Does this come as a surprise?
No. This is something that many would probably say is overdue including RIM investors and stockholders.
Unfortunately- we're talking about an iconic company and once one of Canada’s most valuable companies. Mike Lazaridis founded the company in 1984. Co-CEOs, Mike Lazaridis and Jim Balsillie, saw a two decade reign. Unfortunately, the writings been on the wall - they need to pass the torch and re-innovate.
The company has seen significant stock drop and profit loss. Why?
First, the most obvious, handsets. RIM continues to lose marketshare to Apple and Android. They put too much stock into the phone serving as a fast, reliable, email device and less about it as a mini computer. Handsets quickly became eclipsed.
Also, we recall, they were late to the tablet game and failed to dazzle the consumer with the BlackBerry Playbook. Its main functionalities, as basic as email were weak. In all fairness, no electronic manufacturer has touched a sliver of iPad sales, but when you start seeing buy two get one free tablets, it’s a bad sign - this isn’t a Ketchup sale at the local Stop and Shop.
Third - outages. Recall back in October, RIM suffered one of the worst global outages that lasted days - and they only offered consumers a $100 premium app package.
Last - failure to keep up. The promise of three new handsets on the new BlackBerry operating system is now down to one model and its way late to market, likely mid 2012. Is BlackBerry banking all their marbles on one phone? If so, it better be magical, literally.
Is there a chance that BlackBerry could sell some of its services or be bought?
There have been a lot of rumors on the sale of RIM - some even rumored with Amazon, Microsoft and Nokia (in a joint offer). True or false, no deal was ever made. Many speculate that the once co-CEOs would have stood in the way of such deal, but either way, it didn’t happen.
COO Thorsten Heins plans to take reigns as CEO. RIM director Barbara Stymiest is set to take over as Chairman of the Board.
Monday, January 23, 2012
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Apple in Education.
“Education has always been a big part of Apples DNA.” – Eddy Cue, Apple's SVP Internet Software and Services
Watch any two year old swipe across the iPad as if it’s second nature. Ask any teen: statistically, it’s the #1 most asked for item. The iPad offers a more dynamic interactive experience whether it’s for entertainment or education apps. Today, in NYC, Apple announced their push further into the education sector:
1.) iBooks2 App. Free. The idea: reinventing the textbook.
*Apple wants to better integrate iPads within curriculum.
*A molecular biology book was showcased as an example. It was certainly more immersive, interactive and engaging with its animated models of cells and DNA .
*The push is to provide content that is current, interactive, searchable, durable and portable. Furthermore, it has the capability to highlight, assist with note-taking, create digital “study cards”, and become a fluid navigation full screen book.
2.) iAuthor. FREE. The idea: making it easy to create digital textbooks.
*“Creating e-books in the past has been hard – think we’ve changed that today.”
*iAuthor works a lot like Keynote or Pages in the sense you can easily create books. Basically- choose a template, drag and drop media, even keynotes. Also, allows you to move content over from Word files and creates sections and headers seamlessly. It also touts, “what you see is what you get”.
*Also, if you have any know how, you can use Java and HTML5 to create custom widgets.
*There is also a one-touch- publish button and a preview feature.
Brand new category: "Textbooks in the iStore”. They are initially pushing high school textbooks at $14.99 or less honing in on that fact that e-textbooks will always be up to date and since it’s an e-book, students can keep it.
Apple has been working with Pearson, McGraw-Hill Houghton Mifflin Harcourt –who are responsible for 90% of textbooks in US. A few titles are available as early as today: from Algebra to Biology.
3.) (all new) iTunes U App, FREE. The idea: Reinventing the curriculum.
Dedicated app for teachers to distribute- full online courses, audio, video, apps the syllabus, the lectures and the reading material all for free.
*Allows colleges and universities around the country the ability to distribute lessons and deliver content to students or anyone with “an appetite to learn”. Receive push notifications as new material is published.
*This is much more fluid than going to the campus library and picking up VHS tapes on loan (not that I’ve ever had to do that at a technology university).
