RIM co-chief ends BBC interview

RIM co-CEO Mike Lazaridis drew flak on Wednesday for abruptly exiting an interview with the BBC's Click Online. When grilled on the impasse with India and Middle Eastern countries over access to information, Lazaridis cast the question as "unfair" and declared the interview over. The company has often maintained its stance that it can't open up access but has usually been willing to discuss the problem when confronted.

The company hasn't given a follow-up response to the disruption.

Lazaridis' interview came just after a second, non-televised interview in which he complained about a lack of recognition for RIM's financial success rather than tackling questions of declining market share and concerns about relevancy in the face of faster, more modern Android and iPhone devices.

A comeback in the product lineup is expected early next month at BlackBerry World where the company unveils devices like the Bold Touch and Torch 2. The interview nonetheless doesn't help as it superficially suggests an internal frustration at the company even as it tries to reinvigorate its image.

By Electronista Staff