Didn't RIM say the current BlackBerry OS will be around for a while? I know they were forced to name BBX to BlackBerry 10 but I kept wondering if BlackBerry 8 and 9 are also in the works.
My prediction:
Early to mid 2012
BlackBerry 8
- The next evolution to BlackBerry 7. Probably the last version of the current BlackBerry Java-based OS. Most OS 7 devices will be upgradable to OS 8.
Late 2012 to early 2013
BlackBerry 9
- A BlackBerry 7/8 "face" running on QNX, with some BB 10 features like new icons, etc.
- Aimed to current BlackBerry users and corporate users still wanting the traditional BlackBerry experience.
- Smaller touch-screen like the 9900 series
- Bold / Curve physical-keyboard form factor
- Limited Apps due to its screen size and ratio
BlackBerry 10
- Large-touch screen, bezel-based UI (ala PlayBook); all touch screen or slider
- Media and App friendly due to its screen. All PlayBook apps will be compatible due to its screen ratio.
- Aimed towards consumers and non-corporate users
I can't imagine RIM abandoning the current BlackBerry experience and 9900 form factor especially how well the Bold has being received by most. I have my hopes up!
I'm pretty sure that RIM will skip BB8 and rebrand BB9 as BB8, and then have BB9 which is actually BB8.1
Or in other words: QNX is the future and RIM knows it, but they can problably still use most of the BB7 os and simply swap out the gooey messy innards for QNX underpinnings.
I firmly believe that RIM couldve done this a long time ago, as even the old Storm 9530 could've ran a version of os5 that had the QNX jvm (which I believe could move unused executables and files out of active ram, saving the meager 128mb for active data only)
Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com
There won't be one. BBX will be out in a year and there's no way that RIM can shove out 2 whole major updates with their reputation for taking their time.
I would be very surprised if they launch 3 new OS's next year.. and that isn't a slam on RIM about taking their time or whatever, I just don't think they will, and honestly don't think they should.. it seems unnecessary, and would be confusing to average consumers.
I do not see this happening.. I do think they should put something out, but realistically, with BB10 behind they cant concentrate on 2 other OS' they need to focus on BB10. Unless they have been working on them previous, and they manage it in a way that OS 8 goes to the curve and the OS9 goes to Bold and Torch.
I think all that would be way to confusing....
OS8 is already out, it's called 7.1. Quincy confirms this on my device. Which potentially leaves room for an OS9 - code named OS8.1 - since BB10 is on the way. I think we'll see something by the spring
I believe if these were to come they most definitely would not come out next year. As Rim is in the middle of there metamorphosis stage i think they would most likely begin to expand the Qnx platform while releasing minor updates for BB7. BBX (10) will take precedence on there priority list and everything else will slowly come along... expect BB8 late 2013