What seems like a world that is dominated by the iPhone may soon become a world with fierce competition between Apple and Research in Motion; more commonly known as RIM, the mastermind behind BlackBerry.
On Jan. 30, 2013, Research in Motion will unveil the BlackBerry 10. The new Blackberry, lacking its traditional “home button,” is adding LED light technology that will flash when a message is received.
The BlackBerry 10 will combine pieces of information into similar apps. In the messaging app, for example, Facebook updates, texts, tweets and e-mails will appear.
Appealing to corporations was a particular aim of RIM as it designed the new BlackBerry. Corporations will be able to separate corporate and personal information on the smart phone in the case that the phone is issued by a corporation to its employees.
RIM, which is largely credited with the creation of mobile e-mail on their early BlackBerry devices, seems fairly confident as the launch approaches.
With the rise of the iPhone 5 and the Samsung Galaxy s3, savvy phone users are facing a difficult choice: continuing the use of their current smart phone or putting their faith back in RIM and purchase the BlackBerry 10 come January.
Sydney Liss, a junior marketing and management major, owns the BlackBerry Bold 9930.
“I felt loyal to the BlackBerry,” said Liss, “I love the keyboard significantly more than touch-screen.”
Liss, however, has no intention of purchasing the BlackBerry 10 because of the rumored touch-screen innovations.
“[And] I’ve had too many unnecessary issues with my current one [BlackBerry] that it’s not worth it,” she said.
Despite her adversity to the touch-screen revolution, Liss said that she will most likely purchase and iPhone when her contract term ends.
“I’ll probably upgrade sooner,” she said, “I’m getting sick of the glitches and poor battery life.”
Jeremy Levin, a junior biology major, recently purchased the Samsung Galaxy s3.
“I chose this phone because of the reviews,” said Levin, “I didn’t want an iPhone so this was the closest thing to it that ran with Android, which is what I prefer.”
Levin, who says he also enjoys the big screen and ease of use that comes with the Galaxy s3, said he would not purchase the new BlackBerry because he prefers the Android operating system.
As the smart phone revolution continues to unfold, consumers face a myriad of choices that fit different needs. With the Christmas season and the BlackBerry 10 release approaching soon, smart phone sales will likely soar, but only time will tell which will reign supreme.