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RIM to launch 6.1 update as BlackBerry 7 OS at BlackBerry World next week? (update: yes)
CrackBerry has just dropped word via "numerous sources" that RIM will be revealing the next iteration of its mobile OS at the fast approaching BlackBerry World conference -- and no, it's still not QNX. Despite consistent rumblings that upcoming devices like the Bold Touch, and Monaco would be launching with OS 6.1, it seems that RIM has decided to re-brand the update completely as BlackBerry 7, perhaps to increase the value proposition and differentiate new devices being announced along with it. However, the site also speculates that current phones running BB6 may not get any BB7 action right off the bat -- which could make sense, given that new features like NFC are only present in upcoming devices. All this is naturally unconfirmed, but if this is indeed yet another version of the BlackBerry OS, well, that certainly won't help the platform get any more developer love. Update: It's offficial. CrackBerry is reporting that RIM Co-CEO Jim Balsillie has informed investors of the new nomenclature on its earnings call, adding that "It's such a big update from 6." We can't wait to see for ourselves.
RIM deems BlackBerry OS 6.1 a 'major upgrade,' promises a spring release
We weren't expecting to hear too much about it, but RIM's year-end / Q4 fiscal 2011 earnings call uncovered a good bit of information surrounding BlackBerry OS 6.1. As you've likely learned by now, we weren't exactly throwing our iPhones and Droids into the nearest refuse bin after handling the Torch, and it seems as if quite a few bigwigs at RIM were equally disappointed. In response to a question about the rollout of BB OS 6.1, we were told that it would truly be a "major upgrade" over what's out there now, and rather than being an incremental update, it'll be more like "an overhaul." The company made no bones about its excitement for the release, and frankly, we're having a hard time keeping our expectations in check after listening in. Thankfully, we'll be able to get our paws on it at some point this spring, with a number of elements to be teased at BlackBerry World this May. Naturally, we'll be there to keep you up-to-date with how it's rolling along.
RIM issues PSA following Pwn2Own exploit: turn off JavaScript on your BlackBerry
It's not just desktop web browsers getting hacked at this year's Pwn2Own challenge -- mobile browsers have also been targeted for vulnerabilities, and a fairly big one has now been found in RIM's browser for BlackBerry OS 6. Apparently, there's a JavaScript-related bug that could let a "maliciously designed" website gain access to data stored on both the phone's media card and built-in storage, but not data stored in the storage portion for applications (such as email or contact information). For its part, RIM says that it hasn't actually seen any evidence of anyone exploiting the vulnerability, but it's nonetheless urging folks to disable JavaScript on affected devices, and it's now busy providing IT departments everywhere with guidelines on how to do so. If that proves to be complicated, it's suggesting that you simply disable the BlackBerry Browser altogether until it can be patched.
Just got a BlackBerry? The best apps, accessories, and tips
So you just got a BlackBerry, huh? First off, welcome to the world of glorious hardware keyboards and the holy grail of mobile messaging we mortals call BBM. Once you get past the novelty of sending the obligatory "mypin" texts to everyone you know, you're probably thinking to yourself -- what now? Luckily for you we've compiled a list of our favorite apps and accessories, as well as some veteran tricks of the trade, so head past the break for a crash course in doing more than just playing BrickBreaker on a BlackBerry. Hey Android friends, we got you covered, too! Did you get an iPad? Check out our guide here! Found an iPhone in your stocking? Read our list of must-haves!
BlackBerry Bold 9780 spotted in the wild yet again, this time in white
It's still not official, but the BlackBerry Bold 9780 hasn't exactly been making itself shy over the past couple of months, having turned up in the wild, on video, and now in the wild yet again in a white version. As before, the device appears to be mostly identical to the Bold 9700 it's presumably replacing, with the biggest changes being a new 5-megapixel camera, 512MB of RAM instead of 256MB and, of course, BlackBerry 6 for an OS. Still no firm indication of a release date, but Phone Arena is speculating that it will launch in October, possibly on T-Mobile and AT&T. Hit up the source link below for a few more pics.
