RIM's Heins Says BlackBerry 10 Soon Ready To Be Licensed

Research In Motion CEO Thorsten Heins said the company's BlackBerry 10 platform will soon be ready for licensing by other manufacturers, and he touted machine-to-machine applications as another avenue where the software could be used.

Heins said the software is going through the final stages of testing and RIM is now thinking of which companies might license it. RIM plans to release its first BlackBerry 10 smartphones in the first quarter of next year. However, Heins has been more open recently about licensing the software as a way to lift RIM's prospects.
BlackBerry 10 is based on QNX architecture, which RIM bought in 2010 for $200 million. The QNX system, which also powers nuclear power plants and cars, also is the software behind RIM's PlayBook tablet.


"QNX is already licensed across the automotive sector--we could do that with BB10 if we chose to," Heins, who has begun to carry a BlackBerry 10 phone for his own use, said in an interview with Bloomberg. "The platform can be licensed."

Samsung Electronics has openly denied any interest in licensing the software, despite persistent rumors that it will do so. While Samsung, the world's largest handset vendor, has found plenty of favor in the market with its Google Android smartphones, it also uses Microsoft's Windows Phone and its own bada platform.

"Smartphones are a part of our business, but we're looking way beyond this," Heins said. In a separate interview with CNET, Heins said that companies in the healthcare and smart grid markets have already expressed interest in BlackBerry 10, though he did not name any specific firms.

The RIM chief also told CNET that one of the "strategic options" the company is considering is opening its proprietary BlackBerry network to other industries. Currently, the network is used to ferry BlackBerry data traffic and secure communications.

RIM Could Open Up BlackBerry Network To Others

The Q1 earnings news from RIM of layoffs and a delay in its next generation of handsets has unsurprisingly led to some rumors from the usual "people familiar with the situation," according to Reuters. The options reportedly being considered by the board probably also won't shock you, like the possibility of following former co-CEO Jim Balsillie's plan to open up its network to others and / or sell it outright. 


An alternative path comes from Microsoft and Steve Ballmer, who has reportedly been putting a full court press on the folks in Waterloo to pull a Nokia and bring their arms to the Windows OS camp. That choice is reportedly less attractive because it would mean giving up technology independence, but we'll see how long that feeling lasts if future earnings projections remain similarly dismal.

BlackBerry 10 BBM Images Leak

Purported images of Research In Motion’s next-generation BlackBerry Messenger application have been leaked online. N4BB, which has been on a roll lately with BlackBerry 10 scoops, has obtained some images showing what RIM’s BBM app will look like on the new BlackBerry 10 operating system. Among other things, N4BB notes that the new BBM will feature a darker theme and colors that will save battery life on BlackBerry 10 devices by an estimated 25%, while “optimization to take advantage of the OLED screen… could decrease upwards of 75% battery consumption.” The website on Monday revealed images of the first two BlackBerry 10 devices as well, showing one with just a touchscreen and one with a physical QWERTY keyboard.

Nokia Acquires Imaging Firm Scalado

This morning, Nokia has announced that it has acquired imaging firm Scalado for an undisclosed price. Nokia will be picking up everything including their specialists, intellectual property and technology from the company and will be incorporating them into the company sometime in Q3 2012.

Scalado has been working with Nokia for the last 10 years but they've also done work with HTC and most recently RIM on their upcoming BlackBerry 10 and it's new camera functions. That is certainly interesting because RIM itself is in dire straits and they just lost what many considered to be a key partner for re-igniting their brand. Of course what RIM already had in motion with Scalado will probably remain but the Waterloo company should start looking elsewhere for future camera development.

The good news here of course is that Nokia is clearly aiming to get some of the best camera functions on Windows Phone. Currently, HTC is in a bit of a renaissance with their ONE series which focuses heavily on cameras and media capabilities, giving Nokia and others a run for their money.

Needless to say, it will be interesting to see how Scalado's know-how pays off on future Windows Phone 8 devices.

iOS Emulator Demoed On BlackBerry PlayBook

Similar to the PlayBook’s native Android app player, the Brine iOS emulator keeps all apps in a single panel. The iOS emulator also attempts to configure the right aspect ratio of the apps for maximum visual clarity. Check out the video below and let me know what you think!