*While this app is not new its revamped. Notably, universities like Duke, Stanford, Harvard and Yale have already been using iTunes U and six universities have had early access to the new iTunes U creating 100 new courses.
*iTunes U is now also available for K-12 schools and in 123 countries.
In conclusion making a digital textbook, sharing a lecture or accessing content from a school across the country is made to be easy. Apple is known for intuitive products and consumer friendly software and is further pushing in to the education sector. A smart move continuing growth for the next generation.
Watch any two year old swipe across the iPad as if it’s second nature. Ask any teen: statistically, it’s the #1 most asked for item. The iPad offers a more dynamic interactive experience whether it’s for entertainment or education apps. Today, in NYC, Apple announced their push further into the education sector:
1.) iBooks2 App. Free. The idea: reinventing the textbook.
*Apple wants to better integrate iPads within curriculum.
*A molecular biology book was showcased as an example. It was certainly more immersive, interactive and engaging with its animated models of cells and DNA .
*The push is to provide content that is current, interactive, searchable, durable and portable. Furthermore, it has the capability to highlight, assist with note-taking, create digital “study cards”, and become a fluid navigation full screen book.
2.) iAuthor. FREE. The idea: making it easy to create digital textbooks.
*“Creating e-books in the past has been hard – think we’ve changed that today.”
*iAuthor works a lot like Keynote or Pages in the sense you can easily create books. Basically- choose a template, drag and drop media, even keynotes. Also, allows you to move content over from Word files and creates sections and headers seamlessly. It also touts, “what you see is what you get”.
*Also, if you have any know how, you can use Java and HTML5 to create custom widgets.
*There is also a one-touch- publish button and a preview feature.
Brand new category: "Textbooks in the iStore”. They are initially pushing high school textbooks at $14.99 or less honing in on that fact that e-textbooks will always be up to date and since it’s an e-book, students can keep it.
Apple has been working with Pearson, McGraw-Hill Houghton Mifflin Harcourt –who are responsible for 90% of textbooks in US. A few titles are available as early as today: from Algebra to Biology.
3.) (all new) iTunes U App, FREE. The idea: Reinventing the curriculum.
Dedicated app for teachers to distribute- full online courses, audio, video, apps the syllabus, the lectures and the reading material all for free.
*Allows colleges and universities around the country the ability to distribute lessons and deliver content to students or anyone with “an appetite to learn”. Receive push notifications as new material is published.
*This is much more fluid than going to the campus library and picking up VHS tapes on loan (not that I’ve ever had to do that at a technology university).
*While this app is not new its revamped. Notably, universities like Duke, Stanford, Harvard and Yale have already been using iTunes U and six universities have had early access to the new iTunes U creating 100 new courses.
*iTunes U is now also available for K-12 schools and in 123 countries.
In conclusion making a digital textbook, sharing a lecture or accessing content from a school across the country is made to be easy. Apple is known for intuitive products and consumer friendly software and is further pushing in to the education sector. A smart move continuing growth for the next generation.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Highlights of CES - as discussed on CNN
The Consumer Electronics Show took place Tuesday through Friday last week in Las Vegas. The displays totaled 35 football fields full of thousands of companies, buyers and press.
Every year at CES has a theme, and past notables have been 3D technology and Tablets. This year focused on a few themes two include: Thin and Connectivity. Here is what we discussed on CNN.
1.) Thin
People want thinner, smaller and more power. A perfect example of this are the new “Ultrabooks”. Get used to hearing this word a lot in 2012.
Ultrabooks are taking cues from the MacBook Air. They are less than 0.8” thick, under 3 lbs. and around 1k. Intel estimates that by the end of 2012, 40% of consumer laptops will be Ultrabooks. A number of companies, from Acer to Dell, unveiled new Ultrabooks at CES.
Also, razor thin but more important, is the sheer size and dynamic picture quality of the 55” OLED TVs from Samsung and LG. They drew a crowd and were blowing everyone’s minds. These devices will be shipping worldwide later this year, and they are gaining a lot of buzz.
