RIM to launch slew of Blackberries for masses

Blackberry devices are very popular with corporate users and businesses, where they are mainly used to provide e-mail access on the move. Recently, the company has released its highly anticipated Storm 2, which is the second Touchscreen Smartphone developed by the company. The Storm2 by default is SIM locked, but can be subsequently unlocked to use on any GSM network by obtaining code from respective provider.

Recently, the company has also introduced low range devices to target general users like Blackberry Curve 8520 at a price of Rs 15990.

At present, BlackBerry is the world's second most popular Smartphone platform after Nokia, capturing 21% of worldwide Smartphone sales in Q3, 2009 as compared to 16% in last year. Being at number two, everybody loves to read about the rumors of new Blackberry devices and what will be the new features of the next BlackBerry?

New Blackberry devices

It is reported that RIM will launch about 16 new BlackBerry devices worlwide in 2010.  It seems that BlackBerry Essex will be the next in line and Blackberry 9100 aka Striker, Blackberry Curve 8530 will follow it soon.

The new devices will be certainly designed in a way that they can compete with various new Smartphones from competitors like Nokia, Apple, Samsung, Palm etc. It is assumed that the devices will have Wi-Fi support, new trackpad and Touchscreen. However, the company has neither provided any roadmap for the next year nor it detailed any of the devices.

According to sources, some of the forthcoming models of the Blackberry will have features like:

1)  Blackberry Essex: The device is said to be the new version of Blackberry Tour which supports 3G, CDMA, and Wi-Fi connectivity. Also, it will have a trackpad and new applications that will certainly amuse its users.
2)  Blackberry 9100 aka Striker: It is the updated version of Blackberry Pearl, but featuring 3G and trackpad. It is reported that the device is slimmer than Blackberry 9700 or Bold 2 which will provide the phone an attractive look.
3)  Blackberry Curve 8530: Similar to Curve 8520, the new device is designed for CDMA carriers. It is expected that RIM will announce the device soon.

   Blackberry Essex                       Blackberry 9100                      Blackberry curve 8530

RIM has announced its plans to launch its new model Blackberry Storm 2 Smartphone in Indian markets. The price of blackberry storm 2 in India is not known now. It is assumed that the above models will also be launched in Indian markets after their debut in US and EU markets.

Front-facing cameras to debut on BlackBerry in 2010

According to sources, Research in Motion is apparently planning to bring the latest iterations with front facing camera. The company is planning to tweak the design of its Blackberries and making them more useful for corporate users.

The front facing camera will be a help for video conferencing and the launch is expected by early 2010. Nokia already has its products in the market supporting the same form factors.
 
RIM’s new “Services Platform” for BlackBerry Developers

Last week, RIM has introduced a new services platform for developers, which will enhance various useful applications for the upcoming Blackberry devices. The new applications will streamline business processes on BlackBerry Smartphones.

The new services platform will offer advertising, payment, content push and new location services. Also, the platform will design various responsive, location-aware, revenue-generating applications, for example BlackBerry Advertising Service, BlackBerry Payment Service, BlackBerry Push Service etc. It is predicted that these applications will be available in 2010.