RIM To Hand Out BlackBerry 10 Prototype Smartphones

 

Research In Motion will give prototype BlackBerry 10 smartphones to as many as 2,000 developers who attend the BlackBerry 10 Jam conference that runs alongside the annual BlackBerry World expo in early May. The handsets will be prototypes that are running “a modified version of the PlayBook OS which will help developers design their apps for the BlackBerry 10 smartphone form factor,” a RIM spokesperson told BGR. The device will not be an early version of a device intended for release, RIM clarified. Instead, it is a reference platform intended to allow developers to test applications on a smartphone running the BlackBerry 10 Dev Alpha operating system. BlackBerry 10 Jam takes place from May 1st through May 3rd in Orlando, Florida.

Samsung Considering Licensing Blackberry 10

 

Apparently, Wall Street is talking about a potential investment by Samsung in RIM. There do not appear to be any legitimate reports on this, nor do their appear to be any sources willing to go on the record.

Remember that Samsung has, in the past, said that it is not interested in buying RIM, nor is it interested in licensing their BlackBerry 10 operating system.

Most of the rumours we hear about RIM have turned out to be untrue over the last decade, but who knows. Maybe this one has some truth to it. For the purposes of intelligent discussion, let's pretend Samsung is interested in investing a supposed $1.5 billion in RIM and using BlackBerry 10 for some of its upcoming phones.

Why would such a move make sense for Samsung? 

What’s Coming From RIM BlackBerry In 2012

While RIM showed only a small glimpse of the future BlackBerry offerings in 2012, we’ve gathered some new information regarding a few products to expect. RIM will be expanding its tablet portfolio to two devices in 2012. Originally, the 10″ PlayBook projected was cancelled as RIM focused more on developing QNX into what is now BlackBerry 10. They’re even planning to roll out another 7″ tablet.

On the phone front, we’ve already told you the rumored BlackBerry 10 slider ‘Milan’ has been cancelled, but we speculate it will be rebirthed later. The first BlackBerry 10 device release looks to be getting pushed back (from the rumored May release), which makes us wonder if we’ll only see one BlackBerry 10 device release in 2012. We’re still unsure what is to come of the other rumored BlackBerry 10 devices. You can also expect at least two more Curves in 2012, but these will be targeted only to the East Asia and Africa markets.

Here’s a breakdown of what we’re hearing:

• 10″ PlayBook releasing in December 2012, will be LTE enabled
• 7″ PlayBook releasing in April 2012, will be 3G+ (will not be LTE due to chipset)
• First BlackBerry 10 phone releasing in September 2012
• PlayBook OS 2.0 releasing end of February 2012
• Mobile Fusion releasing in April 2012
• PlayBook Admin Service releasing in Summer 2012
• Two new Curves for emerging markets. One Curve will be 2G only.

Many were hopeful we would see a BlackBerry 10 device announcement at BlackBerry World in May. We may very well see something, but from what we’ve heard ‘if’ we do it may be in similar fashion as the first PlayBook (behind glass). It’s more likely we’ll only see the new 7″ PlayBook with OS 2.0 at BlackBerry World.

RIM Hires Goldman Sachs To Field Possible Buyout Offers

It’s Friday the 13th, and what’s more appropriate than some grim Research in Motion news? 

Rumors are swirling that the BlackBerry maker has hired investment bank Goldman Sachs to help actively shop itself to potential buyers. According to Reuters, one unidentified trader said yesterday that RIM is “up on Goldman,” but cautioned that it doesn’t mean a sale is coming anytime soon. This only further adds to growing speculation of a RIM sell, something that has been ongoing for months now. It’s been widely speculated that Amazon, Microsoft and Nokia has shown an interest in scooping up the struggling Canadian-based manufacturer, but changed their mind.

Regardless, RIM is in serious trouble, especially with recent data suggesting that 75 percent of BlackBerry owners want to switch to the competition. That said, I refuse to believe they aren’t up for sale because no one is interested in acquiring them, come on, that’s just ridiculous. Research in Motion still has a strangle-hold on the business enterprise market, and the company controls a trove of patents that’ll interest any business serious about making a footprint in mobile. It’s clear that the problem with the company is the stubbornness of CEOs Mike Lazaridis and Jim Balsillie. The fact that shareholders and board members are allowing these two to run things into the ground is mind-boggling.

