AlecSaunders
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Live from the Engadget CES Stage: an interview with RIM's Alec Saunders (update: video embedded)
It's been a long time coming, but this month marks the long-awaited next step for Research in Motion. As you can no doubt imagine, we've got plenty of questions for VP Alec Saunders -- and thankfully, he's no doubt in a much better place to answer than he was this time time last year. Join us after the break for what's sure to be a fascinating conversation about BlackBerry 10 and the steps RIM must take to make it in the cut-throat smartphone market. January 8, 2013 1:00 PM EST Check out our full CES 2013 stage schedule here! Update: video embedded
RIM putting BlackBerry 10 test units in developers' hands in May
It's telling, perhaps, when a VP for your company uses the word "finally" while discussing plans to release test models for your upcoming mobile operating system -- but it's certainly a pretty accurate sentiment when dealing BlackBerry 10. Talking up RIM's plans to release up to 2,000 prototypes running the OS at the BlackBerry Jam conference in May, executive Alec Saunders had this to say: "It's tangible evidence of the company making progress to finally shipping the device." Barring any further setbacks, the operating system formerly known as BBX is set to hit before year's end.[Thanks, Neil]
RIM indulges in some 'myth busting' at BlackBerry DevCon Europe
Alec Saunders, VP of Developer Relations, just took the stage at RIM's DevCon gathering in Amsterdam to build up and promptly knock down a few "myths" about RIM's state of health. First up, he tackled the notion that BlackBerry is a declining platform by saying that App World is seeing six million downloads per day, which is up 30 percent from three months ago. He also rejected the idea that BB app devs don't make money, revealing that 13 percent of them have made over $100,000 from their products and that App World generates 40 percent more revenue than the Android Market. Lastly, Saunders said "we're sorry" that RIM's strategy has been "hard to understand" for "some people", but added that BB 10 will solve that problem. He said that the new OS represents a "simple and easy-to-understand strategy" that is about combining the best of QNX and the current BB OS, offering consistent cloud services and making software that is both backwards and forwards compatible.
Live from the Engadget CES Stage: an interview with RIM (update: video embedded)
We've got lots of questions for RIM's Alec Saunders -- thankfully, he'll be joining us at 3:30PM ET on our Engadget stage. Join along after the break. Update: Vegas traffic has Alec running a few minutes late; we'll get started soon! Update: Interview video now embedded.
RIM: BBX smartphones will have same resolution, aspect ratio as PlayBook, BES support, too
Wondering what RIM's got up its sleeves for its forthcoming lineup of BBX-based handsets? According to the company, it's derived at least some of its inspiration from its very own BlackBerry PlayBook. Speaking to PC Mag, VP of Developer Relations and Ecosystem Development Alec Saunders confirmed that the manufacturer's next generation smartphones will boast the same 1024 x 600 display resolution and 16:9 aspect ratio that you'll find on the PlayBook, all squeezed into a smaller frame. He also reassured developers that apps designed for the tablet will be compatible with BBX handsets. "Look, if you build [an app] for the PlayBook, then it will run on BBX," Saunders explained. "We have maintained aspect ratios, BBX also has the ability to upload multiple dimension graphics... [and the standard resolutions] are the same as PlayBook." Oh, and as for those rumors that RIM's first BBX phone (Colt?) would lack BES support? Pure hogwash, according to Saunders, who said the phones will also feature a native e-mail client, and that users shouldn't expect BBX "to be behind the PlayBook."
