I wrote only the other day how Microsoft is winding down its handset business. Will the upcoming Lumia 950 and 950XL be the final flagship phones from Microsoft before they begin selling “Windows connected devices” in the future?
Maybe it’s far too early to close the curtains on Microsoft’s phone business, but it does look like their numerous, great value budget handset range is going to get slimmed down from now on, and the 950/950XL might be left at the top of the range for a very long time when they are released later this year.
Now, BlackBerry is following suit: In an article on The Register, it is stated that “BlackBerry’s CEO John Chen today indicated that the Canadian enterprise vendor would cut its device portfolio from the four devices previously promised for 2015 to “two or one” a year”.
We all know that BlackBerry has long been in a nosedive into obscurity, but for the few of us who do want a different operating system – or a physical keyboard – BlackBerry and Windows Phone have offered viable alternatives.
The portfolio of both companies is getting rather thin now, and without the emphasis on enterprise, both businesses look a little jaded in comparison with the mainstream.
There are still plenty of businesses who rely on BlackBerry for various reasons, and Microsoft is attempting to tap into this with its Windows devices. But what about BYOD (Bring Your Own Device)?
Given the choice, most people are already happy with their iOS and Android devices and don’t want to carry around a different OS for the sake of business – It puts people off using them, and businesses would do well to remember this… An employee who uses their personal phone for business is likely to carry it around out of work hours and use it at the weekend. This is how many businesses have unwittingly (but successfully) extended working hours for their employees. For many businesses and employees, this has become the norm.
But what about BlackBerry’s low end business? Five years ago the kids were loving BBM and the various BlackBerry Curve handsets were very popular. If you want a cheap physical keyboard phone, these are the only available option.
It was hoped that BlackBerry would continue with this line, but instead it looks like they are aiming what’s left of their enterprise at the business market, with a much-reduced line-up.
Don’t BlackBerry and Microsoft realise that there are still elements out there who want a different OS? Reducing their ranges bolsters customer opinion that these two brands really are starting to wipe out what could have been great alternatives to overpriced Apples and fragmented green robots.
