UAE to launch BlackBerry 10 device ahead of US

Research In Motion (RIM) launched the first devices powered by its long-anticipated BlackBerry 10 platform at a multi-national launch event today, at the same time announcing it is dropping the ‘Research In Motion’ moniker.

“We have re-invented this company, and we wanted to reflect this in our brand,” said CEO Thorsten Heins. The firm will now be known simply as ‘BlackBerry’.

The company is releasing two LTE-enabled devices: the 4.2-inch touchscreen-only Z10 and the hybrid 3.1-inch touchscreen/Qwerty Q10.

“We know there are a lot of physical keyboard lovers out there,” Heins said.

Many of the key features of BlackBerry 10 have already been demonstrated at various events, although some features have been updated as the devices reach the market.

At the heart of the new OS is the BlackBerry Hub, an integrated contacts and social networking app with support for Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

Messages and updates can be read and posted without the need to leave BlackBerry Hub, and contact information can be viewed regardless of the app in which it is stored.

It also supports the BlackBerry Balance feature, which enables users to switch between private and work profiles, with the ability to run both personal and work apps at the same time while keeping corporate data secure and encrypted.

The company’s BBM messenger service has also gained support for voice and video calls, and enables users to share screens in real-time.

Supporting the new devices is a refreshed BlackBerry World store, which includes a range of music and video as well as apps. The app store launches with more than 70,000 apps already available to support the launch of the first BB10 devices.

According to Heins, the devices will have cleared testing with 110 operators by the end of February 2013, although some markets are more advanced than others, with the Z10 leading the way ahead of the Q10.

The first market to see launches is the UK, with Z10 availability scheduled for January 31, with debuts in Canada and UAE early in February.

The ‘big four’ US operators – Verizon Wireless, AT&T, T-Mobile and Sprint – are set to offer BlackBerry 10 devices in March.

While pricing is likely to vary by market, Heins said the Z10 will be priced at US$149 with a “three year contract”.

The Q10 will follow in April.