RIM once considered the idea of switching to Android

The times have been tough for Research In Motion. Yet its CEO, Thorsten Heins, remains firm in leading the company. In an interview with The Telegraph yesterday, Heins talked about how BlackBerry will survive and how other manufacturers could use its new operating system. When asked about BB10, the CEO responded that the company’s teams are working relentlessly day and night, and pointed out that it is a once in a decade change that will see them through the next ten years. Heins also said that the company once considered the idea of migrating to Android.

“We took the conscious decision not to go Android. If you look at other suppliers’ ability to differentiate, there’s very little wiggle room. We looked at it seriously – but if you understand what the promise of BlackBerry is to its user base it’s all about getting stuff done,” he said. “Games, media, we have to be good at it but we have to support those guys who are ahead of the game. Very little time to consume and enjoy content – if you stay true to that purpose you have to build on that basis. And if we want to serve that segment we can’t do it on a me-too approach.”

Whether RIM was right or wrong in dumping the idea of working with Android, that remains to be seen considering that the company still has its BlackBerry 10 devices scheduled for next year. What are your thoughts on this report?

Gene Ryan Briones
Categories: General
Tags: BlackBerry 10, RIM