Research In Motion CEO Thorsten Heins foresees a time when cellular phones could replace laptop computers. No, the strain of trying to revitalize RIM isn't driving him crazy, and enterprises shouldn't completely dismiss the idea.
The New York Times reported: " 'Whenever you enter an office, you don't have your laptop with you, you have your mobile computer power exactly here,' Mr. Heins said, patting a BlackBerry 10 phone sitting in a holster on his hip. 'You will not carry a laptop within three to five years.' "
Before you start laughing, consider this: Some phones already have better specifications than laptops of only a few years ago. Four years ago I wrote "Meet the New Laptop: Your Phone," where I discussed the increasing capabilities of handsets to tackle some functions previously the province of computers. Since I wrote that blog, phones have dramatically increased their performance, from single-core microprocessors to dual-core to quad-core and from screens with 720p resolution to even 1080p.
Consider, for example, the new HTC Droid DNA, which features a 1.5GHz quad-core Snapdragon S4 Pro microprocessor and a 5-inch screen with a resolution of 1080 x 1920 that translates into 441 pixels per inch.
With great power comes great responsibility applications because handsets have the power to run more advanced apps. Cellular phones are getting better and integrating with desktop/laptop apps (such as the Windows Phone 8 Office Hub and its new OneNote app), Microsoft Office-compatible suites for iOS and Android, email servers like Exchange, and browsers with HTML5 compatibility to access online corporate apps.
Today, high-end smartphones have the power to display many corporate applications, especially with enterprise servers and third-party cloud services doing much of the processing, rather than the phones.
However, phones can't be used to replace laptops in part because of the latter's larger screens, superior keyboards, and much larger local storage. But what if a phone could be easily integrated into a laptop's shell or a tablet so the same information on the phone could be displayed and used on a larger device? That has been occurring, although it's still esoteric.
For example, Motorola developed a few Android phones, such as the Atrix 4G, that could be inserted into the shell of a laptop. Some of the phone's applications and a browser would be displayed on the shell's larger screen and keyboard. However, last month, Motorola discontinued the technology. One reason was because the combination of the phone and accessories was too expensive and not enough people purchased it.
But Motorola also noted: "We have also seen development of the Android operating system focus on the inclusion of more desktoplike [sic] features." This certainly highlights my point about the increasingly sophistication of cellphone capabilities.
But there's another company still championing the concept of integrating a phone into a portable device. Asus offers the PadFone 2, a powerful Android phone that can be inserted into the back of a tablet shell, called the PadFone Station 2. This is the company's second-generation PadFone handset and tablet combo. The PadFone 2 is a high-end smartphone, featuring a 1.5 GHz Snapdragon 4 Pro chip, 4.7-inch 720p display, 2GB of RAM, 13-megapixel back camera, video camera recording at 1080p, and near field communication (NFC).
The phone powers the tablet shell, which sports a 10.1-inch screen with 1280 x 800 resolution. The combination weighs 18.1 ounces, less than the newest iPad. While business users certainly can carry whatever phones and tablets they like, the PadFone combo allows for quick and easy integration of two portable devices.
RIM sells BlackBerry phones and PlayBook tablets, but I can't imagine it will go the Padfone route to create integrated devices. I can imagine, though, that the hardware of its new BlackBerry 10-based phones will be competitive with top smartphones, and thus, in some ways, be able to supplement laptops.
As phones increase in sophistication and screen size, "phablet" devices with 5-inch and 5.5-inch displays become common, and tablets are marketed as laptop replacements, the larger issue for enterprises is to evaluate what kind of computing power employees need and in what form they need it.
Alan - neither their actions nor their words seem are the magic bullet that will: (1) keep existing customers from defecting who are doing so at an accelerated rate, or: offer a compelling reason to (2) recapture previous customers who have switched or (3) capture new customers.
Rim's traditional customer basewas always too narrow to sustain the company in the long. "Blackberry People" found the proprietary and unimaginative product(s) was no longer helping them "get things done" and have moved on while Blackberry continues to look inside vs. out for inspiration.
Well, Nokia still sells Symbian 40 and 60 phones, but for the most part, it's better the future of the company on Windows Phone 8, just as RIM is betting its future on BlackBerry 10 and will continue to BlackBerry 7 phones.
One of Nokia's major problems was it placed so many bets -- at least, it engaged in so many research projects and prototype phones -- that it didn't focus on a smaller group of products. Actually, I've always applauded Nokia for how it conducted so much research all over the world and looked at so many lifestyes.
Unfortunately, Nokia wasn't able to translate its research into enough major hits. And everyone who's seen MeeGo has been sad that it wasn't integrated to a large number of handsets. Alas, like webOS, MeeGo didn't quite get its act together.
Also, both Nokia and RIM had enormous problems with bureaucracy that stifled and delayed new products. And both companies were arrogant about the superiority of their operating system(s) and the quality of their research.
Yes, it does seem that RIM's executives are talking more about its traditional customer base of enterprises and "BlackBerry People" who "want to get things done," rather than waxing enthusiastically about how the new phones, OS and applications will capture many new customers.
It seems that RIM wants to, (1) keep existing customers from defectiong, (2) recapture previous customers who have switched and then (3) capture new customers. Of course, RIM wants all three of those categories, but I suspect that's the order of importance that RIM's looking at.
I certainly agree that once an enterprise has switched from RIM, especially large enterprises -- and gone through all the expense, support and other hassles -- there's little chance it will switch back.
