RIM (Research In Motion) has revealed a new phone running its next generation software, Blackberry 10. However, you’re never going to get your hands on this handset unless you are a developer. The new handset was meant for developers who would like to test their apps on BB10.
RIM unveiled the new handset in Bangkok at a developer event. The developer’s handset sports a physical QWERTY keyboard.
The Canadian firm will be giving out 1,500 units of the new phone to developers. Getting the phone will be based on a points system, depending on the amount of apps they have to offer and if the apps are Blackberry-specific. At a later date, developers will swap the handset for a production phone.
Previously, developers only got their hands on the Dev Alpha, which only sports a touchscreen. With this new device, developers can now test their apps on a handset sporting a QWERTY keyboard.
Blackberry 10 is expected to arrive in the New Year, alongside two new phones running the software. These handsets are said to be the fully touchscreen London and the QWERT-sporting Nevada. These new handsets will not sport the usual home button. Users will switch from app to app with the flick of a finger instead of switching from home screen to home screen.
Aside from unveiling the new phone for developers, RIM has also changed the Blackberry App World (its online app store) into just Blackberry World. The name change was done since users can now purchase movies, TV shows, and music from the online store.
It’s no secret that the Canadian phone manufacturer is in a lot of trouble. It has lost a lot of market shares to the likes of the Samsung Galaxy S3 and the iPhone 5. RIM hopes to get back in the game with handsets running Blackberry 10.
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