RIM's co-CEO
Mike Lazaridis just announced in an analyst call today that the company's next platform -- coined BlackBerry 6 -- will be available "in the next calendar quarter," which we take to mean the third quarter of 2010. We weren't able to see a video preview of the platform that was shown to analysts attending the event, but the demo apparently showed a touchscreen interface; a follow-up question from the audience confirmed that it'll be available for both touch and non-touch devices, though. Interestingly, Lazaridis said that the company's all-new
WebKit-based browser is part and parcel with 6, pointing out that the rendering engine will have implications throughout the platform and the apps that run on it, not just on the browser alone; in other words, we wouldn't expect a release of a WebKit browser from these guys for OS 5.0-based devices. Speaking of OS 5.0, the intention is that every device in RIM's portfolio will eventually run 6, but not everything in the market today will necessarily be upgradeable -- Lazaridis says that they'll "do [their] best," but he's not making any guarantees. More on this as we get it.
posted April 26th 2010 2:09PM
That's what all companies should do. They should announce their product so that it comes within the next quarter of the announcement, not a year away.
@month
Looking at you, Dell.
@month Well for these guys, all they needed to do was touch up the their OS, and add a few new things for optimization.
@month
ejem... Sony Xperia X10?
@N900 that's debatable. hehe
@month
Too little too late. I'm already going to jump ship to Android.
@TBolt Oh, well I don't really mean that in a bad way ^^;. Just saying that they have an easier job doing things like adding modal gestures, retooling UI and browser framework, instead of doing all that from scratch.
@retro77 Ha, then the joke is on you.
@Jeffrey
They should announce as far in advance as possible, especially with phones, which are often only bought at contract time. For example, I have been planning on getting a new iPhone in June, but when I found out that new Dell phones are coming out by the end of the year I briefly considered waiting a few more months to get a Dell phone. However, I just can't wait that long. Which might prove your point, perhaps.
@zangetsu2 id get a new iphone but i dont want to have to suffer through another year or two of having a feature phone... its almost unbearable
@Jeffrey
how bout the sony x10...
Yawn.
@winbsodos awesome job at making a relevant and constructive comment!!
on a more serious note...this is good news but i'm wondering what the minimum requirements will be since the 9650 is the only one i've heard about as being ready to upgrade to the 6.0 OS.
@awperk
No I definitely bet that all the "newer" generation, the 9700, 8900, tour, *maybe* 8520 will all be able to upgrade.
@month Probably BlackBerry Bold 9000 too
@awperk
Seeing that the 9650 is the only one with 512 MB, I'm guessing that will be a requirement.
@dandanthepianoman
If the 9700 can be upgraded, the 9000 should be capable, too... They're running the same processor, although I guess the 9700 has more "Flash Memory".
My real concern about the 9000 is that AT&T hasn't made 5.0 available for it yet. I know I can get my hands on the software and install it on my own, but it's a company phone, so I probably ought not take too many risks with it.
yawn.
@ComeShot
With a name like that you have got to be a stevo flunky. Did he slap the iphone jizz to you?
Personally I'm holding out for WP7. Blackberry has been relegated to the past in my mind, although it will be interesting to see what their new system looks like.
@garydahlsoldyouarockfor395
I hear you. For enterprise use, I wonder how much of WP7 will take over their market share. For security, I understand why there's corporate appeal but everyone hates their BB in my company. It's basically used as an email client at this point and a free phone. Web browsing and apps are a pain to use.
@mphayvanh
Windows 7 isn't going to put a dent in BlackBerry's share. You're comparing a platform that's known for piss poor security (and will continue to be that way) to a platform with virtually impenetrable security. Not to mention BES. Sometimes, the comments on this site makes me laugh. In the business enterprise environment no one is going to really touch RIM - not for a very long time, if ever.
@Biopsidy Wrong OS? He's talking about WP7.
And even then you can't say WP7 would have piss-poor security because we haven't even seen the damn thing in action, just previews.
Suffice to say no one should believe it'll end BBM servers either. But it will shove a lot of competition their way.
@Biopsidy Windows has excellent security, that's why most major businesses use it and will continue to do so. They just come under attack all the time from people who put a lot of effort into finding the slightest flaws. When there is a breach, it is normally dealt with within a couple of days, sometimes hours. Something like OS 10 however is very insecure, but they have very little business users and very small market share so they don't come under attack. WP7 is also highly unlikely to get a virus as everything will go through its marketplace.
@N900
Wow, really? Do I actually have to type out Windows Phone 7 in an article that's talking about mobile operating systems? I think everyone knew what I meant and it's not my fault that Microsoft didn't just call it Windows 7 Mobile (which makes a lot more sense than Windows Phone 7). But, you're right Mr. Interwebz Police man. WP7 still isn't going to put a dent in BlackBerry in enterprise. It's still Windows and therefore by nature will have bad security. But, that's irrelevant because really this industry is all about reputation and Microsoft has the LOWEST market share of all the smart phone companies courtesy of their reputation. It doesn't really matter what they do at this point because the damage is done. To the few Windows mobile fans left WP7 will be nice, but don't plan on it offering up any major challenge to BlackBerry, iPhone or Android.
