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Home»BlackBerry News»News & Rumors, BlackBerry OS

BlackBerry 6.1 is now named BlackBerry 7! (and no, it is not QNX based)

by Kevin Michaluk on 27 Apr 2011 03:03 PM
125
 

BlackBerry 6.1 is now BlackBerry 7

If you're a CrackBerry regular, you'll know both the operating system names BlackBerry 6.1 and BlackBerry 7 have been talked about quite a bit. BlackBerry 6.1 is the evolutionary upgrade to BlackBerry 6, and its existence and some of its features have already been announced by Research In Motion back at DevCon Asia at the start of the year (you can learn even more about it's features in our 2011 Roadmap post).

BlackBerry 7 has been rumored about too, and so far has been acknowledged as being that magical unicorn OS that finally brings the best of the traditional BlackBerry OS and BlackBerry Tablet OS together for a QNX-based Smartphone. At least that was the case... until now.

We've now received word from numerous sources that next week at BlackBerry World we'll see BlackBerry 6.1 now be unveiled as BlackBerry 7. And no, it won't be QNX-based so don't get your hopes up for that. Why the name change? We're not totally sure. Since the new OS will launch on new devices (I hope they announce the BlackBery Bold 9900 next week!) it could be they wanted to up the 6.1 value proposition with a new-sounding OS to match the new hardware. Or it could be that because some of the new features in BlackBerry 6.1/7 require hardware that's not currently in BlackBerry 6 Smartphones, that we won't see 6.1/7 hit current BlackBerry 6 phones so RIM wanted to differentiate the OS numbers a bit further than one decimal place. Keep in mind on our 2011 roadmap we also saw references to a "lite" version of BlackBerry 6.1 - so hopefully that means we'll still seem solid updates come to current BlackBerry 6 devices.

And I guess this news means that BlackBerry 8 is now the QNX-based phone OS a lot of us will be waiting for (though we keep hearing these new phones are super sweet so I'm still looking forward to BlackBerry 7).  Ahh well, I'm sure we'll know more soon, so keep it locked to CrackBerry.com as we hit Orlando for BlackBerry World next week! 

Filed Under: News & Rumors, BlackBerry OS; Tags: BlackBerry 6.1, BlackBerry 7, BlackBerry 8
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125 Comments

Posted by stubbornswiss Wednesday, Apr 27, 2011 301 days ago

Another surprise (disappointment) from RIM!

Oh well.......

 
 
Posted by slant Wednesday, Apr 27, 2011 301 days ago

What exactly is so disappointing about this? You were really that amped about the next OS version being named 6.1? You've somehow go it in your head that this name change will alter the current deadlines for future OS's? I don't get it.

 
 
Posted by JtotheV Wednesday, Apr 27, 2011 301 days ago

Agreed. Who cares if the next OS is called 6.1 or 7? RIM is still rolling out what they intended.

 
 
Posted by diegonei Wednesday, Apr 27, 2011 301 days ago

Did you guys read the article? Maybe he (and I) is disappointed that his device will not get the update! Gee.

 
 
Posted by jermaine1082 Wednesday, Apr 27, 2011 301 days ago

maybe you miss the fact that none of this more than rumors and speculation about what coming where. But if you had no plans to upgrade, with the specs I see, then you sir are the diappoinment. Just got Torch when came out and i will have torch 2 on release day.

 
 
Posted by mavricxx Thursday, Apr 28, 2011 301 days ago

It actually makes sence to rename it OS7 if the current phones won't be able to support it.Lord knows my OS6 9700 can't handle anything else as it is practically out of memory with 9 apps I ahve installed in it lol. Def looking forward to upgrading soon.

 
 
Posted by BigPlayChad8 Wednesday, Apr 27, 2011 301 days ago

He hates prime-number-named operating systems.

