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Defiant Blackberry boss dismisses Nokia jibe | Defiant Blackberry boss dismisses Nokia jibe |
(40 minutes later) | |
By Jane Wakefield Technology reporter | By Jane Wakefield Technology reporter |
Research In Motion's boss has dismissed suggestions that its Blackberry devices are no longer a major player in the smartphone race. | |
Jim Balsillie told BBC News that the firm should not be written off. | Jim Balsillie told BBC News that the firm should not be written off. |
It follows comments by Nokia's Stephen Elop, who said that the smartphone ecosystem was now a three horse race between Windows, Android and Apple. | It follows comments by Nokia's Stephen Elop, who said that the smartphone ecosystem was now a three horse race between Windows, Android and Apple. |
"I don't know how you can say that we are not in the race," said Mr Balsillie at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. | "I don't know how you can say that we are not in the race," said Mr Balsillie at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. |
He said that Blackberry had experienced 70% growth last year and was the number one phone in the UK. | He said that Blackberry had experienced 70% growth last year and was the number one phone in the UK. |
Figures from research firm Gfk show that the phone maker had 28.2% of the UK smartphone market in 2010. | Figures from research firm Gfk show that the phone maker had 28.2% of the UK smartphone market in 2010. |
However, the firm trails Google, Nokia and Apple in terms of market share, according to figures from Canalys. | However, the firm trails Google, Nokia and Apple in terms of market share, according to figures from Canalys. |
"Are people writing us off? We have had huge growth in the last year. I wouldn't write us off," he said. | "Are people writing us off? We have had huge growth in the last year. I wouldn't write us off," he said. |
He was also keen to shake off RIM's business focussed image. | He was also keen to shake off RIM's business focussed image. |
"80% of our subscribers are consumers." | "80% of our subscribers are consumers." |
Blackberry is forging a new link with younger, teenage consumers who are flocking to the handset because of Blackberry messaging. | Blackberry is forging a new link with younger, teenage consumers who are flocking to the handset because of Blackberry messaging. |
Analysts have characterised 2011 as a year of transition for Blackberry as it moves away from its traditional business roots. | Analysts have characterised 2011 as a year of transition for Blackberry as it moves away from its traditional business roots. |
But for Mr Balsillie the greatest change is the move into larger devices. | But for Mr Balsillie the greatest change is the move into larger devices. |
"The biggest transition for us is that we are coming out with tablets," he said. | "The biggest transition for us is that we are coming out with tablets," he said. |
The firm announced its Playbook tablet device in September 2010. | The firm announced its Playbook tablet device in September 2010. |
In Barcelona, the firm also said that would be launching a 4G Playbook in the second half of the year. None of its tablets have yet hit shop shelves, but are expected in the coming weeks. | In Barcelona, the firm also said that would be launching a 4G Playbook in the second half of the year. None of its tablets have yet hit shop shelves, but are expected in the coming weeks. |
It has been a difficult year for RIM in countries such as Saudi Arabia and India, where governments want to gain greater access to the tight security system used for Blackberry's business users. | It has been a difficult year for RIM in countries such as Saudi Arabia and India, where governments want to gain greater access to the tight security system used for Blackberry's business users. |
Mr Balsillie said the company's policy had not changed, despite significant growth amongst Indian consumers. | Mr Balsillie said the company's policy had not changed, despite significant growth amongst Indian consumers. |
"We want to abide by local laws while also supporting our systems," he said. | "We want to abide by local laws while also supporting our systems," he said. |
RIM has always maintained that it cannot interfere with the encryption system set up to protect its business customers' messages. | RIM has always maintained that it cannot interfere with the encryption system set up to protect its business customers' messages. |
It remained in talks with the government in India, said a spokesman. | It remained in talks with the government in India, said a spokesman. |
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