The Future Of BlackBerry Is Exciting And Bright

Via Blackberry rocks

I don’t normally preen on a subject often. Obviously, I share my apparent enthusiasm for the Blackberry brand, even in the face of impending failure. For a long time, it seemed like our beloved Blackberry was on the way down. I had no desire for this to happen, and I’m sure most of my readers feel the same. That being said, I don’t go out of my way to promote Blackberry. Over the past year, I’ve even been somewhat skeptical at times. I’ve been excited, intrigued, and most of all loyal, but still cautious.

Blackberry came out swinging though, and Blackberry 10 is everything good ol’ Thor promised it would be, and then some. The platform still has a long way to go, of course, but considering it’s still in its infancy it’s extremely promising. The long term potential of the platform is just phenomenal.



The main thing that Blackberry 10 does is it provides a single platform that consumers can turn to. It incorporates everything that you could want or need, all in one convenient location. What do I mean by that exactly?

Well, Blackberry 10 has the Hub, and it also has Balance. The Hub collects all of your messages, emails, notifications and social media updates and lists them all in one place. While Balance, allows you to switch between totally separate profiles, one of which is for your personal life and the other is for your work life. Since many people carry two devices on their person, one for work and the other for personal use, Balance is an incredibly powerful solution.

One can’t forget the Blackberry keyboard with its unique prediction functionality, the wondrous Time Shift camera and last, but certainly not least, the Flow user interface.



But there’s one crucial element that stands out, or at least it has in the past. The Blackberry platform has never been known for its array of mobile apps. In fact, the failure to deliver unique content and compelling software is one reason the Blackberry brand took a nosedive in the first place. It wasn’t the only reason, mind you, but it did contribute to the problem nonetheless.

Even now, Blackberry World is still missing some content from some of the leading developers in the industry. I can almost guarantee that for every app in Blackberry World, there are one or two more that you wish were available. Hell, there are quite a few apps that I wish were available on the platform.

But it’s getting better, in fact, it’s gotten better over just the past couple of months. It seems like once Blackberry started showing off the platform in public, and folks started seeing what it can do, more and more developers signed on board.

Many will say that they don’t purchase a device, or sign on to a platform for what it can do, or what it may be able to in the future. But I pose a single question, and it’s a rather blunt one at that, why not?



At this point, even though it was just released, Blackberry 10 is pretty much on par with both Android and iOS in terms of what it offers. It just came out! If you ask me, that’s pretty damn impressive.

Blackberry unquestionably has a long way to go if they want to perfect the formula, but the fun has just started. The Z10 still has yet to launch in the US. In countries where it is already available, it’s seeing impressive sales.

So what is the point of all this? Why did I write this entire post, and what am I getting at?

There are many different things happening in the mobile industry, and some of them are exciting while others are contrite. Personally, I yearn for something fresh, something new, and most of all something different. Blackberry 10 has opened new doors for me while simultaneously offering the right avenues that I know all too well. When I use the platform, it feels different, but it also feels like an old friend.

I’m excited for the future of the platform, and I’m excited for what Blackberry is doing. One thing is certain, Blackberry has a winner on their hands. I think it’s likely that they might take their rightful place at spot number three in the mobile industry. Only time will tell.

What are your thoughts?

Introducing the BlackBerry TK Victory - another Super Hot BlackBerry 10 Design!

Posted By Ray Nicolini

Via CrackBerry.com

It's been a little while since anyone has sent in any concept designs for their dream BlackBerry, but today we got a pretty amazing one from DigitalHomeBoy. He calls it the BlackBerry TK Victory and I think it's my personal favorite of all the concepts we've seen so far. Every detail on this device has been attended to, from the "Lotus Glass by Corning" to a swipe-able bezel on the touchscreen, 32GB on-board storage, and plenty more! Be sure to click on past the break for a full run down of features as well as several more pictures.

What do you guys think of this design? Would you rock this BlackBerry if it came to fruition?

Introducing the BlackBerry TK Victory {concept}.
While numerous concepts have been submitted, none have touch on the more realistic approach to the real world of usage and handling like how the TK Victory is about to. Designed for everyone in mind, from suits to skirts, to overalls to hardhats, the TK Victory, the first qwerty BlackBerry 10 powered true superphone.

