BlackBerry has officially unveiled it’s brand new operating system BB10, confirming the first mobile phones running the OS – the BlackBerry Z10 set for launch in UK on January 31st and the BlackBerry Q10.
BB10 is a new operating system designed from the ground up for RIM’s new range of smartphones, CEO Thorsten Heins unveiled it New York stating it: “Will transform mobile communication to mobile computing.” Heins also revealed RIM is no more and the company will now be called BlackBerry.
The BlackBerry Z10 is the flagship smartphone and has a 4.2-inch touchscreen and is the first BlackBerry phone with 4G on-board, while the BlackBerry Q10 has a traditional QWERTY keyboard, similar to older phones like the BlackBerry Bold 9900.
At the heart of the OS is BlackBerry Flow, a process moving through the phone using gestures, designed to be more natural and quick. BlackBerry Hub pulls in all your messages – email, text – ensure they are quickly accessible by swiping the phone. BlackBerry Balance enables the user to swap between separate UI’s one for business and one for pleasure, with different layouts. Read more about BB10 here.
RIM also announced some significant changes to BlackBerry Messenger (BBM), the popoular IM service will now support video chat and screenshare – whereby BlackBerry owners can view each others screen.
BlackBerry fans have been waiting a long time for the Z10, the first BB10 phones were expected to launch last year, but in June 2012, RIM confirmed delays until Q1 2013. Heins confirmed it was the most challenging year of his career. Will BB10 be enough for RIM to take market share at the high end from Android and iOS? We’ll find out soon.
We had a sneak peak at the operating system last year and we’ll be bringing you some hands-on photos and videos of the BlackBerry Z10 later.
What features does the BlackBerry Z10 have?
The BlackBerry Z10 is very different to any phone RIM has made and the first touchscreen device.
| BlackBerry Z10 specifications | |
|---|---|
| Operating system | BB10 |
| Screen | 4.2-inch |
| Camera | 8-megapixel primary, 1080p capture/2-megapixel rear |
| Processor | 1.5GHz Qualcomm dual-core |
| RAM | 2GB |
| Storage | 16GB internal, microSD slot |
| Connectivity | 4G (multiband), HSPA+, 3G, WiFi |
| Battery | TBC |
| Dimenesions/weight | TBC |
Where does it sit in RIM’s BlackBerry line up?
BB10 is a brand new operating system, so there are currently just two phones in its line-up. The BlackBerry Z10 and the BlackBerry Q10, we’re expecting the Z10 to be slightly more expensive.
What are the alternatives?
BlackBerry is taking on the current crop of handsets with such as Samsung Galaxy S3, Apple iPhone 5 and HTC One X Plus.
When will the BlackBerry Z10 launch?
The UK will be one of the first markets to get the new phone. Heins confirmed the BlackBerry Z10 will be available in the UK on January 31st from Carphone Warehouse, Vodafone, EE, Three, Phones 4U and O2.
How much will the BlackBerry Z10 cost
Vodafone has confirmed the BlackBerry Z10 will cost £29 on the 24 month Vodafone Red Data plan, with unlimited calls and texts and 2GB of internet for £42 a month. Alternatively on the 24 month Vodafone Red plan, the phone is free and costs for £47 a month, including 1GB of mobile internet, unlimited calls and unlimited texts.
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