Do people actually care about where the product is manufactured? I don't, as long as they're not using slave labor etc; I actually think outsourcing improves the standard of living around the world and provides me a better product at a lower price.
Of course. For many people "buy American" is a mantra. People from car makers to American Apparel try to tap into this sentiment. (obviously the degree to which something was actually "made in the USA" is not always clear)
Some Americans care about "buy[ing] American", but most don't. A prime example is the Japanese auto manufacturers taking market share away from American companies with better quality cars since the 80s, eventually becoming dominant.
Not to mention that the US isn't the only market for smartphones out there, so a large portion of the market certainly don't care if something is manufactured in the US.
Making quality software is probably the biggest opportunity for RIM right now, not the location of manufacture.
Consistently, Apple's "dirty secret" has been their use (and sometimes over use) of cheap offshore labor. This has allowed them to release products quickly and earn high profits.
RIM is still in a position to take the high road. Their devices don't need to compete on price. They can compete on quality. With manufacturing brought completely in to North America, RIM could say things like "take pride in our products - we do" and "Apple is in it for the money, we're in it to make our lives better".
pride when you make inferior product is not a good idea. Imagine the reaction of the people if just after I lose on first round of a Tennis open(I did) I scream to the stands: I'm so proud of me!!!
"Apple is in it for the money, we're in it to make our lives better"
If they say that they will be lying. Actually Apple has so much money in the bank that they could take the luxury of not being on it for the money, while RIM needs it to survive. Does Steve Jobs is there for the money? I bet you not.