@mphayvanh
I have to agree about the whole apps thing. You deserve a slap if you buy a BlackBerry for the apps, but the email-client-requiring business man is their intended market. So many people I know at university are picking up BlackBerrys and hating them for that reason alone, I should know, I was one of them but my contract is almost up now and while it's not a 'fun' device by any stretch, it is easily been the best phone I've had for communication.
As far as bare communication goes, (calling, texting, facebooking, msn-ing and emailing) nothing can touch it. It's a simple system that works incredibly well and I really will miss the push email feature and I'll be really interested to see if they can make a dent in the 'fun' market with OS6.
@Biopsidy Hey, put all that on the back burner man, I never asked you to type out Windows Phone 7, I was just correcting you on that typo of yours.
All that other stuff you ranted about, meh. Don't care.
Android.
not a fan of their design model bot in hardware and software but I'm sure their are many who will jizz their pants from hearing/reading this news.
The last sentence is poorly constructed and I had to read it three times before I realized that the author is trying to say that there won't be a Webkit browser that runs on BB OS5. The author is not saying that OS 5 deivces won't be upgradeable to OS6 (presumably some, like those announced today, will be and some won't be).
Ah, they added a sentence to clarify.
How RIM maintains their marketshare with such sub-standard software is beyond me...
@Jeffrey
The BB OS is a no-frills, no BS, no "slick-transitions", no nonsense operating software. It is not made for the "young mind". My Blackberry's have so many features that it is truly in its own Olympiad as far as organization goes.
Its not aimed at the mass-appeal market. Not yet anyway.
According to CrackBerry, OS 6.0 will require at least 512MB of RAM to run, which means only the recently announced Bold 9650 for Verizon/Sprint and whatever new devices RIM has coming out will be compatible if that's the case. Sort of makes sense, but then at the same time I don't see why they'd also release a new Pearl that's not going to be upgradeable unless they classify the Pearl as a device that they see not necessarily needing the upgrade based off the type of person who buys a Pearl (probably more of a standard user; texts and phone calls).
I wouldn't be suprised if they announced that the Curve 8330 on VZ was upgradeable to OS6. That thing just wont die really
@216
I think the 8330 has already been EOL'd
Do Blackberry fans exist? Anyone who has a BB received it from their employer. It's like getting exited about the new stapler from Swingline.
@WC066 SWINGLINE HAVE A NEW STAPLER?!?!?! WHY ON EARTH HAS ENGADGET NOT COVERED THIS! FORGET ABOUT IPAD, NEW STAPLERS :O:O:O
@WC066 why do people keep saying this? I know PLENTY of people that Get BBs themselves.....you don't think the BB pearl & Storm lines are targeted specifically at enterprises do you?
@WC066
I gotta Storm. Can't wait to get Winmo 7. Blackberry would have to re-haul their OS for me to go back again...
@WC066 http://www.crackberry.com
So much for touch screens being passé, eh Mr. Lazaridis?
I'm praying that Blackberry 6 is great, and that the Blackberry Pearl 3G is upgradeable AND affordable.
C'mon RIM surprise us!!!
Is it just me or has OS5 not been around a particularly long time?
Nice to see RIM are on the ball with their updates anyway. Gotta respect them for that.
Even though my contract will be up and there will (hopefully) be a shiny HTC phone in my pocket by then, I'll still whip out the old Bold in the hope that OS6 lands there. :)
With RIM releasing 6.0 OS I wonder how many new blackberries will come before 2011????
Errr...is that guy on the bottom right throwing a gang sign or is he playing "periscope?"
Now that's fanboy dedication right thurr...
lol could they not turn on Anti Alias for the font on the announcement graphic...
it just shocks me on how many people buy BB. Their OS sucks. Really,how many people just use their phone for Emails N Messaging? Thats all BB's are good for. I want my phone to be able to have a great internet experience and HTML Email. Do great mulititasking and once in a blue moon play real 3-D games.
@zig8100 Is that all?
I have an answer for you. How about 90% of all corporate business people? I have my iPhone for my personal matters. I have my Blackberry for business. I would MUCH rather type on a keyboard than a touch screen and have to edit my messages a LOT less. I have no problems multi-tasking my my Blackberry or receiving HTML e-mail. When was the last time you used one?
They each serve a purpose zig. I wouldn't choose one over the other because they each do certain things better.
BTW: For my REAL real 3-D gaming I have my PSP and DS where 3D gaming belongs.
@zig8100 Seriously, who would have thought a phone should "just" be limited to talking and texting people? Completely absurd!