Posts Tagged ‘Older Models’

Rumor: BlackBerry Storm2 Getting Improved Touchscreen and Recall

March 6th, 2010 BBerryNews

The bad press and feedback from the BlackBerry Storm2 has been never ending. That’s not to say that the Storm2 is a bad device, but of all BlackBerrys it has had the hardest time garnering mass appeal and its rivals have set the bar for quality incredibly high. My personal experience with the Storm2 has been varied. The Storm has some major bugs but it also makes apps looks really crisp and the larger screen is much appreciated.

Rumor sources are reporting that we may expect a worldwide (Verizon first) recall of the Storm2, as RIM have enhanced the touchscreen and made older models eligible for a replacement. Apparently, RIM has added silicone actuators to the touchscreen to improve the performance and tactile response. As of February 10th, 2010, all Storm2 devices contain this enhancement. You can identify these devices by a green dot on the master carton and/or date code on the back of the device (more details below).

Those users who have experienced issues with the Storm2 touchscreen, and all warranty/eligibility requirements are met, will be provided a new and enhanced device, assuming the rumor turns out to be true.

To identify if the Storm2 is a newer model with this improved touchscreen, use the Date Code:

  • The date code is located on the label in the battery cavity of the device as shown in the red circle below for either 3 or 6 digit date codes.
  • The following 3 digit date codes contain the new hardware changes: # C2A, D2A, E2A, F2A, G2A, H2A, I2A, J2A, K2A, L2A, M2A and N2A.
  • Starting on February 22, 2010 or later the date code is displayed on the device label in DDMMYY format (220210).
  • All devices with the above 3 digit date codes or 6 digit date codes contain the new hardware changes.
  • Location of Date Code on Label in Battery Cavity in Red Circle

If this is true, and your device is eligible, will you be replacing it?

© Kyle for BlackBerry Cool, 2010



Posted in BlackBerry Cool Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Comments Off

RIM executive talks about the BlackBerry Curve 8520 in India

August 28th, 2009 BBerryNews

Del309080

Earlier this month, the BlackBerry Curve 8520 launched in India on a prepaid model. According to RIM executive Frenny Bawa, the 8520 “was designed with India in mind. It’s the lowest price BlackBerry we have ever launched and [with social networking trends in mind], it is loaded with dedicated multimedia keys and a trackpad.”

As RIM continues to grow in developing markets with great potential such as Latin America, countries such as India are key to a global strategy. According to Bawa, “India adds an average of 10 million new mobile phone subscribers a month. This is significant and, of course, RIM wants to participate in this growth.”

BlackBerry devices are selling well in India and the market could prove as a testing bed for successful sales strategies in a developing market. In the past year, RIM has increased its partners in India to 8, and tripled staff.

“One of the most significant changes is that we have tweaked our strategy to better suit the way the Indian consumer buys a smartphone,” said Bawa. RIM has partnered with Reddington India, a national distributor, to put BlackBerry devices into retail outlets across nine Indian cities instead of making them available only via carriers.

“Since then, the availability of BlackBerrys in India has mushroomed significantly,” said Bawa. “It was very obvious that we didn’t have the right distribution strategy. When we entered the Indian market [about five years ago], we were exporting the North American business model, which focused more on corporate users. Today, however, 45 per cent of our global users are consumers.”

It should be interesting to see what sort of strategies are needed to sell devices in Latin America and Africa. While prepaid is a major driving force behind sales, the price point is key as well. Perhaps we’ll see a resurgence of older models in the developing world.

[Via]

© Kyle for BlackBerry Cool, 2009



Posted in BlackBerry Cool Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Comments Off