1. BlackBerry CEO Thosten Heins’ words

First he predicted the demise of tablets and then said they should be easier to use. While these two comments may sound contradicting they don’t need to be – if we’re talking about a device like the ASUS Padfone, everything makes sense. Perhaps he just hinted us what BlackBerry is working on?

2. BlackBerry ports

When we look at the both Z10 and Q10 they have similarly places microUSB and HDMI out ports. It’s not hard to imagine a tablet shell which can house either of the two devices. MicroUSB port is there for charging, while HDMI out would be used to beam the image from the BlackBerry Z10 or Q10 to the bigger screen.

I was one of those predicting the demise of BlackBerry when the company was ruling the day (and some arguments like the lack of patents still apply); today with the new management, however, I believe they can return to the game, big time. I just hope if BlackBerry does launch a tablet shell that it will make it available in few different screen sizes, ranging from 7 to 10 inches, and that there will also be a keyboard dock.

The question is – would you be willing to switch boats if BlackBerry launches a tablet shell? Cause I’m sure existing Z10 and Q10 users would instantly buy this product.

[Image from ComputerActive]

BlackBerry allowed developers to easily port over existing Android apps to BlackBerry 10 in order to boost the app count. It is estimated that around 20% of the BlackBerry World is now made up of these kinds of apps.

The problem is that these apps can’t access major features built into the device, limiting the app’s capability. In that sense, the developer programme will now focus on more innovative apps that take full advantage of the platform, rather than merely filling out the BlackBerry 10 app catalogue.

Earlier this week, the company’s CEO announced hitting the 120,000 BlackBerry 10 apps milestone.

According to latest figures from the research firm Raymond James, BlackBerry is steadily gaining its Canadian market share back. From its sunk market share of 6%, it managed to grow to 13.5% of the Canadian market.

As you would expect, Apple and Samsung are ruling the market, accounting for 40.1% (down from 44% in Q4 2012) and 31% (also down from 35% in Q2 2012), respectively.

Many Canadian organizations like Canadian Tire, BMO and Torys LLP have outwardly declared support for the BlackBerry 10 platform and are procuring the Z10 and Q10 smartphones for their employees.

While we still don’t have the sales numbers, we do know that carriers have got a “very positive response” to the new BlackBerry devices with Q10 selling especially well, according to the company’s CEO…

[Via: MobileSyrup]

The new platform was launched with 70,000 apps “on board” with another 50,000 submitted in the next four months.

BlackBerry president and CEO Thorsten Heins didn’t hide its excitement, praising the “thriving ecosystem” and a great response from the developer community. He was also quick to add that synthesizer maker Moog has selected BlackBerry 10 as the second after iOS to offer its app.

To make this happen, the Canadian company has been offering free devices left and right, with its developers experiencing the double app revenue per user than that of Google Play. “You can be sure that we’re committed to being the best partner for developers. We help you to be successful,” Heins added.

[Via: MobileWorldLive]

“The industry got stuck on the term ‘tablets’,” Heins told CNET, before adding a stance for the company. “We want to create something that’s easier to use.” His plan is to make the tablet essentially a paper weight unless it’s paired with a mobile phone — in this case, a BlackBerry — to act as a brain.

That completely contradicts his view from last month, when he essentially claimed that tablets would be dead in the water within five years. “We believe in a single element of mobile computing: one on your hip,” he said. Even that seems to be a contradiction as well, since BlackBerry released the BlackBerry Playbook a couple of years ago… which is a tablet. It was a failure of a tablet though, so perhaps the company was bitter about tablets because they have scarred themselves with a flop.

While it seems Heins has reversed his views from last month today, it doesn’t look like that means BlackBerry will be coming out with another tablet any time soon. The focus has been mainly on mobile phone hardware and the BlackBerry 10 OS. ”The pure hardware play isn’t making a lot of sense today,” Heins remarked, but later added, “We’re interested in the future of tablets, whatever that is.”

Whatever you say, Heins.

[via CNET]

It will land this July in Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Latin America. It will be available in a variety of colors including pink, white, black and red. Pricing is not yet announced. It is not known whether the Q5 will land in the US.

[Via BlackBerry]

Alongside the phone — which obviously comes in an unlocked, SIM-free form sans any strings attached — you also get a special, premium wooden box to keep your BlackBerry well protected while it’s not being used.

If you’re one of those looking to grab the gold Q10, please consider our humble request to advertise on IntoMobile. The “gold banner” could be yours at a fraction of this BlackBerry’s cost.

Details are still scarce about this model but we tend to think the R10 is a budget version of the Q10 that will likely replace the earlier Curve series. It is said, the phone will keep the Q10′s 720×720 pixels screen while boasting a glossy body. With the R10, BlackBerry will most likely target the mid-end of the market, offering it for anywhere between $300 and $400 sans any strings attached… We’ll get back to you as soon as we get more details. In the meantime, check out few of the leaked photos we got.

[Via: N4BB, MobileSyrup]

Of course, this doesn’t mean “pure” Android smartphones are good to go. Rather, a special software like Samsung Knox is required to crypt and protect key information. Sammy’s solution creates a separate, secured environment on a smartphone for business use, keeping personal and business data separate. And while this may drain resources, users shouldn’t notice any lag considering the horse-power Galaxy S4 packs under the hood — whether we’re talking about Galaxy S4 with Samsung Exynos 5 Octa or Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 processor.

On the other hand, this could be a blow for BlackBerry which has thus far ruled this space. We’ll see whether DoD’s decision will impact their sales figures…

[Via: TheVerge]

According to this Bloomberg report, Thorsten Heins (BlackBerry CEO) stated that “We have very, very good first signs already after the launch in the U.K. This is going into the installed base of more than 70 million BlackBerry users so we have quite some expectations. We expect several tens of million of units.”

That, of course, is still far from the market leaders like Samsung and Apple, but it’s a step in the right direction. When I look at where BlackBerry was a year ago, I’m pretty impressed with what they managed to accomplish. Sure enough, there’s still a long road ahead but something tells me BlackBerry does have a chance to get its share of the market. We’ll keep following the Canadian company and get back to you as soon as we have something new to add. Stay tuned in the meantime…

[Via: MobileSyrup]

The prank pokes fun at this behavior, depicting fake New York City municipal workers employed as “Seeing Eye People” who guide clueless smartphone distracted pedestrians around the bustling city. After the performance, the “Seeing Eye People” actually provided the service for some real New Yorkers.

So check out the videos below, and if you feel like this could be tangible public service, write your congressman or head down to some City Hall meetings and get this service going! All joking aside, there are real dangers in texting / smartphone staring when in crowded and busy areas, especially when cars are around. Stay safe!

[Via: Gizmodo] [Image: BlogCDN]