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The BlackBerry 10 home screen features widget-like tilesThe BlackBerry 10 home screen features familiar iconsBlackBerry 10 uses a unified inboxBlackBerry 10 will also have video chat capabilities
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Exclusive: New pre-release BlackBerry 10 OS images surface - homescreen widgets make their BB debut!

By Kevin Michaluk on 13 Feb 2012 07:15 pm
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POW! Following up the first-look image of a BlackBerry 10 phone we posted two weeks ago, today the good ol' CrackBerry tip line received a pretty *interesting* email, to which was attached a 14-page .pdf file full of Cracktastic goodness. The document was clearly prepared by one of RIM's external ad agency partners as a BB10 briefing document, providing background information on BlackBerry 10 and outlining some of the OS features and ideas for how to position BlackBerry 10 in future advertising campaigns. BlackBerry 10 Phones may be months away still, but judging by the document it appears the behind-the-scenes work to begin marketing the next-generation of BlackBerry phones is already well under way.

Of course, the best part of the document wasn't what was written, but rather what was shown -- including some juicy OS imagery pointing to some of the things we can potentially expect to see in BlackBerry 10.

I pulled the images in this post from that document, and while the the hardware pictured throughout the .pdf was of BlackBerry 7 phones (Torch 9860s and 9810s), the OS imagery on the displays of those phones was made out to be of BlackBerry 10. There are some exciting takeaways here. Back in November when we saw the first photo of a BBX phone dummy model, the homescreen user interface on that device looked much more like a scaled-down version of the BlackBerry PlayBook OS. We've known that BlackBerry 10 will build on the PlayBook OS and feature some UI changes to better suit the phone experience, and these screen caps illustrate some of these changes.

One rumor I've actually been hearing of for a while now but had yet to see evidence of was that with BlackBerry 10 Research In Motion will finally introduce their own version of "widgets" to the homescreen experience. The image above seems to confirm that notion, drawing inspiration from Android's widgets and Windows Phone's Live Tiles to bring useful mini-app experiences to the homescreen.

On the image below you can see also see the updated icon tray, which features new artwork and icons that are much smarter than those of BlackBerry 7. Note that the Folder icon shows the icons of applications inside, and the Pictures icon shows a photo from the album within. The clock icon even shows the time of the next set alarm. Heck, Cut the Rope, which was recently released for the BlackBerry PlayBook, also made the icon tray (the date of this document is very new, by the way).  

The next image shows off the Universal Inbox, which we've already seen in action on the BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0. Perhaps the biggest thing to point out here are the names of the people within the email app. For example, a quick Google search for Erica Josefsson will bring you to her Linked in Profile which shows she's part of RIM's User Experience Team based out of Malmo, Sweden. Cleary the design work of The Astonishing Tribe is at work here.

The final image shows off a super sexy caller display screen. And note the icon for video chat? Safe to say the front facing camera on BlackBerry 10 phones will be put to use easily.

Put these few images together and things are looking really promising for BlackBerry 10. That of course assumes all of these features pan out to be part of BlackBerry 10 on phones. Looking at the document, I have no doubt that the the OS screencaps were supplied by Research In Motion to the ad company, but looking at the fact it is "partner" material with the final document produced by the partner it's always possible that changes were made and that what RIM provides as working materials could be different than what RIM will ultimately launch with.

That said, I like what I see, so definitely hope this is a good hint of what we'll see when BlackBerry 10 phones hit the market later this year. 

Topics: BlackBerry 10 Devices

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Kevin Michaluk Kevin Michaluk 3676 (articles) 3018 (forum posts)
267 comments

mpatchez

Even if this really was BB10, it would be on a device that can use the bezels for swipe gestures. This is a photoshop failure if you ask me. On the other hand, if it does end up being a true render why wouldn't we think it was maybe OS 8 or even 9. I wouldn't get too excited here. Besides, those widgets look like crap!

Just my two cents, lol

mavricxx

I hope they bring back hardware UMA

MattToronto

Whether this is the real thing or not I'm getting it when its released...

defoo

I love the images - hope they are legit. I also wonder if I can resize widget or some other way so that I can have more than 4.

