What happened to Blackberry 10?

Blackberry 10 is the Research In Motion's next major mobile operating system update for both tablets and smartphones. It is not clear when RIM will exactly unveil the QNX-based BlackBerry 10. RIM originally planned to call the platform BBX, but it was renamed as the company was not allowed to use it in response to a legal action from BASIS International, which has already trademarked BBX for its software. The forthcoming BlackBerry version will be one of the best mobile operating systems from RIM. It will support apps coded in C/C++, HTML5 and it has many other incredible features.

Here we mention some important factors to know about BlackBerry 10.

BB 10 runs Android apps

BlackBerry 10 and PlayBook 2.0 will support Android apps. It doesn't mean you can download apps directly from Android Market to your BlackBerry 10 devices. The apps should be repackaged for BlackBerry 10. However, there needs no change in the code of Android apps; developers just need to take the .APK code and use the RIM tools to turn them BB 10 compatible. Not every Android app can thus be repackaged for BB 10.

It is not just an update to PlayBook OS

BlackBerry 10 is not an update to PlayBook OS. RIM has already announced the second-gen PlayBook OS 2 with some apps like BBM, native email, calendar and others. Meanwhile, the upcoming BB 10 is expected to come with features like push notifications and voice search. RIM vice president Chris Smith has recently agreed that many native services like enterprise integration, push notification and voice search capability will appear on BlackBerry 10. Chances are that the BB 10 OS shall be an upgrade to the PlayBook OS 2.0. HTML5 and Adobe Flash

BlackBerry 10 will come with the best HTML5 implementation, says Mike Lazaridis of RIM. The platform's Bolt browser will be based on WebKit and so you can have a nice HTML5 experience on BB 10 devices. RIM's VP Alan Brenner has requested developers to start with HTML5 and Air apps, which will work on the new BlackBerry OS. Many features of BlackBerry 10 can raise stiff challenge to Android platform.

Great multitasking features

Indeed, smooth multitasking is the forte of both Android and iOS today. RIM will also bring better multitasking features for apps on its upcoming BlackBerry OS 10. The feature will bring back many customers to the BlackBerry devices from iOS and Android, RIM thinks.

Better quality hardware

RIM has been known for better quality hardware. However, so as to fight with the new line of Android and Apple devices, RIM will enhance its hardware department further. The BlackBerry 10-based smartphones and tablets from RIM may be highly competitive to both iOS and Android products.

More native apps

RIM is to open ways for more native apps on its BlackBerry 10. Thanks to QNX, the new BlackBerry OS can run apps developed using C++ codes so like a personal computer or gaming consoles. As per reports, leading game engines like Marmalade, Unity and ShiVa3D are likely to build games for BlackBerry 10. The new OS offers better opportunities for developers to create more native apps and games.

BlackBerry 7 is still there

BlackBerry 7 is still running active. According to Alec Saunders, the present version of BlackBerry will be available for quite a while. New services and apps come for BlackBerry 7 and other versions even now. Well, RIM has been competing with Android Ice Cream Sandwich with its PlayBook 2.0. The BB 10, in the meanwhile, will help it compete with Windows 8.

No delay in BlackBerry 10

RIM has hit back at the reports that BB 10 is much delayed. There is no unexpected delay in the release of the software, RIM claims. It is working to develop the software as perfect as possible to make it a huge success. See what RIM's official statement says in this regard, 'We appreciate the interest in our future platform and we will continue to work hard to deliver that platform as soon as possible. At the same time, we also remain very excited with the success of our recently launched BlackBerry 7 smartphones and we believe these products offer a very compelling choice for both new customers and the almost 75 million BlackBerry users around the world.'