BlackBerry 6: the new OS from RIM

RIM has just introduced its new BlackBerry 6 OS. Will it be a more effective OS ready to face up to Google and Apple on the general consumer multi-function phone market?

The BlackBerry, the executive smartphone that recently went street and, more precisely, started appearing in the pockets of numerous teens, has many qualities. Unequalled e-mail management, a keyboard optimised for efficient text entry and a free chat service (BBM) are all qualities that have ensured the success of RIM phones, with a 42% of market share in the United States.

Erase or delete?

Nevertheless, over the last few months, the competition has been changing the rules and flagging up some of the BlackBerry's limitations. Will the BB6 OS manage to correct the faults on the current OS?

While RIM has been extremely successful in converting its pro image to a wider market, users are now choosing devices for their multimedia qualities, with internet browsing top of the list, a feature not outstanding on RIM smartphones. It is to be hoped that the new browser (based on Webkit) will reduce the current slowdowns and improve the design and management of pages.

Faced with the new user interfaces on HTC, Apple and Samsung smartphones, you have to say the RIM version isn't as nice to use and, once again, doesn't live up to the expectations of its new user base who want touch, or, if possible, multi-touch functionality.

Growth in multimedia and internet use

Going by the screenshots you can see in this article, the BB OS 6 doesn't seem totally different to version 5. Honestly speaking, so much the better. Although numerous features needed a real makeover, it would have been a shame to redo the settings or the app menu, which, for example, have long since allowed classification by folder.

Although we'll have to wait and see it before we give our verdict on the browser (it looks as if you can open different tabs), the home screen seems to have changed for the better. There are now four distinct zones. At the top you have all the connectivity features and the clock. Just underneath is the volume and Universal Search notifications (new). At the bottom, you'll find the main icons, which have been reduced to four. Just above them, a text bar should allow you to change the list of displayed icons. It's a sort of BlackBerry version of Android and iOS.

The universal messenger has been reworked, as has BlackBerry Messenger. Better integration of social networks should also be on the menu in version 6. Seeing how poor the current version is in this domain, there could be quite a jump here. The multimedia player is also likely to have been reworked, as well as the notification system.


As we said, it's difficult to make any statements on the qualities and faults of the new version of BB OS for the moment. For now, we can simply say that it retains the pared-down style that has characterised RIM until now. This choice will no doubt please loyal fans, but may be a more questionable success with the wider public.


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