Tech Watch: Changes Ahead For BlackBerry Maker

SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) – Research in Motion's new CEO, Thorsten Heins, has his hands full trying to turn around the fortunes of the company.

CNET Editor at Large Brian Cooley said the BlackBerry maker has lost ground in the marketplace and quickly needs to turn things around.

"Among the first things RIM has to do is get new blood on the management team. Thorsten Heins is definitely new blood. He's an insider, but not one that people have known, even those who watch RIM," said Cooley. "The problem is that the introductory video he posted this week doesn't seem to have a lot of urgency and doesn't seem to grasp the dire situation that Research in Motion is in, especially in North America, where it's getting whipped silly by Android and Apple with the iOS devices."

CNET Editor at Large Brian Cooley:

Cooley said RIM has to get a new device on the market with a new operating system, but the release has been delayed until late 2012, which is an eternity in the smartphone world.

He said that while the company does need new blood, he doesn't expect a huge hiring binge to take place. But he said the company needs to "refresh the slate" if they plan to keep the same people on board.

You can hear Brian Cooley's Tech Watch report Tuesdays and Thursdays at 1:50 P.M. on KCBS All News 740AM and 106.9FM.

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