Blackberries are a popular and delicious fruit that many people enjoy. However, like all perishable items, blackberries do have a limited shelf life and can go bad if not properly stored or consumed in a timely manner.
Why isn’t the iPhone as innovative as it used to be?
So… just what is innovation? A dictionary will tell you that it’s “doing something differently”.
In 2010, Microsoft released the Kin, a very different smartphone that was the result of about one billion dollars in internal product development under Roz Ho. The Kin was a huge failure, cancelled only six weeks after its introduction. And it was featured on the inevitable year’s end list of bad products, etc. despite being different. It is important to remember that different is a vector, which can point in any direction. Not just toward innovation and success.
Part of the device’s failure was that it was basically a feature phone, not a smartphone, based on a weird fork of Windows Phone that didn’t support Windows Phone apps. However, on Verizon, it was priced as a smartphone, in those days meaning at least $70/month on a data plan. Too much cash, no apps, no games. As few as 500 units sold in the USA in those six weeks!
So clearly, innovation isn’t just something different. Rather, it’s something different that’s actually an improvement. And I’d claim, while it may be immediately obvious that the new thing you’re doing is also an improvement, it may take a little while. Innovation is often the judgement of history. It’s deemed an improvement because it becomes a thing that consumers demand, a thing that other phones start to find important to include, perhaps essential.
Innovation in the iPhone
It’s easy to make claims about the original iPhone being innovative. And I agree with many of these. But it’s useful to look at what kind of innovation you got.
So, just what were the feature? We had:
Icon-based interface. When the iPhone launched in 2007, it was hardly the first smartphone. My Palm Treo had icons, had a touchscreen. But the Treo had a keyboard, too.
Capacitive touch screen. That wasn’t brand new in the iPhone, either, but it wasn’t used in smartphones in 2007. They all had a stylus, and all used resistive touch.
Finger-driven UI. The reason the Treo, the Blackberry, the Windows Phones, etc. needed a resistive screen with stylus is that their UIs were all kind of shrunk down PC displays. You needed more accuracy than a finger could have afforded. The iPhone was designed for touch. A typical stylus of the day wouldn’t even work on it.
All-screen design. Sure, phones have become even more all-screen, but compared to Palms, Blackberries, most Nokias, etc. the iPhone was all-screen. Though my PDA, the Palm T|X, had exactly the same screen size. Many Windows Phones and PDAs were also nearly as all-screen.
Large enough screen, good enough web browser, that web browsing on the iPhone worked pretty well. Most other smartphones were not well designed for web browsing, with too-small screens, limited browsers, etc.
iPod Evolution. While some smartphones, like the Blackberries, grew up as specific-function devices (the main point of Blackberry was corporate email), most smartphones in 2007 grew up as offspring on Personal Digital Assistants, the first pocket computers. The iPhone grew out of the iPod. So it did everything an iPod could do, making it immediately more fun. This drove me nuts at the time! My Treo actually had the same Motorola/Freescale SOC as the first Microsoft Zune media player, but it wasn’t shipped for use as any kind of music or media player. It was capable, but that just wasn’t on the list.
Now, all of those things had been done before, perhaps, at least in some way. But we can get to the fundamental innovation of the iPhone by adding them all up: the iPhone was the very first smartphone really made for and pushed to consumers. Sure, there had been “feature” phones, some of which were actually smartphones sold more as feature phones, like some of Nokia’s models (in 2007, Nokia controlled about 70% of the smartphone market, though more outside of the USA than inside).
The iPhone was integrated with the iTunes store, just as the iPod had been: one stop shopping. Back then, you bought software for a Treo much as you did for a PC, from different online stores, sometimes in actual computer stores. And in fact, the iPhone wasn’t really a smartphone in its first year anyway… it was basically a high-end feature phone. That didn’t matter. And Apps came in 2008.
The Next Innovation?
So Apple may not have broke huge amounts of new ground, but the ground they dented in many places added up to a very new thing: a smartphone for consumers. Every major smartphone company at the time had decided that smartphones were really for businesspeople, not consumers. Maybe this was a bit less in Europe than the USA. But Microsoft, Palm, Blackberry, they were all about the business use. Regular consumers weren’t going to pay $400 for a phone and some big fees for wireless networking. Well, I did… my Treo was on a 3G network in 2007. And it wasn’t all that expensive. But it was also useful for work.
So Apple’s next models, the iPhone 3G and 3GS, were, oddly enough, on a “3G” GSM network, initially, in a deal with AT&T. But they were very, very much of the same formula as the first iPhone. Processors and GPUs went faster, the network was upgraded in each phone, the back camera on the 3GS went to 3 megapixels. Apps had been established, and especially games became important to Apple. But nothing earthshaking here.
