BlackBerry OS Shows Up On...Windows Mobile!?!

on 16 Dec 2008 05:13 AM

BlackBerry OS Shows Up On...Windows Mobile!?!

Finally, all the Windows Mobile users over at WMExperts can rejoice!! (I kid, I kid). Anyone remember a little while back when RIM said it was working on a virtualization suite for Windows Mobile which would essentially "create" the BlackBerry OS on WinMob devices? Yes? No? Kinda? A refresher can be found on RIM's site. This suite has never made an appearance though... until now that is!

Seems our good buddy Ronen over at BerryReview recieved some nice pics of the BlackBerry OS running on a HTC Touch Pro (aka AT&T Fuze from the SPE Round Robin). While the details are kinda sketchy at this point it does seem as though we may soon be seeing that suite come to life. Looks like a BIG improvement over BlackBerry Connect which has faded off into the sunset. Sound off in the comments!

For More Pics And Details Head On Over To BerryReview >>

Filed Under: News & Rumors;

16 Comments

Posted by Kevin Michaluk Tuesday, Dec 16, 2008 1254 days ago

Woahhhh!!! I NEED THIS NOW! I have an HTC Fuze sitting here... that's my device this week for the Smartphone Round Robin. Man oh man, if I could run this on it I wouldn't have to hack it apart in a review! :)

And SERIOUSLY, is that a BlackBerry Messenger icon I seet on a WinMob device? Does that mean this will assign it a device PIN and you can actually BBM as you can on a BlackBerry?! If so, then AWESOME!

Posted by es_bih Tuesday, Dec 16, 2008 1253 days ago

I really recommend forums.xda-developers.com before you start trying the Touch Pro out this week. Sign up and read through the Touch Pro forum and perhaps try a custom/cooked ROM and other recommended software. It is a part of Win Mo, thus the only way to really judge the device is to understand the quirks. Same as with BB you have to get used to some things. Your review of the Tilt lacked that, the bloatware and etc cripples the phone.

Posted by The Cox Killers Tuesday, Dec 16, 2008 1254 days ago

No, this is a indeed a windows mobile device with windows mobile, but this is just a custum made rom made to look like a blackberry!
I have had the HTC TYTN II and they wanted to make it just like the blackberry storm, ( software ) but its not official blackberry software, it just looks nice!

Posted by MalPraktiz Tuesday, Dec 16, 2008 1253 days ago

Could be either a shell replacement or a static photo filling the screen. Either way, it didn't happen until we see video proving it's really working.

Posted by Queen4111 Tuesday, Dec 16, 2008 1253 days ago

BlackBerry singing to HTC...Lemmee "UPGRADE" you!

Posted by Anonymous Tuesday, Dec 16, 2008 1253 days ago

Assuming this is real and not just a skin or theme or anything, this could be very interesting.

What I really wanted was an NAM HSDPA Storm with slide out keyboard and if this virtualization software is real, I could have a reasonable alternative. I would believe that you could switch interfaces (i.e. use both BB and WinMo on the device), so that means I could use both Skyfire and SlingPlayer Mobile on the device and have the ability to share my internet connection via wifi.

Only thing I have to live with is the lack of 3.5 mm stereo ports on HTC devices so I will need to carry around a bulky adapter. In my experience with BB Connect, I wouldn't be surprised if it got really sluggish.

I guess I'll wait for a video before getting carried away.

Posted by es_bih Tuesday, Dec 16, 2008 1253 days ago

OS is proprieatry. That is a skin or theme employing flash. There are numerous Iphone simulation themes, etc... and even a few storm ones now. They enhance the UI part, the backbone is still WinMo.

Posted by Bla1ze Tuesday, Dec 16, 2008 1253 days ago

Yes, the OS is proprietary...hence why, assuming it's not a theme or skin the OS is built by RIM themselves...giving them the rights to do so and this was already discussed on numerous occasions about them attempting just this..back in 07 as referenced in the article.

Posted by dmann4 Tuesday, Dec 16, 2008 1253 days ago

Since the HTC Touch Pro has a resistive touchscreen, so doesn't that meant that RIM has design the "OS" to work on different touchscreen? By seeing this makes it makes me believe in the next up coming months that RIM may release a Storm update that will let you disable surepress. YEAH, that would just make the Storm perfect.

Posted by Anonymous Tuesday, Dec 16, 2008 1253 days ago

there are several reasons to believe that this isn't fake
- We know that this is being worked on
- There are 3 icons which are new, a Windows key looking one, a minimize and a close one (presumably) that would make sense
- The connections window is missing wi-fi and bluetooth
- The resolution of this device is different (and changes) than the Bold/Storm/8220, so it would be difficult to get an accurate screenshot to look that real.

I have a very hard time believing this isn't real, doesn't mean it's fast or good, but I'm pretty sure it's authentic

Posted by Jinksy Tuesday, Dec 16, 2008 1253 days ago

Ok, I know most of you are going to take this with a grain of salt and a heavy dose of skepticism, but I can confirm this is in fact real. RIM has been working on a virtual BlackBerry platform for several years, and the version 4.2 equivalent was done almost 2 years ago. I have spoken with my RIM rep regarding this several times, and I have seen pictures of it running on several other devices. The only holdup for release is, you guessed it, licensing. RIM was in a battle with a certain unnamed virtualization company because of the extremely lightweight engine they're using to run the OS. Seeing pics of the VBB running on a Fuze is very promising, but I've seen it run on the past 3 HTC devices from AT&T. Will it come out? Yes, for certain. Will it come out before I'm old and grey (I'm 29 now), we shall see.

Posted by Jinksy Tuesday, Dec 16, 2008 1253 days ago

....to clarify, the virtual BB is an app that runs on a winmo device. It is not a replacement rom, or anything that removes windows from the core of the device. You can run VBB in the background while still using (as much as you can "use" winmo) anything else you may have installed.

Posted by thesquire Tuesday, Dec 16, 2008 1253 days ago

From what I understand its running the BB java virtual machine on top of WinMo. Then the virtual machine has to call WinMo api's for OS stuff (radio, GPS, or whatever). I had heard about this some time ago as well but its nice to see they are still going with it.

Posted by Anonymous Wednesday, Dec 17, 2008 1252 days ago

HTC Fuze does not run Windows Mobile. It runs an Andriod operating system. It is possible for blackberry to run on the Android OS, not on Windows Mobile