First there was Palm. Now there is RIM.

I'm watching history repeat itself over and over again in the Mobile space. Unlike other markets, the mobile space is moving much more quickly. So the history lessons come faster.

First there was Palm. Remember all the miracles that were going to happen with Palm? A new OS is coming? A new magical hardware device is coming? Well now they are part of HP–and will likely be swallowed into some business unit that will be forced to reduce costs and therefore headcount.

Now there is RIM. Again, a miracle OS. Magical devices that will incorporate touch (Storm flop). Now new hardware with keyboard for the old timers and touch for newbies (Torch). Soon the market valuation will fall to a point where they are painless acquisition–by a company like HP that will try to figure out how to resuscitate an elephant with a weak heart (tech core) and poor circulation (distribution partners who are running away from devices with no consumer demand).

Google has such an amazing opportunity with Android. Let's hope that the carriers don't kill it before it has a chance to fly.

Goldman Sachs Calls RIM's (RIMM) BlackBerry Torch Launch “Underwhelming”  —  Goldman Sachs commented on Research In Motion Ltd. (Nasdaq: RIMM) following the August 12th launch of the new BlackBerry Torch.  They firm called the launch “underwhelming.”

Posted via email from Brad Baldwin’s Posterous

Comments

2 Responses to “First there was Palm. Now there is RIM.”

  1. Philip on August 17th, 2010 4:48 am

    I’ve thought about this also, if you look at the BlackBerry as a pure feature phone, like the iPhone/Droid, then the BlackBerry doesn’t stand a chance, but as long as it can ensure secure communications between users, then it’s going to be the darling of businesses and governments for their messaging needs. If both Google and Apple wanted to kill the BlackBerry they would step up their secure platform and messaging offerings, I mean after all if someone leaves a company, it’s very simple to brick their BlackBerry.

  2. Harry on August 17th, 2010 11:48 am

    Like many shareholders who have been strong supporters of RIM for many years, I am not out-of-line in echoing investors’ sentiment about how disappointed and disheartened to see where RIM is heading. This is regrettable given that faithful shareholders have viewed the “Blackberry” with iconic affection and a pioneering Canadian tech showpiece.

    For RIM Executives, particularly Jim (Balsillie) & Mike (Lazaridis) who are in damage control mode, it must be pouring buckets for them as they bear down to handle problems from all quarters, however, one wonders if the problems could have been dealt with sooner and negotiated before they surfaced. Why couldn’t RIM have concluded arrangements with countries early on like they have done with China? Or is China waiting next in line to come forward?

    Now that RIM has introduced the Blackberry “Torch” it actually did not “blow” people away as was alluded to. Sales have been less than impressive and slow. And why didn’t RIM price it right in the first instance; within a week of its lack lustre release, the price has to be reduced!

    With countries lining up to take turns in demanding for rights to RIM’s messaging capability, there seems no certainty when all this will end soon. Meanwhile their Financials are due out in a few weeks. It doesn’t take much for anyone to figure out where the stock price is going to drop to by then; not far-fetched to suggest a further 20% or worse. So far, RIM’s buyback program has done nothing to stop the value of its stock from bleeding.

    The state of affairs for RIM is unfortunately not a good one in my opinion.