BlackBerry CEO Sees Tablet Advantages, Aims to Improve Usage Ease

By Joshua Cheng
tl_blackberry_051413.jpg
BlackBerry Conference, Tuesday, May 14, 2013, in Orlando, Fla. John Raoux / AP

Blackberry CEO Thorsten Heins said on Tuesday that the company is looking at the future of tablets and investing R&D dollars into those projects.

“We believe in a single element of mobile computing: one on your hip,” Heins said during a Q&A session with the media at the BlackBerry Live conference in Orlando, Florida.

However, Heins said last month that he didn’t see a place for tablets in five years.

In a brief interview with CNET, Heins explained, “The industry got stuck on the term tablets.” Despite his prior comments, he does see a role with larger-screen devices. “We want to create something that’s easier to use.”

Hein’s goal is to create a device that relies on the BlackBerry as the brain; the tablet could be a larger screen without an OS of its own, the CNET reported.

BlackBerry launched its PlayBook tablet, but it flopped and failed to bring in the expected growth. It lacked the key BlackBerry features, such as e-mail and instant messenger service.

While the company is working on developing more advanced form of its tablet, Heins isn’t eager to come out with another tablet.

“The pure hardware play isn’t making a lot of sense today,” he said, according to CNET.

During the keynote presentation, Heins said he expects the BlackBerry 10 to be embedded in other devices, such as cars, a scenario that the showed off.

    Most Popular
  • Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Faith-based films often receive mixed reactions, and The Last Supper is no exception. The movie attempts to bring a fresh perspective to one of the most iconic moments in Christian history, but does it succeed? Some reviews from critics and audiences provide insight into its strengths and shortcomings.

  • ‘The Chosen’ Season 5: The darkest season yet—What to know before watching

    The wait is over—The Chosen is back with its fifth season, and this time, things are getting intense. The new episodes dive straight into the final days of Jesus’ life, covering some of the most emotional and dramatic moments in the Bible. If you’ve been following the series, you already know that The Chosen isn’t just about retelling familiar stories—it’s about bringing them to life in a way that feels real.

  • Massacres in Syria: Over 1,000 dead, including Christians and Alawites

    Syria’s coastal regions have been devastated by a series of massacres, with reports indicating that over 1,000 people—many from Christian and Alawite communities—have been killed in brutal attacks. Entire families have been wiped out, and survivors are fleeing in search of safety as sectarian violence escalates.

  • Kim Sae-ron and Wheesung: The tragic irony of Korean society and the principles of happiness

    Not long ago, the media was in an uproar over actress Kim Sae-ron’s passing. Just months before, the same people who had relentlessly criticized her for her DUI incident were now expressing sympathy, saying, "The world was too harsh on her." The irony is impossible to ignore.

  • Newsboys move forward as a quartet after Michael Tait’s departure

    After more than a decade as the lead singer of the Newsboys, Michael Tait has officially parted ways with the band, marking a significant shift in the Christian rock group’s lineup. The remaining members—Jeff Frankenstein, Jody Davis, Duncan Phillips, and Adam Agee—have assured fans that they will continue forward, embracing a new season of music and ministry.

Top Stories