2011 RIM General Shareholder Meeting [[Live Blog]]

Alright, well as the end of the call prompts the end of this Live Blog post, I will leave this up on the front page for as long as no one takes it down 🙂

Hit the Break to read the entire play by play as we here at BlackBerry Empire heard it folks!

(All Times noted in Pacific Standard Time) – Presented Most Recent to Oldest

1655: Meeting Adjourned

1653: Mike Lazaridis – “These are certain things that you can put in place in the blink of an eye.”

“It’s well in hand for the fullest extent that they can be in hand.”

If there’s anything I can do to let you sleep better at night, I assure you, I will do it.” [Applause]

1652: “There are certain elements you have in place that keep you ready for those kinds of situations.” “This is somethign we are aware of, are briefed on, and have council on.”

1651: Jim Ballsille – “There is nothing that we should have done that we didn’t do in preparedness for eventuality.” Asserts that they are ready for anything, preventing any takeovers. “We are aware of these events and always provide council on them.”

1650: Caller addressing Shareholders Rights Plan – Caller concerned about potential takeover.

1649: The performance of RIM aligned with the strategic partnership of our partners will provide for explosive opportunities in the future. “We literally never take a day off.”

I enjoy how Canadians say “Literally”…ha

1648: “We’re balancing a broad set of factors addressing the company’s position to continue to generate money…” on a platform that will carry us into the next 12 years.

1647: This market is “Just beginning…” Referring to the tablet market. Strategic long term interests of the company. RIM doesn’t want to hurt the long term image of the company.

1646: Jim Ballsille – Insists he did not mention a date, mentioned a Summer release. Says they are working on the 4G release in September, and that’s been their main focus. Mentions that timelines are governed strictly by the interests of the company.

1645: Caller asking about native email on the PlayBook and why release date execution has suffered.

1643: Mike Lazaridis – NDA prohibits them from discussing the Nortel patents. We may see the fruits of the parents in 2012.

1643: Caller asking about Nortel patents and when we may see what those acquisitions will yield…

1641: RIM was being pragmatic in releasing devices. Says OS 7 has much more consistency and use a similar standard moving forward

…seems like the hope and dream of parallel devices may be here in the near future.

Really shows RIM’s hand strongly here in stating they are focused on appealing to EVERYONE and not just the US and Canadian markets.

1640: Mike Lazaridis – Blames the carriers for the lack of consistency. Also mentions the cost of their devices is a key factor in determining what kind of devices they release…

1638: New caller asks why not consolidate BlackBerry hardware and device types to stabilize the app environment and reduce fragmentation in the platform.

1637: Jim Ballsille – RIM does not want to compromise the integrity of the platform to just release 4G phones. Mentions perfecting battery life, and platform stability. Insists the rest of the world is not on 4G, so why rush it?

Seems like RIM is still honing in on their global market share…

1635: New caller questions why the Bold 9900 doesn’t have 4G network capabilities…

1634: Focusing on the power of QNX – again failing at properly answering the question…the Canadian Curse…fails to address the lack of marketing and brand management…!!! Jeze…

1632: Jim Ballsille – Says it’s not uniform across all stores…falls back on their International growth and how the PlayBook was their FIRST retail device…

I guess he’s pawning off their lack of brand management on the fact that they’re new at retail sales? Hmm…

1631: New caller talks about his experience at a Best Buy were the PlayBook wasn’t even on display. ( I have heard this echoed several times by many of my peers…disappointing)…let’s see what they have to say. (He’s showing them pictures! ahhh – PlayBook next to an Acer tablet…BLEKH!!

“Why is marketing not being aggressive in pushing the brand in order to drive sales by awareness.

1629: Jim Ballsille – Liquid graphics, new OS 7 fluidity. Mentions how the developers had to literally skip ageneration to keep up and how RIM took the time out to learn from QNX on how to properly manage an operating system. Mentions 491 certifications over 191 carriers globally.

1628: Same caller asks about the future of the platform…

1626: Jim Ballsille – Maintains they don’t know who wrote it, mentioned he doesn’t even know if it’s a real letter. Sounds pretty upset that someone would say these things, yet neglects the successes RIM has shared with their employees in the past.

