Research In Motion’s (RIM) latest operating system for BlackBerry finally has a launch date set. After over a year of delays and anticipation, the BlackBerry 10 will be released on two BlackBerry smartphones–the details of which will be disclosed at RIM’s worldwide launch event. This is huge for RIM as its stake in the cutthroat mobile device market has been squandered over the last few year by devices running on iOS (namely the iPhone 5) and Android (pretty much all other phones).
RIM is gaining a lot of steam with the BlackBerry 10 already. On November 8, RIM boasted that BlackBerry 10 had been certified for FIPS, or Federal Information Processing Standards. This is the first time RIM was able to achieve this before a commercial debut and means government agencies will be able to deploy BlackBerry 10 smartphones as soon as it becomes available.
According to Business Insider, “On Oct. 31 more than 50 carriers have begun lab-testing the phones, a process that typically takes 60 to 90 days.” This combined with FIPS clearance is an extremely positive and optimistic sign for RIM especially after the Huffington Post reported that one analyst predicted the “BB10 is likely to be DOA. We expect the new operating system to be met with a lukewarm response at best.”
BlackBerry fansite CrackBerry raved about the new RIM OS this morning and event was as far as placing 10 exclamation points in its article headline. It seems as if nobody is looking forward to the January 30 worldwide release more than the CrackBerry faithful. The article notes a slew of new features by RIM that will hopefully revolutionize the BlackBerry line, including BlackBerry Hub, the new messaging and events center; BlackBerry Keyboard, a faster and more accurate typing delivery system; and BlackBerry Balance, the work/play separation organizer.
There’s no word yet on price or what devices will be carrying BlackBerry 10, but all questions will likely be answered at the January 30 worldwide launch event.
Stay tuned to BostInno for latest news about RIM and the BlackBerry 10. In the meantime, let us know how you think it will fair. Will this be the saving grace for RIM? Can BlackBerry compete with smartphone giants like iPhone and Samsung Galaxy? Is this RIM’s final stand? Let us know what your thoughts in the comments section below.
