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The day RIM got real: We preview two upcoming BlackBerry 10 devices
Tucked away in a closed room at the BlackBerry 10 Jam in Waterloo yesterday, RIM candidly put its cards on the table and let us glimpse two devices that will mark the company’s literal and spiritual turnaround. We’re very limited as to what we can talk about — no names, no specs, no specifics – but rest assured, you should be very, very excited.
RIM considers what we saw to be finished hardware but the software is still a work in progress. Nonetheless, we were impressed by how far the company has come since we previewed the Dev Alpha back in June. The team seemed visibly excited and nervous as it showed off its one-two punch of all-touch and QWERTY; we were able to touch, use and critique both hardware and software, and came away with mostly positive impressions.
Before we saw the devices, Alec Saunders, RIM’s VP of Developer Relations, spoke of his unwavering devotion to BlackBerry 10 and its developer community. His work has brought us these Jam Sessions, which have sold out in all but one of the 25 locations they’ve been held. Indeed, the energy inside yesterday’s remote Kitchener-Waterloo conference centre — and the ruckus we witnessed at the Toronto event in June — speaks volumes about the loyalty of the developer community. Saunders assured us that, in addition to the 25,000 PlayBook apps that will work out of the box on BB10, there will be thousands of native BlackBerry 10 apps available in App World out of the gate.
He emphasized that RIM doesn’t want to be just a pass-through merchant for these folks. With the new “$10,000 Guarantee,” RIM will ensure developers of certified BlackBerry 10 apps receive at least $10,000 in their first year. The company is “de-risking working on BlackBerry 10,” as Saunders likes to say.
Andrew MacLeod, RIM’s Managing Director for Canada, emphasized the financial viability of a company many have already dismissed as unsalvageable. “We have $2 billion in the bank and are debt-free. We have 78 million active BlackBerry users around the world, and we’re going to work very hard to excite and delight those customers to upgrade to BlackBerry 10.” MacLeod told us that RIM has been met with an extraordinary amount of enthusiasm from Canadian carriers as they’ve been showing the two devices around the country. He wouldn’t commit to which carriers would get particular devices, but ensured us the worldwide launch would be huge.
But such success is contingent on high-quality devices, the first of which is expected early 2013. The finished hardware on the all-touch device is imbued with a distinct BlackBerry essence, an uncomplicated professionalism that only RIM can pull off. Its 1280 x 768 screen resolution makes for an extremely pixel-dense experience, and the OS shines on the glass screen. There is no question that the keyboard, which had already been previewed, is distinctly ‘BlackBerry’ — it learns where your fingers touch the screen, and what words you use most regularly. We had no trouble touch-typing as fast or faster as other virtual keyboards.
The UI is fast and fluid, and much further along than we expected. The BlackBerry 10 we saw was a cohesive, fully-featured product, a testament to QNX and its touch-friendly roots. Users will have to get used to gesture-based navigation, that “flow” and “peek” dynamic that has been teased so many times. It’s a completely new way of interacting with a smartphone. BlackBerry 10 will be immediately familiar to existing users, but is not encumbered by its Java-based roots. There is no slowdown, no spinning clock. Multitasking, like on the PlayBook, is a real proposition.
The QWERTY device is iconic and familiar. The touchsreen display will have a 720 x 720 resolution and an OS that has been assiduously catered to the 1:1 aspect ratio. Despite our initial reservations, the “flow-and-glide” navigation felt natural to us on the smaller screen after just a few minutes.
The all-touch BlackBerry 10 device will be released some time in early 2013. The QWERTY product will come next, with a four to six week gap between releases. Hopefully the combo will be exactly what RIM needs to survive, and thrive, in this impossibly competitive market. The RIM we saw yesterday was not a company chastened and morose; these men and women welcome the challenge to prove to consumers, businesses and developers just how quickly they can recover.
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99 comments for “The day RIM got real: We preview two upcoming BlackBerry 10 devices”
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actually yes
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For once, your question is relevant.
In the rest of the times, you and/or your buddies (under various aliases) who asks this, look like retarded moron(s) !
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Super excited for the QWERTY BlackBerry 10 device.
No pictures make waiting to find out even more excruciating.
