Hasta La Gadget!

At today’s RIM event, the BlackBerry maker gave us a closer look at BB10, with CEO Thorsten Heins talking up the operating system as “all about getting things done” and coining the interface “BlackBerry Flow.” He demoed a new Peek feature that lets users access the message notifications screen with a right angle gesture. The function can be used in any app: performing the swipe takes users to the BlackBerry Hub where they can view Tweets, messages and other notifications. There’s also a new clock and alarm system, which works by the user holding their fingertip on the bezel and sliding it to the appropriate time to set an alarm.

There’s also the business-friendly Balance feature we already knew about, which will let users’ IT departments access corporate email and perform remote wipe without affecting the rest of the phone. With Balance, BlackBerry phones essentially have two profiles, one secured for the work environment and one for personal use. It just so happens that we already got a hands-on look at the software running on a Dev Alpha B handset: take a look here.

Filed under: Cellphones, Software, Mobile

RIM puts BlackBerry 10 on display: new alarm, Peek gesture and more originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 25 Sep 2012 12:11:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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This bit of news got a bit buried amid the back-to-back-to-back press events that happened earlier this week, but Verizon Chief Marketing Officer Tami Erwin confirmed in an interview with CNET on Wednesday that the carrier will be offering at least one BlackBerry 10 smartphone at launch. As you’ll recall, that launch date now sits at sometime in the first quarter of 2013, following some delays, and it’s expected than an all-touch device will debut prior to a more traditional keyboard-equipped BlackBerry. Unfortunately, Erwin didn’t offer any more specifics than that, but it looks like RIM’s recent push to woo carriers has paid off with at least one of the big three in the US.

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile

Verizon CMO confirms carrier will sell a BlackBerry 10 device at launch originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 07 Sep 2012 13:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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If you can’t wait until next year to see the future for RIM, N4BB has obtained what it claims is a picture on the BlackBerry 10 L-Series, aka London. The screenshot shows a launcher pane full of app icons including BBM, Facebook, Maps and StoryMaker, which could be an iMovie-style video editor. Other leaks, including one from a video posted by BlackberryItalia.it (embedded after the break), indicate it could pack a removable 1800mAh LS1 battery and will be gunmetal colored. Of course, we don’t know how far along the software is on this unit compared to the ones we had hands-on experience with, but if you’re committed to sticking with the team from Waterloo then any news is likely welcome.

Update: CrackBerry has a more revealing version of the image now seen above, which surfaced in its forums and on Instagram.

[Thanks, John]

Continue reading BlackBerry 10 L-Series all-touchscreen phone caught on camera

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile

BlackBerry 10 L-Series all-touchscreen phone caught on camera originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 03 Sep 2012 23:42:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Thorsten Heins is assembling his crack team for BlackBerry 10, hiring and firing to assemble the lineup of business heavyweights he needs. RIM’s UK and Ireland chief Stephen Bates is the latest to move, being promoted into the newly-minted role of European Managing Director, while former product manager Rob Orr will take his place. A RIM spokesperson told ZDNet that the moves are to ensure the company’s BB7 legacy devices remain strong sellers in a key market while preparing the region for the advent of BB10.

Filed under: Cellphones

RIM promotes UK and Ireland head in preparation for BlackBerry 10 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Aug 2012 04:43:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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As the world awaits the arrival of BlackBerry 10 hardware, the Wall Street Journal has a report from RIM CEO Thorsten Heins that the company is ready to start showing off the “nearly complete” devices to carriers next week. Separately, CrackBerry has heard the same from its sources, along with word that more internal employees are becoming a part of the beta test group (already plugging away since May on alpha dev units like the one shown above) as well. As RIM is preparing to ramp up production of test devices, the CEO was also ready to confirm more details about the hardware, including that two devices are due at launch — one all-touchscreen and one QWERTY / touchscreen combo — with plans to expand to six models evenly split between the two options, and that it will stick with removable batteries.

Before RIM tries to convince end users early next year that its new OS was worth the wait, it will have to persuade potential carrier partners. Fortunately, if you believe one unnamed WSJ source, it’s already showing a “marked improvement” over existing phones that makes BlackBerry more competitive with Android. We’re not sure if that will keep BBM addicts on the hook until new hardware launches, but with the roadshow about to commence we should hear more concrete details soon.

Filed under: Cellphones

RIM is taking two BlackBerry 10 beta units on tour soon for carrier previews originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 14 Aug 2012 22:45:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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