RIM’s Thorsten Heins denies company’s ‘death spiral,’ predicts successful transition to BlackBerry 10

RIM CEO Thorsten Heins has the unenviable task of, well, being the CEO of RIM. Still, in spite of some gloomy numbers, the exec thinks the company is on the right track. Heins told CBC Radio that, since taking over, the company has been implementing changes that are helping Research in Motion transition to BlackBerry 10, adding that “there’s nothing wrong with the company as it exists right now.” Heins told the Metro Morning radio show, “This company is not ignoring the world out there, nor is it in a death spiral,” adding, “Yes, it is very, very challenged at the moment – specifically in the U.S. market. The way I would describe it: we’re in the middle of a transition.” It’s a transition from which, Heins insists, RIM “will emerge successfully.” What’s more, Heins also has an op-ed in today’s Globe & Mail, where he mostly reiterates that stance and flatly says “don’t count BlackBerry out.” You can find it at the source link below.

RIM’s Thorsten Heins denies company’s ‘death spiral,’ predicts successful transition to BlackBerry 10 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 03 Jul 2012 11:47:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Mobile Syrup  |  sourceCanada.com, The Globe & Mail  | Email this | Comments

RIM: QWERTY BlackBerry 10 phone launches in ‘close proximity’ to its all-touch cousin

Thorsten Heins at BlackBerry World

RIM hasn’t had much good news to offer along with its glum fiscal first quarter, but it has given a reason to mark early 2013 on the calendar if you’re a BlackBerry fan. CEO Thorsten Heins revealed during the results call that the first QWERTY BlackBerry 10 phone will arrive in “close proximity” to its touchscreen-only counterpart. What that entails is still very much under wraps, although there were clues. Heins stressed that the early batch would focus on the “premium” space, while BlackBerry 7 would hold down the entry and mid-range markets until their BlackBerry 10 replacements were ready. The tidbits won’t provide much comfort to someone who has to decide on a phone by the holidays, but they hint that the truly patient could be rewarded for their calm under pressure.

RIM: QWERTY BlackBerry 10 phone launches in ‘close proximity’ to its all-touch cousin originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 28 Jun 2012 17:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Boost Mobile takes BlackBerry Curve 9310 to the US, spices it up with $30 unlimited BBM, voice and text plan

Boost Mobile takes BlackBerry Curve 9310 to the US, spices it up with $30 unlimited BBM, voice and text plan

RIM gave the impression when it unveiled the BlackBerry Curve 9320 and 9220 that its lowest-cost Curves were doubtful prospects for the US. Thankfully, that’s been proven wrong by Boost Mobile, which just launched the 9320’s CDMA cousin, the Curve 9310. The message-manic BlackBerry comes to Sprint’s prepaid network with its BBM key intact as well as BlackBerry 7.1, a 3.2-megapixel camera and that all-important low price: at $100 contract-free, it’s one of the cheapest ways to leap into smartphones in the US. To top it off, Boost is throwing in a very tantalizing BBM Unlimited plan. The deal offers unlimited calling, text messaging and (naturally) BBM; although it starts at $45 per month, it gradually dips down to a very reasonable $30 per month if owners pay their bills properly for six months. Both the Curve 9310 and its companion plan will be available July 10th, giving us time to find the needed spare change under our couch cushions.

Boost Mobile takes BlackBerry Curve 9310 to the US, spices it up with $30 unlimited BBM, voice and text plan originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 27 Jun 2012 11:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BlackBerry Messenger for BlackBerry 10 gets a possible first sighting, themes to fit that chatty lifestyle

BlackBerry Messenger for BlackBerry 10 gets a possible outing, themes to fit your chatty lifestyle

It was scarcely a day ago that we got a first peek at what could be the first BlackBerry 10 devices — and now we’re looking at what may be BlackBerry 10’s cornerstone app, a reworked BlackBerry Messenger. As long as N4BB‘s details prove legitimate, the centerpiece of the app will be its theming: owners can customize the chat bubbles and backdrops to fit their finicky ways. Of course, this being an efficiency-obsessed RIM, the theming should also be integral to keeping power consumption to a minimum: the darker the colors, the less energy a BBM conversation demands from a future BlackBerry’s big OLED screen. We don’t know whether any changes will prove more than skin deep, although the switch to the QNX-based OS might prove enough at first. We’ll know everything soon enough should of a September release for the first phone be more than just a feverish dream.

BlackBerry Messenger for BlackBerry 10 gets a possible first sighting, themes to fit that chatty lifestyle originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 26 Jun 2012 10:27:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spotify now official on BlackBerry App World for compatible handsets

Spotify now official on BlackBerry App World for compatible handsets

Spotify’s been available to a certain segment of the BlackBerry population for some time now, but as of today it’s become an official listing on RIM’s app store. The app, which exited beta last December, hasn’t changed — there aren’t any UI or performance tweaks in tow, simply a more convenient means of accessing the application without having to redirect to a dedicated mobile site. You can hit up the source below to start your download, but bear in mind you’ll need a premium account to take advantage of the company’s streaming service on-the-go.

Spotify now official on BlackBerry App World for compatible handsets originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 25 Jun 2012 16:37:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink TheNextWeb  |  sourceBlackBerry App World  | Email this | Comments