RIM: More Than 50 Carriers Testing BlackBerry 10

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Research In Motion Limited (NASDAQ:RIMM) (TSE:RIM) claims that more than 50 carriers are testing its BlackBerry 10 platform, and reiterates that it is on track to launch the device in the first quarter of 2013. The company said that it was a big step forward towards launching the two BlackBerry smartphones next year. This is an essential exercise by carriers, as they have to test the platform before they can certify it for use in their networks.

RIM: More Than 50 Carriers Testing BlackBerry 10

Notably, this process alias “Lab Entry” could take a week to several weeks depending on the carrier network. Research In Motion Limited (NASDAQ:RIMM) (TSE:RIM) suggestively opted to pass the holiday smart devices war, with a view of getting all the attention when it launches its devices early next year. This holiday is bombarded with five major Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) product lineups, including the Macs update. The tech giant will be shipping its new iPad 4, iPad mini, iPhone 5, and the iPods.

Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) has come up with its new Nexus 10, while Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT)’s surface tablets are also in for this holiday’s smart-devices battlefield. Nokia Corporation (NYSE:NOK) also launched its Lumia 920 phones, to run on Windows Phone 8, while Google’s Motorola Mobility and HTC Corp (TPE:2498) have also launched smartphones in the recent past, not forgetting Korea’s Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. (LON:BC94).

Therefore, Research In Motion Limited (NASDAQ:RIMM) (TSE:RIM) could be seen to have made a wise choice. However, following Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)’s unexpected refresh of its iPad Line-up. It is highly unpredictable that RIM will be the only company offering new devices to the market when it launches its two BlackBerry 10 devices early next year. Additionally, there is every reason that the newly launched devices will still be very vibrant, especially the strong brands from Apple and Samsung.

According to CNET News, Research In Motion Limited (NASDAQ:RIMM) (TSE:RIM) is also losing its home market share in north America, as it concentrates on expanding to the emerging markets. Furthermore, these markets are predominantly controlled by cheaper smartphone devices designed for the low end of the market. The new BlackBerry 10 smartphones are seen as the last throw of the dice, which should help RIM avoid a probable fall, as it succumbs to pressure from the smartphones market.

Currently the smartphone market is dominated by two platforms, Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG)’s Android O.S., with approximately 67%, and Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)’s iOS, with just under 20%. The rest is shared among a variety of platforms with Research In Motion Limited (TSE:RIM) (NASDAQ:RIMM)’s BlackBerry, and Windows Phone platform holding visible margins, albeit minimal. The search is on for a third ecosystem, as carriers look to avoid over-reliance on the two platforms.

Research In Motion Limited (NASDAQ:RIMM) (TSE:RIM) seems to have a viable chance, as Nokia Corporation (NYSE:NOK) is slowly ditching its own Symbian, while adopting the Windows Phone, which is yet to gain any traction. Therefore, Research In Motion Limited (NASDAQ:RIMM) (TSE:RIM)’s chances are likely to depend on how the Windows Phone performs during the holiday season and the near future.

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