BlackBerry was an innovative company that dominated the telecommunications industry with its technology and devices, but progress overtook it.
Before the absolute dominance of keyless smartphones, Nokia ruled half the world. BlackBerry ruled the other half. Its cell phones, with reliable QWERTY keyboards and cutting-edge technology, symbolized quality and even status.
Public figures not only owned BlackBerry devices, but their use in business environments became almost mandatory at certain levels. The company also made its models desirable to the general public. One standout model was the BlackBerry Pearl 8100. Similar to today’s iPhone phenomenon, owning a BlackBerry was more than just “showing off.” It gave users access to a free instant messaging service.
At a time when texting still cost money (unless included in a plan) and wasn’t as instantaneous as chatting, BlackBerry Messenger became a kind of Microsoft Messenger for friends and family. By 2009, everyone wanted a BlackBerry, and the company dominated the market with nearly 21% market share.
However, nothing lasts forever. As iPhones and Android phones gained popularity, BlackBerry’s sales plummeted. The physical keyboard no longer made sense, and the brand clung to it unsuccessfully, even trying hybrid alternatives and systems like BlackBerry 10 to compete with Android. Spoiler: They failed.
This is just the tip of the BlackBerry iceberg.
It’s funny because, years later, even in 2025, some users still remember BlackBerry’s innovative features, especially its keyboard and touchpad, which set it apart from competitors. As someone who never owned a BlackBerry, I can only say it’s sad to revisit the history of a company buried by progress it didn’t see coming and failed to adapt to.
However, it’s not like many other companies that disappeared without a trace. While its attempts to return to the mobile segment failed, BlackBerry at least reinvented itself in other areas. And it’s working quite well.
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