Corning makes its debut with the introduction of Lotus Glass on the beautiful curved wrap around 3.5" screen showing vivid high-res colours supported by QDEF technology from Nanosys. Taking notes from the BlackBerry PlayBook, away with the trackpad and physical front keys, the removal is replaced by software-based keys with a smaller swipe bezel on all four sides. Standing tall at 119x66mm with a new depth of an astonishing 8.5mm weighing 130g the Victory is powered by the NVIDIA Tegra 3 Quad-core 2.0GHz Grey ARM Cortex MPCore with vSMP allowing ease with multi-tasking, rich graphics, cascades, animated interfaces and menus and more. Equipped not just for media, the 32GB on-board storage holds plenty for your choosing (encrypted email and files partitioning option), but the 2GB iRAM (independent RAM) is the bonus that will help run your Victory to its full capacity.

Bringing back the dual LED notifications from the TK1.5 Titan {concept} allow designation of Bluetooth-connected devices to blink connectivity on their own with messages occupying the second. The Victory introduces the front-facing camera with an output of 8MP with call-to-call and Skype options with a 12 MP (3300 x 2484 pixels) rear camera Carl Zeiss optics, optical sensor, autofocus, dual LED Xenon flash shooting video at 1080p HD @30fps featuring 5x loseless digital zoom, video stabilization, simultaneous HD video and image recording.

Designed to be the one phone you will need, the TK Victory is jam packed with goodies. Using the Apple designed nano-SIM, LTE is on-board along with being both GSM and CDMA. Bluetooth 4.0 and Wi-Fi n/g/ac will keep you connected to devices and networks. Wi-Fi Auto-spot is the new Hotspot locator and saver on the battery. DLNA Certified means you will be able to stream, copy, share, and backup your Victory without the mess of wires. Built-in NFC with built-in software support from ISIS, Iris, and HID Global will gain you access with your device to authorised entries.

Audio should never sound muffled! The now visible microphone below the keyboard supports voice output feedback along the noise cancellation. Located to the sides, (and this is kick-ass) the re-located dual speakers letting you lay your device flat on the face or back no matter the surface. Useful for speakerphone mode, while driving, conference calls, or just some awesome music and video playback. The complete back has been fitted with a rubberised coating with micro-beads to the left and right ensuring that a slip never happens again. Making power management that much easier, the TK Victory is complete with a single Lock/Power key to maintain a days plus worth of communication, fun, and of course work. And to help you along through the day the TK Victory is accompanied with a 1950mAh li-ion battery.

BlackBerry TK Victory
Be Bold. Be Victorious.

Features Overview

•  World Phone
•  Dual-band GSM/CDMA | HSDPA & HSUPA | LTE | Network Support
•  Phone | Video Calling
•  Voice Dial | Voice Memo
•  Email | BBM | Organiser (Calendar, Memo, Task)
•  Predictive text input | Text messaging | Instant messaging
•  Browser | Adobe Flash 10.X support | HTML 5
•  Weather application integration
•  Social Networking integration
•  BlackBerry App World | Google Play integration
•  Front-facing and Rear cameras | Skype
•  HD Cameras & HD Video recording
•  Bluetooth v4.0
•  Wi-Fi 802.11g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11ac | Wi-Fi Media controller
•  BlackBerry Wireless Media Server integration
•  Hotspot Notification
•  DLNA Certified® with auto-synchronisation
•  Tethered modem support
•  GPS with A-GPS Support
•  Digital compass with GPS software calibration
•  NFC Built-in | ISIS software | IrisAccess Platform | HID Global software
•  e-Wallet functionality
•  Media: Pictures | Music Player | Video Player
•  Swipe navigational control
•  Universal Search functionality
•  Security and encryption software government certified
•  Remote locate/lock/wipe with BlackBerry Protect
•  Passcode protection
•  Proximity sensor for auto turn-off
•  Single key device Lock/Power
•  32GB Samsung Flash memory with sharing & partitioning encryption
•  Expandable memory (Up to 64GB microSDHC)
•  Memory Management Software built-in

Note: The designs set forth including names (Ten Thousand (TK*)(2), Victory*, SmartSense*, QuickList*), details mentioned, operational functionality and technical specifications are of those from Guy Bridges of www.DigitalHomeBoy.ca and are used for conceptual design purposes.