 
 
Posted by diego.roscetti Wednesday, Apr 27, 2011 301 days ago

hahahaha.....hilarious

 
 
Posted by stubbornswiss Wednesday, Apr 27, 2011 301 days ago

Some of you guys here are so shallow minded, its pathetic! You complain about the "isheep", but I can tell you, you guys are worse. All it takes is for someone to say something infinitesimally negative about RIM, and you attack like a pack of rottweilers! You're like little boys that need to grow up!
The point I was making, if you had any sense to read between the lines, was that with this name change, there might be a delay in the QNX for phones release.
Now I don't know about you, but that is definitely disappointing to me.

 
 
Posted by SharpieFiend Wednesday, Apr 27, 2011 301 days ago

DUH.

Everyone who has a Playbook (myself included) knows QNX is not nearly ready yet. When RIM finally gets the Playbook right in a few months time THEN it will be ready for phones.

 
 
Posted by sk8er_tor Thursday, Apr 28, 2011 300 days ago

You're right and it's a well-known fact that QNX phones will not be coming before spring 2012. I always wondered why they didn't just name it 7 since all the features in the new phones will not be supported on older models.

 
 
Posted by Kiddo2050 Wednesday, Apr 27, 2011 301 days ago

Non-surprise another negative comment on crackberry!

 
 
Posted by fnguyen Wednesday, Apr 27, 2011 301 days ago

from RIM? I thought it was all leaked info anyway (like this one), blame the leakers

 
 
Posted by mkye86 Wednesday, Apr 27, 2011 301 days ago

Hmmm I liked OS6.1, some how I don't feel like the update will be big enough to jump a whole #. I was definitely getting used to the Idea of OS 7 being the anticipated QNX based OS. :(

 
 
Posted by SHADMOS Wednesday, Apr 27, 2011 301 days ago

i strongly agree. the differences between 0s6 and os6.1 are too minimal to now call it OS7. i am a bit disappointed to be honest. These phones better be something great. I personally, am a bit skeptical about this whole better hardware means better bb. I currently have a 9700 running os6 and although i understand browsing will be snappier I cant imagine my life dramatically changing with 1.2 ghz and 768mb of ram. Is anyone else thinking this, or is it just me?

 
 
Posted by mckillio Wednesday, Apr 27, 2011 301 days ago

Is that from your experience having used 6.1/7?

 
 
Posted by SHADMOS Wednesday, Apr 27, 2011 301 days ago

of course not, what kind of question is that when it isnt released yet. but from the leaked videos and articles here and there about what its going to offer you can pretty much conclude that its all small stuff. sure nfc, and better graphics, and manage the panes or whatever, but nothing dramatic. Dont get me wrong, I'm excited to get the 9900, but I know that after a couple of hours I'll be saying "alright...now what lol"

 
 
Posted by mckillio Wednesday, Apr 27, 2011 301 days ago

A sarcastic one. You could make the argument that 6.1/7 has more features/changes than what 6 had over 5, given what we know about it.

 
 
Posted by SHADMOS Wednesday, Apr 27, 2011 301 days ago

OS5 to OS6 involved a browser and universal search. Each of those alone are monumental upgrades. I'm yet to see something similar now.

 
 
Posted by mckillio Wednesday, Apr 27, 2011 301 days ago

So Open GL-ES 2.0, NFC, Magnetometer, HTML5 and HD video aren't major improvements to you? They all require quite a bit of work to implement.

 
 
Posted by Kiddo2050 Wednesday, Apr 27, 2011 301 days ago

No one wants to know about this stuff they just want to complain, it's the latest in thing, complain about RIM, no matter what they do.

The home screen on the iPhone has looked exactly the same since it came out, what 3-4 years ago, doesn't matter. They added cut and paste and fake multitaksing ooooo love apple.

 
 
Posted by SHADMOS Wednesday, Apr 27, 2011 301 days ago

Not really, NFC is something that may not even catch on from the security issues I've been reading. Maybe HTML5, but browsing on 2.8 inch screen isn't exactly enticing. look we can go back and forth, but I just don't see a big step. I'm gonna hold out till QNX in 2012.

all of you ppl who are sayin that ppl are complaining about rim and being all negative. your being naive. From a straight busienss perspective, RIM will go down and I do not want to see that to happen because I love RIM. but for me to ignore their choices is just dumb. I fear that rim will end up like nokia.

