General Consultant Discussion

Gartner to BlackBerry users: Abandon ship http://blogs.wsj.com/canadarealtime/2013/09/27/when-should-businesses-abandon-blackberry-gartner-has-an-answer/

There is probably a market now for one of the players, probably HTC, Samsung or Motorola, to build a line of phones specifically targeted at this segment. If I were them I'd: 1) Build tools to assist with migrating BB server data and user phone data 2) Build some models with a solid keyboard and smaller screen 3) Build some type of advanced encryption, possibly with a fingerprint reader. I think Motorola would be the best candidate. HTC is chinese, which is already a major ding. With Motorola being an American company, plus now having the ability to build the phones in the US, I think the combination (without advertising it this way so as to no annoying other countries) of patriotism, and the fact that the US government would be less likely to be spying on it as the chinese (of course, after Edward Snowden, who knows...). Plus Motorola still has an image of being the communications giant for the military and commercial sector via walkie talkies, and other communications equipment.

Just retired my Blackberry 9130 this weekend. I am now using a Nokia 521 ($99 on HSN.com). It has Windows Mobile 8, LTE 4G, a 5MP camera... everything I need. Interfaces well with my Windows 8 laptop. The disappointments are 1. The difficulty in closing apps ... you have to back space, click on the app again, then back space again to close. 2. Miss my ""real"" qwerty keyboard.... I find it difficult to type on the screen with my big fat fingers. I think Motorola is a good candidate if they can keep the cost down. Google owns Motorola mobility so you can bet the OS would be Android. HTC is from Taiwan, which is close to China but would prefer to see the product made in Libertyville IL or Sunnyvale CA.

@MarkChinsky - what you described is basically one of the companies purchasing BlackBerry. Microsoft seems to me as if they'd have the best fit. They also have a lot on their plates..

With what people are paying for blackberry, imagine how much product development and marketing you could do for 4 billion bucks

You'd be acquiring an installed base which is worth something, plus patents and technology. I'm going to say this will be a Microsoft acquisition for $5-$6 b.