Nokia certainly was a victim of its own arrogance and stumbled. Unlike RIM it never put all its bets down on the same horse. RIM isn't stumbling, it's spiraling. And the fact that it continues to be blinded by what it once was without a vision going forward points to the difference between the two companies.
The sign of a terminally flawed company is desperation and "desperately wanting to maintain" vs. broaden its current user base is telltale. The company, whose CEO's recent comments demonstrate utter denial of their situation, is delusional if it thinks one new product – particularly an extension of a currently obsolesced one – no matter how compelling the new technology - will transform RIM into a consumer company.
But the reality is that customer defections are bleeding the company. The list is long and painful from the recent Federal agency announcements - ATF, Defense Department, U.S. Customs and Immigration along with corporate defections like Halliburton and Yahoo. None are coming back to RIM anytime soon and could just be the nail in the coffin.
Thanks for the detail, Alan. I sure don't know what the best answer is, but it seems we want everything about our devices to be (reasonably) small and portable, except we want good keyboards and -- for some activities -- great screens.
Creating extremely lightweight and portable keyboards -- with good key feel -- certainly is a huge design challenge. In one of my comments, I mentioned roll-up keyboards and projector-based keyboards. Both have been available for a few years and they work.
The roll-up keyboards are rubberized and don't feel very good. The tactile response is poor, although keys can be pushed down. Also, they are kind of bulky, as you know.
Projector keyboards display a full keyboard, typically in red, on a flat surface. They work, although not as well as roll-up keyboards. Also, one huge problem is pounding the virtual keys can hurt! Typing on a hard surface like a table isn't pleasant, and there's no tactile feedback, except the pain in your fingers.
In addition, projector keyboards require an external box. I haven't seen any commercial versions that are embedded into a phone or other device. Projected keyboards look very cool, though.
I don't know of any paper keyboards, but I'm eager to test Microsoft's Surface Touch Cover and Type Cover. Some reviewers say the Touch Cover works fairly well, although others don't like it. Many reviewers seem to like the Type Cover, which similar to a "real" keyboard, but with very shallow key travel.
Personally, if I'm traveling (or just eating at a nearby Panera) and I know I'm going to want to type extensively -- and I almost always do! -- I want as good a keyboard as possible. That means either a laptop computer (including a Chromebook) or the iPad with my relatively large Logitech keyboard.
Alas, like listening to mp3 music rather than CDs, people are getting used to inferior experiences, such as touch screen keyboards on phones and mediocre chicklet keys as on MacBook Airs and the like.
I think this is the real design challenge. Put a one-stop-for-everything device in our pockets, but with reasonably generous screen and keyboard availability. Two possibilities for the screen: one which folds up like a sheet of paper (people are working on this), or some kind of projector which would allow you to throw a sharp screen image on any blank space (table, wall).
Is anyone working on paper keyboards? I'm a traditionalist too, but I could imagine a paper keyboard being less annoying than chiclets.
I'm thinking of something much more portable than this:
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In the past few weeks, Evernote, Twitter, and LinkedIn have implemented an optional security feature: two-step verification. It's time -- perhaps even past due -- for enterprises to consider offering this feature as well.
A horror story could unfold if Gartner is correct that many businesses will soon be forcing their employees to bring their own devices to work. It might seem like great news to people who want to use their own gear, but the policy could turn ugly for both employees and IT departments.
The apartment and house sharing service, Airbnb, now requires members to verify their identities by demonstrating a presence on the web, and by either scanning a government ID or entering detailed personal details. Other enterprises should take a close look at Airbnb's verification policies.
Enterprises must keep a close eye on the Marketplace Fairness Act, now before Congress, which would allow a nationwide sales tax on US online purchases. The bill's enactment will affect every business that operates or buys from an e-commerce website.
Samsung Electronics recently announced two Galaxy Mega branded phones with enormous screens -- 5.8 inches and 6.3 inches -- that could be useful for enterprises, especially those in vertical markets.
A survey by JD Powers found that customer interest in product features is lessening as phones evolve. Rather than features, price is driving purchases, and that change could have a dramatic impact on how IT departments secure these devices.
The bring-your-own-device approach isn’t suited to monitoring of enterprise equipment and processes. In these cases, it is up to IT to come forward with gear suited to the task.
While NFC's original goal was to enhance mobile commerce applications, it is finding its way into a number of other uses, which is creating both opportunity as well as challenges for IT departments.
New tools like laptops, tablets, smartphone, and wireless connectivity let us work from San Diego to Katmandu, and anywhere in between. But time management remains a problem.
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New York's Metropolitan Transit Authority is conducting a pilot test of digital kiosks to guide subway users to where they want to go more efficiently and at lower cost.
The whole Amazon.reader debate is a double-stupid. It's stupid to think that there's any e-book buyer who doesn't know Amazon's URL, and it was stupider to let ICANN launch the whole free-form TLD initiative to start with.
While NFC's original goal was to enhance mobile commerce applications, it is finding its way into a number of other uses, which is creating both opportunity as well as challenges for IT departments.
Enterprises would like to move to cloud computing but are hesitant because they are concerned about providers’ ability to secure company data. Here are some tips that help to ensure that if breaches occur, the business is not left holding the bag.
Edmunds separates customers into segments based on the info it collects on its site and from partners, and uses that to push out custom content, said Brian Baron, director of business analytics for Edmunds.com, at Predictive Analytics Innovation Summit.
The IBM Smarter Commerce Global Summit in Monaco kicked into high gear today, and we've already begun to see news emerging from that lovely city-state by the sea.
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