 "Research in Motion announces three billion app downloads")
Research in Motion has had their fair share of woes in the recent past, but this time around, they have some great news. The Canadian smartphone manufacturer recently announced that since the launch of their BlackBerry App World, they have recorded a total of over three billion downloads.
While this number pales in comparison to the number of apps downloaded from Apple’s App Store and Google’s Play, the brand has something quite worthwhile to boast of with these impressive numbers.
Three billion and counting
In a blog post announcing this milestone achievement, Victoria B of Research in Motion states, “There’s a myth out there that there aren’t apps for BlackBerry smartphones and the BlackBerry PlayBook tablet. Let me help bust that myth. BlackBerry smartphone and PlayBook users around the world have downloaded over three billion apps since BlackBerry App World launched!”
The post goes on to state, “Three billion app downloads averages out to over 2.5 million downloads each day. What’s even more important – and impressive – is that the number of daily downloads continues to increase. It took 786 days to reach the one billion mark, 210 days to reach two billion, and only 176 days to reach the three billion number. I should also note that this number does not include apps downloaded from third party BlackBerry app stores, or those pushed internally at companies around the world, or those downloaded directly from the web.”
They also go on to thank the over 28,000 BlackBerry App World vendors and the BlackBerry App World storefront team. They end the post by stating, “BlackBerry App World has continued to grow steadily with more than 90,000 applications now up for sale.”
While Research in Motion can bask in the glory regarding the number of downloads from the App World, those waiting for the first phone with BlackBerry 10 that was to arrive later this year, will now face disappointment. The Canada-based company have reportedly pushed back the launch to early next year, even as it sees falling sales numbers. As if that wasn’t bad enough, reports also suggest that Research in Motion would be slashing 5,000 jobs, i.e. 30 percent of its workforce, too.The picture of the future for the company continues to pale, as the delay would mean missing out on both the crucial back-to-school and Christmas shopping periods - a time when its competitors will continue to bring out more phones.
A roadmap has recently surfaced showing when these devices will be available. The roadmap, among other things, details RIM’s plans for the year 2013.
Some of the important dates mentioned in the roadmap are:
- 4G PlayBook - Q4, 2012
- BlackBerry 10 London/Nevada - Q1, 2013 - Europe launch before N. America
- BlackBerry 10 Upgrade for PlayBook - Q1/Q2, 2013
- BlackBerry device codenamed “Nashville” - Q2/Q3, 2013
- BlackBerry 10 inch PlayBook “Blackforest” - Q3, 2013
- BlackBerry device codenamed “Naples” - Q3/Q4, 2013
It is believed that RIM would be launching BlackBerry 10 in Europe three to four weeks before they launch it in North America, though both launches are still scheduled to happen in the first quarter of 2013.
Let us know your thoughts on Research in Motion touching three billion app downloads and what you think about the brand pushing back the launch date of the BlackBerry 10 devices.
 "Israel targets top Hamas leaders in Doha; Qatar, Iran condemn strike as violation of sovereignty")
 "Nepal: Oli to continue until new PM is sworn in, nation on edge as all branches of govt torched")
 "Who is CP Radhakrishnan, India's next vice-president?")
 "Israel informed US ahead of strikes on Hamas leaders in Doha, says White House")
 "Israel targets top Hamas leaders in Doha; Qatar, Iran condemn strike as violation of sovereignty")
 "Nepal: Oli to continue until new PM is sworn in, nation on edge as all branches of govt torched")
 "Who is CP Radhakrishnan, India's next vice-president?")
 "Israel informed US ahead of strikes on Hamas leaders in Doha, says White House")
