No more RIM jobs in Japan

[Samurai_Jerk]

It looks like BlackBerry is pulling out. Hopefully that will work better for them than it has for me.

[Yokohammer]

Oh fuck.
Nothing to add.
Just "oh fuck."

[yanpa]

Blackberry user?

[Yokohammer]

Blackberry user?

Yup.

[yanpa]

Wow, I don't think I've seen or even heard of anyone in Japan using one of those before

Anyway the article does say:

「既存顧客のサポートは続ける」

[Yokohammer]

Yes, looks like support will continue, but I was kind of interested in the new smartphone they recently introduced. Too bad. Basically, I want to stay with Docomo, which has pretty decent coverage and service overall. Which is why I went with the Blackberry when it first became available here in 2009 (I think), because I didn't want to have to switch to Softbank. So now it looks like I'll either have the choice of being the only Blackberry user in town (not that bad a prospect, really), or going with an Android something-or-other. Some of the recent Docomo offerings do look pretty good though, so maybe it's time to think about it.

[Samurai_Jerk]

Wow, I don't think I've seen or even heard of anyone in Japan using one of those before

Anyway the article does say:

「既存顧客のサポートは続ける」

You must not have any friends who work for investment banks.

Though besides them I don't think I've met anyone either.

[yanpa]

Wow, I don't think I've seen or even heard of anyone in Japan using one of those before

Anyway the article does say:

「既存顧客のサポートは続ける」

You must not have any friends who work for investment banks.

Hmm, nope. No shark or cold, reptilian beings with gimlet eyes among my friends either

[matsuki]

Wow, I don't think I've seen or even heard of anyone in Japan using one of those before

Anyway the article does say:

「既存顧客のサポートは続ける」

You must not have any friends who work for investment banks.

Though besides them I don't think I've met anyone either.

One of my lemurs had one "to be different" and gave up on it in less than a year. (On Android now)

[Ol Dirty Gaijin]

Work phone is a Blackberry 9000, still the best phone for emails and has never given me issues on calls. Real workhorse.
Browser is a POS and maps is useless but for work I don't care.

[matsuki]

Why is it best for emails? I always hear that but what makes it better than a smartfone for emails?

Sent from my SH-02E using Tapatalk 2

[Coligny]

I think and hope they mean 'composing' email...

because fore receiving... with the amount of tools who can't sent aan email without a powerpoint, word or excell file linked... usually... nothing less than a full desktop works...

[Ol Dirty Gaijin]

Real keyboard that doesn't override the screen. Don't have tethering so the memory card is an easy transfer bonus also, not everything I get files for goes to a PC or my PC for that matter.

[yanpa]

Wow, I don't think I've seen or even heard of anyone in Japan using one of those before

Anyway the article does say:

「既存顧客のサポートは続ける」

You must not have any friends who work for investment banks.

Hmm, nope. No shark or cold, reptilian beings with gimlet eyes among my friends either

So, what did I see yesterday boarding the Yamanote Line at Ebisu (prime merchant banker territory)... an American-looking dude with a Blackberry...

[matsuki]

Real keyboard that doesn't override the screen. Don't have tethering so the memory card is an easy transfer bonus also, not everything I get files for goes to a PC or my PC for that matter.

So...you prefer a smaller screen with a hobbit sized keyboard to a larger touch screen with multiple touch keyboards, voice input, and even handwriting recognition?

Not sure what you mean about tethering but my smartfone can Wifi tether, transfer, etc. and has a memory card???

All my email forwards a copy to my gmail account so I have the option of replying immediately from the smartfone or later by PC.
So I guess if you refuse to adopt touch screen input it might serve you better for composing emails but other than that, what other advantage is there?

Sent from my SH-02E using Tapatalk 2

[Yokohammer]

I totally get the physical keyboard thing, and that's one of the reasons I use a Blackberry. The keys are really well designed and are easy to type on even with my large hands. If you do a fair amount of text entry, it's much better than an onscreen keyboard IMHO.

Looks like my next phone won't be a BlackBerry though.

[matsuki]

Don't you think a touch keyboard is faster once you learn? I gave an honest effort with a blackberry a few years ago and absolutely preferred the normal 12 key layout to soo many tiny keys.

Sent from my SH-02E using Tapatalk 2

[Yokohammer]

Old dog. New trick.

I've been typing on QWERTY keyboards for so long (like, since mechanical typewriters) it's just second nature. A slight adjustment for the size of the BlackBerry keyboard and away I go. I don't even have to think about where the keys are.

