On October 31 makers of the BlackBerry smartphone, Research In Motion (RIM), revealed that 50 wireless carriers from various parts of the world were testing out their upcoming BlackBerry 10 operating system. This is a positive sign for the struggling Canadian company and points at a firm that is successfully on track to deliver its next generation platform and the devices to support it early next year. Over the course of the past year, the release of the new operating system and related devices had been delayed numerous times. During the positive announcement, RIM made sure to restate its plan to launch two brand new BlackBerry 10 smartphones by the start of next year.
Right now wireless carriers are going through a process called “Lab Entry” for the BB10 platform. This is a testing phase for the platform and devices so that they can be cleared for use on networks. Each wireless provider has their own testing schedule but on average the entire phase can take anywhere from a week to several weeks. There is no way around the matter and RIM will have to wait until it is cleared from the multitude of wireless partners. The process is mandatory for any mobile device, equipment or operating systems that want to get certified to run on a network. It also provides wireless carriers to familiarize themselves with the new OS and devices.
RIM is going through some troubling times as the once dominant smartphone company is losing ground to competitors like Apple and Samsung. Many observers have also been against the company’s decision to wait until after the lucrative Christmas buying season to launch its new BB10 platform. Critics believe this is a misstep and will cause the Canadian firm to drop further in market share in the North American market. Even though RIM is expanding in emerging markets, its market share in other areas is dropping and the new devices and operating system that the company wishes to launch is its last chance to become relevant in the smartphone sector.
RIM CEO Thorsten Heins has been trying to develop support for his platform and is visiting different carriers. RIM is hoping to become a viable third option for carriers who are not comfortable with the dominance of iOS and Android. Heins claims that carriers are “excited about the prospect of launching BlackBerry 10 in their markets.”
Heins also told CNET that, “I’m very pleased to confirm that we have passed a critical milestone in the development of our brand new mobile computing platform, BlackBerry 10. In the last week, BlackBerry 10 achieved Lab Entry with more than 50 carriers — a key step in our preparedness for the launch of BlackBerry 10 in the first quarter of 2013. We made this commitment during our recent results conference call and we have delivered. This process will continue in the coming months as more carriers around the world formally evaluate the devices and our brand new software.
I have spent the last several weeks on the road visiting with carrier partners around the world to show them the BlackBerry 10 platform and to share with them our plans for launch. Their response has been tremendous. They are excited about the prospect of launching BlackBerry 10 in their markets. Our respective teams are now engaged on the technical and commercial preparation of the launch of BlackBerry 10 and the lab entry is an important milestone in that context.”
The hard work will not stop here as we build towards launch. Our developer teams are continuing to generate momentum to bring a wealth of applications to BlackBerry 10, our enterprise teams have started to present BlackBerry 10 devices and services to our business customers, and our engineers are fully mobilized to ensure that BlackBerry 10 launches flawlessly in the first quarter of 2013.”
Source: CNET
Yelp Releases New Menu Feature Featuring User Submitted Images Of Dishes
Nike+ FuelBand Now Available At Apple Online And Retail Stores
Lunches So Good Kids Can’t Ignore Them
Invigorating Ginger Smoothie
The U.K.’s Youngest Parents Ever
The new hair Jennifer Lawrence