Research In Motion (RIM) has begun carrier testing of its new line of BlackBerry 10 devices, a crucial step ahead of next year's launch of the make-or-break line of smartphones.
"In the last week, BlackBerry 10 achieved lab entry with more than 50 carriers, a key step in our preparedness for the launch of BlackBerry 10 in the first quarter of 2013," chief executive Thorsten Heins said in a statement.
RIM, which once commanded the lead in the smartphone market, has rapidly lost ground to Apple's iPhone and Samsung's line of Galaxy products, especially in North American and European markets, as customers abandon its aging BlackBerry devices.
Waterloo, Ontario-based RIM is trying to reinvent itself through the new smartphones that will run on the BlackBerry 10 operating system on which it has staked its future. It says the new devices offer a faster and smoother user interface and a better platform for the apps that are critical to a smartphone's success.
RIM, attempting to lure developers onto its platform, last month showed off the new devices to a large gathering of app creators in San Jose, California.
While the devices have so far been well received by the developer community, analysts say the test will be the reception from consumers in an ultra-competitive market dominated by the iPhone and devices that run on Google's Android software.
No comments:
Post a Comment