RIM tells me it is well aware of this problem, and it's courting both smaller developers and the large, corporate developers through a variety of initiatives meant to raise the profile of BlackBerry 10 and inform developers of the benefits of creating software for the new platform. For example, RIM will hold a number of developer events, called , in a variety of countries in the coming months.

To sum all of this up: RIM is putting forth an admirable effort to remain in the mobile game with BlackBerry 10. And it's not taking the low road by simple copying features and functionality found in other mobile platforms. Unfortunately, RIM's position in the market has reached a point where unique hardware and software will not matter if the company cannot convince the developers and partners required to sustain a healthy mobile ecosystem that BlackBerry 10 is worth their time and money.

covers Mobile and Wireless for CIO.com. Follow Al on Twitter @ASacco. Follow everything from CIO.com on Twitter @CIOonline and on . Email Al at asacco@cio.com