LONDON, August 10, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Life for Research
In Motion has not been very easy in the past few years since its
two heavyweight rivals Apple and Google entered the scene with
their increasingly popular iPhone and Android phones. The latest
RIM version, the BlackBerry Torch, will be launched in the US on
12th Aug and rolled out in the UK in a few months. Will this new
design help RIM reclaim some of its lost ground?
To find out the answer, Toluna PLC recently did a survey by
asking the opinions of 1000 UK respondents.
Despite the fanfare created by RIM and the media around the
Torch's launch, only 22% of the respondents have heard about the
BlackBerry Torch: among them, 19% have a clear intention of buying
one, while 36% feel uncertain and about 45% say they will not.
RIM has worked very hard to keep its corporate users happy and
at the same time has encouraged people to use the BlackBerry just
as any regular smartphone. They might do it right this time: almost
60% are interested in personal use and a respectable 33% say they
will consider using BlackBerry for both business and personal use.
So, integrating a better browser and more social networking
functions is a good idea. The reason why they like the phone seems
quite obvious: while the combination of a touch screen and keyboard
is a no-brainer answer (47%), lots of people seem to like its
overall design (42%) and its OS 6 software that deals better with
multi-tasking and social networking (34%), an indication that users
like a BlackBerry with a real keyboard plus better and more
functions. But let's be careful, Palm Pre has the best touch screen
and keyboard combination but was still doomed shortly after
launch.
For users having the intention to buy a BlackBerry Torch, the
largest age group is the one between 16 and 34, which hardly suits
the stereotype of middle-aged, suit-clad business executives.
Perhaps this means there are some cool factors in Torch after all?
Click this link (
http://uk.tolunapro.com/pollpageqs.aspx?pollid=851350&token=ZemAFZ3a0rk8njdOv
zgoIQ%3d%3d) to see the full result of this survey.
(Due to the length of this URL, it may be necessary to copy and
paste this hyperlink into your Internet browser's URL address
field. Remove the space if one exists.)
The result may sound somewhat discouraging for both RIM and
die-hard BlackBerry fans, but things may change over time with the
launch and reviews from the media and early-adopting users.
However, remember that the success of a product is pretty much
shaped by users' opinion.
Arron Zhang
E-commerce and Digital Marketing Manager
Email: arron.zhang@toluna.com
t: +44(0)20-88321714
w: http://www.toluna-group.co.uk