Witness History The rise and fall of BlackBerry
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Aug 21, 2025 Discover the rise of BlackBerry, the phone that once ruled communication and its immense cultural impact, earning the nickname 'Crackberry.' Hear from former co-CEO Jim Balsillie about the thrilling battles against Apple and the pivotal moments that marked the brand's decline. Explore its role in pivotal events like the 2011 Egyptian protests, where encrypted communications changed the game. Learn about BlackBerry's swift fall, from the failed Z10 launch to the missteps that led to its exit from the mobile market by 2022.
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Encryption Created Global Influence
- BlackBerry's encrypted BBM made it valuable in volatile political events and drew pressure from authoritarian regimes.
- Jim Balsillie refused to give encryption keys to Egypt during the Arab Spring, prioritizing user privacy over access.
Early BlackBerry Breakthrough
- Jim Balsillie and Mike Lazaridis launched early BlackBerry devices that delivered push messaging and rapid adoption.
- The 950/952 pagers and early smartphones created huge demand from corporate and personal users.
Crackberry Mania
- BlackBerry became ubiquitous among celebrities, executives and politicians and earned the nickname 'Crackberry'.
- The devices reshaped communication habits and kicked off the smartphone era.