Research In Motion Limited (USA) (NASDAQ:RIMM) (TSE:RIM) is planning to launch the latest release of its Blackberry operating system – the Blackberry 10 – on January 30. But the final launch of the long-delayed phone may not be enough to save the company that once lead the way in smartphones.
The launch of the Blackberry 10 operating system (OS) later this month is sure to be followed, perhaps not immediately, by the latest range of Blackberry devices. It is currently rumoured that with the unveiling of the OS, RIM will also show two models of the new Blackberry – though it is unsure when they will go on sale. RIM is promising a mobile revolution, and it certainly needs one in order to stay in the mobile game.
Despite the revolution that Research In Motion Limited (NASDAQ:RIMM) (TSE:RIM) is promising, there is likely to be the familiar QWERTY keyboard that Blackberry fans have come to know and love about their devices – making them a good choice for fans of instant messaging or email.
There are still many rumours surrounding what the new devices will feature. Reports from software developers and those with early access to prototypes are that the new Blackberries will be exceedingly fast – reducing boot times to near instant and making web-browsing a joy.
The screens on the new devices are also said to be incredibly crisp and clear. But, given the competition of Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)’s Retina display and the Samsung Galaxy’s HD screen, RIMs offering will have to be quite special. Screen size has been estimated, based on leaked photos, at 4.3 inches. The device will reportedly launch with 70,000 apps, and RIM CEO, Thorsten Heins, predicts that number will expand rapidly.
The past five years have been tough for Research In Motion Limited (NASDAQ:RIMM) (TSE:RIM). It went from blazing a trail in business phones to desperately trying to claw itself back into the market.
Many businesses used to insist on employees using Blackberries for their secure email system. However, the “bring your own device” (BYOD) movement has meant that employees are now bringing their personal mobile devices to work.
This has opened up a huge market of big enterprises, which has helped to boost the popularity of Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) iPhones and Android devices from companies such as Samsung and Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG).
Although not dead yet, Research In Motion Limited (NASDAQ:RIMM) (TSE:RIM)’s stock has lost considerable value since 2011. This time two years ago, its stock commanded a price in the $60 range. Today, it stands at a much reduced $11.58, and is down by 2.77 percent in today’s markets.
