BlackBerry is back — as manufacturers take one last shot at success

The Z10


THE latest BlackBerry smartphone has been revealed - and is set to hit UK stores TOMORROW.
Today's launch saw the unveiling of the first two phones to use the BlackBerry 10 operating system, the touchscreen Z10, and the Q10, which has a physical keyboard.
Many experts have predicted that the new phones will be the last chance at success for the company, which has struggled to keep up with Apple's iPhone and Android devices.
The Z10 and Q10 both come with many features aimed at the business market which has been BlackBerry's traditional niche.
BlackBerry Hub allows busy users to control their Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn from one central app - as well as their emails, texts, and BlackBerry Messenger.


blackberry 10 qwerty phone aka Q10


And different apps will be able to run simultaneously, allowing users to reply to messages while a film continues to play in the background - before switching smoothly back to the movie.
CEO Thorsten Heins hammered home how BlackBerry 10 would be directed at the business market, explaining that it is aimed at "hyperconnected people".
The devices also gather information about people you are working with by searching for them on social networks - bringing down pictures, job information, and other data to keep you informed about people you meet.

Flicking between the phone's Work and Personal modes allows you to keep your own data separate from the Work side, which can be set to be shared with other people at your company.

BlackBerry Messenger has also been upgraded, integrating video chat - as well as the ability to let the person you are chatting to view the screen of your device, and your documents.

And in a vote of confidence in their new device, manufacturer Research In Motion is changing its name to BlackBerry.

But not everyone was so convinced, with Jason Jenkins, Editor of CNET UK, telling The Sun: "RIM, makers of the BlackBerry, today bet the future of the company on the Z10, a touch-screen phone that on the outside looks like an iPhone knock-off.

"But unfortunately for RIM, this is no iPhone. There are some positive things here — the screen is good, and the camera quality is decent.

"But the maps are very basic compared to the competition and there are lots of little niggles with the new software."

He added: "For those that absolutely have to own a BlackBerry, perhaps because their company likes the security features or because they are die-hard fans, this is step forward - no longer will people laugh at them for having a stone-age phone.

"But the reality is that, for most people, there is no reason to buy either of these phones over a good Android phone or iPhone. The competition is just too strong."