This is something we didn’t see coming! But BlackBerry is about to take on Twitter and Facebook with BBM Channels. BBM Channels is a place for brands and people to connect, and interact. A place for you to feel more involved. TheBerryFix.com will be launching our own BBM Channel in the coming days, so stay tuned.

Currently BlackBerry has opened this new feature up to a small group of beta testers, with full rollout expected in the coming weeks. Who would you like to see create a BBM Channel? Your friends? Or a celebrity? Comment below, I’m interested to hear your thoughts.

• Learn More About BBM Channels Beta Access Here

Press Release

Waterloo, ON – For the times when you want to share experiences beyond your friends or engage the communities you care about, BlackBerry® is taking its globally popular mobile social network, BlackBerry® Messenger (BBM™), up a notch with new functionality called BBM Channels. BlackBerry (NASDAQ: BBRY; TSX: BB) today announced the beta launch of BBM Channels, a new social engagement platform within BBM that will allow people to connect with the businesses, brands, celebrities and groups they are passionate about.

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BlackBerry has officially unveiled the first two BlackBerry 10 devices, the Z10 and Q10. The Z10 is a full-touch device with a 4.2″ screen and virtual keyboard. The Q10 is a full-QWERTY keyboard device that has a 3.1″ screen above a physical keyboard. More information will be coming throughout the day on these new devices.

Huge news from the BlackBerry 10 launch event. CEO Thorsten Heins has announced that Research In Motion has been officially be rebranded to BlackBerry. The company is now officially BlackBerry and branding will change immediately. The tagline for the transition is “One Brand. One Promise.” BlackBerry will now trade on the NASDAQ as “BBRY” and on The Stock Exchange as “BB.” This is a huge shift for the company and is sure to be a good move for the future of BlackBerry.

While the official launch of BlackBerry 10 isn’t till January 30th, that hasn’t stopped the plethora of leaks onto the internet of RIM’s latest operating system. The new images show what seems to be the BlackBerry 10 Voice control application. Along with the official Twitter, Facebook, and foursquare applications. Over all there still is a lot that we don’t know about the new OS, but we’re learning more and more everyday. Keep it locked to TheBerryFix.com as we get closer to the launch of the all new, totally reinvented, BlackBerry 10.

Continue reading for more photos of the all new BlackBerry 10 platform.

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Source : CrackBerry.com

RIM has been trying their hardest to build hype for the upcoming release of BlackBerry 10 by slowly releasing tidbits of the upcoming OS and specs of the new phones. This week; however, it seems their secrecy has failed. A multitude of leaks showing the first BlackBerry 10, full-touch device have hit the internet. The image above is the best of the bunch, showing what the homescreen and application list looks like. Past the break we have tons more images of the first BlackBerry 10 device. Be sure to take a look and get excited because the launch is only about six months away, or less.

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We’ve got some breaking news today on the upcoming 4G LTE BlackBerry PlayBook. Some leaked retailer screenshots show that the 4G LTE-enabled BlackBerry PlayBook not only exists, but that it’s set to launch this month. We initially heard that the 4G PlayBook was on track for a late 2012 launch; however, this new information shows that RIM has pushed that date up. One would presume that the push to Summer from late 2012 is to try and get some positive news and sales going before the BlackBerry 10 launch in early 2012. The specs on this one include 4G LTE, HSPA+, and a 1.5 GHz processor. The remainder of the specifications will be the same as on the current WiFi-only PlayBook.

The documents show the 4G PlayBook hitting the shelves on July 31st. This date is currently only confirmed for Bell Canada; however, other Canadian retailers should be launching the device the same time. As for a US and European launch, there’s no confirmation as to when and if that’ll be happening. Pricing is listed at $549.95 for a 32GB version. The 32GB version is the only version listed and may very well be the only version of the 4G PlayBook that launches. As for the current WiFi-only PlayBooks, we can most likely expect to see an OS update coinciding with the 4G launch.

Source : Mobile Syrup

Up until last week, when RIM announced that BlackBerry 10 would be delayed until 2013, we had a pretty solid BlackBerry 10 Roadmap. Now that the delay has been announced, all we knew was that it should launch in Q1 of 2013. That was all we had to go on until RIM’s updated BlackBerry 10 roadmap was leaked tonight. The roadmap, which is shown above, lists the rollout times for all RIM devices between now and the end of 2013.

The roadmap reads exactly according to the latest insider intel we have heard. The 7″ BlackBerry PlayBook 4G LTE is slated to launch in Q4 2012. This puts it out just in time for the holidays. Then we have the actual launch of BlackBerry 10 Smartphones. The roadmap shows both the full-touchscreen BlackBerry London and the QWERTY-keyboard BlackBerry Nevada launching in Q1 of 2012. This means that we will finally be able to get our hands on the BlackBerry 10 Smartphone of our choice by March 31, 2013.

In addition to these devices, the “Blackforest” is set to launch in Q3 2013. What is this device, you ask? This is the mythical 10″ PlayBook that we have heard mentioned many times over. Yes, RIM is still working on it, and assuming they make it to the launch of BlackBerry 10, it will be coming out in the second half of 2013.

