Apple may have killed the BlackBerry

During the first hour of Steve Jobs' keynote at WWDC, I was wondering why I was wasting my afternoon listening to his stooges drone on about software. But then, in a moment of pure triumph, Steve walked onto the stage and unveiled the new 3G iPhone.

Sure, it was exactly what we expected (minus the MMS), but it also was a call to arms. Instead of maintaining its status as the consumer's cell phone, the iPhone is now the every-person's cell phone and has RIM firmly centered in its sights.

RIM may be the leader in the enterprise market right now and companies like Microsoft will constantly claim that they can hold their own, but rest assured that this is a two horse race. And although the BlackBerry has led the way, Steve Jobs just dealt a decisive blow that will not only force RIM to capitulate, but could see the end of the BlackBerry line altogether.

It may sound extreme at first glance, but trust me, Apple has pushed all the right buttons and played its match perfectly. And as long as the company can get through July without any hiccups, RIM will be left out in the cold.

So why do I have such high praise for the new 3G iPhone? Isn't it just an updated version of the same old thing we've been using for the past year? Isn't it just the logical evolution of a product that seemed all too overwhelming last year and so underwhelming today?

No.

The 3G iPhone is the first real salvo Apple has fired at RIM. RIM has told the world that it believes that it has the best horse in the race. Sure, it may right now. But on July 11, I just don't see how the company could even hint that it still does.

First and foremost, the 3G iPhone will be quicker. And while RIM already has some delightfully fast BlackBerrys on the market, none are the iPhone.

Secondly, the iPhone will soon allow companies and individuals alike, to create and install applications from third-parties. And while RIM already has some third-party applications for the BlackBerry and a similar, albeit less sophisticated, program, it's not the iPhone.

Thirdly, the iPhone will offer the kind of business functionality enterprises have been waiting for. And although RIM is easily the most business-friendly company in the space right now and its BlackBerry is the product of choice for many professionals, it's not the iPhone.

Do you see what I'm getting at here?

What Apple has announced with the iPhone is nothing revolutionary. In fact, I would argue that most of what it has done is simply a response to the best practices RIM has already instituted in its business model.

Simply put, the BlackBerry is not the iPhone. Regardless of the fact that it offers most of the same features as your favorite BlackBerry and copies much of the BlackBerry ways, the iPhone is the iPhone.

In the consumer space, the iPhone reigns supreme. Prior to Apple's decision to make it more business-friendly, it was still the top device for consumers and the added benefits are icing on the cake.

In the enterprise space, the BlackBerry stayed on top because companies couldn't do half of what they wanted with the iPhone as they could on a RIM product. They may have wanted to try something new, but for the past year, it was simply impossible.

Now, all that has changed.

For the first time, the iPhone is wildly appealing to both consumers and businesses while the BlackBerry is left out in the cold.

Sure, RIM's phones may be nice and work extremely well, but what do they really offer now that can make anyone pick a BlackBerry over an iPhone? Apple not only commands public mindshare, its product looks remarkably more advanced than a BlackBerry when sitting next to it.

In other words, now that the iPhone has all of the same business-friendly features we've come to expect from the BlackBerry, but it offers more of the features we want in a consumer-friendly phone, why would we pick the BlackBerry?

Certainly some anti-Apple folks will come up with some (ludicrous) reasons, but if you consider the average person who isn't as tech-savvy as those people, I simply don't see them picking up a BlackBerry if it's sitting next to the iPhone.

Steve Jobs may have killed the BlackBerry today. Now we just need to wait and see.

For more on what Don is up to, follow him on Twitter by clicking here!

[Not_brainwashed]

I have a feeling that this guy sleeps with his iPhone on the pillow next to him, whispering sweet nothings to it as he drifts into dreamland. There he meets up with Jobs and they survey their army of mindless consumers, noting their deep pockets and willingness to purchase anything with a half-eaten fruit logo. "I was wondering why I was wasting my afternoon listening to his stooges drone on about software. But then, in a moment of pure triumph, Steve walked onto the stage and unveiled the new 3G iPhone" spoken with the purest form of objectivity that only apple fans possess. Please tell me cnet doesn't pay this guy. Apple could though.

[bokglobuleCB4]

apple in no way killed the blackberry today. i am a big fan of apple but the iphone is only viable on AT&T. Corporations arent going to switch their email and phone carriers to AT&T just because the iphone is there.

Also, corporations usually get blackberrys for around $50 a piece when buying them in large quantities which allows for saving $150 per phone (as opposed to buying the iphone).

there still may be problems with servers for corporatiosn with the iphone if they are Windows as well and some companies may not want to risk switching everyone to iphones if there is even the slightest risk of malfunction.

problems with communications can cost millions of dollars per day and businesses wont want to risk it

[bokglobuleCB4]

apple in no way killed the blackberry today. i am a big fan of apple but the iphone is only viable on AT&T. Corporations arent going to switch their email and phone carriers to AT&T just because the iphone is there.

Also, corporations usually get blackberrys for around $50 a piece when buying them in large quantities which allows for saving $150 per phone (as opposed to buying the iphone).

there still may be problems with servers for corporatiosn with the iphone if they are Windows as well and some companies may not want to risk switching everyone to iphones if there is even the slightest risk of malfunction.

problems with communications can cost millions of dollars per day and businesses wont want to risk it

[iluvalima]

Over-hype much?

[bboyswoosh87]

Iphone is still to lame for me.