Apple settled into a rhythm of large and small changes: the iPhone 4, the 4s, the 5, the 5s, etc. But as this was happening, other competition came along. Apple wasn’t always producing the new must-have thing for the next year. Samsung was the first company successfully selling everyone a huge phone. While Steve Jobs was at Apple, he insisted that one hand should be able to reach the whole screen. That didn’t last.
Sure, Apple, like everyone else, does the bigger-better-faster-more thing. That alone isn’t innovation. It’s the obvious thing everyone will be doing. Apple’s in-house CPU development has afforded them the luxury of being able to pay a bit more for a CPU than the competition. The nature of iOS has meant they found less use for more, cheaper CPUs than Android devices. So kind of a wash on the CPU itself.
But new tech, that’s a potential innovation. And these things tend to happen kind of all-at-once, not necessarily lead by one company. Apple added an AI processor in 2017 (the “Bionic” part of the A11 Bionic). So did Google (Google Visual Core, now called the Google Neural Core in 2019 processors). A year later, everyone’s got one: Qualcomm, Samsung, HiSilicon, etc.
Is this innovation? I’d claim it is, potentially, because it’s adding computation that, for all sorts of out-in-the-world applications, deep learning algorithm work well and these AI processors allow far better AI for far less power. However, if all the consumer ever sees with this is software to make a tiny camera chip look less crappy than last year’s identical tiny camera chip, it may not emerge functionally as an innovation. We nerds jump at the potential of a cool new thing, but until it actually changes the world, it remains a slowly fading potential.
All of this activity slowly molded us all into knowing just what a smartphone was supposed to be. They got really good. And that’s what happens in any new technology. It reaches some kind of maturity, in which the basic tech is well known and grows by small increments. Innovations, like Samsung’s Galaxy Note, are potentially failures, and generally done within the company as a special project. Samsung didn’t make the Note their Galaxy S of the year, their flagship phone. Sure, it was kind of a super-flagship, but it only served to sell more phones. So even if the public had rejected it, Samsung wasn’t risking their main product line.
Lessons from the Top
So here’s a chart of iPhone sales. It should be no surprise, given this success, that the iPhone went from this quirky little idea to Apple’s main business. But with iPods, Apple TV, etc. they were already going there. They even celebrated that in 2007, after the iPhone launch, by changing the name of the company from “Apple Computer” to “Apple”.
This chart is pretty much seems to be about one thing: the iPhone was super successful. But it’s also a chart about slowing innovation. Basically speaking, when you get really successful at a thing, you tend to become risk-adverse. The original iPhone, as mundane as it was viewed with 2020 eyes, was a risk. But not a big one, because it was a whole new line of product for Apple.
Today, Apple is usually only around 10–15% of smartphones sold in any quarter. But they’re fabulously profitable, and Apple really only makes premium and superpremium models, while most companies run their product from discount through the roof. And when you’re on that roof, on the top of the smartphone mountain, it’s hard to see any big directional shift as anything but “down”.
As I mentioned, for really successful companies, that “down” can be mitigated by trial balloon products. You have your great new idea, but you’re still making the meat and potatos product. Apple doesn’t actually do much of this, and that’s really what does limit innovation. The iPhone X was the rare one, though… a pretty big jump away from their established phone, at least for Apple, but mitigated by the fact you could buy the iPhone 8 if you didn’t like the new hotness.
Even with cool new features baked in, they’re mostly trodding trails pounded smooth by other companies, maybe taking a feature that was well regarded and making it much better (fingerprint and face unlock, for example) than brewing their own totally thing. But in a market this established, most companies are actually doing that.
Others are still inflating the occasional more radical trial balloon. But when you go to something like the Samsung Fold, you’re actually trying to change what everyone currently accepts as “smartphone” into something different. That kind of thing doesn’t necessarily work, or necessarily work in one generation. This one presents a number of technical challenges that some companies are better suited for than others. One key here is making a flexible display… but that mandates a soft screen. What does this look like in 2 years? The launch was rough… prototype redesigned for better durability, etc.
And is this innovation? Right now, I’d claim it’s “different”, but no one really knows if this catches on and becomes a new, accepted from of pocket computer, or if it’s rejected back to oblivion. If it does well enough, expect these things to be everywhere in 3–5 years… maybe even Apple? If not, pundits will be telling us they never liked it next December. Well, actually, I think a few have already pronounced this as one of 2019’s big fails. So already, officially, not an innovation… until it is.