There is also the mention of the BlackBerry Naples, which is slated to launch between Q3 and Q4 of 2013. This is rumored to be a full-touch device that also features a slide-out keyboard, much like the current Torch 9800 series. That’s about all we have now; however, it paints a pretty good picture of what we can expect from RIM in the next 12 months. A variety of BlackBerry 10 phones, 4G galore, and the 10″ PlayBook. Despite the delays, are you excited?

Source : BBOS

RIM CEO Thorsten Heins has just issued a Press Release on behalf of the company to let the world know where they currently stand. In the release, Heins emphasizes the good that the company is experiencing: Large developer interest, Broad international growth, and skilled new hires in the COO and CMO positions. He also issues a few statements and warnings about the coming financial report in June. Heins states that the company is behind on sales and this will most likely result in an overall operating loss for the current Fiscal Quarter.

In addition to these points, Heins uses an entire paragraph to discuss the hiring of two banking firms, RBC Capital and J.P. Morgan Securities. These firms will help RIM’s board and strategic planners to explore their options at this time. As the press release states, all options seem to be on the table “ including opportunities to leverage the BlackBerry platform through partnerships, licensing opportunities and strategic business model alternatives.” This could be the potential licensing deals, patent sales, or even company sale that we have been hearing rumored for so long.

While there’s no concrete statements on the future of the company in this release, we are sure to hear more as the June 28th reporting date approaches and we will update you as soon as more information comes out. Be sure to read the entire Press Release for all the details that Heins has to share at this time.

Press Release

WATERLOO, ONTARIO–(Marketwire – May 29, 2012) – Research In Motion Limited (RIM) (NASDAQ:RIMM)(TSX:RIM), a world leader in the mobile communications market, today provided a business update from Thorsten Heins, the Company’s President and CEO.

“During the Q4 2012 and fiscal year-end financial results conference call on March 29, I said that I would provide our shareholders with candid and timely updates when possible on the progress and challenges RIM is experiencing. While we are no longer giving quantitative financial guidance, I wanted to provide a brief business update at this time, and will provide more details when our Q1 financial results for the quarter ended June 2, 2012 are released on June 28.

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We’ve been hearing that RIM would be adding DLNA media streaming to their products and heck, one of the Beta Zone surveys was asking the importance of it. Well, it looks like they’ve listened and will be adding it to their product lineup. The DLNA certified site is now showing Research In Motion as a registered vendor. Now this could mean any day or this year, so I wouldn’t get to excited just yet. But still, how cool will it be to stream media from your PlayBook to your TV without buying a set-top box like other products. Let us know what features you’re hoping RIM ads to future products in the comments, I could go for a BlackBerry coffee maker how about you?

Source : CrackBerry Forums

This is some amazing…..out of this world…..well, it’s just down right insane news. News that we’ve all been waiting on for a long time.

Just about two weeks ago, CrackBerry.com managed to get images of one of RIMs first BlackBerry 10 devices, well now they have images of the UI. One thing noteworthy is the fact that RIM has introduced their own iteration of home screen widgets. No, they aren’t a copy of androids, they are their own and they look AMAZING if you ask me. Also, if you follow on after the break, your senses will be presented with a few more images to gawk at. One of the late images is of the call screen. Please take note of the “Video Call” icon there. That’s right, video calling on a BlackBerry. Hit up the break for a few more photos, and let the fun begin as we race to the launch of an all new BlackBerry experience.

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RIM’s newly appointed CEO Thorsten Heins confirmed in an early morning press call that in his new position he doesn’t intend to split the company at any point in time. Thorsten Heins goes on to say that the hardware only business is all about low-cost and volume and he believes that RIMs value is within their hardware, software, and services combination.

This comes at a time where one of the biggest rumors was that RIM would be looking to sell part or all of the company to rival Samsung. But it looks as though the rumors can be put to rest, once again.

Here’s the official word from RIM on the HUGE news that Mike and Jim are out as Co-CEO. Thorsten Heins is the new President and CEO. Barbara Stymiest is the new Independent Board Chair. Mike Lazaridis is now Vice-Chair of the Board and Jim Balsillie is now a Board Director. Read on for all the details.

Press Release

• Board Acts on Recommendation of Co-CEOs to Implement Succession Plan
• Mike Lazaridis Named Vice Chair of the Board
• Jim Balsillie Remains a Director
• Barbara Stymiest Named Independent Board Chair
• Prem Watsa Named Independent Director

WATERLOO, ONTARIO, Jan 22, 2012 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) — The Board of Directors of BlackBerry(R) maker Research In Motion (RIM) today announced that, acting on the recommendation of its Co-Chief Executive Officers to implement the succession plan they previously submitted to the Board, it has unanimously named Thorsten Heins as President and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Heins was also appointed to RIM’s Board. The Board acted after conducting its own due diligence. Both appointments are effective immediately.

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Research in Motion has just confirmed the news that the WSJ reported only minutes ago. Mike Lazaridis and Jim Balsillie have stepped down as Co-CEO of RIM and Thorsten Heins is the new President and CEO. We’ll have more on this throughout the night and week as details emerge.

Source : @BlackBerry

The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Research in Motion co-founders and Co-CEOs Mike Lazaridis and Jim Balsillie are stepping down from the Co-CEO position. The initial report says that Mike and Jim will be handing over the reins of RIM “early Monday” to the current COO, Thorsten Heins, who has been with the company since 2007.

This story has just broken and is currently developing. Check back for more details as they become available.

Source: WSJ
Via: The Verge