Since we first posted our 2012 BBX BlackBerry Preview some new info has come to light that changes things up a bit. For the most part we knew what was coming device-wise but our timeline was a bit off. Now some other devices have come into play and some dates have been shuffled around a bit. We can expect to see some new BlackBerry 7 devices in the Curve line, a new updated BlackBerry PlayBook as well as at least one BlackBerry 10 (oh yeah, RIM changed the name of BBX to BlackBerry 10 too) phone hit before the end of 2012. Keep reading and we'll take a look at what to expect in the coming months.
Updated BlackBerry 2012 Roadmap
Q1 - New BlackBerry Curve 9320 and 9220
The first new devices that we'll most likely see are the BlackBerry Curve 9320 and Curve 9220. These devices carry on the Curve name and will be more entry-level devices that will most likely start out big in emerging and global markets. The BlackBerry Curve 9320 will be an HSPA device while the Curve 9220 will be EDGE. These devices will be running BlackBerry 7 and will be a great option for those looking to get into BlackBerry for the first time or wanting an inexpensive upgrade to older devices. Expect to see the Curve 9220 around March/April and the Curve 9320 shortly thereafter.
BlackBerry Curve 9320 Specifications
BlackBerry Curve 9320 Specifications
Q2 - Updated BlackBerry PlayBook
Updated PlayBook features 1.5Ghz processor and HSPA+
Also slated for a mid-year release is an updated BlackBerry PlayBook. For now we're calling it the "BlackBerry PlayBook 3G" or "3G BlackBerry PlayBook", but it's highly doubtful it will hit the market with that name. We've heard rumors of an LTE version which sounds more likely. The updated tablet should be sporting the same look and feel (it will still be 7") but will have some revamped hardware inside. The new PlayBook will remain at 7" and sporting a 1.5GHz dual core processor, 42Mbps HSP+ connectivity (so you can get online fast from anywhere) and Near Field Communication (NFC) like that on the newer Curve models and the Bold 9900/9930. So all around some good upgrades that look to make the next PlayBook even better. Don't forget we should be seeing the PlayBook OS 2.0 sometime in the next month as well, so that will make things even better when the 3G PlayBook hits the street.
Q3 - BBX Phones in Late 2012
RIM's first BlackBerry 10 device, codenamed the BlackBerry London, should be launching late in 2012 as well. We most likely won't see it until around September at the earliest. This isn't really a secret however as we've been told already not to expect anything before "late 2012". The other BlackBerry 10 device that we hope to see later this year is the BlackBerry Nevada. This device is said to be part of the Bold line and feature a touchscreen as well as full QWERTY keyboard. So it's pretty much a BlackBerry lover's dream as it still has everything we love about BlackBerry but packs in BlackBerry 10 -- awesome.
So overall it's safe to say 2012 will be a year of transition for RIM. It's like the Curve 9320 and Curve 9220 will be the last new BlackBerry 7 devices to roll out, and from there on it will be BlackBerry 10 all the way. We still have quite a wait until we get to see a BB10 phone live and in color, so we can only hope that come BlackBerry World or the BlackBerry Developers Conference, we'll have something to play around with. I for one am really excited at the thought of seeing two BB10 phones (BlackBerry London and BlackBerry Nevada) before the end of the year, but we'll see if that pans out.
Source: BGR