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Here’s to hoping.
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This upcoming BB10 should have the ability strip away market share from both Google and Apple, but especially with Apple seeing how the iPone5 suck real bad. RIM has a great opportunity to execute, execute they will do.
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Is this BB10?
YES MOTHERFU*KERS IT IS
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GO RIMPIRE!!!!!
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Buy buy buy
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If RIM can deliver close to expectation with BB10 devices, then their next big challenge will be to migrate a large enough % of their existing user base over to the BB10 ecosystem as quickly as possible to build incentive for the developer community as well as protect that user base. Will be interesting to see how they go about that. By coincidence I should be up for a new phone by then too
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When this is launched the 9900 will be 18 months old. If the global launch is executed well they should have no problem switching everyone over to BB10. I hope they announce a list of Apps available at launch well before January. (and no, Poynt does not count)
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Hopefully the dumb RIP RIM people don’t come in and troll this!!
GO RIMPIRE!! Blackberry by Choice!!
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Rim reminds me of a good Canadian hockey player no matter how hard they get hit they always get back up and keep fighting. Looking forward to using bb10 as soon as its released
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@Jason
I think because they have held off on such a large device and OS shift, that most of the BB users who want to keep using BB will have made the switch withing 6 months of the introduction of BB10. I won’t be one of them, but I have much hope for RIM’s success.
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I hope that they can wow me and others as well. I’ve been with android for the last few years after I had an iPhone but before that it was BB. Would I go back….. Impress me RIM and I just might.
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Interested in seeing what they can put out, hopefully it doesn’t get delayed till 2014…
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They will have to amaze me to get my to switch from my Android device. Loved the blackberry idea and BBM was nice to have but the OS left alot to be desired.
Here’s to hoping Blackberry can bring me back.
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Is this bb… Oh hey would you look at that it is.
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Man the next 4-5 months are going to be hard. We should start seeing more demo’s and information flowing down. I am curious to see what the devices will end up looking like.
Everyone I know that has used or seen the new OS is excited and said RIM has finally brought their A game. They are making it easier to develop applications but the next year will still be very rough for them.
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I can’t wait to see these new phones – BB10 looks amazing. I’d also love to see RIM embrace its Canadian roots and name these phones after us. All touch BB Vancouver, qwerty BB Halifax, etc. Hey why not?
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Please post a pic of the QWERTY device!
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Good luck to Blackberry and RIM
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Well Daniel, that is quite an endorsement. I will be waiting, and hoping.
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This IS the reality check and finally some accurate information about RIM’s upcoming products. Unlike those *cough* who beat the drum of the anti-RIM internet media.
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@Fandroid: You wanna see a reality check, wait till the iPhone 5 is launched and the technology is months behind the latest Android (and hopefully the new Blackberry’s too).
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This is a breath of fresh air. It reads and sounds objective and leads me to have cautious optimism. I hope RIM delivers.
Mobilesyrup: kudos to you for focusing on the positive.
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Sweet.
I can’t wait to replace this pos Galaxy S with a BB10.
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I prefer Android over Blackberry for the same reason I prefer Android over iPhone. I like the flexibility of Android to meet my needs exactly.
That being said, I hope this can resurrect RIM and keep them as a viable option against iPhone. There are still a lot of people that will ONLY use Blackberry, I just hope it isn’t too late.
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Wow, sounds really good. Can’t wait!!
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Just bought a $1,000 of RIM shares. I believe in the Crackberry
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Show the world what Canada is made of, RIM.
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I’m admittedly not a Blackberry fan, but definitely interested to see whay they have to offer. We’ve been hearing about BB10 for what seems like forever; has a lot to live up to!
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I c*m in my pants after reading this article. Go RIM!
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A bit premature, arn’t you.
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Very excited to see what RIM brings to the table.
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I have my $$$ waiting – please don’t disappoint me RIM!
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Very interesting. My contract is up in January and I will be eligable for a new phone. Perefect timing to get a new BB10 device. My torch has been flawless since I dumped a problem app (aim) 2 years ago, and I am pretty loyal to RIM.
