I was sitting at a table last week with four others and as per usual everyone had their cell phones on the table directly in front of them. I was outnumbered, four iPhones to one Blackberry.  

Just then I had a moment where I thought maybe, just maybe I would have to convert to iPhone as the demise of BlackBerry seemed certain. It wasn’t until today I had a glimmer of hope with the latest news headline reading ‘There’s still plenty of life in a company being written off by many analysts, journalists and technical experts.’

In the same day another article posted on CNN.com states ‘Top Analysts: Apple Will Decline’

Today is my day! Don't get me wrong, I don't have anything against the iPhone i just don't want to ever have to own one. Everything about Blackberry just resonates with me. The functionality, the style and of course the commercials (see below.)

Also, the idea that a monster like iPhone can come in and have such a large number of users just doesn’t sit well with me. We are Canadians, we believe in diversity!

Some brilliant words from RIM investor Prem Watsa “You’ve got a terrific manager in Thorsten Heins, don’t second-guess every second move he makes. Let him do it.”

Connie Burke

As far as Apple branding goes, Jobs was the perfect representation of the company. What good branding seeks to accomplish is replace the face and persona of the perfect shop keeper whom the local customers trust to recommend and sell the best possible product. As far as branding and CEOs are concerned, Jobs fit apple perfectly. Apple would have done well to keep him on as the face of their company while someone else ran the show behind the curtain, but I doubt Jobs would have taken that well. People trust a known face, they have accept Steve Jobs and had identified with his ideas. Tim Cook has some big shoes to fill, I hope he's half the presenter Steve was. 

 Dave Siekanowicz