Ekk13

guys this is fake it is photoshopped. pay attention to the cropped out phone.

nrs rim

Looks nice. As most of you guys mentioned it's a mix of features from other Mobile OS's out there. On the other hand, for blackberry lovers to experience the cool features that other smartphone users experience is a good feeling. Only thing that would entice me to go for blackberry 10 device would be on any improvements in the app world. Apps market from my point of view is crucial as any other feature in the phone. On a final note I would love to get my hand on a BlackBerry again having moved in to Apple recently. :)

mark_kay03

What i find funny is Apple is the biggest scam for data. i have at&t now and pay under 70 a month for unlimited minutes messages and GB data on my torch. iPhone users pay double and not to mention half the reason they get that phone is to be like their friends because in reality barely anyone is original anymore. Apple always comes out with another iPhone little bit later with one more feature on it yayyy! and you have to upgrade or buy another phone all over again and its way over priced already for the lame free childish apps its already included in the cost of that pos. Blackberry's downfall is the apps from what i've seen but they don't let too many 13 year old virgins just make something and call it an app like the other two. Android is another lame phone i've had that one too and everything is defective and glitchy and the known force close BS whenever you do anything more than call or text. They both over rated and toys. While blackberry is for professional people that have a life and have real needs not talking phones because they have no friends or have never been laid . Anyone who has a real profession they are in will pick blackberry over those two . Apple and Android are lame because they are referenced as toys by people who needs real features in their phone and reliability too. Not to mention Apple gives no options so of course they're doing good less phones on the market and no other version all or nothing cmon a keyboard isn't too fancy and they've never had one. id say that's behind. As for windows and Palm i don't even recognize those at the stores anymore.

crackcookie

It is clean and nice, and yes a lot of ideas are copied but what matters is how it works!

Toyota and Chevy make the same exact car (old model Corolla) and it was fine, heck, they probably shared ideas...I do not see what is wrong with that, both cars were great, my friend and I both drove them well over 200,000 miles....I don't see the problem.

BB is addressing what has always been its issue(in the pictures) a bland OS look, now it is about how it performs, will it be hour glass free, will it need to reboot every other day (OS 7 is more stable) can it handle the powerful applications of other OS's?

this is just like when the 9900 was released, people have sooo much good in their lives, they look for things to complain about. Oh My God! The back isn't whatever, or the call button isn't green.....please, please sour the sand out of your vajayjays and embrace change when needed but don't hate all the time.

Burning_Daylight

Some pics look like Windows Phone OS, others look like Android/iPhone.

Think RIM is missing the boat on this one. The phone looks great. The screenshots look great...but I am a BlackBerry man for really only one reason: the physical keyboard.

Yes, I like the integrated email, and all that shit. But...Windows does that well, iPhone is catching up, and so is Android. If those manufacturers steal (or buy) a Bold 9900-like form factor, I would probably consider getting one.

gibs87

no no no no nooo !!!! plz not those buttoned keys like on the "bold 5 as they call it here" curve plz .. like the full one peice key structure like on the bold 4 ... guys plz dont let them do that ....

wolfpack0008

This would be cool if it meant that os 7 devices could upgrade to 10

wizmillso

Looks like every other phone on the market, I'm a bit disappointed with the conformity

zensen

that phone currently is just a mock up for those who think thats the latest bb10 phone lol

by the way, these widgets look like a switcher/tabs then something like a widgets screen of sorts.

SlcCorrado

How are these still going around?! Those are so photoshopped

Joe257

I'm excited by BB10 but some of the screens don't do anything for me. In fact, some regress from where BB7 is today. I MUCH prefer BB7's main screen:

- I have one touch access to universal search (text & voice)
- Notification profiles
- Notifications
- Manage connections & global options
- Clock/alarm
- Apps, where I can customize how many I wanna see at a glance.

I love the BB7 UI. It is awesome!!! Well designed, nicely integrated, well defined, uncomplicated, and easy to navigate! BB10 needs to be as good or better without being too complicated or too simplified.

Apple has universal search, but you must swipe all the way to the left to get it. With my BB, it's always on the main screen, or one touch away.

ScottJ028

How about RIM just makes something that works. I don't care what it looks like or if it is too much like Android or iPhone. Google and Apple have nailed it! Their UI's are what works. Period.
The Playbook is a colossal failure and QNX is terrible. I have suffered the Playbook since it was released last year. I consider it a waste of money and regret purchasing it at full price.

owadkelly

Leaks are almost always spot on!

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