1625: Caller asks a question regarding the Open Letter to RIM published by the Globe and Mail – asks CEOs what how they plan on addressing the issues presented.

1623: Jim shines on how it’s a daily stress test on how to balance on the tight rope of data usage versus data access all over the world.

1622: Jim Ballsille – Mentions how BBM is a new platform, unregulated in foreign lands. Emphasizes it’s done for the sake of security, yet users wish to maintain their rights. Says RIM approached the situation methodically, tried to draw compromises.

1621: Caller asks about lawful access of data by governments.

1620: Caller comments, “You’re letting Apple and Android eat your lunch.” Haha…yea mentions Apple and Android phones can’t hold a light up to a BlackBerry…hits on marketing to consumers and value of product placement.

1617: Comment by caller mentions RIM weakness on Marketing. Also says companies that buy back their stock lack internal revenue. Hits on lack of marketing again.

1610: Q & A Period…disappointing…

1609: Mike Lazaridis – “Next goal is to become a leader in the new generation of computing. Just one year ago we bought QNX…Besides being an incredible product, the PlayBook provides a preview of what’s to come on BlackBerry smartphones to come.”

Still saying QNX phones due out in 2012! Ouch…

Recently crossed the 1 Billion app download milestone!

BlackBerry Advertising service, BBM Social platform.

400,000 registered app developers for PlayBook.

1607: Addressing device security by alluding to BlackBerry Bridge. Basically, you lose your tablet, nothing gets lost…I can argue against that.

1606: 16 additional markets over the past month have adopted the PlayBook. Reiterates, 4G PlayBook Coming This Fall

1605: Steady software updates, application submissions, and first Facebook app on a tablet! Adobe Creative Suit 5.5 – catalyze the availability of content for the PlayBook.

1604: Micro kernel OS to enable huge sociability of everything across all devices on the BlackBerry platform.

1603: 7 BlackBerry products to be launched across global markets within the next year.

1602: Bold 9900 and 9930 – Loves the device! 491 Certification programs with 191 carrier partners all around the world, almost certified. Mentions that OS7 is not fragmented. Expects to have a really strong launch within the next month.

1601: Enterprising is stronger than ever with Cisco, Microsoft, etc,. Mentions the capabilities of iOS and Android enterprise control.

1559: Mike Lazaridis – Hammers home the PlayBook platform will generate strength in the BlackBerry name as the platform develops.

1558: Jim Ballsille – 1 million BlackBerry subscribers in the past 3 weeks in Europe, Middle East, and Africa, mentions BBM and the strong social evolution that will take place. Mike L. to take over mic…

1557: Mentions all the acquisitions that RIM has made to remain competitve on in house software (Ubitex was the noteworthy mention)

1555: Addresses  growth and acquisitions of RIM over the past year. Mentions a $770 million purchase of Nortel patents

1555: “Largest prodcut launch in company history later this Summer”

Cost optimization to be more competitive.

Addresses cost optimization and how it affects the company.

1553: 18 petabytes of data per month processed by RIM, that’s like 13.3 years of HD video!

Touches on Fiscal 2010 growth, mentions 67 million BlackBerry subscribers.

1551: Jim Ballsille – Company challenges has been transitioned to OS7 and QNX. Mike and Jim monitoring the transition. Just a reiteration.

1550: Not before some more legal mumbo-Jumbo

1549: Jim Ballsille – Up to bat…let’s see what he has to say!

1548: John Richardson – Formal part of the meeting terminated.

1547: John Richardson – All the nominees were pretty much re-elected (preliminarily).

1543: John Richardson – Voting is taking place under the watchful eye of Ernst & Young. All is silent…

1540: John Richardson – Voting for Director seats begins.

1538: John Richardson – Announces the availability of 9 director seats that are open for re-election and asks for additional nominations. No nominations are made. Nominations close – ballot voting begins.

1534: John Richardson – Shareholder recap, legalities, declarations, and constitution of business.

1530: Jim Ballsille – Introduction of all those at RIM present.