It’s interesting that, these days, a new device can make both lists.
Read More
How Kin Became Microsoft’s Worst Failure
These are the 8 biggest tech disappointments of 2019 so far
The 84 biggest flops, fails, and dead dreams of the decade in tech
The Biggest Tech Fails of 2019
https://www.gizmochina.com/2019/12/23/top-most-innovative-smartphones-of-2019/
The best smartphones and mobile innovations to watch in 2020
https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/technology/808521-most-insane-smartphone-innovations-that-will-go-mainstream-in-2020
When it comes to determining if blackberries are still good to eat, there are a few signs to look out for. One of the first things to check is the appearance of the blackberries. Fresh blackberries should be plump, firm, and have a shiny appearance. If they appear dull, shriveled, or moldy, it is a clear indication that they have gone bad and should be discarded.
In addition to visual cues, the smell of blackberries can also be a good indicator of their freshness. Fresh blackberries should have a sweet and pleasant aroma. If they smell sour or have an unpleasant odor, it is a sign that they have spoiled and should not be consumed.
When it comes to durability, blackberries are relatively delicate and have a shorter shelf life compared to some other fruits. This is due to their high water content, which makes them more prone to spoilage. Proper storage is key to extending the lifespan of blackberries. They should be kept in the refrigerator and consumed within a few days of purchase. Freezing blackberries is also a great way to preserve them for a longer period of time.
In conclusion, blackberries can go bad if not stored properly or consumed within a reasonable timeframe. It is important to check for signs of spoilage such as changes in appearance and smell. By following proper storage practices, blackberries can be enjoyed at their best and enjoyed for longer periods of time.
Are Blackberries Perishable?
Blackberries are indeed perishable fruits, meaning that they have a limited shelf life and can spoil if not properly stored or consumed in a timely manner. Like other berries, blackberries are highly delicate and prone to damage and decay. Their soft texture and high moisture content make them susceptible to mold, bacteria, and rapid deterioration.
To ensure the longevity of blackberries, it is crucial to handle them with care and store them properly. It is recommended to purchase blackberries that are firm, plump, and free from any signs of mold or mushiness. If there are any damaged or bruised berries in the package, it is best to remove them as they can accelerate the spoilage process.
Blackberries should be stored in the refrigerator to maintain their freshness and slow down the ripening process. It is advisable to store them in a shallow container lined with a paper towel to absorb excess moisture. Avoid washing the berries until you are ready to consume them, as moisture can promote mold growth. Properly stored blackberries can last for up to a week in the refrigerator.
If you have a surplus of blackberries or want to extend their shelf life further, freezing them is a great option. Before freezing, it is recommended to wash the berries gently and pat them dry. Spread them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until firm. Once frozen, transfer the berries to a resealable bag or airtight container and store them in the freezer for up to several months.
While blackberries are perishable, with proper storage and handling, you can enjoy their sweet and tart flavor for an extended period. Remember to check for any signs of spoilage before consuming and discard any berries that appear moldy, slimy, or off in odor or taste.
How Long Do Blackberries Last?
Blackberries are a delicious and nutritious fruit that can be enjoyed fresh, added to salads, or used in various recipes. If you’re wondering how long blackberries last, it depends on various factors, including how they are stored.
Fresh blackberries typically have a shelf life of about 2-3 days if stored at room temperature. However, they can last longer if refrigerated. When stored in the refrigerator, blackberries can stay fresh for up to a week. It is important to keep them dry and not wash them until just before consuming to prevent mold growth.
To extend the shelf life of blackberries even further, you can freeze them. Frozen blackberries can last up to a year if stored properly. It is recommended to wash and dry the blackberries thoroughly before freezing. Spread them out on a baking sheet in a single layer and freeze them for a couple of hours. Once they are frozen, transfer them to an airtight container or a freezer bag. This way, you can enjoy blackberries even when they are out of season.
Here is a table summarizing the shelf life of blackberries:
| Storage Method | Shelf Life |
| ————– | ———- |
| Room Temperature | 2-3 days |
| Refrigerator | Up to a week |
| Freezer | Up to a year |
By following these storage methods, you can ensure that your blackberries last as long as possible and can be enjoyed at their peak freshness. Whether you are planning to use them immediately or save them for later, proper storage is key to maximize the lifespan of blackberries.
Fresh Blackberries: How Long Do They Last and Are They Durable?
When it comes to fresh blackberries, many people wonder how long they last and if they are durable. Blackberries are known for their delicious taste and numerous health benefits, but like any other fruit, they do have a limited shelf life.
