BlackBerry fans have been dealt a killer blow this morning, as RIM has announced that its next generation of smartphones will be delayed until the end of 2012, due to a component complication.
After suffering a poor year, Research in Motion has been trying to stir up interest in its brand with the promise of a new generation of smartphones, which will be running a totally new type of operating system – BlackBerry 10, or BBX as it was known as until recently.
However, RIM’s co-CEO Mike Lazaridis has just made a call to investors, in which he explained that we are unlikely to see the first BlackBerry 10 devices emerging until late 2012. The huge delay is due to a chipset, which is vital to the production of their new phones, being unavailable to buy in bulk until mid-2012.
Naturally, investors immediately questioned the move, asking if an alternative chipset could be used to make the new phones. Lazaridis defended his decision, explaining that they would not be able to attain the same balance of processing power and battery life with a different component.
We know that RIM is already working on new BlackBerry smartphones and potentially tablets that will run on the BlackBerry 10 software; something they have worked on since acquiring software experts QNX one year ago. There are likely to be several pre-production models of the new smartphones floating around with RIM employees at the moment, so we’re hoping to see some soon.
We already know of a smartphone called the BlackBerry London, which has leaked in a picture online. We’ve also seen the BlackBerry Torch 3, or Milan, which is pictured above.
Are you an avid BlackBerry fan? Let us know what you think about the decision to postpone devices until late 2012.
Let us know your thoughts on our comments below or via our @Gadget_Helpline Twitter page or Official Facebook group.
Via: Engadget