Despite the unveiling of BBX at BlackBerry DevCon - a merger of the forthcoming BlackBerry 7 OS with the QNX-based platform currently bedding in on PlayBook - more attention has been paid to the recent internet access and BBM blackout suffered by BlackBerry users across the globe.
It's a blackout YouGov claims has damaged the brand's reputation to a hefty degree, with the number of existing BlackBerry customers who would consider picking up another handset in the future decreasing noticeably.
First one's free
Findings from SMIX - the Smartphone, Mobile Internet eXperience study branch of YouGov - indicate before the blackout, 69 percent of Blackberry were 'considering' sticking with the brand.
However, that figure has since fallen to 57 percent.
The number of consumers who 'expect' to purchase another BlackBerry handset has also fallen by 11 percentage points, down to 42 percent.
Also of note: 69 percent of those surveyed maintained Blackberry still offers a 'good' service despite recent problems, while 57 percent believed that RIM handled the situation badly.
"Whilst BlackBerry may have a loyal following, their handling of the blackout has severely undermined confidence amongst consumers and while they may be forgiving once, if it happens again the brand could find itself in serious trouble," said YouGov consultant Russell Feldman.
"The emergence and popularity of Android devices is seriously starting to challenge BlackBerry's share of the market, and with the iPhone starting to focus in on the business market, BlackBerry could soon lose out.
"One only has to look at Nokia's case study to see what happens when a company fails to invest and gets left behind the technology curve."
Add to the news the recent assessment that BlackBerry could be wiped out of the US market entirely by the end of 2012, and it's clear RIM's current situation is anything but sweet.