 
 
Posted by mkye86 Wednesday, Apr 27, 2011 301 days ago

Majority are SPECs not really OS related. The Storm on OS 5 had Open GL. I'm def not complaining. I'm just saying I like the Idea of OS 7 being the "Hihglander" the one that brought both BB and Tablet OS together to make 1.

 
 
Posted by SHADMOS Wednesday, Apr 27, 2011 301 days ago

agreed

 
 
Posted by rizzzzoooo Wednesday, Apr 27, 2011 301 days ago

I agree. The changes all look very minute. Fr it to jump one whole number to try and push new hardware and justify its purchase is just plain dumb. If the new hardware is solid, it will sell even with just plain ol' 6.0. If it sucks not even calling it 9.0 will save it from going under. So just stick with what the OS really is......6.1 and incremental change at that is it. Remember what you said about the change from 5.0 to 6.0.."It's and evolution, not a revolution." Same goes here.

 
 
Posted by anastasiophan Wednesday, Apr 27, 2011 301 days ago

The differences between OS6 and 7 will be greater than pretty much any iOS upgrade. However, no one ever complains because the iOS upgrades come with a new phone, just like OS7 will.

 
 
Posted by mkye86 Wednesday, Apr 27, 2011 301 days ago

cant argue with you there. I'm just saying. From what we have seen 6.1 looks a lot like 6.0 But whatever. Perhaps what others have mentioned is true. OS 6.1 is what current phones (Torch/Bold9780/Style) will get. The new line up will get a OS 7. And Dual Core Berries will get OS10! probably in 2013.......

 
 
Posted by diegonei Wednesday, Apr 27, 2011 301 days ago

I would gladly go for that. Just give us 6.1 and release 7 for the new phones.

Wait. Didn't we say EXACLTY the same thing before? "Give us 5.2 and release 6 for the new devices" anyone?

History has a tendency of repeating itself...

 
 
Posted by Tim Burkey Wednesday, Apr 27, 2011 301 days ago

I couldn't agree more. This change seems like more than semantics, really. At the least, it gives the impression that RIM is settling with less and calling it more (ala the Torch and it's HUGE marketing push). At the most, it means current BB6 owners won't get this upgrade and that RIM won't make big upgrades--like front-facing camera, 1080p recording (2010 specs), dual-core processor and QNX OS--until BB8, which means probably fall of 2012, if that.

 
 
Posted by mkye86 Wednesday, Apr 27, 2011 301 days ago

dittto

 
 
Posted by kidcalis Wednesday, Apr 27, 2011 301 days ago

Maybe RIM is fastforwarding the 6.1to 7...to quickly have QNX by end of the year!

 
 
Posted by mdjones21 Wednesday, Apr 27, 2011 301 days ago

I liked 6.1 too, this is extremely sus naming it OS7. I guess OS 8 is where it gets great (haha)

 
 
Posted by pumaman Wednesday, Apr 27, 2011 301 days ago

I know nothing is set in stone right now, but you're indicating that it's possible that my Torch 9800, which I just bought 6 months ago will now essentially run the same OS (with minor bug fixes only) for the end of days?

This honestly makes me think twice about future Blackberry purchases.

Guess I'll just have to hope a hybrid is possible.

 
 
Posted by velkcro Wednesday, Apr 27, 2011 301 days ago

So you bought your phone with the intention, that it will one day be upgraded to the newest version and the company would let you run their newest OS on your device?

dont get me wrong but whats wrong with your torch the way it is?

is the upgrade that important to you?

 
 
Posted by jermaine1082 Wednesday, Apr 27, 2011 301 days ago

How Long do you people keep phone's. When I was teen every 6 months had new 1 but had no bills. I got my torch 6 months ago and in another 6 I will want new just in time for torch 2. A year or 2 max asan adult and time to upgrade technology moves ahead doesn't stand still. Makes sense doesn't it!