2.) Connected Devices
It’s all about better device connectivity. We’ve seen this alot in past CES years with home electronics and it was kind of a snoozefest. But this year was larger and more interesting than ever on smart devices, specifically smart appliances. Smarter TVs, smarter washer and dryers, and floor cleaning robots with cameras to view when you are away from home. Probably one of the most buzzed about products was the next generation LG second generation smart fridge. By scanning the barcode on food or a receipt from the grocery store, the refrigerator knows its own contents and monitors their freshness. Users can scan product barcodes or receipts and the fridge will monitor freshness and even make meal suggestions. It also has a blast chiller – a compartment that will chill anything in 8 minutes.
And interestingly, Apple never makes an appearance at CES but many say they steal the show.
First, on the product side, every company wants to ride the Apple coat tails. The show floor was full of “iProducts” from practical to ridiculous –iPhone docks, to apps, to a baby scale that tweets your child’s weight daily. Second, on the final day of the show, many were talking about how iPhone 4S sales were halted in China due to near-riots in the city.
And seguing to Apple, Apple also made an announcement the week of the show that they will be holding a media event in NYC next week.
The invite is focused on education and speculation points to a move in the digital textbook area. They typically hold only a few media invites a year mostly centered on with product announcements, so it will be interesting to see what they have in store.
Every year at CES has a theme, and past notables have been 3D technology and Tablets. This year focused on a few themes two include: Thin and Connectivity. Here is what we discussed on CNN.
1.) Thin
People want thinner, smaller and more power. A perfect example of this are the new “Ultrabooks”. Get used to hearing this word a lot in 2012.
Ultrabooks are taking cues from the MacBook Air. They are less than 0.8” thick, under 3 lbs. and around 1k. Intel estimates that by the end of 2012, 40% of consumer laptops will be Ultrabooks. A number of companies, from Acer to Dell, unveiled new Ultrabooks at CES.
Also, razor thin but more important, is the sheer size and dynamic picture quality of the 55” OLED TVs from Samsung and LG. They drew a crowd and were blowing everyone’s minds. These devices will be shipping worldwide later this year, and they are gaining a lot of buzz.
2.) Connected Devices
It’s all about better device connectivity. We’ve seen this alot in past CES years with home electronics and it was kind of a snoozefest. But this year was larger and more interesting than ever on smart devices, specifically smart appliances. Smarter TVs, smarter washer and dryers, and floor cleaning robots with cameras to view when you are away from home. Probably one of the most buzzed about products was the next generation LG second generation smart fridge. By scanning the barcode on food or a receipt from the grocery store, the refrigerator knows its own contents and monitors their freshness. Users can scan product barcodes or receipts and the fridge will monitor freshness and even make meal suggestions. It also has a blast chiller – a compartment that will chill anything in 8 minutes.
And interestingly, Apple never makes an appearance at CES but many say they steal the show.
First, on the product side, every company wants to ride the Apple coat tails. The show floor was full of “iProducts” from practical to ridiculous –iPhone docks, to apps, to a baby scale that tweets your child’s weight daily. Second, on the final day of the show, many were talking about how iPhone 4S sales were halted in China due to near-riots in the city.
And seguing to Apple, Apple also made an announcement the week of the show that they will be holding a media event in NYC next week.
The invite is focused on education and speculation points to a move in the digital textbook area. They typically hold only a few media invites a year mostly centered on with product announcements, so it will be interesting to see what they have in store.
Monday, January 16, 2012
Gimmie Quirk! Another Random Gadget Roundup
Its been a while since the last wacky gadget roundup. I've teamed up with the one and only @teluric to bring you make you smile.
Inflatable Tentacle Arm, $12
ThinkGeek.com
Darth Vader Lightsaber Umbrella, £39.99
Officially licensed and even comes with a carrying sheath!
Firebox.com
Hello Kitty Hazelnut Spread
Amazon.com
Because nerds have to eat too. And wow, this would fit in perfectly with my diet of Red Bull, Starbucks and Ibuprofen.
