BlackBerry (Decline)
BlackBerry's decline from 50% smartphone share to hardware exit demonstrates how network effects can reverse. The device that addicted executives to email ('CrackBerry') couldn't survive iPhone's touch interface revolution. Like a species perfectly evolved for one environment that changes suddenly, BlackBerry's keyboard and security advantages became irrelevant when consumers chose apps over email.
Key Leaders at BlackBerry (Decline)
Mike Lazaridis
Co-CEO
Jim Balsillie
Co-CEO
Key Facts
1984
Founded