RIM Co-CEO Jim Balsillie on Their Competitive Position

Jim Balsillie:

I think the PlayBook redefines what a tablet should do. I think we’ve articulated some elements of it, and I think this idea of a proprietary SDK and unnecessary apps — though there’s a huge role for apps — I think is going to shift in the market, and I think it’s going to shift very, very quickly. And I think there’s going to be a strong appetite for web fidelity and tool familiarity. And I think there’s going to be a rapid desire for high performance. And I think we’re way ahead on that. And I think CIO friendliness, we’re way ahead on that.

They can keep saying they’re “ahead” of the iPad, but, uh, they haven’t shipped anything yet. It’s that simple.

★ Friday, 17 December 2010