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BY LOGAN TITTLE
It’s common to hear BlackBerry isn’t as ripe as it used to be, especially with share
prices dropping and an expected layoff of 5,000 workers — but a recently leaked roadmap
revealing the company’s plans might be showing a turn around.
The map outlines plans to release a 4G PlayBook at the end of 2012 and two new phones in early
2013 with the launch of BlackBerry 10 in touch-screen and full keyboard versions. A PlayBook upgrade
and new tablet are also in the works.
CEO Thorsten Heins gave a sneak peek of the company’s latest project — BlackBerry
10 — during the BlackBerry World 2012 keynote session. But the company later delayed its
release to 2013.
This delay made the company’s future look questionable, and many were left in the dark.
BlackberryOS.com, the site that got a hold of the docs, says after this leak, the company’s
future is actually looking up.
“What really sparks our interest is what we have heard about possible other BB10 devices
which names were discovered hidden … It looks like 2013 is going to be RIM’s year
for a chance as the comeback kid.”
But Stuff TV isn’t seeing it the same way, saying there isn’t much to look forward
to.
“The rest of 2013 looks decidedly bleak, with just one product on the road map: a new
PlayBook tablet … Now, given the limited success of the original PlayBook and RIM’s
current woes, releasing a new version seems extremely risky … If this document is the
real deal, don’t expect to see a lot of new BlackBerry products in the coming 18 months.”
And Slashgear applauds the company for being proactive, but says that doesn’t mean it
won’t have to work to make up for this year’s losses.
“It’s good to see RIM is thinking ahead, but the company will be facing strong competition
from every direction. RIM recent financial showed a $518 million loss … Year on year,
the company saw a 43% drop in revenue.”
The BlackBerry 10 launch is set for Europe in the first week of January, with North America’s
launch following in February.
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