BlackBerry says new phones won't be sold in Japan

How the mighty are fallen:

http://appleinsider.com/articles/13/02/08/new-york-mags-blackberry-10-demo-unit-dies-after-only-four-days

“BlackBerry enjoys a constructive relationship with trusted partner, NTT DoCoMo, and we will continue to support the carrier’s ongoing BlackBerry sales in Japan.”

Ongoing sales of what? The old models that count for 0.3% of smartphones in Japan?

Blackberry tried, but the Japanese just didn't get it. Japan likes what it likes and the retro keyboard was far too simple for the tech-flashy phones here already. See ya BB, wouldn't want to be ya.

the tech-flashy phones here already.

Back in the day, Japan's "tech flashy phones" couldn't connect to the world wide web or handle email accounts, other than their own limited proprietary ones. SMS was also a pain. "Message couldn't be delivered" my old Japanese handset used to tell me when I attempted to text message people on different carriers.

Thank god that Blackberry appeared, and helped open things up, and made handsets truly "smart" as opposed to "flashy."

They don't want to develop a Japanese language version? Or is that just an excuse because they know they can't compete here. Looks like the US has just given up. How typical.

Looks like the US has just given up. How typical.

Er,, BlackBerry is Canadian!

RIP. Poor thing. Poorer shareholders...

BlackBerry was more or less the predecessor to the smartphone and I still remember on a trip home most of my friends having them (when only before they had large, brick-like things with floppy antenna, etc.). I thought they were butt-ugly compared to the sleek design of Japanese and Korean phones, especially Sharp and Toshiba models of the former. Now of course it's too little too late for Blackberry, but I'm surprised at the snub to the customers -- and despite them not intending it to be a snub, it is. For loyal customers here (I've only met one, who is a foreigner) there are no more options for them.

@No Miso - Yikes, I have egg all over my face!!! Or I should eat my hat! (are these expressions right?) Anyway, how embarassing. And I work in tech...

@gokai Haha - well taken - with humour!

Well, middle-aged expats and Japanese investment bankers can always order online from overseas anyway

@Neo

Well, middle-aged expats and Japanese investment bankers can always order online from overseas anyway

Seriously, thought I was on the "What Japanese women think about money and marriage" thread when I read this.... : )

Who uses a BlackBerry these days anyways?

Who uses a BlackBerry these days anyways?

my friend who is diplomat is one. BB with the camera disabled is the only the device they are allowed,

Obama has a BlackBerry. (Fed Gov etc)

I never liked BlackBerry because (at that time) you had to pay a monthly BlackBerry fee and the monthly Carrier fee = >$100 monthly total. At one time the whole East Coast NY Metro area was 40-50% BlackBerry and every businessman assumed you had one and if you did not you better get one or be left behind.

Got a 4.3" HTC Android non-contract and feel the keyboard (virtual button spacing) is not as good as the iPhone. Audio not loud enough either. =When people start using these devices your mind really changes to adapt --> try actually typing an email or actually create/open documents on somebody elses phone that is larger or smaller once. =Even if the Android or iOS phones are better it may still be easier to do things on a BlackBerry.

=Will move to the 5"+ Android Cell (Galaxy Note etc) and try that. With a non-contact cell phone look to see if it has the sim (carrier card) --> if yours does not you are most likely locked in to a carrier (reason for the phone to cost less --> I believe that is why they just made it illegal to "unlock" cell phones (USA).

Best Cell phone audio (loud) --> Sony Walkman W518 (flip phone with audio buttons +OLED on top). It was in a persons pocket and if you accidentally touch the top buttons the song will play -i honestly thought it was background music coming from a speaker overhead.

http://news.cnet.com/8301-13579_3-57568316-37/iphone-5s-5-inch-iphone-6-allegedly-spotted-at-supplier/

iPhone 6 =5", iPhone 5s.

Why does Apple force their customers to suffer? I have been iPhone since Dec 2007 (came out in Nov) and it was a marvelous invention (with an unlimited data plan). And I stayed the course all thru the crappy/buggy Android releases and all the miserable Android OS and Samsung complainers. Why all the suffering Apple? Why? Why? Why not a 5" and 6" iPhone now and make people happy? Well sell me down the Android river Apple?

Take all the above x2-3-4-5 and you have an idea of what loyal BlackBerry people are talking about.

Patric Spohn: Who uses a BlackBerry these days anyways?

Large companies, the US government, and other organizations more concerned about cyber-security than flashy-ness.