After being seemingly knocked down for the count, Research in Motion – now re-branded as BlackBerry – re-vitalized its brand on Wednesday with the launch of BlackBerry 10. The company launched two new smartphones. The Q10 is keyboard-equipped, keeping it true to the essence of what BlackBerry has been. But it also features a 3.1” touchscreen and LTE. The Z10, meanwhile, rocks a 4.2” touchscreen, LTE and will be available for $199 when it hits shelves. The area where BlackBerry can really re-vitalize its brand is in software, and one of the first things BlackBerry showed off was the inclusion of Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Foursquare apps, all seamlessly integrated into the OS through the BB Hub. BlackBerry Messaging also got an overhaul, and now features reliable messaging, free calls over Wi-Fi, video chat and even a screen-sharing feature. If you live in the UK and Canada, the phones can be yours in just a few days. US customers? Sorry, but you’ll have to wait until mid-March.
About Shelly Palmer
Shelly Palmer is the Professor of Advanced Media in Residence at Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications and CEO of The Palmer Group, a consulting practice that helps Fortune 500 companies with AI strategy, implementation and governance, as well as technology, media and marketing. Named one of LinkedIn’s Top Voices in Technology, he is a bestselling author, covers tech and business for Fox 5’s Good Day New York, is a regular commentator on CNN, and writes the popular daily business blog Think About This. Follow @shellypalmer or visit shellypalmer.com.