Sooner or later, a big company is going to buy RIM for its patents. It is just a matter of time. Their OS and hardware is shit, but some of their software and their patents would be a boon to other companies.
I believe an analyst estimated that about 50-60% those were actually sold, which still isn't that bad. And frankly, people like to whine and moan about shipped numbers, but thats what ALL the manufacturers use these days....and you know what? From RIM's side, shipped DOES equal sales. They sold it to the store. In the words of Charlie Sheen, "I've already got your money dude."
Selling 50% of 500k shipped units of an unprofitable item = fail
Think critically for a minute. I highly doubt the stores purchased that many right off the bat. If they weren't selling well enough, the stores wouldn't have bought that many in post-launch orders. They obviously bought those extra PlayBooks because they think they'll sell them. Sure, everyone wants an iPad like situation where you sell everything you make immediately - but this is the real world. That's not how it works with 99.999999999999999999999999999999% of products, including very successful ones.
You think critically for a minute. RIMM was off by 50% when they forecasted sales that they made 2x the # of units that would sell. In most corporations you would be fired if you failed on that magnitude.
Selling 50% of 500k shipped units of an unprofitable item = fail
Is the PlayBook unprofitable to manufacture? I hadn't read that. I don't see what the point would be.
They were optimistic. You generally want that. And if they already sold 500k, they'll sell the other 500k, its not like they threw them in the trash when they didn't sell immediately, seriously....I think you took that critical thinking hat off too quickly.
That's not how modern business works. Look at all the top companies - manufacturers manufacture just what they need and are able to produce goods quickly and retailers carry just what they need and have low inventory levels. Being off my 50% = fail.
That's not how modern business works. Look at all the top companies - manufacturers manufacture just what they need and are able to produce goods quickly and retailers carry just what they need and have low inventory levels. Being off my 50% = fail.
My guess is breakeven or slightly profitable in terms of hardware, which does not count the capitalized development work costs.
Anyone who ever tried to use Google Maps on a Blackberry Curve or has used that POS excuse for the tablet the playbook is laughing their ass off right now.
Only a pathetic fanboy actually laughs at the failing of another company. Then again, who am I talking to?
A lot of conjecture going on. Seems pretty clear that, like many people on these forums, you're just seeking a reason to look down on RIM.
When a company is still trying to sell beepers while the rest of the world moved on to cell phones (/analogy), well, they deserve to be ridiculed.
What, do you have RIMM stock or something? If so, that makes you worse than a fanboy.
No, I do not own any RIM stock. Its just laughable the way you silly fanboys get riled up about them.
Who's getting riled up? I am looking at a company who can't even decide who the fuck is in charge of the operation then I am looking at people defending them and am like WTF?
Only your boy band ass would interpret that as fanboyism.
Anyone that has ever seen you post knows that you aren't exactly unbiased in these discussions. And anyone that looks at the mobile device discussions on these forums that ISN'T a fanboy can see that people here really dislike RIM and really seek out reasons to dislike them. Its like Mike Lazardius stole their dog and slept with their sister or something.
People dislike RIM because they are hocking five-year-old technology and pretending they are still in the game. Am I supposed to act surprised that they can not longer sell devices and that their stock is tanking?
As for the Playbook, it's The Homer of tablets. Do expect anyone to sit here with a straight face and act like it's a surprise it's not selling?
If I criticize Android or I criticize WP7, feel free to play the fanboy card, but at the end of the day Google and MS are at least on the same playing field as Apple. RIM is stuck in last decade and not adaptive fast enough and are painfully disjointed. "Oh this tablet is QNX based. No wait, it runs Adobe AIR. Oh wait, let's tack on Android support." What.The.Fuck?
Oh, and BTW, my main phone is a Blackberry Curve (because I get free voice and data through work) so it's not like I am talking about something I don't live with, daily. Good news is, at this rate, we'll be switching to iPhones as the corporate standard soon than I expected
My guess is breakeven or slightly profitable in terms of hardware, which does not count the capitalized development work costs.