Research In Motion (RIM) is planning a worldwide launch event of its long-awaited BlackBerry 10 mobile operating system Jan. 30, but there may not be much left to reveal after a blog has published 100 photos of the OS.
RIM has been demoing the operating system to media on prototype hardware thus far (see our All Hands on Tech feature video) and some marketing materials about the Z10 handset previously leaked. But this is the closest and most extensive look at BlackBerry 10 running on its actual go-to-market handset we are likely to get before the launch. Published on blog BGR, thanks to a “close source at BlackBerry” the images show off many of the anticipated new features such as the voice assistant, BlackBerry Hub, and NFC features.
The gestures tutorial on the upcoming BlackBerry 10 OS. (Image: BGR)
The screen captures reveal some details about the feature capabilities of BlackBerry 10. Voice recognition, for example, can be set to “always” hear voice feedback, hide offensive words, and allow for dictation. You’ll also be able to send a BBM message by voice. The BlackBerry lock-on-holster capability will return, and the browser supports Adobe Flash – a mobile rarity since iOS never supported it and Android no longer supports it.
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There looks to be an included productivity suite compatible with Microsoft Office file formats such as .doc, .xls, and .ppt. There’s wireless printing, an Evernote app, a world clock app, and an attractive digital compass.
BlackBerry is expected to release both a touch screen phone and a phone with a physical keyboard on Jan. 30 in New York.