RIM Reportedly Intends to License BlackBerry Software to Samsung, HTC And Others

Earlier in the week we heard rumor that RIM is considering moving Mike Lazaridis and Jim Balsillie out of co-Chairmen position to be replaced by Barbara Stymiest. Jefferies & Co.’s analyst, Peter Misek, gives this rumor further credence in that it will actually happen for RIM to save itself. In his checks, he goes on to even suggest RIM is considering the possibility of licensing the BlackBerry 10 OS to others. Misek says:

“We think some of this has already been started with RIM likely agreeing to license Blackberry 10 to Samsung, HTC, and possibly others.This would help create a critical mass for the ecosystem and maintain RIM’s monthly service revenue; however, it puts more pressure on the hardware business in the short term. Longer term, it possibly gets people hooked on the RIM ecosystem and may in fact allow them to sell more BB 10 handsets (if they are able to create compelling handsets).”

This could be a possible game changer to battle the Android OS and to possibly pull in extra revenue from 3rd party manufacturers. Take this all with a grain of salt for now, but it would definitely make for an interesting stage in 2012. Do you think RIM should license BlackBerry 10 OS, or keep it to itself?

RIM Only Working on One BlackBerry 10 Smartphone

We already reported that the BlackBerry Colt — the handset that was originally intended to be the Research In Motion’s first BlackBerry 10 smartphone — had been cancelled. Now, we have heard from multiple sources that the BlackBerry Milan that leaked last month was in fact was never a QNX smartphone, but a BlackBerry 7 device with a slightly different design identity. Regardless, the Milan has been cancelled as well. We’re told carriers balked at the idea of carrying a BlackBerry 7 phone so similar to the BlackBerry Torch at this point in time. The only phone RIM is working on bringing to market right now is the BlackBerry London. We have been told that RIM is currently shopping the London with carriers, and while it still looks very much like the image published by The Verge in November, there have been some slight design changes made. Lastly, we got word that when representatives from Porsche Design showed up to RIM’s headquarters to check out the progress the company was making on the designed by Porsche BlackBerry 9900-series phone for the first time, “it was a complete disaster.”

BlackBerry 'Milan' Axed Due To Hardware Concerns

Back in December when we dropped the first, exclusive image of the BlackBerry 'Milan' it gave us all a glimpse of the direction RIM was heading for their next-generation BlackBerry devices. Now, new rumors are suggesting the device has been scrapped simply due to hardware concerns with not much else for information being relayed. When the Milan appeared, Kevin took the time to note in his write up:

There's still time for RIM to tweak things up before locking down final hardware design for manufacturing so I'll be curious to see if things change up from here at all by the time we get this phone in our hands.

In other words, the news of it being scrapped really isn't all the surprising if it turns out to be true. Reason being, it was never a device that was set in stone when it comes to hardware and design to begin with.

The idea of a slider BlackBerry, featuring a physical full qwerty keyboard running BB 10 are the key points for the Milan design and for RIM to go ahead and scrap that idea entirely would be rather foolish of them as there is a market for those devices among users. Aside from all of that, RIM has a history of scrapping one hardware design idea only to bring it back looking better then it did the first time around. Don't be surprised if you see a device similar in design arrive from RIM in 2012.

Should Microsoft try harder to buy RIM?

Is RIM for sale? No, not really. And it sounds like the executives at the Waterloo-based company don’t really want to be “for sale,” either. Which is fine, since there are options out there; and there are people who want those options to work out. But, while options are great, there needs to be something actually done about it. Just talking, or saying how you want to do it all on your own can only get you so far. Especially when you’re doing it on your own and nothing seems to be working out. So, what needs to change? A change of management? Maybe. (Probably.) But, maybe it’s something bigger. Maybe Nokia and Microsoft should try a bit harder to buy the BlackBerry manufacturer.

If you’ll recall, a report came out that Microsoft and Nokia had jointly considered buying Research In Motion sometime over the summer of this year. While it would seem logical for Microsoft/Nokia to buy RIM, it apparently didn’t work out. There are probably plenty of reasons out there, but the most talked-about one is how RIM just decided that they weren’t for sale, and wouldn’t be for sale. Fantastic news, as long as we go with the idea that RIM has a trick up their sleeve, which they will unveil with a burst of energy next year. Early next year, that is. Anything later, like near the “late 2012” launch of the first BB10 devices and it’s too late.