Fresh blackberries are highly perishable and can start to go bad within a few days if not stored properly. To ensure the longevity of your blackberries, it’s important to handle them with care and store them correctly.
One of the key factors in determining how long blackberries last is their freshness when you purchase them. If you buy blackberries that are already overripe or have signs of mold or spoilage, they will not last as long as fresh, firm berries. It’s best to choose blackberries that are plump, glossy, and evenly colored.
Once you bring your blackberries home, it’s important to store them properly to maximize their freshness. The ideal storage temperature for blackberries is between 32°F and 36°F (0°C and 2°C). You can store them in the refrigerator in a shallow container lined with paper towels to absorb any excess moisture.
When it comes to durability, blackberries are relatively delicate fruits. They have a soft and fragile texture, and mishandling or rough treatment can easily damage them. It’s important to handle blackberries with care to prevent bruising or crushing.
To ensure the durability of blackberries, avoid stacking or piling them on top of each other, as this can cause them to crush and spoil more quickly. Instead, place them in a single layer to allow for proper air circulation. Avoid washing the berries until just before consumption, as excess moisture can promote spoilage.
In conclusion, fresh blackberries have a limited shelf life and are relatively delicate fruits. Their longevity depends on their freshness at the time of purchase and proper storage. With careful handling and storage, you can enjoy fresh blackberries for several days. So, make sure to choose the freshest berries, store them properly, and handle them with care to savor their delicious taste and health benefits for as long as possible.
Frozen Blackberries: Are They Durable and Do They Go Bad?
Frozen blackberries are a convenient and versatile option for those who enjoy the taste of fresh blackberries year-round. They can be used in a variety of recipes, from smoothies and desserts to sauces and jams. But are frozen blackberries durable, and do they go bad?
When properly stored, frozen blackberries have a relatively long shelf life. They can be stored in the freezer for up to a year without significant changes in taste or texture. However, it is important to note that the quality of the blackberries may deteriorate over time. Freezing can cause some loss of flavor and texture, so it is best to consume them within the first few months for the best taste and texture.
To ensure the longevity of frozen blackberries, proper storage is key. It is recommended to transfer the blackberries from their original packaging to an airtight container or freezer bag. This will prevent freezer burn and protect the blackberries from absorbing odors from other foods in the freezer.
When it comes to the question of whether frozen blackberries go bad, the answer is yes, they can. While they won’t spoil in the same way fresh blackberries do, they can still suffer from freezer burn or develop off-flavors if not properly stored. Freezer burn occurs when ice crystals form on the surface of the blackberries, causing them to become dry and shriveled.
To avoid freezer burn, it is important to seal the blackberries tightly and remove as much air as possible from the packaging. Additionally, it is advisable to consume the blackberries within a reasonable time frame to ensure the best quality.
In conclusion, frozen blackberries are a durable option that can be stored for up to a year. However, to maintain their quality, it is essential to store them properly in airtight containers or freezer bags and consume them within the recommended time frame. By following these guidelines, you can enjoy the taste of blackberries even when they are out of season.
What affects the shelf life of blackberries?
When it comes to the shelf life of blackberries, there are several factors that can affect their longevity and overall quality. Understanding these factors can help you properly store and preserve your blackberries to ensure they last as long as possible.
Firstly, proper handling and storage are essential for extending the shelf life of blackberries. Blackberries are delicate fruits and can easily bruise or become damaged if not handled with care. To prevent this, it is recommended to gently wash the berries before consumption or storage. It is important to note that blackberries are highly perishable and should be consumed within a few days of purchase.
Temperature also plays a crucial role in determining the shelf life of blackberries. Ideally, blackberries should be stored at a cool temperature between 32-36°F (0-2°C). Higher temperatures can accelerate the ripening process and lead to a shorter shelf life. Therefore, it is important to store blackberries in the refrigerator to maintain their freshness and extend their shelf life.
Additionally, moisture is another factor that can affect the shelf life of blackberries. Excess moisture can promote the growth of mold and bacteria, leading to spoilage. It is important to store blackberries in a well-ventilated container to prevent moisture buildup. Avoid washing blackberries until you are ready to consume them, as moisture can cause them to spoil more quickly.
Furthermore, the quality and freshness of the blackberries at the time of purchase can also impact their shelf life. It is advisable to choose blackberries that are firm, plump, and free from any signs of mold or decay. Avoid purchasing blackberries that are overly ripe or have soft spots, as these are more likely to spoil quickly.
