Thorsten Heins, CEO of Research in Motion, introduces the BlackBerry 10, Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2013 in New York. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)
NEW YORK (AP) -- After lengthy delays, Research In Motion Ltd. is unveiling its first phones with the new BlackBerry 10 system. RIM redesigned the system to embrace the multimedia, apps and touch-screen experience prevalent today. The question is whether there's time for the once-pioneering BlackBerry to catch up to Apple's trend-setting iPhone and devices running Google's Android system.
RIM CEO Thorsten Heins is hosting the main event in New York. Video of his appearance is being shown at other RIM events in Toronto, London, Paris, Dubai, Johannesburg, New Delhi and Jakarta, Indonesia.
RIM initially said BlackBerry 10 would come by early 2012, but then the company changed that to late 2012. A few months later, that date was pushed further, to early 2013, missing the lucrative holiday season. The holdup helped wipe out more than $70 billion in shareholder wealth and 5,000 jobs.
RIM had shown off prototypes and previews before. Wednesday's event is the first time RIM is showing a complete product, with details on prices and availability.
Most analysts consider a BlackBerry 10 success to be crucial for the company's long-term viability.
RIM is promising a speedier device, a superb typing experience and the ability to keep work and personal identities separate on the same phone. Previews of the BlackBerry 10 software have gotten favorable reviews on blogs. Financial analysts are starting to see some slight room for a comeback. With smartphone sales growing, the BlackBerry 10 can succeed without iPhone and Android users switching.
Regardless of BlackBerry 10's advances, though, the new system will face a key shortcoming: It won't have as many apps written by outside companies and individuals as the iPhone and Android.
Here's a running account of the BlackBerry 10 event, presented in reverse chronological order. All times are EST. Besides Heins, presenters include Alec Saunders, vice president of developer relations.
Monday, June 17 2013 10:10 AM EDT2013-06-17 14:10:37 GMT
For the first time in seven years, most U.S. homebuilders are optimistic about home sales, a sign that construction could help drive stronger economic growth in coming months.
For the first time in seven years, most U.S. homebuilders are optimistic about home sales, a sign that construction could help drive stronger economic growth in coming months.
Saturday, June 15 2013 7:27 PM EDT2013-06-15 23:27:36 GMT
TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — Motorists are seeing stable prices at the pumps in New Jersey.AAA Mid-Atlantic says the average price of a gallon of regular gasoline in New Jersey on Friday was $3.40, the same price as last week. It's also the same price motorists were paying a year ago.The national average price also remained stable, coming in at $3.63 for the second straight week.
TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — Motorists are seeing stable prices at the pumps in New Jersey.AAA Mid-Atlantic says the average price of a gallon of regular gasoline in New Jersey on Friday was $3.40, the same price as last week. It's also the same price motorists were paying a year ago.The national average price also remained stable, coming in at $3.63 for the second straight week.
Friday, June 14 2013 12:14 PM EDT2013-06-14 16:14:45 GMT
Stocks are turning lower in midday trading on Wall Street at the end of a volatile week.The Dow Jones industrial average was down 67 points, or 0.5 percent, at 15,106 as of noon Eastern time Friday. The Dow had surged 180 points the day before.
Stocks are turning lower in midday trading on Wall Street at the end of a volatile week.The Dow Jones industrial average was down 67 points, or 0.5 percent, at 15,106 as of noon Eastern time Friday. The Dow had surged 180 points the day before.
Friday, June 14 2013 9:03 AM EDT2013-06-14 13:03:06 GMT
As we close in on summer, we are all dreaming of a summer vacation. But how can you make it affordable?One way is by using those credit card points and miles you've accumulated over the year.
As we close in on summer, we are all dreaming of a summer vacation. But how can you make it affordable?One way is by using those credit card points and miles you've accumulated over the year.
Friday, June 14 2013 7:05 AM EDT2013-06-14 11:05:39 GMT
Boy Scouts of America says it is disappointed Caterpillar Inc. will no longer give money to the group.But public relations director Deron Smith on Thursday thanked the Peoria-based heavy equipment manufacturer for its past support.
Boy Scouts of America says it is disappointed Caterpillar Inc. will no longer give money to the group.But public relations director Deron Smith on Thursday thanked the Peoria-based heavy equipment manufacturer for its past support.
Thursday, June 13 2013 6:15 PM EDT2013-06-13 22:15:30 GMT
Law enforcement officials nationwide are demanding the creation of a "kill switch" that would render smartphones inoperable after they are stolen, New York's top prosecutor said.