And maybe that’s why the purchase by Microsoft is actually really, really important. We’ll get to the details here in a moment, but let’s take a swing at the bigger picture first. RIM isn’t Microsoft. And how I mean that is that time isn’t on RIM’s side. At all. People have a different outlook on the future of Research In Motion, and it’s not this “slow and steady wins the race” approach at all. People are talking about RIM’s downfall, and it’s apparently imminent.

So, those details I mentioned above. Truthfully, I think Tim Bajarin put it pretty clearly at Techpinions: RIM still has assets that the corporate world wants, like security. Research In Motion still has BlackBerry Messenger, which is still the staple of that instant messenger-like texting service. Sure, there are alternatives, but BBM is still the most talked-about. It’s still the most trusted within the corporate world, and it’s something that RIM truly does have up their sleeve. It’s this service, connected with the security that RIM offers, that the corporate world still craves, and that the BlackBerry name still offers.

But obviously Apple and even Microsoft are encroaching on that territory, and fiercely. So how does RIM get it back? Honestly, there might not be any coming back for RIM. Not on their own. The company has tried so hard to find this sweet spot between the corporate world and the general consumer that they’ve lost their footing altogether. That’s why a “bail-out” of sorts, specifically from Microsoft seems almost essential. Microsoft’s presence in the market, and with Windows Phone stepping towards the corporate market on its own time, could give RIM the boost of life-fluid that they need.

RIM wants to still be around and there’s nothing wrong with that. Obviously, like we said above, there are still options. Those options exist because people want RIM to succeed. But, while RIM wants to do this on their own, they might need a little help. But, the biggest thing is that RIM needs to be able to accept that help is essential, even if it’s not the “do it yourself” option.

RIM lied about BlackBerry 10 delay claims pessimistic insider

RIM coCEO Mike Lazaridis lied about the cause of the BlackBerry 10 smartphone delay, an insider at the Canadian firm has alleged, with neither hardware nor software ready for public view. ”RIM is simply pushing this out as long as they can for one reason, they don’t have a working product yet” the high-level source told BGR, suggesting that Lazarisis’ hint that RIM was waiting on a new 4G LTE chipset was misleading.

BlackBerry 10, the OS previously expected to be called BBX, is supposedly little different to the current state of the QNX-based PlayBook 2.0 OS. “Email and PIM is a better on an 8700 than it is on BlackBerry 10″ the exec claims, suggesting RIM is still having serious problems getting its new platform to work correctly with its existing infrastructure.

In fact, BlackBerry 10 is seen internally as not competitive even with iOS 1.0 or Android 2.0, and “there’s no room for a fourth ecosystem” the unnamed executive suggests.

RIM’s financial performance has struggled over the past few quarters, with disappointing results earlier this month and claims that the company has been the topic of takeover discussions by Microsoft, Nokia and others. Meanwhile reports have suggested that RIM attempted to shop BlackBerry 10 around rival firms for potential licensing deals, with Samsung and HTC both named as targets, but that the Canadians were rebuffed.

Amazon purportedly looked into RIM purchase, RIM rejected

With RIM's stock now hitting a 52 week low, new information is suggesting that RIM may have cut short buyout talks that were happening earlier this summer. The ones to come knocking, and showing interest? Amazon. As reported by Reuters, Amazon allegedly hired an investment bank to get the negotiations started, but how far along they got during those discussions remains a mystery. The talks were called off by RIM CoCEOS, Jim Balsillie and Mike Lazaridis, who seem more open to licensing out QNX and BlackBerry services than selling to any one company. One source for Reuters noted:

”Selling the company or an economic joint venture is probably not in the cards right now,”

One shining piece of information to come out of this news is that while others seem to be showing interest in a RIM purchase, the RIM board of directors would rather have the company complete the transition they started by ensuring the release of new BlackBerry 10 smartphones, better use of assets such as BlackBerry Messaging, and restructuring. These were all things were mentioned on the last RIM earnings call, that in retreospect -- seems to match up with the information, but more importantly, shows the board still has faith in the company and that they will see this time of doom and gloom pass.

While both RIM and Amazon have thus far declined to comment on the information, it was also noted that the two companies are continuing talks regarding how they may better help each other. With Amazon being a content provider of digital media such as movies, TV shows and music -- there is ample room there to work together. Such a partnership would not only be great for RIM, but Amazon as well, given the fact RIM currently has a fragmented ecosystem for such things.