 
 
Posted by recompile Thursday, Apr 28, 2011 300 days ago

How long? As long as possible, of course. Why upgrade without a compelling reason?

I went from the 7290 to the 8800, then 8820, and finally the 9800. (That short jump from 8800 to 8820 was just for wifi.)

My last upgrade (in early December) was only because App World refused to install on my 8820.

I understand that upgrading every couple years is reasonable. However, I expect my $500 phone to make it at least a year before it starts to look outdated or worse, abandoned by the manufacturer.

 
 
Posted by NinjaChopstick Wednesday, Apr 27, 2011 301 days ago

Welcome to the life of a Tour owner....

I don't feel bad for a one of ya!!! :)

 
 
Posted by anastasiophan Wednesday, Apr 27, 2011 301 days ago

I wonder if 6.1 will be the "6.1 lite" and 7 will now be what was 6.1. I just hope that the current 6.0 phones will be upgradable to 6.1 lite at the very least.

 
 
Posted by mckillio Wednesday, Apr 27, 2011 301 days ago

That's my suspicion too.

 
 
Posted by Kevin Michaluk Wednesday, Apr 27, 2011 301 days ago

Good call.  I sort of forgot about 6.1 lite there. maybe/hopefully we'll still see that hit current devices.

 
 
Posted by WillHeSurvive Wednesday, Apr 27, 2011 301 days ago

But if I am remebering correctly, BBOS 7 was suppose to drop in December.Right?

 
 
Posted by anastasiophan Wednesday, Apr 27, 2011 301 days ago

That was the old numbering though. Think of it this way:

OS6.1 will now be OS7
OS6.1 lite will now be known as OS6.1
OS7 (QNX) will now be OS8

Obviously this is all speculation, but it would make much more sense than having a "lite" version.

Current OS6 devices will be upgradable to OS6.1 and all new devices will be on OS7. There is no reason for my current Bold to have NFC support, compass support, extra graphics support and the other upgrades that my phones hardware wont be able to take advantage of.

 
 
Posted by diegonei Wednesday, Apr 27, 2011 301 days ago

So hope you got this right.

 
 
Posted by ifarlow Wednesday, Apr 27, 2011 301 days ago

No way to know for sure until everything plays out, of course, but anastasiophan's comment is a reasonable conclusion. That's more than can be said about most of the responses to this article, unfortunately.

 
 
Posted by AshDeezy Wednesday, Apr 27, 2011 301 days ago

I'm sure it also has something to do with the mindset of "higher number is better" in the consumer's mind in regards to the Windows Phone 7 platform. i think the features added would certainly constitute an entire number upgrade.

 
 
Posted by seb.hebert Wednesday, Apr 27, 2011 301 days ago

That's a little dissapointing to hear.
I was hoping to get OS 6.1 on what seemed to be my brand new Blackberry Torch.
I guess it's old news now...

 
 
Posted by velkcro Wednesday, Apr 27, 2011 301 days ago

I think 6.1 will me a huge upgrades for OS6 and OS7 will me half away between QNX and OS6.

OS7 will be something to keep users happy until QNX.

 
 
Posted by andrewmcwhirter Wednesday, Apr 27, 2011 301 days ago

I wonder if there will be BB OS 7 Lite for Torch users. From what I remember, there was going to be a BB OS 6.1 Lite version.

 
 
Posted by Cula Wednesday, Apr 27, 2011 301 days ago

Exactly.. i expected 6.1 to run on my Torch, but since they name it 7, i kinda doubt it :/

 
 
Posted by slant Wednesday, Apr 27, 2011 301 days ago

Probably best not to look so deep into this. Don't forget OS5 came out for the storm. OS6 came out for the 9700 (and others). Other than RIM deciding on a different version number nothing is known whatsoever.

 
 
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