RIM co-CEOs pull no punches responding to Apple's antenna statements
By Chris Ziegler 
posted July 17th 2010 12:56AM
posted July 17th 2010 12:56AM
Here's the full statement:
"Apple's attempt to draw RIM into Apple's self-made debacle is unacceptable. Apple's claims about RIM products appear to be deliberate attempts to distort the public's understanding of an antenna design issue and to deflect attention from Apple's difficult situation. RIM is a global leader in antenna design and has been successfully designing industry-leading wireless data products with efficient and effective radio performance for over 20 years. During that time, RIM has avoided designs like the one Apple used in the iPhone 4 and instead has used innovative designs which reduce the risk for dropped calls, especially in areas of lower coverage. One thing is for certain, RIM's customers don't need to use a case for their BlackBerry smartphone to maintain proper connectivity. Apple clearly made certain design decisions and it should take responsibility for these decisions rather than trying to draw RIM and others into a situation that relates specifically to Apple."
well said, RIM.
@webmastir
They don't have to say anything, look at those signal bars !
@webmastir
One of these days, Apple's gonna meet it's match in lega & marketing prowess. And the results won't be pretty for Apple that day.
It was a wrong, wrong move to try to tarnish other reputable companies.
@webmastir
Glad to see not every company is as childish as Mr Jobs.
@webmastir that's exactly what they needed. hate the way apple brings in other companies just to market themselves or hide their faults
@webmastir
I agree! every1 should say same.
Now, it's samsung's turn.
@webmastir
Well said, but I would take an iPhone (with antenna problems) or an Android (even a bargain bin phone) before I ever used a Blackberry, with that ugly, slow and boring OS.
Their market share is attributed to nothing more than their legacy. In a few years, I doubt they'll even be relevant.
@webmastir
oh snap indeed!
@webmastir Zing!
@who said what
I think that thing will be Android, just saying. I mean look at all the ads out now for the google phones
@angstwad About as irrelevant as your opinions of BlackBerry software and sales are to this news post you mean?
@webmastir
I wonder what phones RIM uses for business use? lol
@webmastir I agree 100%.
@muchu
Sure. I hope you own a blackberry so you have a miserable time doing anything on the go.
@webmastir
RIMshot!
*badum-CHING!*
@webmastir
Well said? You guys all hate on RIM every single day, then when they attack Apple, you love them.
Get over yourselves. One half of this duo said touch screen phones aren't going anywhere, and they are now releasing OS6 which seems to be entirely touch-based.
These guys are idiots, and I'm ashamed that they are Canadian.
@webmastir
The title of the article makes it sound like RIM was really mean. But they were more mature than Apple when they tried to insult their competitors.
@who said what
How did they tarnish other companies? They took their phones and showed that the hand can attenuate the signal.
That didn't necessarily mean that their phones dropped MORE calls than the iPhone, nor did it change the fact that the iPhone has antenna problems.
Not everything Apple does is a slight to others. Who gives a shit?
@angstwad BURN!!!!!!!!!!!
@angstwad Did I not hear Jobs say three or four times, "These are all great phones."? Yes, I did hear him say that. He's not trying to "tarnish" other companies, he's pointing out that any phone suffers from attenuation if you cover its antenna. My Palm phones did that before I had my iPhone.
People still use RIM phones? Weird. I haven't seen one in months. I wouldn't use a RIM if the phone was free
@jellotime91
Shame on you, that's no reason to be ashamed that they are Canadian! RIM is the only Canadian company that is able to compete and has huge market share. RIM and Nokia were wrong when they said touch phones go nowhere but unlike Apple they dont blame others.
@webmastir They must love their RIM jobs to back their products like this.
@webmastir
Notice that nothing in that tirade denies or contradicts any of Apple's claims. Neither CEO disputes the claim that their phones lose signal when held.
Game,Set, Match.
Well played Mr. jobs.
@webmastir
RIM has every right to say this.
Every BlackBerry I've used had rock solid reception. I will give RIM that... plus, their batteries are swappable!
@jellotime91 That is true to some extent, but if Steve Jobs wasn't such a dick we wouldn't hate him as much. I guess our hate for Steve Jobs unites us all :) .As I stated many times, I don't really dislike the Apple brand or their products its just Steve Jobs I dislike.
@webmastir Something definitely hit the fan.
RIM vs Jobs? By any chance could there be a happy ending?
