BlackBerry CEO: T-Mobile iPhone promotion “inappropriate and ill-conceived” [Update: T-Mobile statement]

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Over the weekend, T-Mobile took some heat over its attempts to tempt BlackBerry users away from their beloved devices and switch to iPhone. This – of course – did not go down well with the BBerry faithful. Although John Legere was quick to apologize and state he was looking in to it, it didn’t stop BlackBerry’s new CEO, John Chen from stepping in with his own comments on the matter.

According to the Wall Street Journal, Chen called the promotion “inappropriate and ill-conceived” before adding “I can assure you we were outraged too.”

Mr. Chen wrote that the two companies’ “long-standing partnership was once productive and profitable for both BlackBerry and T-Mobile…Notwithstanding the current challenge, we remain very excited about BlackBerry’s future.”

Legere had tried to calm any fears of ditching BlackBerry by stating on Twitter: “We give our customers choices, but you don’t have to give up your #loyalty. We will continue to support.”  

Update: A T-Mobile spokesperson has responded with an official statement: 

“Customers can purchase some of the latest BlackBerry devices from T-Mobile – including the Q10 and Z10 that we have carried since they launched.  They can buy and direct ship devices from more than 3,000 T-Mobile retail stores and as an additional courtesy to our BlackBerry customers, we will begin offering free expedited shipping of BlackBerry devices by Friday.  Customers can also bring unlocked BlackBerry devices to T-Mobile. We are happy to be a BlackBerry partner and apologize for any confusion.”

Via: WSJ

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