RIM launches BlackBerry 6 platform
It's been teased since WES back in April -- but with the launch of the Torch today, RIM had to come clean with all the details on its thoroughly refreshed BlackBerry 6 operating system, too. Besides the obvious name change from "BlackBerry OS" to simply "BlackBerry," the software features countless updates, most notably new universal search functionality, social network aggregation, WiFi-powered media sync with your desktop music collection, and an all-new (and desperately needed) WebKit-based browser with support for HTML5. Thankfully, RIM has also committed to bringing BlackBerry 6 as an upgrade to at least a few recent models -- the Bold 9700, Bold 9650, and Pearl 3G, to be specific -- "subject to carrier certifications in the months ahead." Follow the break for the full press release and video teaser.
Latest BlackBerry 6 preview proves that the more things change...
To say RIM has a lot riding on BlackBerry 6 is an understatement. With new kids on the block like Android and iOS stepping in with lustworthy apps and attractive UIs, the BlackBerrys have been sitting in a corner BBMing everyone else at the party trying to convince them of its sustained utility. Regardless, the latest tease on the BlackBerry Blogs shows off some of the "fresh, but familiar" elements that are getting polished in the jump from OS 5 to OS 6. While some features do have us intrigued -- its implementation of universal search, for example -- other headlining changes to the otherwise staid homescreen have us begging for more. New "views," toggled from a space right under the notification bar, are essentially glorified folders, and the "quick access area" is much like the functionality offered by years-old "Today"-style themes for the handset. Don't get us wrong, the refinements definitely help, but at the end of the day we just hope it isn't RIM trying to put lipstick on a pig -- guess we'll find out when we get a commercial release to really bite into. [Thanks, Jason K]
BlackBerry Bold 9780 leaks out with OS 6, QWERTY instead of touchscreen
Take this one with a grain of salt, but it's looking like our old friend the BlackBerry Bold 9700 is getting a wee bit of an update. Yesterday evening, CrackBerry discovered a RIM document that describes a QWERTY-packing, OS 6-rocking "BlackBerry 9780" destined for a GSM carrier near you... and less than 24 hours later, handset sleuth Salomondrin claims to have the first picture of the device. While we quite honestly can't tell the difference, the man who outed the Curve 2 says this device's chrome bezel is a tad darker than the original, and that it'll have 512MB of flash memory when it hits the scene. Of course, this could just be an Bold 9700 with a hacked ROM or a theme of some sort, but we certainly hope not; pepper it up with CDMA, and you've got a shoe-in for the Curve 3. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
RIM shows off BlackBerry 6 multimedia experience, in pictures
While there's still no (official) word on when we'll get any BlackBerry OS 6 hardware, much less that 9800 Bold, RIM has seen fit to provide us another glimpse at the software front. This time round we're looking at multimedia features, including the photo gallery, a brand-new podcasts app and YouTube, alongside extra camera controls (including a face detection mode) and roundabout confirmation that at least some new BlackBerries will support pinch-to-zoom. Oddly enough, there's no video showing off the new multimedia functionality, just a set of stills, but we suppose RIM realizes it's all been done before and Crackberry addicts will take whatever they can get right now.
BlackBerry 6 teased again in new official video
There have been rumors that the first volley of BlackBerry 6-powered devices could launch as early as last month -- but seeing how we're still empty-handed, we may as well enjoy more high production value video pimping the biggest new features, right? RIM has published another official YouTube spot on BlackBerry 6 today showing off goodies likes aggregated social network integration, universal search, and -- of course -- the all-new WebKit-based browser coming out of last year's purchase of Torch Mobile. Interestingly, this latest video continues RIM's trend of showing 6 running only on full touchscreen phones; we can't fathom that they'd abandon the form factor that made them famous, of course, but it's becoming more and more obvious by the day that we're going to see this launch on the rumored 9800 or something very similar to it. Follow the break for the full video.