[compudoc318]

This article is a joke, it'll take more than this update to take out blackberry. I see blackberries every day, rarely see iphones.....agree with the other comment about cost, which is the downfall to apple. nice products, but the price makes me laugh. Just like the $2000 imac....can get a pc for 900 bucks with the same stats.....lol.

[dlimin]

just as the blackberry is no iphone, the iphone is no blackberry, they are not substitutes. iphone does not compete with blackberry's core competencies and the touchscreen will not replace buttons. also, you forget that in the enterprise space, change is difficult and infrastructure remains a decisive factor.

[rcarone]

This will absolutely in no way kill the Blackberry, the iPhone is a great phone, but that doesn't mean it's great for business, even with the new additions. They made a step closer in the direction, but any business that needs the functionality of Exchange and BES will never consider the iPhone, and that is the majority of RIM's customers. It makes a great personal phone, and now more appliable to small business, but saying it just destroyed RIM is shortsighted. My guess is that mobileme won't catch on as widely as you might think.

[stringboy]

No qwerty. Data push through proprietary, external, $99/year service. Two different markets. Personal vs Business. Or in a completely baseless argument, RIM will continue to dominate b/c the iPhone is no Blackberry.

[JakeIL7]

OK, obviously our friend Mr. Reisinger has put out a little flame bait for us to chew on. Thats fine as long as we acknowledge what it is.

Will/has the iPhone killed the Blackberry? Of course not, but it has made itself a proper choice for anyone who has to carry a smartphone for work. It still does not have the universal carrier availability that Blackberries have and lacks the tactile keyboard that the aforementioned unit is famous for. OTOH, an ultra-flexible interface and a facility to distribute company-private applications *is* an advantage as far as I am concerned.

What does this boil down to? For the first time in the last couple of years, a company has stood up and challenged RIM in its home turf. The keynote was a shot across RIM's bow. RIM: Your move.

Having said all that, the iPhone may have killed off someone else. Is this (the lower price and enterprise options) the last nail in the coffin for Palm?

[xcopy]

"Truth" or Pravda

The author really isn't a sycophant apple shill and member of the iSheep herd

Steve Jobs cares about you and all apple products are great

The oil companies are not screwing you

George Bush has an IQ above 70

[mastercko]

Sure give Apple credit, but does the iPhone connect to BES? Can it be used on a carrier other than AT&T? have a world-renowned keyboard? No? Then no, it didn't kill the Blackberry.

One sensationalist, flame-bait headline too many Don. You're off my RSS.

[dirty55409]

If you really think the Iphone could kill Blackberry, you truly are on drugs. AT&T is its only carrier, that's the first problem. Second, well nothing can beat a blackberry especially a touchscreen overhyped device like the iphone. next blog

[Fritz the cat]

Don, Go kill yourself.

I like iPhone as much as everyone else but it fails completely when you throw it into the enterprise ring. You might be a blogger for CNet but try actually getting your head out of Apple and CNet's perfect world and think out of the Box.

Blackberry is a very popular device most buisness will choose anyday over an iPhone. For one simple fact that no other carrier has an iPhone. 2 of the buisness I work with where I live use T-Mobile and have blackberrys for their needs. Cheap, easy, and reliable network they've used for a long time compared to AT&T where their blackberry service was horrible and were overcharging you for their BES.

If you get a bonner for iphone and being over charged, be my guest you flame baiter.

[KevLeviathan]

I agree that the iPhone is going to continue to deal damage to RIM. After watching this morning's keynote I was ready to purchase an iPhone on its release date until I saw the monthly price - be prepared for $45/month unlimited data in addition to $30/month voice. Ouch, I just cannot afford that.

[arkon334]

Let's see. Device down by $200 - contract up by $240. Hum, how does Apple get away with saying half the price when it cost you more over the 2 year contract? Don how about some intellectual honesty or doesn't that matter now that 2.0 is part of everything?

[Jonthin]

Funny how all these comments here try to downplay this iPhone news. Unfortunately for them, Don is right. Yesterday marked the day that the Blackberry started to die. There is just no possible way RIM can stop the assault that is coming. you only have to watch that Apple keynote to see that Apple is going years ahead of the game.

And as for having an "award winning keyboard" Do you know how backward and funny that sounds as a means of defence??

[bousozoku]

I'd be surprised if RIM goes away any time soon. Companies that are on the fence may go for iPhone now that it has fulfilled the enterprise wish list. However, nothing has been proven in a large scale trial. So, 35 % of Fortune 500 companies have done some testing. Many companies will sit back and wait and those that aren't already on AT&T won't likely switch, especially since Sprint and Verizon also sell Blackberry equipment.

Moreover, I don't see Blackberry Bold as competition for iPhone more than it's eye candy for current Blackberry users. RIM should be worried, but that's competition.

[Tiggercat69]

A Blackberry is not an iPhone? Good thing I didn't have to pay to learn that pearl of wisdom. How about another - AT&T is not Verizon. While I hate some of the business practices of my carrier of choice (VZ Navigator, anyone?), I will be the first to applaud their coverage. In location after location, including my wife's office and our home in metro Atlanta, the only available signal is from Verizon. Apple can put all the features they want in the iPhone, but until they make it available on a network other than AT&T, it's little more than a fancy iPod. (It's kind of like making the best car stereo in the world, but designing it so that it only works when installed in a Yugo.)

[Jachael]

I can not agree that it is a decisive blow. It is a blow in that they are now a true competitor; however you can get a Blackberry for whatever service provider you want. With the IPhone you are stuck with AT&T who has a history of bad phone and customer service despite their best efforts to portray differently.