> Then 6-8 months later we'll see RIM starting to ship consumer Android devices with a Blackberry security/messaging ui layer alongside their other products. It will stabilize their fortunes and they could go on to be the leading Android vendor with their strong brand and messaging focus.
I have a feeling that even if they go down that route, they won't be the leading Android vendor.
If RIM is unable to innovate for a few more quarters, then their brand will be worth less. The longer they hold out, the less their brand is worth. If they switch to Android after their brand has taken hits, they will not do so well. Samsung and HTC are firmly entrenched in the Android market, and I doubt a weakened RIM would be able to overtake them.
I have a feeling that even if they go down that route, they won't be the leading Android vendor.
If RIM is unable to innovate for a few more quarters, then their brand will be worth less. The longer they hold out, the less their brand is worth. If they switch to Android after their brand has taken hits, they will not do so well. Samsung and HTC are firmly entrenched in the Android market, and I doubt a weakened RIM would be able to overtake them.