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BlackBerry Pearl 3G 9100
BlackBerry Pearl 3G 9105
Research in Motion gave analysts a sneak peek at a revamped operating system for its BlackBerry smartphone on Monday and said it would launch it next quarter.
Describing the long-awaited operating system as one of the biggest Black-Berry overhauls in years, RIM co-chief executive Mike Lazaridis showed a short video of the system, called OS 6.0, to analysts gathered in Florida.
“Shock and awe” was the response in the room to the clip, said Mackie Research Capital analyst Nick Agostino in an e-mail from the investor conference, which took place on the eve of RIM’s annual Wireless Enterprise Symposium. That event runs through Thursday.
The more touch-friendly operating system and display may help dispel concerns that rival smartphones like Apple’s iPhone and Motorola’s Droid are being favoured by consumers, who want easy-to-use, intuitive devices.
The snippet on OS 6.0 created a “big buzz,” said Canaccord Adams analyst Peter Misek in an e-mail from Orlando.
Lazaridis said RIM aimed to make all its devices run the new operating system, although integration “takes time.” Asked if existing BlackBerry smartphones could be upgraded, he said: “We are going to try and do our best to allow people to upgrade to 6.0.”
A new, more user-friendly browser, another key development investors want to see from RIM, will be included in the new operating system.
Earlier in the day, RIM said it is launching variations of two existing BlackBerry smartphones.
A CDMA version of the high-end BlackBerry Bold will ship in May. The BlackBerry Bold is already available to carriers that operate GSM networks.
GSM and CDMA are the two main types of mobile technology used by wireless carriers around the world. CDMA lost the battle for global dominance, but it still has a strong position in some markets.
RIM is also taking the wraps off a new 3G version of the Pearl, the smallest smartphone in the BlackBerry product range. The new GSM device will allow faster data downloads on newer 3G networks.
Analysts hope the software improvements will allow RIM to compete more effectively against the iPhone, Droid and other smartphones that have been nibbling away at RIM’s market share.
Consumer-friendly enhancements, such as more powerful in-phone cameras and an easier-to-navigate display, are also in the offing, co-CEO Jim Balsillie said Monday.
RIM’s apps store, which analysts say falls far short of Apple’s offerings, is growing rapidly, with downloads doubling in last four months to about one million a day.
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