BlackBerry CEO Warns iPhone Could be Replaced

Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL [FREE Stock Trend Analysis]) changed the world of smartphone development when it introduced the first iPhone in 2007.

Since that time, little has changed for the Mac maker's mobile operating system. While iOS has received a number of upgrades to improve its functionality, the core operations have remained in place.

This is good for consumers who are opposed to change. Those who want something different, however, may have to look elsewhere.

Thorsten Heins, the CEO of BlackBerry (NASDAQ: BBRY), thinks he understands consumers' plight. He told The Australian Financial Review that while Apple did a "fantastic job in bringing touch devices to market," the company has been slow to innovate since the first iPhone was released.

"History repeats itself again I guess ... the rate of innovation is so high in our industry that if you don't innovate at that speed you can be replaced pretty quickly," said Heins. "The user interface on the iPhone, with all due respect for what this invention was all about is now five years old."

More than five years old, actually. The iPhone is fast approaching its sixth birthday, which will occur this June. Instead of cake and six glowing candles, Apple is likely to celebrate by announcing another record-breaking quarter.

The iDevice creator is expected to release its next smartphone, the iPhone 5S, in the third or fourth quarter.

While the third quarter does not begin before July, Apple could release the iPhone 5S (or one of the other rumored iPhone models) in June to coincide with the six-year anniversary.

Despite the mountain of rumors that continue to circulate, things have been very quiet at the Cupertino, California-based tech giant. Apple has not made any significant announcements since November, creating one of the longest quiet periods in the company's recent history.

This is partially due to an unfortunate product release schedule. The company tends to release new iPhones in the latter part of the year. While the iPad was initially expected to be a spring product, Apple moved it to the fall schedule when it decided to release the fourth-generation model last November.

With or without new products, Apple is still breaking sales records and disappointing investors. This trend is poised continue next quarter.

Louis Bedigian is the Senior Tech Analyst and Features Writer of Benzinga. You can reach him at 248-636-1322 or louis@benzingapro.com. Follow him @LouisBedigianBZ

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