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While working on these devices, they should have had people working on bringing all the iphone and android apps to blackberry users. BB users have gone so long lacking what andoir and iphone users have, I think too many will have switched to something better by the time these devices come out!
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I’m willing to give the one with a physical KB a chance. As long as it’s got a great camera, the phone will do fine. With tablets being so cheap these days all one needs is a phone that does great basic phone functions (volume, reception), Facebook and twitter apps and a great camera. A decent browser will be fine as most people do their serious reading on a tablet.
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I’m on Android right now, but am seriously considering moving to BB10 when it comes time for me to upgrade.
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I never thought I’d say this, but it’s a serious consideration for me too.
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coming to WIND??
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No, WIND sucks compared to the rest of the carriers… You get what you pay for, and in WIND’s case, you’r enot getting much.
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iOS6 you think? No, I’d never have mistaken BB10 for Jellybean-lite.
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Actually iOS 6 copied it. Then Apple will patent it as their own. Now they wait until the official release of BB10 so that they can sue RIM.
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Is this bb… Omfg it is
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Success or doom of BB10 heavily depends on media opinion.
Seems that this time they invested much into propaganda even at usually objective website MobileSyrup.
And before all RIM-lovers start bashing me- have you noticed that there is not a one negative mentioned in the article? Does it sound as really objective report?
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He mentioned that the software isn’t 100% ready but what he see’s is great so far. Does the article require negativity to not be biased?
For once it’s a great Article without saying “Too Little To Late” like most Articles due. Let’s face it BB10 is being done right; RIM is finally stepping up. They are taking their time to ensure that what they release is what we want.
They need to satisfy us as customers; as well as carriers as customers. They do not have the clout to be able to ignore the carrier requests.
I for once am happy to read some postive; realistic reviews of the latest BB operating system.
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You obviously didn’t read the article.
Yes it’s coming 4-6 weeks after the launch of the full touch screen.
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die slow android & apple
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BB X!
FTW!
RIP RIM HATERS!!!
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very excited for the news and the release of these new BB10 phones.
til then, i will enjoy my CM10 Galaxy S3..so buttery smooth!!!!
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Upgraded to a 9900 from a 9780, just love the 9900, no issues whatsoever. PlayBook had it from launch,excellent device, especially the bridge app.
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all RIM has to do now, is to improve its marketing strategyyy. love bb10!
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A total breath of fresh air….i would definitely buyout the remaining months on my iphone plan and upgrade to BB10…
Go RIM — Go Canada.
we made it this far we will make it till forever as the premium brand and hopefully on top of all other brands
YESSSSSSSSS… THIS IS BB10 Yayyyyyyyyyyyyy
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It is, t mobile bands will be supported, so wind is a likely contendent, Now who’s pre-ordering one of these babies this december !!!!!!Cause i am
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im already standing in line to preorder! you already know! the sooner i can ditch this android the better!
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Go RIM go!
QNX is such a wonderful platform. cant wait to have BB10. im definitely buying both touch and qwerty when they launch. The developers are also flocking and VP dev relations Alec saunders is doing a great job. RIMPIRE will strike back.
#BlackBerrybychoice
#BlackBerryforlife
#letsrockandrollthis
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I am not sure if they can recover from the terrible mindshare they have right now. Their main problem is to somehow get back all the fans that have completely written them off. That is going to be quite hard to do, no matter how good the product is.
Betamax was a much better product than VHS but VHS had the support and mindshare. Betamax was too late, the damage has already been done and the pplayers already decided. I am afraid that RIM is most likely too late.
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Odd that you would say that.
The user base is actually increasing every year (just not as fast as some others, hence the decline in market share).
With 80 million current BlackBerry users I don’t think they will have a hard time finding people to buy a BB10 phone if it turns out to be as great as it seems.
Also don’t forget there is a very large group of BlackBerry fans who have gone to another platform, but they are just looking for an excuse to come back. BB10 will be especially nice for combining business and personal phones in one device (BlackBerry Balance). The new hardware and BB10 will provide the tools to provide an amazing consumer experience that wasn’t available on previous business phones.
I currently carry a BlackBerry 9900 and an iPhone 4S. I can’t wait to ditch the iPhone and just have one device.
