Following a product demonstration with Research In Motion’s (RIMM) senior product managers for the Blackberry 2.0 Playbook and Blackberry 7.1, Canaccord Genuity technology analyst Michael Walkley maintained his HOLD rating and $15 price target on the company. Mr. Walkley said:

“While we were impressed with the improvements BlackBerry 2.0 offers, we believe it still lags competing tablet offerings. With competing OEMs continuing to introduce high-end smartphone products on more established software ecosystems and low-cost Android smartphones pressuring RIM’s international margins, we believe sales and earnings will remain under pressure until BlackBerry 10 smartphones launch in late C2012.”

He added, “While we believe RIM management is focused on improved product execution during 2012, we believe new BB 10 smartphones will launch into an even more competitive smartphone market, as we anticipate innovative new Android LTE smartphones from multiple OEMs, a significant increase in Windows smartphone offerings from Nokia and other OEMs, and a refreshed LTE iPhone 5 by the time BB 10 smartphones launch.”