Research In Motion
BlackBerry Torch is the only smartphone in the market which combines touch screen and keypad features. The model will be available from August 12 for $199.99 with a two-year contract.
However, CNET reported that though the model has received rave reviews many are unhappy with its association with AT&T
With its exclusive rights to sell iPhone coming to an end, AT&T needs a few more star players in its stable. With most of the Android based smartphones like Motorola
With a recent report from Nielsen suggesting that BlackBerry holds 35 percent of the market share with iPhone and Android models holding 23 percent and 27 percent share respectively, it's the BlackBerry's domain that could be a profitable option for AT&T.
Another pointer could be the revelation from Nielsen report that over fifty percent of BlackBerry users in U.S. are contemplating to switch over to either Android or Apple's
For RIM, though, AT&T fits the bill as it has more than 90 million subscribers and sells more smartphones in U.S. than any other. Another reason is that AT&T also offers GSM services, and thus BlackBerry phones will not have to be altered for international markets.
However, as the smartphone market is segmented into the Android based smartphones and iPhones, the carriers too are divided along the same lines. Thus, AT&T is trying to emerge out of its iPhone dependence and is extending its range of offerings, which also includes possible addition of Windows 7-based smartphones to its portfolio.
International Business Times, The Global Business News Leader