes one of the best smartphones in the market.
Even thought BlackBerry lost the battle in smartphones space, it never was forgotten. The demonstration of that was shown when it became one of the meme stocks in 2021 alongside GameStop, Nokia, AMC. There are many who still wouldn't want to see companies like these disappear.
As bitcoin, crypto, decentralized solutions, and web3 becoming the new step in technological innovations, maybe companies like BlackBerry could reemerge with a new vision and new solutions in the future. I believe in the future there will be a need for decentralized devices along with software. It would take a lot of courage for companies to contribute for such efforts, as it requires selfless acts of sharing technology for free without asking anything in return and contributing to open source.
Bye Bye BlackBerry!
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Not sure I read the news correctly but I think it's just some models that will stop working. Not all blackberry devices...I might be wrong though idk.
The ones with original operating system will stop working. I think by August rest will stop too.
My 1st cell was a Blackberry and can remember how cool it felt to get texts and emails on my phone. I was a sales rep and had previously relied on pay phones.
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bbm was so cool back then if you didn’t have a pin you suddenly become out of place . The “ping” sound as a message pops up won’t be forgotten. I guess evolution in all ramifications is constant.
I remember when this mobile was in the market and nokia, It was like Iphone in these days.
Nothing last forever, once upon a time it reigned but now not prefarable again.
I remember blackberry as one of thr first with qwerty key board, very smooth and easy to use....the exist was quick and many unable to even notice ...same happened with Nokia too, who unable to move on with the technology and ending up losing consumer as well their loyalty. ....on the hand I belive played some smart games...they keep bringing g new phones with slight of changes....every other day they introduce new phone in market....and in the run both blackberry and Nokia fell short of matching the pace....I still have Nokia basic phone which is uncompairable ....
The days passed quickly, but I think the lack of pace with the era of BlackBerry like Nokia is what made it disappear little by little
Each day we live, there is always a technological advancements so I remember Vividly then when blackberry was still up taking ground just like the way iPhone is doing now but the strength to stay on the line till now isn't there again
My friend used to work for BlackBerry and he used to have phone modes that are only for employees. I did buy a local brand phone that looked almost same like a BlackBerry phone. Nice old memories. 🙂
A case of 'innovate or die'. I wonder why btc is yet to go the blackberry way.
My understanding of the Blackberry story is that they were the first company to have secure messaging and in a sort of hubris fashion they didn't believe that any other company would figure out the encryption process. They believed that governments and businesses would allows need to use blackberry for its security and they didn't need to continue innovating. But then other companies figured out encryption and blew passed them in new innovation. They lost market share and couldn't keep up with other companies. It's like a typical case of a company developing ground breaking tech and then resting on its laurels. It's unfortunate because its a Canadian company from the town next to the one I live(d) in.
Blackberry was good for businessmen back in the day as they enabled people to check their emails. Sadly, they did not evolve fast enough to combat competitors like Apple and Samsung.
The day has passed for blackberry reign. I was believing who still use blackberry phone in this our present age
It's only a delight to see that we have to change constantly as the world evolves.
Always embrace change even though it's not seen yet.
Lol they had a good run for a long time and failed to pivot or do anything new, even Nokia sold their smart phone division to Microsoft and once Microsoft blew it up, they back with smart phones that are looking really good
I didn't get to use any blackberry device. But I could remember then we had what was called the BB madness here in Nigeria.. Meaning blackberry madness, because everyone wanted to own one
This reminds me of Motorola since I got a used phone as my first cell phone. However things change and if the companies can't adapt and develop, they will be left behind.
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Motorola was my first phone, a little blue brick of plastic. I still have it put away in my memories box
BlackBerry is vintage.
There was a time smartphone was synonymous with BlackBerry. Even Barrack Obama didn’t want to give his up when he was President. I miss the keyboard. I personally think it was easier to type with.
I loved my Passport! It's a shame I can't use it anymore. And what I miss most is the physical keyboard. Touchscreens are an ache for me. It takes twice the time to write on a touchscreen rather than a physical. At least for me lol. RIP beloved Blackberry.
Blackberry was once a dream smartphone for many. Even I craved for it at a time but couldn't buy it then! Hahaa..:):) But now, things have changed a lot even the definition of smartphones have changed. Blackberry is no longer a dream phone for people. Also, today, there are wide varieties of best smartphone options available for people. And people, can choose any, as per their wish and budget. People can also get the best options at the low prices. So, things have quite changed a lot. Also, you shared a very informative post. loved it to the core. Awaiting more such informative posts from you. By the way, thanks a ton for sharing this! :):)
The story of blackberry is one thing one must really learn lessons from. If I may relate it to life, whatever one becomes today, development and consistency is what will keep one relevant.
Also, if u have made it today, don't feel that you have arrived because one day, new people and ideas will emerge. Always share the little idea you have.
Thanks for this post. I love it.
The obsession with the qwerty keyboard became disastrous anyways
When I saw the title I was initially confused because I thought BlackBerry had been gone for good long ago.
Sad they couldn't keep up with the innovation. Hopefully they can come up with something special later in the future.
Lol.. Bye bye blackberry Indeed.
this reminds me:
Blackberry was first... but it didn't last....
MySpace was first but it didn't last...
Bitcoin was first... but.... mmmm watch out Bitcoin ;)
I couldn't agree with you more @geekgirl! very well stated. believe it or not, the Blackberry Storm is the device that put me on my current path, as it was a true game-changer in its time!!
Anyone that is interested can learn more about my life story here: https://hive.blog/worldpeace/@onelove/voting-with-integrity-a-path-to-world-peace
Wao, you just took me back in the dayz. I remember vividly when blackberry was the top phone in the world just like iPhone nw, everyone one to get it. They lost the the market because of poor facilities and project maintenance. This is to say, research, innovation and development keeps one product in the market and that is what hives and others are doing to remain in the crypto market...
When I unboxed the BB Passport Silver Edition, I felt like the iPhone is a toy in my hand. The feel of a perfectly crafted product was amazing. Still is. What did you guys replace your BB Passports with?