Research In Motion has begun testing its new BlackBerry 10 operating system for the launch of the devices in the first quarter of 2013. The first units of RIM’s new mobile operating system, BlackBerry 10, have now been sent out to more than 50 mobile operators worldwide. The units will undergo a certification process for the launch in the first quarter of next year.
“I’m very pleased to confirm that we have passed a critical milestone in the development of our brand new mobile computing platform, BlackBerry 10.” said RIM CEO Thorsten Heins. “In the last week, BlackBerry 10 achieved Lab Entry with more than 50 carriers — a key step in our preparedness for the launch of BlackBerry 10 in the first quarter of 2013. We made this commitment during our recent results conference call and we have delivered. This process will continue in the coming months as more carriers around the world formally evaluate the devices and our brand new software,” Heins said.
This process will continue over the coming months and more mobile operators around the world will evaluate the platform. These tests can easily take two to three months to complete, depending on the operator and the services it offers to its customers.
Heins is touring around the world to meet with several operators to show the new operating system. Operators prefer to have a broader portfolio of mobile and that is why they hope to have the devices with RIM’s new operating system, thereby increasing the number of options for their customers.
Heins told the media that this is one of the critical steps in the development process of BB 10. Delivery of the BlackBerry 10 on time to the market is a key step for the company in gaining some momentum back to regain market share from Apple iPhone and Google Android. RIM, which once commanded the lead in the smartphone market, has lost its ground in recent times to Apple’s iOS and Google’s Android platforms.