Hacker News Reader

Comment by zainny | Hacker News Reader

And at the same time as releasing this, they've just laid off 40% of the company. The tried and true PR tactic of trying to hide bad news: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000142412788732380820457908...

Alternative source for those who can't access WSJ: http://www.engadget.com/2013/09/18/wsj-blackberry-expected-t...

View on HN

I don't think that's bad news. But the markets disagreed and the price took a hit. It's been awesome to see the new management's discipline, should have cut earlier but they got the major planks laid out, new os, android run time, backend services, browser. Just refinements left. Employee count to revenue is getting good. 6 devices a year. Simple. And the new phone has the paratek antenna, this is going to be close.

And the new phone has the paratek antenna, this is going to be close

So the new antenna is what will save BlackBerry?

No fiscal discipline, and execution. Battery life on the new 5" phone is a couple days. Maybe the tunable radio helps. App gap is closing, unity ports, android, bloomberg is now on it. Maps suck. I don't know if they'll make it, aka survive, it is going to be close.

Edit,I don't know if the app gap is closing. But probably not.

BB is beyond fiscal discipline IMO.

It's pretty clear they'll be gutted and sold for parts at this point. They're trying to lose weight before the fashion show.

It's not working. I just heard about the job cuts on NPR, but I didn't hear anything about BlackBerry messenger app.

They also release a phablet phone amid all this nonsense.

The timing of all this is very, very odd.

The capitalist acts of desperation to increase company profit... First motivate the employees to write the İOS and Android app, they will be working their asses off, hoping the company will survive. Then fire them. Voila!

Reply on news.ycombinator.com