“RIM likely agreeing to license Blackberry 10 to Samsung, HTC, and possibly others”, analyst says

Posted By Ray Nicolini

BASIS International hit RIM with a trademark infringement lawsuit over the use of term “BBX”. RIM started using BBX to describe the new BlackBerry smartphone OS, but to avoid a massive issue they quickly shifted its name to “BlackBerry 10″. According to Jim Balsillie, RIM’s co-CEO, these new devices will apparently “leap frog” the competition when they are released… but we can now expect them sometime during “the latter part of 2012“. The five rumoured “BlackBerry 10″ to be launched in 2012 is the London, Lisbon, Milan, Nevada, and Black Forest.

So until RIM gets their stuff in order, here’s a fresh, new rumour to ponder. Peter Misek, analyst from Jefferies & Co., stated in a note to his clients that he believes RIM has, or will, start to licence the BlackBerry 10 OS to other manufacturers such as Samsung, HTC. No other details are given, but personally I cannot see either of these companies licensing another OS. Both of them are deeply involved with Google’s Android OS and Microsoft’s Windows Phone 7 OS. In addition, Samsung has their own bada OS (which isn’t widely adopted), and HTC has reportedly pondered creating or buying a mobile OS. Just like the note to his clients states, if RIM goes in this direction it will put pressure on their hardware business, but increase the service revenue.

“We think some of this has already been started with RIM likely agreeing to license Blackberry 10 to Samsung, HTC, and possibly others. This would help create a critical mass for the ecosystem and maintain RIM’s monthly service revenue; however, it puts more pressure on the hardware business in the short term. Longer term, it possibly gets people hooked on the RIM ecosystem and may in fact allow them to sell more BB 10 handsets (if they are able to create compelling handsets).”

Thoughts?

Source: Barrons

BBX Renamed to BlackBerry 10 After RIM Barred from Using BBX Name

Posted By Ray Nicolini

Now this is a sad day for RIM marketing. After solid names like the Bold and Curve and a very promising BBX name for the future BlackBerry QNX based platform we have RIM changing things again. BASIS has put out a press release that a US Federal court in Albuquerque has banned RIM from using the BBX name. That means RIM was immediately barred from using the BBX trademark at BlackBerry DevCon in Singapore.

That has not stopped RIM and they have now renamed BBX as BlackBerry 10 for RIM’s next generation smartphones. I guess RIM sees the need to jump directly from 7 to 10 but I think they should have gone with a totally different naming scheme. Still BlackBerry 10 is not a bad name but my guess is people will still call it BBX. 

Press release from Basis below:

US Federal Court Bars RIM (BlackBerry) from Using BASIS’ BBX Trademark

The United States Federal Court in Albuquerque today granted a temporary restraining order (TRO) against Research in Motion (RIM), immediately barring RIM from using BASIS International Ltd.’s incontestable federally registered BBX trademark at RIM’s Asian DevCon on December 7-8 in Singapore.

BASIS’ BBX running on a sampling of mobile devices available at http://links.basis.com/buidemos (Photo: Business Wire)

RIM had refused BASIS’ requests to stop the infringement at the DevCon conference, which resulted in BASIS filing for the TRO.

In rejecting RIM’s arguments against the issuance of a TRO, the court found that, “The BBX mark is identical to the mark which RIM is allegedly using to present its BBX product (TRO page 8).” and “despite the fact that the two companies are not direct competitors, the parties’ respective BBX products are highly related and target the same class of consumers, that is, business application software developers (TRO page 9).” The court went on to concur with BASIS that “The alleged infringement is likely to cause customers and prospective customers to wrongly believe that the software applications created using BASIS’s development tools are only compatible with RIM’s BBX operating system (TRO page 11).”

The order described how the “Courts use a well-established four-part test to decide whether to grant injunctive relief (TRO page 7)” and concluded that “Accordingly, after considering all the factors relative to a determination of whether an injunction should be granted, the Court finds that all factors weigh in favor of BASIS (TRO page 8).”

See BASIS’ latest generation of BBX in action by running the sample restaurant tip calculator and home mortgage calculator applications from links.basis.com/buidemos to experience BASIS’ BBX platform-independent solutions on your own smartphone or tablet.