Social Shower Curtain, £14.99
SpinningHat.com
Squirrel Coffee Cup, $3.00
mcphee.com
For just $3 you too can share your favorite am beverage with nature's finest with this 1-1/4" x 1-1/4" porcelain Squirrel Coffee Cup, yes please.
Kermit the Frog Sleeping Mask, self-made
jacquielonglegs.com
Candy Hearts Earrings, $20
Shanalogic.com
iStation, $86
store.micgadget.com
Go retro with this Bluetooth keyboard/docking station. Includes stereo speakers with subwoofer.
Angry Birds Fleece Blanket, $37
I am still not sick of Angry Birds just yet.
And just because...
Inflatable Tentacle Arm, $12
ThinkGeek.com
Darth Vader Lightsaber Umbrella, £39.99
Officially licensed and even comes with a carrying sheath!
Firebox.com
Hello Kitty Hazelnut Spread
Amazon.com
Because nerds have to eat too. And wow, this would fit in perfectly with my diet of Red Bull, Starbucks and Ibuprofen.
Social Shower Curtain, £14.99
SpinningHat.com
Squirrel Coffee Cup, $3.00
mcphee.com
For just $3 you too can share your favorite am beverage with nature's finest with this 1-1/4" x 1-1/4" porcelain Squirrel Coffee Cup, yes please.
Kermit the Frog Sleeping Mask, self-made
jacquielonglegs.com
Candy Hearts Earrings, $20
Shanalogic.com
iStation, $86
store.micgadget.com
Go retro with this Bluetooth keyboard/docking station. Includes stereo speakers with subwoofer.
Angry Birds Fleece Blanket, $37
I am still not sick of Angry Birds just yet.
And just because...
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Live from CES! (My CNN picks!)
Live from CES! The showroom floor is a sea of fantastic gadgetry, and I came through to showcase some of my top picks on CNN. Here's a quick rundown for anyone who might've missed it.
Videonametag.com, $600
There was a little buzz around Video Mic Flags when they were introduced in 2011, but I think they could be huge in 2012. They transform regular mics into ad space for marketers, allowing them to broadcast their logos, etc. The $600 price tag might sound a little steep, but the ad dollars made in return could be through the roof.
iNuke
Behringer, $30,000
The world's most gargantuan iPhone dock in the world. 8 feet by 4 feet tall, it weighs over 700 lbs and pumps out over 10,000 watts of power. Enough said.
ACER Aspire S5 Ultrabook, Pricing not yet announced
Ultrabooks are stealing the stage at CES. Taking cues from the MacBook air, units in the category must meet specific criteria of thinness (less than 8 inches), lightness (less than 3.1lbs), battery life (5-8+ hours), etc. One of the slimmest models is 0.59 inches, which is less than the width of a dime.
Withings Baby Scale
Pricing not yet announced
Further enabling new parents to gush about their little ones, the Withings Baby Scale is a wi-fi enabled scale capable of Tweeting or Facebooking your baby's weight on the spot. The device can be customized for infants or toddlers, using a basket-like rig for the former and the platform of the scale itself for the latter.
Origami
4moms.com, $850
The Origami is the first power-folding stroller with a built-in generator. A short walk, the makers claim, is all you need to charge it, or it can be plugged into an outlet. Other features include daytime running lights, pathway lights for evening use and an on-screen LCD which allows you to see weather, mph and battery charge.
Wii U
The highly anticipated Wii U is Nintendo’s 6th home console, and the successor to the Wii. What makes the Wii U unique? Not only is it capable of producing 1080p HD graphics, but it also boasts a new touchscreen controller with a range of awesome capabilities. You can use the controller in conjunction with the TV, continue gameplay with the TV off and even make video calls.
Swivl
Available early this year, $160
I've been excited for the Swivl for awhile now, after following its progress last year as a crowd-funded appcessory on IndieGoGo. Basically, it allows you to take dymanic (i.e., not horrible) video of yourself, by yourself, without the help of a camera operator. A marker sensor locks on and tracks you as you move, and the camera angle adjusts automatically. Should be a great asset for solo video bloggers and chatters who want to get a little production value without breaking the bank.
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
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