@MikeK Yes he said that but more to the effect like that of Antony in the play Shakespeare's Julius Caesar when Antony said "For Brutus is an honorable man". What i mean is he does not really think they are all great phones. He just said that to advert as much criticism as possible. The fact he even pulled these companies into THEIR problem is simply childish and unacceptable. But, then again, that's what we have come to expect from apple.
@Hraefn Hahahaha well said, musically speaking.
@RawlsRorty actually I noticed they specifically contradicted what jobs claimed, I don't know what you read.
@Matt314
He dresses as old as he acts.
@webmastir
i never thought id say this but... GO RIM!!!!
@engadgetcomexcludeengadget Only if you reach around for it, they've got a firm grip on base of the problem
@MikeK Not all phones do it to the same degree and under the same circumstances tho, go read the articles at Anandtech... Users in low signal areas actually suffer the most (more than they would with a 3GS for instance). Apple is still trying to oversimplify and/or ignore the issue while at the same time making certain concessions to users, it's kind of a two-faced approach... Just like the whole presentation. They may not be really taking direct shots at other manufacturers but that's how it comes across to the average consumer.
@ongadget
I'm glad companies never use comparisons in marketing.. that'd just be silly!
@webmastir So engadget can we get a CE-Oh yes he did! title change
@webmastir
Warning: This comment mentions Steve Jobs and obama in the same sentence.. Warning
More and more, Steve Jobs is reminding me of obama.. Always childishly pointing fingers and trying to make people happy with with a bunch of BS lies and "free" crap nonsense.
I don't know what world you're living in if you think this is okay... It is unacceptable, unprofessional and shouldn't be taken lightly like these real businessmen at RIM have said..
What Steve did today was borderline corporate slander if there is such a thing and they won't get away with it for much longer.. that goes for Steve and obama.
I have a Blackberry 9630 and have not experienced one dropped call since I've owned it.. Same with all the Palm Treo's I've had over the past 6 years or so and everything before that like my StarTac.. not one dropped call or reception issue from touching the phone in any position no matter where I am. In fact, I've never experienced a dropped call or reception issue in my entire life.. Thank you RIM, Palm, Sanyo, Motorola and most importantly Sprint
@webmastir
If RIM had issues like the iphone 4 back in 2002-2006 (when RIM was #1 for business users), then they would not exist today. RIM business users need absolute connection to send emails, make phone calls.
Having Nokia and RIM respond (waiting for Sammy, HTC and Moto), man this is GOING to get ugly.
And I'm waiting for the elephant in the room to respond: Ericsson.
Then wait until the patent trolls kick in: then it will get really ugly.
@kyleplusitunes Amen to that, that's like living in a cave. No thanks.
@kyleplusitunes
If you 'haven't seen one (a Blackberry Smartphone) in months', then maybe you should get out more... Many serious business users swear by them due to their well-earned reputation for reliability.
@MicrosoftOwns uhh, Blackberrys. Obviously. their land lines are cisco ip phones. they also have a bunch of high def video conferencing set ups. personal systems and full board room systems. how do i know?? i've been all through the rim site in halifax.
@webmastir the apple stock has dropped a little.
@grummy http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HbM7DWHwhUI oh crap....what was that CEO from RIM saying?
@Extinction
Nope, they do not.
Jobs claimed that the BB 9700 loses bars hen held and presented a video showing this. Neither RIM CEO denied that their phone loses bars when held. They just said it was unnacceptable for Jobs to point this out. Oh and that they have been working hard on antenna design for years. But not once do they deny the fact that the BB 9700 loses signal when held.
@Cats Oh no! Another video showing the same thing! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xHR4pkdlIjc
@spawn782 agreed, but I also hate their fanbase as well.
@webmastir
I really don't want to comment on what has already been said and repeated as i won't anything to add. But i did find this interesting that doesn't come up too often here on Engadget. It's taken from AppleInsider so take it with a grain of salt. It's not my original post. There were a dozen URL's but Engadget allows only 3 to post. Could fit them all in.
Originally Posted by davesw
Videos: death grip on EVO, Droid Incredible, Nexus One, Galaxy 1, G1, etc.
* HTC Evo Signal Attenuation: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pj2YBYTbag
* Droid Incredible: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eaDE941PzQk
* Nexus One (after Google's update to correct): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2g5J4qPp54
@Phucpholuc
what's with my grammar today?
here's the link to that heated endless rant.
http://forums.appleinsider.com/showthread.php?t=111440&page=7
@webmastir
"the little tirade"???
um, not really. just a concisely and factually poignant counter-spin. Well said, RIM.