The smart phone market is expanding at a crazy pace. There is room for 4 platforms (BB10, iOS, Android, WP8) and competition is good for the consumer in the end. Anyone on this site that is cheering for the demise of any one of those platforms is showing extreme ignorance.
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Cant wait for my new phone please hurry, maybe Santa Claus can bring it?
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I have always liked my blackberry. I cant imagine not having a blackberry.
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Just make sure it doesn’t have rounded rectangles.
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RIM needs to focus less on phones. I think they should be providing enterprise apps that work across all platforms. They should create servers that businesses can use to manage the new “bring your own device” environment.
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Lets all wait and see what happens.
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is this jelly bean 4.1?
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The BB10 Phone on the screen has a time of 13:37. Let’s hope it lives up to its ‘elite’ status.
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Would it be appropriate to use the phrase “This changes everything… again”?
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!GO-RIM-GO!
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THIS JUST IN APPLE vs RIM, It’s all about values according to TC. Looks like iOS 6 music app!
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I’ve jumped ship from BB to Android in the recent past but would love to see RIM pull through on this. I’d like to have a good reason to get back to BBM and keep it Canadian!
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I’m not a massive fan of Android right now. If this is a truly competetive product I’ll switch.
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after having used bb, android and the iphone, I can safely say that bb has a lot more potential than its creators realize…
hopefully, that is exactly what we will find when bb10 gets out and NO MORE DRAMAS.
All hail THE RiMPiRE!!!
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Those people who constanly post simplistic words “rip rim” are not getting any sex so they gotta keep venting their bs here.
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It needs all the popular apps and games or it will fail like webOS.
WebOS has shown us that not even a technically superior OS can make it alone, it needs the app ecosystem. 25000 playbook apps may seem like a lot but if it does not have the most used apps on iPhone and Android, it’s going to die.
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well said, hopefully RIM has taken this into account and focused on getting those developers but seeing as how hard they’re trying im sure they know of EVERYTHING they have to do in order to succeed. like they said “we’re not in here to come in 2nd or 3rd, we’re in it to win it!” haha
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I just upgraded from my 2+ year old bb bold, to a samsung android device (worst mistake of my life) 4 months ago, but i wont mind paying full price for the bb10!
JUST HURRY UP AND TAKE MY MONEY!!!! the wait is killing me (literally, android gives me so many headaches.. just sending a text message the software has trouble not lagging -_- badddd)
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Ok lets face it …what new paradigm shift in technology would it take for the BB10 to really make everyone’s dreams come true and at the same time blow away the competition with this magnificent magic BB10 by 2013…I know the answer but I don’t
believe that you all do…
paul m sykes
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What is with all the anti-RIM sentiment? More competition in the market place is only a good thing for consumers. Why would anyone wish the downfall of a major player? If they have something that could be good, why wouldn’t ANYONE be all ears? If it’s a flop, it’s a flop, but why would you scream die RIM die before you even see what they have? It could be a game changer.
Plus you would think there would be a little more support from the Canadians on this website for their countrymen. Jeez.
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lets say by chance the os is good/ people already just renewed contracts in an iphone5/christmas android mothersale holiday blitz. the two prime quarters are 3 and 4, 3 being back to school and 4 being xmas/holidays.
rim has been so much talk, I am starting to doubt.
for instance what if os is crap and they have just been blowing smoke.. that’s it they ARE done at this point they kept people waiting for too long and did not produce..
all I can say is either way they need to get these devices out yesterday. it might be too little too late or, missing the boat entirely.
I want them to succeed. they just are not making that faith easy.
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Rectangular design?!?!?!? Apple law suit coming soon
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HAHAHAHHA!!! what it his ghetto sheet…
iPhone 5 is 3 steps ahead and now Apple will sue RIM for Billion dollars for stealing the rubber band effect… RIM just give up it is over… Samsung and Apple run the world mobile business now.
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apple will never sue RIM.. why? cause of the patents RIM owns.. how many do u think Apple violates?
it’s a “i’ll keep off your back if u keep off mine” type of deal..
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720×720
rip rim
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Looks promising just hope it is not too late for the sake of many jobs in the Kitchener/Waterloo area.
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