No Keyboards on New Blackberry 10 OS Phones

The first BlackBerry device running Research In Motion Ltd’s new operating software will not have a physical keyboard, only a touch-screen one.

The BlackBerry 10 software will be offered on devices with physical keyboards in the future, but RIM spokeswomen Rebecca Freiburger declined to say when. RIM is expected to start selling BlackBerry 10 touch-screen devices this year.

Many corporate users have stuck with the BlackBerry solely because of its physical keyboard, given a perception that it’s harder to type emails on a touch screen. The BlackBerry 10 system has already been delayed about a year, and with additional delays to get a physical keyboard, those people may not be willing to wait any longer, especially as the iPhone makes greater in-roads in corporate settings. Those users may simply get the new iPhone expected this fall.

blackberry 10 osblackberry 10 os

Colin Gillis, an analyst with BGC Financial, called it puzzling that RIM isn’t leading with its strength by releasing a keyboard BlackBerry first.

“The physical keyboard is the most dominant item that separates out Research In Motion from its competitors,” Gillis said. “If you are not playing to your historical strengths you may find it more difficult to get traction.”

But Jefferies analyst Peter Misek said BlackBerry 10 is all about touch and closing the gap with Apple, so people should not be surprised that the initial model will have only a touch screen.

“They are going to build a BlackBerry device with a keyboard, but it’s just going to take longer,” Misek said. “Maybe it will come a month or two after, but frankly it might be already too late.”

RIM’s future is far from certain as its flagship devices rapidly lose market share to flashier phones. With more than $2 billion in cash, bankruptcy seems unlikely in the near term. But RIM’s U.S. share of the smartphone market fell sharply from 44 percent in 2009 to 10 percent in 2011 according to market researcher NPD Group.

RIM also said on Wednesday that it has started laying off employees as part of a restructuring plan aimed at saving about $1 billion this year.

 

Prateek Panda

Prateek is the Founder of TheTechPanda. He's passionate about technology startups and entrepreneurship and enjoys speaking to new founders every day. Prateek has also been consistently regarded as one of the top marketing experts in the region.

Recent Posts

Ness Digital Engineering launches ATONIS: An AI-powered engineering workbench to accelerate product innovation

Bridging intelligence and engineering maturity for a digital-first world Today’s engineering teams face mounting pressure…

3 days ago

War by algorithm: As AI & robotics enter our defense budgets what will our battlefields look like?

As Artificial Intelligence (AI) and robotics redefine the battlefield, how should we feel about it?…

4 days ago

Funding alert: Tech startups that raked in moolah this month

The Tech Panda takes a look at recent funding events in the tech ecosystem, seeking…

6 days ago

AI & technology trends in the glass & manufacturing industry

Walk near the glass facade of any modern building in India today, and it would…

6 days ago

AI literacy for non?tech teachers: A guide to ‘AI for everyone’

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer the exclusive domain of tech experts or computer scientists.…

1 week ago

Is AI assisting students or creating a future of cheaters?

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been making moves to get into the classrooms. Will it make…

1 week ago