How Walmart can save the BlackBerry

Blackberry maker, Research In Motion, recently released disappointing Q4 2012 financial performance results. New CEO Thorstein Heins has acknowledged RIM is in need of significant changes if it is to survive, much less stay relevant. The odds are heavily stacked against RIM at this point, but there are still things the company can do to regain its footing in the market.

While some believe licensing the BlackBerry OS is a potentially winning strategy, it’s not going to work. The simple truth is the BlackBerry OS is no longer cutting edge and has fallen behind Android and iOS. Why would HTC, LG, or Samsung license the BlackBerry OS over much better alternatives? There is no conceivable reason.

In order for RIM to pull out of its downward spiral, it must make bold moves and recognize the “triumph of software over hardware”.

Adopt Android OS and maintain its own App Store

RIM is too far behind to establish a developer ecosystem for this generation of smartphones; it needs to accept this fact and use Android. Amazon’s success with the Kindle has shown that Android can be used as a foundation for creating a unique experience. Because Amazon has heavily modified the Android OS, it can’t use Google’s cloud services like Google Play (the Android app store formerly known as Marketplace). But, Amazon has shown that building its own cloud services and custom apps (e.g. Silk, Kindle Reader app) is actually a benefit. It allows Amazon to monetize the app marketplace by taking a cut of in-app purchases just like Apple.

(Read full article on VentureBeat)