RIM may just be able to rescue its sinking ship with the latest development in their brand new software. The Blackberry OS 10 is expected to hit markets in March 2013 and is RIM’s (possible) ticket out of its current situation. The software is currently being tried and tested by mobile carriers around the world and reception seems to have been soundly optimistic as RIM’s CEO Thomas Heins claims to have been travelling to showcase the software.
In a statement made by Thomas Heins last Thursday, he has confirmed that the Blackberry OS 10 has been able to clear lab entry with more than 50 carriers. Admitting that Blackberry has lacked applications which have made it seemingly unattractive, he said that RIM is now working on a host of applications to solve this issue as they hope to release the phone in the first quarter next year. Investors also seem quite happy with the release of such news as share prices saw a hike of just under 10% to $8.70.
RIM had once been on the top of the smartphone market due to its excellent connectivity with mail and messaging, and it was the apt smartphone for business people around the world with great email and instant messaging facilities; however it was outperformed first by the iPhone and then by Android. RIM has been able to retain only a 4.3% market share as compared to Apple which has a 15% market share and Samsung which has a 31.3% market share globally.
Analysts predict that in what has become a duopolistic market between Apple and Samsung carriers would happily welcome the Blackberry 10 OS in order to allow healthy competition and restore balance. Though RIM has a lot to get past with the release of the Windows Phone 8, early previews of the BB10 OS and the upcoming hardware have been received quite positively by almost everyone in the smartphone industry. From current information, Blackberry OS 10 will have an entirely new and revised user interface with a home screen that is expected to have tiles quite similar to that of the live tiles in Windows Phone 8, and many substantial additions to messaging, which are aimed at making business use more comfortable and popular.
RIM’s latest could keep the market on its toes in what is expected to be tough competition against Windows, Apple and Samsung.
