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The company formerly known as Research In Motion launched its BlackBerry 10 platform today.Research In Motion (RIM) doesn't want you to call it by its former name, anymore. RIM will now operate under the name "BlackBerry," the company announced today during a much anticipated press event. In addition to a name change, RIM BlackBerry unveiled its newest mobile computing platform, BlackBerry 10, along with two phones, the Q10 with a physical keyboard and Z10 with just a touchscreen.
Why the name change?
"This change from Research In Motion to BlackBerry comes at a defining moment in our company's history," said Thorsten Heins, President and CEO. "RIM created the first BlackBerry smartphone and changed the way millions of people around the world stay connected. We have used that same ingenuity and innovation to redefine mobile computing with BlackBerry 10. As we launch BlackBerry 10 around the world, now is the right time to adopt the iconic BlackBerry name."
So there you have it. As for the hardware, BlackBerry's Z10 sports a 4.2-inch HD display (1280x768), 1.5GHz dual-core Snapdragon S4 Plus processor, 2GB of RAM, 16GB of built-in storage, 8MP rear-facing camera, 4G LTE, and an 1,800 mAh battery. It will be available in the U.K. tomorrow, in Canada later this week, and in the U.S. in March from Verizon for $200 (on contract). AT&T, Sprint, and T-Mobile will also carry the Z10.
The Q10 is more of a throwback to traditional BlackBerry devices with its physical QWERTY keyboard. It also has a 3.1-inch Super AMOLED display (720x720), 1.5GHz dual-core processor, and 2GB of RAM. A launch date has not yet been determined.
Comments are closed on this article
Peanut Fox
January 30, 2013 at 6:46pm
Using standard hardware is a poor way to get attention for your platform. The operating system, and application support are really going to have to shine for things to pan out for them.
Paper Jam
January 30, 2013 at 9:21pm
+1
Maybe it's just me, but I think the touch screen phone looks like it is based on 2010-11 style. Not terribly attractive considering it is the flagship device of a major company overhaul and reboot. And the specs would have been high end in January... of 2012.
big_montana
January 31, 2013 at 6:56am
That is probably because this phones launch was delayed by a year due to issues getting it to work with their BES server, which they had to recode from scratch
tony2tonez
January 30, 2013 at 10:23pm
But you have to remember when they launch their product cycle and the time that goes into it, that their initial specs were ahead of the curve but by the time manufacturing and everything else got completed they are on par pretty high compared to the phones out there now.
At least its not Apple, all their new revisions are still behind the competition. But you would have thought they could have tweaked the specs given the delay of OS BB10.
the best 4 parts, are micro sd expansion, micro usb, removable battery, micro hdmi. they didnt switch to their own proprietary charging like Apple and Samsung. They let you remove the battery which comes in handy as most companies dont allow that anymore.
Paper Jam
January 31, 2013 at 7:04am
The specs are respectable for a midrange device, but as a flagship it really should have come with a quad-core. Pseudo-Octo core devices are going to ship soon, and then this phone will either be in the bargain bin or will be a hard sell for $199. Only Apple has been able to sell outmoded hardware at full retail, and Blackberry doesn't have that kind of devotion from its fan base anymore. They did include all the other features you would find in a top tier Android (NFC, Micro HDMI) and the microSD is hit or miss with Android, so that is a plus. I've only seen microUSB ports on Samsung phones, so not sure what you mean by lumping them in with Apple on that one.
firefox91
January 30, 2013 at 4:08pm
But the issue has often been developers making apps for IOS and Android, but not Blackberry. That is why I got rid of my Blackberry the first chance I got. I was so tired of not being able to get apps everyone else could get.
big_montana
January 31, 2013 at 6:58am
There are over 70,000 apps in the Blackberry store now including Facebook, Skype, Foursquare and other popular apps. May have had something to do with RIM paying developers to release apps for BB10
AFDozerman
January 30, 2013 at 7:05pm
MPC has written a terrible article here. Look at some other websites and you'll see that they have actually pulled in a lot of legitimate apps like Skype and the rest. There are an assload of apps already available and the quality is way better than before.
Damnlogin
January 30, 2013 at 2:53pm
They seemed to have copied off the Nokia N9...but in a good way. I can't wait to see where they go from here.
Paper Jam
January 30, 2013 at 1:06pm
Why did they choose to go with such a small battery in the Z10? Otherwise it seems to have respectable specs. If it isn't user replaceable I see many complaints in BB's future. And they really need to knock this one out of the park if they are going to make up any of the ground lost to Android and iOS. A battle for third with WP8 just won't do.
Panwo1
January 30, 2013 at 6:51pm
Let's be realistic. BB will not do any better than third (at least not with this OS and these devices). The specs are fine and the OS is fine (just like Windows Phone 8 devices), but there is no compelling reason for most people to give up Android or IOS for a blackberry.
