BB in 2011: Out-slow drawing Nokia/MS?

[LandSurveyor]

I just read an article bemoaning RIM's dearth of product advances until the QNX devices arrive in 2012 and comparing their situation with Nokia and their new association with Microsoft.

Really, are they that out-of-date as far as what the current user wants or needs?

And a slightly related question: Why does AT&T get all the latest of the current crop of BB devices and everybody else gets the basic models?
In other words, why no Torch on VZW, for example?

[Ed Hardy]

The release of BlackBerry OS 6.0 went a long way toward making RIM's devices more competetive, but there's still room for improvment. The new BB browser is the enhancemet that stands out for me, though again it could still use work.

I'm hoping RIM is still going to be around in 2012 to launch the new QNX-based version, which is where those imprements I'm looking for will come. I feel more confident of this since the release of the PlayBook tablet. Yes, there were soime bobbles, but for the most part things look good.
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[Ed Hardy]

Why does AT&T get all the latest of the current crop of BB devices and everybody else gets the basic models?
In other words, why no Torch on VZW, for example?

Carriers frequently pay device makers to give them exclusive rights to devices is they think the models are going to be especially hot. Hence, the Torch is available exclusively from AT&T and the Storm models have only been offered by Verizon.

As far as I'm concerned, this is always a bad idea. But you're in danger of side-tracking your own post.
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