BlackBerry Bold 9800 gets some glamour shots, OS 6 gets a 16 minute video walkthrough
The verdict is still out on OS 6, but there's hardly any doubting the assured design and form factor that RIM has gone with for the BlackBerry Bold 9800 slider. Our latest look at the device comes courtesy of BlackBerry Times in China, who has what appears to be an early version of the device. They expect the smooth plastic back to be replaced by the leather look RIM favors on its higher end devices, but otherwise the unit looks to be pretty solid and far along. The Google-translated Chinese seems to confirm again that the screen is not SurePress. Not a lot of landmark news to be gleaned here, but we're mostly stoked about these delicious bokeh-filled shots of device -- it's really looking good, and the comparison shot with other recent BlackBerrys (check after the break) is rather helpful for sizing this thing up. [Thanks, Johnny]
BlackBerry Bold 9800 caught sliding through OS 6 on video
When it rains Bold 9800 news, it pours. Just yesterday we were given a glimpse of its virtual keyboard and AT&T branding, and now BlackBerry's upcoming slider can be seen more fleshed out thanks to the power of moving pictures. No narration for this video -- that's either good or bad, depending on your own personal preference -- and the horizontal menu swipe looks like it's missing some animation, but otherwise the phone's looking pretty snappy for a pre-release. Unless we're mistaken, that's clearly a capacitive screen, and even better, it's got pinch-and-zoom multitouch. Not in the video? Some Dylan-esque troubadour holding up a cue card that gives price and release date. Bummer. Video after the break.
RIM's BlackBerry T slider pictured again, shows off OS 6 infusion
It's escaped again, the mysterious BlackBerry 'T' (for Talladega) slider that we've seen making the rounds over the past few months. These new pictures from Mr. Blurrycam (courtesy of BBLeaks) don't show us anything new on the hardware, but do show the phone running OS 6. Assuming it's scheduled to launch alongside that latest flavor of OS we should be seeing it before the third quarter is through -- probably about the same time that godawful 9670 crawls to retail. Deciding between the two? That should not be difficult.
Switched On: Revamps in Motion
Each week Ross Rubin contributes Switched On, a column about consumer technology. Before the iPhone's release, there were four major smartphone operating systems -- Symbian, Palm OS, Windows Mobile, and BlackBerry OS. And after the iPhone's release, their user interfaces all seemed dated in some way. Palm OS and Windows Mobile have essentially been replaced by new operating systems dubbed WebOS and Windows Phone 7. Symbian stakeholders, though, has decided that there is no need to throw out the past completely, and are instead looking toward a series of evolutionary upgrades to make the now open source operating system more competitive. This week at RIM's WES conference, the company is announcing a similar evolutionary path for the BlackBerry OS. Like Symbian, the BlackBerry OS has a reputation for being fast and efficient but has not kept up with many of the aesthetic and input amenities offered by more modern competitors. The challenge will be to preserve what users love about the platform while disrupting it in many ways. For example, while the new BlackBerry OS will be better optimized for touchscreens, reports are that it will not require one.
RIM shows off BlackBerry 6 on video
While RIM's WES 2010 keynote is still ongoing, the company's YouTube channel has kindly released the first teaser video for the incoming BlackBerry 6 operating system. There's a lot of movement on screen -- so much, in fact, that it's almost like RIM really doesn't want you to see the OS at all. We did catch sight of a Cover Flow-aping music organizer, an onscreen keyboard engaging in some threaded messaging, Facebook and Twitter clients, and even the briefest of glimpses at that famed WebKit-based browser. Interaction in the video is done via touch, but you'll naturally be able to utilize the new interface on more conventional, touch-less devices as well. Skip past the break for the moving pictures.
Live from RIM's keynote session at WES 2010!
Though WES technically kicked off yesterday, the show gets really real this morning with RIM co-CEO Mike Lazaridis' keynote speech to attendees -- the vaunted (and somewhat ominously-named) "General Session." We think we're going to see the first glimpses of the company's upcoming BlackBerry 6 platform here, so stay tuned -- things could get interesting!
