Nokia Corporation
Nokia, once the world's largest mobile phone manufacturer, lost its dominance due to the rise of smartphones and strategic missteps. The company sold its mobile phone business to Microsoft in 2014 but continues as a telecommunications infrastructure provider.
BlackBerry Limited (formerly Research In Motion)
BlackBerry was once the dominant smartphone maker, controlling nearly 20% of the global market in 2009. The company failed to adapt to the touchscreen revolution led by Apple's iPhone and Google's Android, losing its market position and transitioning to enterprise software and security services.
📊Key Statistics
| Metric | Nokia Corporation | BlackBerry Limited (formerly Research In Motion) |
|---|---|---|
| Peak Market Share | 40.4% (2007) | 20% (2009) |
| Microsoft Sale Price | $7.2 billion | — |
| Current Annual Revenue | €22.2 billion (2023) | — |
| Employees Laid Off | 18,000 | — |
| Market Share at Sale | 3% (2013) | — |
| Peak Stock Price | — | $147 (2008) |
| Current Stock Price | — | ~$4-6 (2024) |
| Current Market Cap | — | ~$2.5 billion |
| Smartphone Market Share | — | 0% (discontinued 2022) |
⚡Quick Answers
Nokia Corporation
Nokia fell from being the world's top mobile phone maker to selling its handset business to Microsoft for $7.2 billion in 2014. The company failed to adapt quickly enough to the smartphone revolution led by Apple's iPhone and Android devices, sticking too long with its Symbian operating system. Today, Nokia survives as a telecommunications infrastructure company focusing on 5G networks and enterprise solutions, though it briefly returned to smartphones through licensing deals.
BlackBerry Limited (formerly Research In Motion)
BlackBerry fell from smartphone dominance due to its failure to compete with Apple's iPhone and Android devices after 2007. The company was too slow to embrace touchscreens and app ecosystems, losing corporate and consumer customers rapidly. Today, BlackBerry has pivoted to cybersecurity and automotive software, officially ending smartphone production in 2022. While no longer a consumer brand, the company survives as an enterprise software provider focusing on security solutions.
📅Combined Timeline
All 27 events from 2 stories, chronologically ordered
Research In Motion Founded
Mike Lazaridis and Douglas Fregin establish RIM in Waterloo, Ontario. The company initially focuses on wireless technology and data compression.
Nokia Becomes World's Largest Mobile Phone Maker
Nokia overtook Motorola to become the world's largest mobile phone manufacturer, a position it would hold for over a decade. The company's success was built on reliable hardware and strong brand recognition.
First BlackBerry Device Released
RIM launches the BlackBerry 850, a two-way pager that could send and receive emails. The device establishes BlackBerry as a leader in mobile email communication.
BlackBerry Phone Integration
RIM introduces the BlackBerry 5810, combining email capabilities with voice calling. This marks BlackBerry's entry into the smartphone market.
Apple Launches iPhone
Apple unveiled the first iPhone, fundamentally changing the smartphone landscape with its touchscreen interface and internet capabilities. Nokia executives initially dismissed the device as too expensive and niche.
Apple Launches iPhone
Steve Jobs unveils the iPhone, introducing a revolutionary touchscreen interface and app ecosystem. This event begins the decline of keyboard-based smartphones like BlackBerry.
Android Platform Launches
Google released the Android operating system, providing an open-source alternative to iOS. Nokia chose not to adopt Android, instead continuing with its proprietary Symbian system.
BlackBerry Peaks at $147 Stock Price
RIM reaches its highest stock valuation as BlackBerry dominates the enterprise market. The company appears unstoppable despite emerging iPhone competition.
BlackBerry Storm Launch Fails
RIM's first touchscreen phone, the Storm, launches with significant software problems and poor user experience. The failed iPhone competitor damages BlackBerry's reputation.
Stephen Elop Becomes Nokia CEO
Former Microsoft executive Stephen Elop was appointed as Nokia's CEO, becoming the first non-Finnish leader of the company. His appointment would prove controversial due to his subsequent strategic decisions.
Burning Platform Memo
CEO Stephen Elop sent an internal memo describing Nokia as standing on a "burning platform," acknowledging the company's declining position. This memo became symbolic of Nokia's crisis recognition.
Microsoft Partnership Announced
Nokia announced an exclusive partnership with Microsoft to use Windows Phone as its primary smartphone platform, abandoning plans for Android adoption. This decision was heavily criticized by industry analysts.
Global BlackBerry Outage
A massive three-day service outage affects millions of BlackBerry users worldwide. The incident severely damages customer confidence and accelerates user defection to competitors.
Co-founders Step Down
Mike Lazaridis and Jim Balsillie resign from RIM's board and executive roles. Thorsten Heins becomes CEO as the company struggles with declining market share.
First Major Layoffs Begin
Nokia announced plans to cut 10,000 jobs and close facilities as smartphone losses mounted. The company's market share continued to decline despite Windows Phone launches.
Company Rebrands to BlackBerry
RIM officially changes its name to BlackBerry Limited and launches BlackBerry 10 OS. Despite positive reviews, the new platform fails to regain market share.
Microsoft Acquisition Announced
Microsoft announced it would acquire Nokia's mobile phone business and patents for $7.2 billion. The deal marked the end of Nokia as a major smartphone manufacturer.
John Chen Becomes CEO
Former Sybase CEO John Chen takes over BlackBerry, initiating a strategic pivot away from consumer devices toward enterprise software and services.
Microsoft Acquisition Completed
Microsoft completed its acquisition of Nokia's mobile phone business, including 32,000 employees. Nokia retained its network infrastructure and mapping businesses.
Microsoft Writes Down Nokia Investment
Microsoft announced a $7.6 billion write-down of its Nokia acquisition and plans to lay off 7,800 employees. The Windows Phone strategy was clearly failing in the market.