RIM to Apple: Bull
In a strongly worded statement, RIM, maker of the BlackBerry, refutes Steve Jobs' press conference claim that all smartphones, including the BlackBerry, have antenna problems.
Somehow, you knew this might happen.
After Apple CEO Steve Jobs explained at Friday's iPhone 4 press conference that all smartphones have antenna problems similar to the one experienced by the iPhone 4, RIM, the maker of the BlackBerry, declared that in its view this is hogwash.
In a rather forceful and entertaining statement, RIM co-CEOs Mike Lazaridis and Jim Balsillie made their feelings rather clear.
Their statement began: "Apple's attempt to draw RIM into Apple's self-made debacle is unacceptable. Apple's claims about RIM products appear to be deliberate attempts to distort the public's understanding of an antenna design issue and to deflect attention from Apple's difficult situation. RIM is a global leader in antenna design and has been successfully designing industry-leading wireless data products with efficient and effective radio performance for over 20 years."
(Credit:
Josh Lowensohn/CNET)
Well, yes, I hear you say. But what about the dropped calls on BlackBerrys? Surely they happen.
The statement explained: "RIM has avoided designs like the one Apple used in the iPhone 4 and instead has used innovative designs which reduce the risk for dropped calls, especially in areas of lower coverage. One thing is for certain, RIM's customers don't need to use a case for their BlackBerry smartphone to maintain proper connectivity. Apple clearly made certain design decisions and it should take responsibility for these decisions rather than trying to draw RIM and others into a situation that relates specifically to Apple."
It seems that many who own a BlackBerry Bold, the specific phone Jobs referred to in his presentation, have declared themselves forcefully on forums. They say they could not replicate the loss of bars when employing the so-called Death Grip. Will Apple tell them they didn't try hard enough? Perhaps.
But there will be those who will wonder whether this technological conservatism is what makes BlackBerrys so terribly boxy and businesslike in their design. It really is so hard to have it all in life.
