Editor’s Note: Related tickers: BlackBerry Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY), Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT)
BlackBerry Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY)‘s rivals boosted their efforts to get the attention of business customers. Analysts said that BlackBerry Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY)’s lack of immediate action resulted to its plunging popularity. Government agencies like the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration, the National Transportation Safety Board, the Tax and Trade Bureau, and the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement dumped their smartphones from BlackBerry Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY). The agencies used to sign a company deal for BlackBerry Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY) units. Reports said that the agencies already shifted to other mobile makers.
UAE BlackBerry users remain in dark over voice feature (ArabianBusiness)
BlackBerry Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY) users and agents are still in the dark over when a key voice feature of its latest smartphone will be introduced in the UAE, with the Canadian manufacturer reluctant to reveal what the issues are with the country’s operators and regulators and a likely timeline for its introduction. BlackBerry Messenger Voice (BBMV) allows customers to make free phone calls over Wi-Fi and is a key feature of the new BlackBerry 10 device, which was officially launched in January.
BlackBerry email, chat to be tracked from August 1 (INToday)
The government will begin lawful interception of BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) services from August 1 putting an end to the prolonged dispute with Canadian smartphone maker. The interception will allow law enforcement agencies to track emails, attachments, BBM chats and Web browsing history from BlackBerry Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY) devices in the country. BlackBerry Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY)Enterprise Server has been left out of the interception solution, which means corporate e-mails will not be under scrutiny. A top official with the department of telecommunications (DoT) said that the government has acquired the interception facility developed and installed by BlackBerry Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY) in Mum-bai in April 2012.
Windows Phone stomps all over BlackBerry in Europe (Gnom)
According to a new report from Kantar Worldpanel ComTech, Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT)’s Windows Phone scored another victory over BlackBerry Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY), as in Q2 2013, following Android and iOS, the tiled mobile operating system was the third most popular choice for European smartphone buyers, in major local markets. In Q2 2013, 6.9 percent of European smartphone buyers from France, Germany, Italy, Spain and UK bought Windows Phone handsets. Meanwhile, only 2.2 percent decided to purchase BlackBerry Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY) smartphones. “Windows Phone continues to consolidate its position as the third OS globally, with strong performances in Britain and France where it has 8.6 percent and 9.0 percent of the market respectively”
BlackBerry’s last option: liquidation or breakup – analyst (IVCPost)
According to Kevin Smithen, an analyst from Macquarie Group, BlackBerry Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY) already lost its capability to pass through the consumers’ market. BlackBerry Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY)’s unit sales would not be boosted since the company’s customer base was no longer enough to boost it. Smithen added that BlackBerry Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY)’s last option would be liquidation or breakup. Scott Thompson, FBR Capital Markets’ analyst, stated that BlackBerry Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY)’s management underestimated its problems. Analysts blamed the cost cutting measures at companies but they said BlackBerry Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY) must find ways to cope up. Its BlackBerry 10 operating system failed to run as well as anticipated.
