Google Restores December; Bluetooth Issue Remains

by Holly Shoemaker

This week Google released version 4.2.1 Jelly Bean to its Nexus devices. The release aimed to fix the glitch of forgetting to include the month of December in its People App. As a point of clarification, because of the posts out there that claim Google stool Christmas, never mind some of us celebrate a holiday that begins earlier that month, December always showed up in the calendar app.

Fix Fails to Address Bluetooth Issue

Now that people may once again enter birthdays, other dates or remind themselves that Christmas is the same day every year, unlike Hanukkah which never starts on the same day, Google may need to address another issue. Since version 4.2 of Android, many users have complained about the inability to use Bluetooth. The patch did not address the issue for those hoping to connect Bluetooth-enabled devices to Nexus ones. It looks like Google needs to work on version 4.2.2.

BlackBerry 10 Finally Receives Launch Date, but Specifics Lack

by Holly Shoemaker

Research In Motion (RIM) has finally set a release date for its BlackBerry 10 devices – January 30, 2013. Consumers should expect to first see a full touchscreen device followed by ones with keyboard capability.

Thorsten Heins, the company’s CEO, said RIM initially used about 50 carriers for testing. While he said the number increased, no specifics were provided at this time. The company also remained vague on what devices the four major U.S. carriers would stock.

In terms of apps, Heins said the company will gain ground, but specifics lack here too. He did not mention any new apps for the BlackBerry 10, but said it will offer must-have ones and programs specific to countries. For interested developers, RIM started accepting apps for BlackBerry App World for the new QNX-based operating system in October. 

Stakeholders Respond Well

The market and analysts responded favorably to the news. Goldman Sachs upgraded the company’s shares. It stated there is a 30 percent chance that RIM’s BlackBerry 10 lineup with be successful. Goldman Sachs upgraded the company’s status to "buy" from "neutral." In turn, the stock market responded well. RIM’s shares rose almost 10 percent. While the stock rose 78 percent since September, it has lost more than 90 percent from its 2008 high.

When will the company make a profit? Analysts still expect the company to clock in a loss next year, with a turnaround expected in February 2014.

Concluding Thoughts

This is encouraging news for RIM, although the company still cannot compete with the upcoming holiday season. To that point, RIM does not seem all that concerned. Its devices will initially target the high-end market and rely on the popularity it had focusing on QWERTY. Now, after much disappointment, RIM must stay firm on this release date.