In conclusion, several factors affect the shelf life of blackberries, including proper handling, storage temperature, moisture control, and the quality of the berries at the time of purchase. By following these guidelines and taking the necessary precautions, you can ensure that your blackberries stay fresh for a longer period of time.
Storage conditions
When it comes to the storage of blackberries, it is important to consider the ideal conditions in order to maintain their freshness and prevent spoilage. Blackberries are highly perishable fruits and can easily go bad if not stored properly.
First and foremost, it is crucial to keep blackberries refrigerated. The ideal temperature for storing blackberries is between 32°F (0°C) and 35°F (2°C). This temperature range helps to slow down the ripening process and prolong the shelf life of the berries. Therefore, it is recommended to store blackberries in the refrigerator to maintain their quality and prevent them from spoiling quickly.
Furthermore, blackberries are delicate fruits and can easily become damaged if mishandled. To prevent bruising and spoilage, it is important to handle blackberries with care. Avoid squeezing or piling them on top of each other, as this can lead to crushing and the release of juices, which accelerates spoilage. Instead, store blackberries in a single layer in a shallow container or spread them out on a tray, allowing air to circulate around the berries.
Another important aspect to consider when storing blackberries is moisture. Excess moisture can promote the growth of mold and bacteria, leading to spoilage. Therefore, it is essential to ensure that blackberries are dry before storing them. Gently wash the berries in cool water right before consumption or use, and make sure to pat them dry with a paper towel or a clean cloth. Avoid washing blackberries in advance, as this can increase their moisture content and hasten spoilage.
In addition to refrigeration and proper handling, it is also important to store blackberries in airtight containers or resealable bags. This helps to prevent the entry of air and moisture, which can cause the berries to spoil faster. Make sure to seal the containers tightly to maintain the freshness of the blackberries.
By following these storage conditions, blackberries can stay fresh and maintain their quality for a longer period of time. Remember to refrigerate the berries at the appropriate temperature, handle them with care, remove excess moisture, and store them in airtight containers. With these measures in place, you can enjoy delicious and fresh blackberries for an extended period.
Quality of Blackberries
When it comes to blackberries, quality is an important factor to consider. Blackberries are a delicious and nutritious fruit that can be enjoyed in various ways, such as in desserts, smoothies, or simply eaten fresh. However, the quality of blackberries can vary depending on several factors, including freshness, ripeness, and storage conditions.
Here are some key points to consider when assessing the quality of blackberries:
- Freshness: Fresh blackberries should have a vibrant color, ranging from deep purple to black. They should be plump and firm to the touch, without any signs of shriveling or mold.
- Ripeness: Blackberries are at their best when they are fully ripe. Ripe blackberries are juicy and sweet, with a slight tartness. They should easily separate from the stem when gently pulled.
- Taste: The taste of blackberries can vary depending on their ripeness and variety. Ripe blackberries should have a balanced and flavorful taste, combining sweetness and tartness.
- Texture: High-quality blackberries have a smooth and plump texture. They should not be mushy or overly soft.
- Storage: Proper storage is crucial for maintaining the quality of blackberries. Blackberries are delicate fruits and can easily spoil if not handled and stored correctly. They should be stored in a cool place, ideally in the refrigerator, and consumed within a few days of purchase.
In conclusion, blackberries can be a delicious and nutritious addition to your diet, but it’s important to assess their quality before consuming. Freshness, ripeness, taste, and texture are all indicators of the overall quality of blackberries. By paying attention to these factors and storing them properly, you can enjoy the best blackberry experience.
FAQ
How long do blackberries last before going bad?
Blackberries are such a delicate fruit that it is hard to know how long they will last before going bad, so we have broken down the details for you below: Fresh blackberries can last for about two days at room temperature before they start to go bad. In the fridge, blackberries can last for a maximum of five days.
Do blackberries taste bad?
Bad blackberries taste sour and have a mushy texture. They may also have a musty or mouldy taste. It is best to avoid eating bad blackberries as they can cause food poisoning. How long do blackberries last in the fridge? Blackberries can last up to 5 days in the fridge if stored properly.
How do you know if a blackberry is bad?
If blackberries have an off odor, it’s a sign that they have gone bad. A sour or unpleasant smell is a clear indication that the blackberries are spoiled. Taste If you’re not sure if a blackberry is bad, try tasting it. If it doesn’t taste good or makes you feel sick, it’s best to throw it out. Molds and Bacteria
Are blackberries healthy?
Blackberries are also low in calories, with one cup containing only around 62 calories. This makes them a great snack choice for those trying to maintain a healthy weight or lose weight. In summary, blackberries are a nutritious and delicious fruit that offer a range of health benefits.
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