Skip to main content

RIM radio interview goes bad, as boss refuses to answer the question, “What did you learn from the iPhone?”

When you’re Research in Motion, and have effectively been squeezed out of the smartphone market by Apple and Google, the question of what the company has learned from its primary competitors is going to come up in interviews. It would be wise, then, to have an answer prepared; after all, a lot of potential customers are going to be comparing your new products against the iPhone and many Android phones after today, so a few hints at where BlackBerry 10 differs wouldn’t go amiss.

Sadly, in an interview with BBC Radio 5 Live, RIM Europe’s Managing Director, Stephen Bates either didn’t have an answer in his pocket or more worryingly, has accidentally admitted RIM has learned absolutely nothing from its competitors. Bates was being interviewed about BlackBerry 10, which launches later today, by well-known British radio host Nicky Campbell who posed the question, “What have you learned from Apple?”

Related Videos

Pretty straight forward question, right? Not for Bates, who stumbled for a second before replying, “So, BlackBerry 10 is a unique proposition…” After not receiving any form of answer, Campbell pushed again, asking, “Have you learned anything from the iPhone?” The response? “This market is a great market…” Blah, blah, press release copy, blah. The interview continues for another two-and-a-half minutes, where Bates continues to not answer the question, or indeed say anything about BlackBerry 10’s benefits, unique selling points or how it differentiates itself from the competition.

Embarrassing, and a missed opportunity

You can listen to the whole, embarrassing three minutes here, and it’s both highly amusing and terribly worrying at the same time. We’d be surprised if anyone listening and hearing about BlackBerry 10 for the first time will be inspired to seek out details later on, or try to find a new BlackBerry phone in the shops. The impression the interview gives is that BlackBerry is the same business focused, dreary option it has been for the last few years. Worse still, BlackBerry 10 sounded boring, and RIM clueless about what real people want from a smartphone.

No companies, especially ones in the midst of a make-or-break relaunch, can afford to ignore the competition – or at least, give the impression of doing so. Apple slings lawsuits at its enemies to undermine their products, Samsung makes TV adverts which poke fun at the iPhone and Apple’s clientele, and Google fills its competitors phones with its own, super-popular apps. We’d be surprised if RIM hadn’t been studying the iPhone, iOS, Android and the Galaxy S3 to see what makes them so popular; so why not admit it? It’s sales 101 – an opportunity to tell the world how much better and/or different BlackBerry 10 is from the rest.

Our experience with BlackBerry 10 has been good, and RIM is obviously working hard to make it a success, making careless interviews like this one doubly as frustrating to hear. Let’s hope Thorsten Heins does a better job of selling BlackBerry 10 during the global launch event later on today.

Editors' Recommendations

Are the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro waterproof? What you should know
iPhone 14 laying in a succulent.

When purchasing a new smartphone, the device's durability is a major factor for many buyers, especially if the phone is on the pricier side of things. The iPhone 14 starts at $799 and only goes up in price from there depending on the desired specs. Because of how costly it is to stay current with Apple tech, those looking to buy in want to make sure that the iPhone 14 is able to withstand at least some degree of wear and tear -- including potential waterproofing.

Obviously, ensuring that the iPhone 14 is able to survive a drop or hit is key to measuring its overall durability, but its water resistance can be the difference between needing a costly replacement and keeping the phone in working order for years. Smartphones have really upped their game in recent years when it comes to water resistance, but not all phones are created equally. Luckily, the ingress protection (IP) code is a handy tool for measuring a piece of tech's water and particle resistance that can help you compare and contrast between different models.
Are the iPhone 14 and 14 Plus waterproof?

Read more
Best Black Friday iPhone deals 2022: What to expect
Best Black Friday iPhone Deals

With the launch of the iPhone 14, Apple fans who want to enjoy even the slightest discount when buying the latest model, and those who don't mind buying an older iPhone for the largest possible savings, are looking forward to this year's Black Friday deals. The shopping holiday isn't arriving for several weeks, but given the popularity of Apple's smartphones, it will be wise to start your preparations for retailers' iPhone deals on Black Friday. We've got the answers to some of the most important questions from shoppers who are planning to buy an iPhone, and we'll provide more tips to maximize Black Friday iPhone deals as the event draws closer.
When will the Black Friday iPhone deals start in 2022?
Black Friday, which always happens after Thanksgiving, will fall on Nov. 25 this year. We're expecting retailers to offer their biggest discounts for iPhones on that day. However, you have the option of finishing your shopping early, because Black Friday iPhone deals will likely begin as soon as Nov. 21, which is the Monday of that week. The bargain prices will hit their peak on Black Friday, with leftovers available over the weekend through Cyber Monday. It's a good idea to buy a new iPhone as early as you can during Black Friday week, so that you won't fall victim to depleted stocks on the model that you're looking to purchase.

While waiting for retailers to roll out their Black Friday iPhone deals, you should check out our choice for the best iPhone to buy. With the arrival of the iPhone 14, its predecessor, the iPhone 13 and its variants, are expected to have their prices slashed for the shopping holiday. You might want to make use of this time to understand the smartphone's features, and maybe even take a look at older models if you want to enjoy even bigger savings.
Which retailer has the best Black Friday iPhone deals?
Apple participates in Black Friday sales, but only by offering gift cards. If you want to buy an iPhone without paying full price, you'll have to look at the Black Friday iPhone deals that will come from major retailers like Amazon, Walmart, and Best Buy. It's too early to determine the seller that will offer the largest discounts, but they probably won't be too different from each other. That's why it's recommended to focus your search for your new iPhone on your preferred retailer, so that you'll be familiar with the online platform.

Read more
What’s the most you can spend on an iPhone 14?
The iPhone 14 Pro with Dynamic Island.

Apple opened pre-orders for its new iPhone 14 handsets at the end of last week, with shipping set to start on most versions this Friday (the iPhone 14 Plus lands on October 7).

So, diamond-encrusted and gold-plated iPhones aside, what’s the most cash you can splash on an iPhone 14?

Read more