Law enforcement officials nationwide are demanding the creation of a "kill switch" that would render smartphones inoperable after they are stolen, New York's top prosecutor said.
Thursday, June 13 2013 6:02 PM EDT2013-06-13 22:02:05 GMT
Bargain hunters from around the world flock to Manhattan's Chinatown for bags, jewelry and other accessories bursting onto sidewalks from storefronts along Canal Street.
Bargain hunters from around the world flock to Manhattan's Chinatown for bags, jewelry and other accessories bursting onto sidewalks from storefronts along Canal Street.
Monday, June 17 2013 10:30 PM EDT2013-06-18 02:30:40 GMT
Photo courtesy of @N42_21_W71_04)
A train derailed in one of the East River tunnels Monday afternoon, disrupting service on the Long Island Rail Road. Westbound service between Jamaica and Penn Station is temporarily suspended.
A train derailed in one of the East River tunnels Monday afternoon, disrupting service on the Long Island Rail Road. Westbound service between Jamaica and Penn Station is temporarily suspended.
Monday, June 17 2013 9:50 PM EDT2013-06-18 01:50:24 GMT
More than two dozen family members packed a court room to support the daughter who never gave up on finding her father's killer.
More than two dozen family members packed a court room to support the daughter who never gave up on finding her father's killer. For the first time, Joselyn Martinez came face to face with the man she believes took her dad away from her when she was just a little girl.
Monday, June 17 2013 6:03 PM EDT2013-06-17 22:03:08 GMT
Mayor Michael Bloomberg has tried to limit the size of soda consumption, ban smoking in parks, encourage bike riding and now there"s another possible plan on the table: mandate recycling of food waste.
West Side resident Matt Murphy has stored a pail of leftovers on his floor for the last two months. His building is part of the city's food-recycling pilot program. Mayor Bloomberg wants to expand the program citywide.
Monday, June 17 2013 9:04 AM EDT2013-06-17 13:04:33 GMT
Chinese dissident Chen Guangcheng, who was allowed to travel to the U.S. after escaping from house arrest, said Monday that New York University is forcing him and his family to leave.
Chinese dissident Chen Guangcheng, who was allowed to travel to the U.S. after escaping from house arrest, said Monday that New York University is forcing him and his family to leave.
Monday, June 17 2013 8:21 AM EDT2013-06-17 12:21:23 GMT
Related Companies, a major landlord across the country, is banning smoking in all of its apartments. The new rule is meant to create healthier living conditions, according to company officials.
Related Companies, a major landlord across the country, is banning smoking in all of its apartments. The new rule is meant to create healthier living conditions, according to company officials.
Monday, June 17 2013 7:02 AM EDT2013-06-17 11:02:34 GMT
Two New York City Council committees are holding a hearing on glitches to the city's emergency 911 system that at times have forced phone operators to resort to pen and paper.
Two New York City Council committees are holding a hearing on glitches to the city's emergency 911 system that at times have forced phone operators to resort to pen and paper.
Sunday, June 16 2013 7:05 PM EDT2013-06-16 23:05:53 GMT
Sunday was a historical graduation day for the first class of Orthodox Jewish women ordained as members of the clergy. The graduation took place at the Ramaz Upper School on East 78th Street. Yeshivat Maharat is the first institution to train Orthodox women as spiritual leaders. The women have all followed the same course training as their male counterparts and have studied the Torah at advanced levels for years.
Sunday was a historical graduation day for the first class of Orthodox Jewish women ordained as members of the clergy. The graduation took place at the Ramaz Upper School on East 78th Street. Yeshivat Maharat is the first institution to train Orthodox women as spiritual leaders. The women have all followed the same course training as their male counterparts and have studied the Torah at advanced levels for years.
Sunday, June 16 2013 4:52 PM EDT2013-06-16 20:52:05 GMT
Mayor Michael Bloomberg was a guest speaker at Stanford University’s commencement in Palo Alto, California Sunday. Bloomberg addressed the graduates speaking about immigration reform and said about 30 percent of Stanford’s 5,000 graduates had attended college on student visas. He also mentioned that many of those same students without a way to work in the U.S. legally would have to return to their countries to compete with American companies.
Mayor Michael Bloomberg was a guest speaker at Stanford University’s commencement in Palo Alto, California Sunday. Bloomberg addressed the graduates speaking about immigration reform and said about 30 percent of Stanford’s 5,000 graduates had attended college on student visas. He also mentioned that many of those same students without a way to work in the U.S. legally would have to return to their countries to compete with American companies.
Thorsten Heins, CEO of Research in Motion, introduces the BlackBerry 10, Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2013 in New York. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)
