Hasta La Gadget!

Everyone’s favorite messaging service, BBM has broke from cover in its new BlackBerry 10 digs at BlackBerry Jam Americas 2012. The software is sporting a redesigned UI, which places the focus on your contacts’ photos instead of the regular ol’ list of names. Speech bubbles that we’ve all become familiar with are still here and emoticons get cozy as well. Another new feature is the predictive keyboard that’s capable of detecting the language that you’re typing in and offers the appropriate suggestions that you may need — even if you’re switching back and forth.

Filed under: Cellphones, Software, Mobile

BBM for BlackBerry 10 gets a retooled UI, predictive keyboard with language detection originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 25 Sep 2012 12:08:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Details about BlackBerry 10 have been trickling out for months now, but BlackBerry Jam Americas 2012 is finally here, and we’re hoping to get a longer look at RIM’s next-gen OS. Company CEO Thorsten Heins is kicking things off with his keynote this morning, so join us after the break as we bring it to you live.

Filed under: Cellphones, Software, Mobile

Live from Blackberry Jam Americas 2012! originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 25 Sep 2012 11:12:00 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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It’s been said before that RIM CEO Thorsten Heins surely has one of the toughest jobs in tech. It’s a title he no doubt shares with Frank Boulben, the company’s newly minted CMO. After all, it’s Boulben who will be taking charge of the marketing for the company so badly in need of a new image. The Orange / Vodafone expat, naturally, sees very bright things ahead for Research in Motion’s future — a future that hinges almost entirely on the success of the company’s much delayed BlackBerry 10.

Like Heins, Boulben insists that all who have seen the much anticipated mobile operating system thus far have been thoroughly impressed — it’s a sentiment that we certainly can’t debate. Of course, given all of the trouble the company has run into bringing the OS to market, the number of folks who can claim membership in that exclusive club is small indeed. When the first BB10 devices finally hit early next year, Boulben’s team will be tasked with making sure that number increases significantly enough to ensure the company’s success in a field that is increasingly dominated by the likes of Android and iOS.

We spoke to Boulben about his plans to help spread the BlackBerry gospel, the time he spent as an executive at the also-troubled Lightsquared and the changes RIM must make to ensure it’s success in the future.

Continue reading The Engadget Interview: RIM CMO Frank Boulben

The Engadget Interview: RIM CMO Frank Boulben originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 16 Jul 2012 21:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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