Today, Research in Motion (RIM) has released a sneak peek video of the new BlackBerry OS 6, which is thought to either make or break the company that once dominated the smartphone market a few years ago.
The new BlackBerry OS 6 video showcases details of touchscreen support and social media integration, together with a redesigned home screen, context-sensitive pop-up menus, and universal search options to help improve navigation.
BlackBerry OS 6 is expected to arrive on the BlackBerry 9800 and 9670, but no release date has been issued as yet. However, it should be available sometime during the summer of 2010.
Key Features of BlackBerry OS 6
The BlackBerry OS 6 is designed to offer a more intuitive and user-friendly experience. One of the standout features is its enhanced touchscreen support, which aims to provide a smoother and more responsive interaction. This is a significant upgrade, especially considering the increasing popularity of touchscreen devices at the time.
Another notable feature is the social media integration. BlackBerry OS 6 aims to make it easier for users to stay connected with their social networks. The new OS includes built-in applications for popular social media platforms, allowing users to update their status, share photos, and stay connected with friends and family without needing to download additional apps.
The redesigned home screen is another major highlight. It offers a more streamlined and customizable interface, allowing users to access their most-used applications and features quickly. The context-sensitive pop-up menus provide additional options based on the current task, making navigation more efficient.
Universal search is another feature that aims to improve the user experience. This feature allows users to search for content across their device, including emails, messages, contacts, and even web content, all from a single search bar. This can save users a significant amount of time and make it easier to find the information they need.
Potential Impact on BlackBerry’s Market Position
The release of BlackBerry OS 6 comes at a critical time for RIM. The company has seen its market share decline in recent years due to the rise of competitors like Apple’s iPhone and various Android devices. The new OS is seen as a crucial step in regaining some of that lost ground.
One of the key questions is whether the new OS will be enough to attract new users to the BlackBerry platform. RIM is betting that the enhanced features and improved user experience will appeal to both existing BlackBerry users and those considering a switch from other platforms.
The integration of social media and the improved touchscreen support are likely to be particularly appealing to younger users, who are heavy users of social media and prefer touchscreen devices. The universal search feature and redesigned home screen could also attract business users, who value efficiency and ease of use.
However, the success of BlackBerry OS 6 will ultimately depend on how well it is received by users and whether it can compete with the more established iOS and Android platforms. Only time will tell if this new OS will be the game-changer that RIM hopes it will be.
Do you think the new OS 6 will help BlackBerry to attract a lot of new users to the BlackBerry platform as RIM thinks it will?
Via Ubergizmo Via IBB
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