I on the other hand was already getting sick of my iPhone before IOS6 came out and since then I have experienced multiple issues. I am one of the few who will be looking for a new ecosystem. At this point I am leaning towards Windows Phone 8 but I am not happy with the hardware choices. Sure the Nokia line is awesome hardware but personally I don't care about the camera, and a 4.5" screen is too small for my next device. If Android wasn't so insecure and riddled with malware I would probably have bought the Samsung Galaxy Note 2. I am waiting until MWC 2013 and hoping that someone comes out with a WP8 phablet 6+" please.
Paper Jam
January 30, 2013 at 8:48pm
I see a lot of complaints about how insecure Android is, but I've been using an Android phone and tablet for well over a year and have yet to have any problems. As long as you don't side load strange apps from unknown sources and stick to well reviewed apps in the Play Store (4 stars or higher for me), you should be fine with a Note 2 or DNA. A little suspicious of those Huawei and ZTE devices, considering the bad press they have received by being accused of being Chinese spyware platforms. I have yet to read about any proof being found to that effect.
I do think you are right about the new Blackberry being less than compelling, just like WP8, and they both could stand some positive PR. A 6"+ WP8 (or even 5"+) would give it some space to compete in a developing segment of the market. If I gambled with my money, I would think it a safe bet that Apple has a phablet in the works. Blackberry may be able to rebound on business customers and name recognition, but BB10 better be awesome. They are very late to the party.
tony2tonez
January 30, 2013 at 5:44pm
Just read on BB website that the battery is removable. This phone has really great specs, just have to hope the OS is great.
tony2tonez
January 30, 2013 at 1:34pm
you are right on the battery part, i hope its removable. 1800mah battery just wont cut it anymore. granted mine is only 1300mah from 2yrs ago.
The biggest factor is how smooth and responsive the OS is and how well it integrates into the business world. While offering decent apps. I have heard that most of the andriod apps and such can be easily ported to the new BB OS but i guess we will see.
You will see the people who use the old BB for work probably upgrade but it will be getting past those people. I see BB like Linkedin.
Paper Jam
January 30, 2013 at 9:09pm
I think the biggest problem BB has is that, like Apple, they make their own hardware and software, but unlike Apple, it has been a long time since they got it right. Android has the benefit of multiple OEMs manufacturing devices. Some do well and some don't, but as a whole dominating the competition. Apple's fan base is fairly devoted, and the crumbs left over after Android and iOS takes their share isn't enough to survive. That leaves BB taking on the Android army. Maybe they should have teamed up with MS and switched over to WP8, but I'm just speculating. Maybe BB10 will be strong enough to fend off WP8 and grab enough marketshare from Android to be relevant again. Time will tell, but I have some doubts. I'm starting to see BB like AOL.
tony2tonez
January 30, 2013 at 10:29pm
You really only get the best use of Android if you root your phone. Otherwise unless you buy a new phone you dont get the great Android experience because most carriers will never release a update to the older model phones.
Thats where it will be hard for them to take from Android. People like myself rooted their phone and love what the community has done to enhance the android experience, leaves me with a hard decision to try BB OS10.
AFDozerman
January 30, 2013 at 12:48pm
I can wait until 10 becomes available for the playbook. The built in video editor will be awesome.
Panwo1
January 30, 2013 at 7:01pm
Is a playbook version planned?
I find it amazing how Motorola Xoom and Blackberry playbook won such critical acclaim a few years ago and then POOF. Nothing. No one cared. People gobble up whatever Apple is selling regardless of the competition. It is not enough to have a stellar product these days. You need to capture the hearts and minds of people. Unfortunately the people who love Apples seem to celebrate its mindless simplicity. To me this indicates a lack of daring or adeventure in the consumer group. This is a challenge for Android, Windows Surface and any newcomers like BB10 playbook.
jason2393
January 30, 2013 at 12:36pm
Why should somebody buy this phone over any of the others available?
Ghok
January 30, 2013 at 1:33pm
Specs seem good, seems like a pretty good phone.
It might get a bit of attention, might even be successful. Blackberry still has some loyal users and Apple hasn't really innovated its hardware too much. I don't mind that, but the type of people who love gadgets (or cover them in the media...) are bored with that, and this is something else to talk about.
tony2tonez
January 30, 2013 at 1:28pm
For one the specs are pretty decent and better then some of the current phones available now. Since most people care for specs. The screen size i think is respectable.
Also Paul, you may want to check the specs, i read else where that it has 2mp front facing camera, NFC, micro sdxc, micro usb, and micro hdmi.
Another note, is that RIM has been known to have the best security, unlike apple and google.