[cstaylor]

Don't you think a touch keyboard is faster once you learn?

No, they're terrible (no tactile feedback), but for selling these phones in a global market a soft keyboard is the only choice.

[Samurai_Jerk]

Don't you think a touch keyboard is faster once you learn? I gave an honest effort with a blackberry a few years ago and absolutely preferred the normal 12 key layout to soo many tiny keys.

Some people just never get used to the touch screen.

[matsuki]

I've been typing on QWERTY keyboards for so long (like, since mechanical typewriters) it's just second nature. A slight adjustment for the size of the BlackBerry keyboard and away I go. I don't even have to think about where the keys are.

Of course I prefer a full sized QWERTY keyboard over touchscreen when typing long mails...but when it is so tiny, and with word prediction at the level it is now, I don't so how a miniature qwerty is any advantage over touchscreen other than if you want to type in the dark/without looking.

Don't you think a touch keyboard is faster once you learn?

No, they're terrible (no tactile feedback), but for selling these phones in a global market a soft keyboard is the only choice.

Most touchscreen phones have tactile feedback in that they pulse as you type/touch buttons. Not great for battery life and many choose not to use it but it's there.

Old dog. New trick.

Don't you think a touch keyboard is faster once you learn? I gave an honest effort with a blackberry a few years ago and absolutely preferred the normal 12 key layout to soo many tiny keys.

Some people just never get used to the touch screen.

I guess that's the real issue, being flexible and adopting new tech/ways of doing things. It's not easy to change old habits.

[cstaylor]

I guess that's the real issue, being flexible and adopting new tech/ways of doing things. It's not easy to change old habits.

I think voice input will be the way to go. After getting an iPod 5, I've relied on it 10x more than typing.

It has also improved my diction.

[GomiGirl]

I guess that's the real issue, being flexible and adopting new tech/ways of doing things. It's not easy to change old habits.

I think voice input will be the way to go. After getting an iPod 5, I've relied on it 10x more than typing.

It has also improved my diction.

Careful how you say that - people might think that the iPod is a tenga.

[cstaylor]

Careful how you say that - people might think that the iPod is a tenga.

Sorry, I don't speak Coligny.

[yanpa]

Careful how you say that - people might think that the iPod is a tenga.

Sorry, I don't speak Coligny.

You can practice using Twitter

[Coligny]

Awesum...

Nao if it could translate directly from lolcat<->asshole we could even understand and try to communicate with cstaylor...

[Yokohammer]

Went round to the Docomo shop yesterday to discuss the demise of the BlackBerry in Japan and what to do next. Got sort of a "yeah, sorry 'bout that" response (which is acceptable, because Docomo is not to blame), and was also informed that support would continue so I could keep using my 9900. We knew that.

But ... nah. I just can't get enthused about a platform that's soon to be extinct, so I got an estimate on the new Galaxy S3 alpha, which actually looks pretty good. So it looks as though that's what I'll be doing. The S3 alpha is a surprisingly well-equipped little widget. It does mean going back to square one and learning a new system all over again, but knowing the BB is on the way out, the sooner the better.

[cstaylor]

It does mean going back to square one and learning a new system all over again, but knowing the BB is on the way out, the sooner the better.

Learn the Voice Actions... makes it much easier to use.

[matsuki]

Went round to the Docomo shop yesterday to discuss the demise of the BlackBerry in Japan and what to do next. Got sort of a "yeah, sorry 'bout that" response (which is acceptable, because Docomo is not to blame), and was also informed that support would continue so I could keep using my 9900. We knew that.

But ... nah. I just can't get enthused about a platform that's soon to be extinct, so I got an estimate on the new Galaxy S3 alpha, which actually looks pretty good. So it looks as though that's what I'll be doing. The S3 alpha is a surprisingly well-equipped little widget. It does mean going back to square one and learning a new system all over again, but knowing the BB is on the way out, the sooner the better.

SIII Alpha won't disappoint. Slightly quicker than my Sharp SH-02E Zeta and I am really satisfied with the performance. You can even root it and modify it for more speed/usability.

[james]

Good chance I'll be an ex-FG sometime this year and returning to Canuckistan. My iPhone 3GS, now running on a replacement cheapass battery and missing the volume button will need to be replaced soon. I've been eying the BB Q10 but I'd like to try a few models first as the physical keyboard comes at the cost of a smaller touch screen.