Mark January 30th, 2013 on your calendar as the latest make or break date for Research in Motion (TSX: RIM). That’s the date the embattled Waterloo, Ont.-based smartphone manufacturer will unveil its latest mobile OS, BlackBerry 10, and the first smartphone that will run it.
According to a report from CRN, Research in Motion has promised both the software and hardware will be available on that date, contrary to rumours of a delay until March.
Delay rumours seemed plausible given the previous timeline for BlackBerry 10, which RIM had hoped to launch by the end of 2012. CEO Thorstem Heins has said he wants to make sure RIM gets this release right, and with good reason. Investors, consumers and RIM’s bread and butter – businesses and government – are skeptical of RIM’s ability to innovate the BlackBerry and many have been exploring Android and Apple alternatives.
Just a touchscreen-only model is expected to be available at launch, with a qwerty keyboard version to follow later in the year.