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.
Friday, May 17 2013 8:53 PM EDT2013-05-18 00:53:52 GMT
The New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority has approved the master plan for the American Dream megamall in the Meadowlands sports complex. The approval at Friday's special board meeting means the
The New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority has approved the master plan for the American Dream megamall in the Meadowlands sports complex. The approval at Friday's special board meeting means the
Friday, May 17 2013 11:36 AM EDT2013-05-17 15:36:32 GMT
The small glass bottle filled, and refilled, with golden olive oil has long been a staple on many restaurant tables across Europe. Now, the European Union is going to ban it.
The small glass bottle filled, and refilled, with golden olive oil has long been a staple on many restaurant tables across Europe. Now, the European Union is going to ban it.
Friday, May 17 2013 11:04 AM EDT2013-05-17 15:04:49 GMT
(AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
The Treasury Department's top investigator for tax matters is telling Congress that he is still investigating whether outside political pressure caused the Internal Revenue Service to improperly target conservative groups.
The Treasury Department's top investigator for tax matters is telling Congress that he is still investigating whether outside political pressure caused the Internal Revenue Service to improperly target conservative groups seeking tax-exempt status.
Friday, May 17 2013 6:46 AM EDT2013-05-17 10:46:58 GMT
The numbers sum up the frenzy that has taken over the Golden State since it joined the madness over Powerball, which has seen its jackpot soar to $550 million for Saturday's drawing.
The numbers sum up the frenzy that has taken over the Golden State since it joined the madness over Powerball, which has seen its jackpot soar to $550 million for Saturday's drawing.
Thursday, May 16 2013 2:49 PM EDT2013-05-16 18:49:22 GMT
Powerball's estimated jackpot has soared to $550 Million dollars for Saturday's drawing after none of the tickets sold for the Powerball game Wednesday evening matched all six numbers drawn.
Powerball's estimated jackpot has soared to $550 Million dollars for Saturday's drawing after none of the tickets sold for the Powerball game Wednesday evening matched all six numbers drawn.
Thursday, May 16 2013 1:40 PM EDT2013-05-16 17:40:30 GMT
A proposal to build a major Long Island casino with video slot machines is part of closed-door negotiations to expand casino gambling in New York.
A proposal to build a major Long Island casino with video slot machines is part of closed-door negotiations to expand casino gambling in New York, according to the head of the Nassau County Off-Track Betting Corp. and a legislative bill.
Thursday, May 16 2013 9:15 AM EDT2013-05-16 13:15:24 GMT
The Justice Department is opening a criminal investigation of the Internal Revenue Service.
The Justice Department is opening a criminal investigation of the Internal Revenue Service just as another probe concludes that lax management enabled agents to improperly target tea party groups for extra scrutiny when they applied for tax exempt status.
Friday, May 17 2013 5:54 PM EDT2013-05-17 21:54:45 GMT
The big game will be played in New Jersey but the big party will be in New York City. Organizers call it "Super Bowl Boulevard."
The big game will be played in New Jersey but the big party will be in New York City. Organizers call it "Super Bowl Boulevard": it will stretch from 44th Street on Broadway all the way to 34th Street.
Friday, May 17 2013 8:21 AM EDT2013-05-17 12:21:42 GMT
A new photo exhibit at an art gallery in Chelsea is drawing the ire of residents who are the artist's subjects, unknowingly.
A new photo exhibit at an art gallery in Chelsea is drawing the ire of residents who are the artist's subjects, unknowingly. The artist, Arne Svenson, is reportedly taking the photos through their TriBeCa building windows. In some photos, the residents are bending over, sleeping and cleaning.
Thursday, May 16 2013 6:06 PM EDT2013-05-16 22:06:34 GMT
A smuggling ring that made a fortune selling more than a million cartons of untaxed cigarettes in New York may have funneled some of the illicit proceeds to terrorist groups, authorities said.
A smuggling ring that made a fortune selling more than a million cartons of untaxed cigarettes in New York may have funneled some of the illicit proceeds to terrorist groups, authorities said.
Thursday, May 16 2013 1:36 PM EDT2013-05-16 17:36:00 GMT
A water taxi struck a dock at Pier A and Battery Park Place in Manhattan on Thursday, according to FDNY officials. Two people suffered minor injuries. They refused medical attention.
A water taxi struck a dock at Pier A and Battery Park Place in Manhattan on Thursday, according to FDNY officials. Two people suffered minor injuries. They refused medical attention.
Thursday, May 16 2013 1:17 PM EDT2013-05-16 17:17:42 GMT
Several New York lawmakers are sounding the alarm about security and safety lapses at day care centers across New York City.
Several New York lawmakers are sounding the alarm about security and safety lapses at day care centers across New York City. In a report released Thursday, dozens of daycares cited by the Dept. of Health for serious and critical health code violations since 2010, have not fixed the problems and continue to operate without penalty.
Wednesday, May 15 2013 11:08 PM EDT2013-05-16 03:08:35 GMT
A judge in Manhattan put the brakes on the so-called Taxi of Tomorrow because the Nissan-built minivan does not come in a hybrid version -- a violation of the city code.
A judge in Manhattan put the brakes on the so-called Taxi of Tomorrow because the Nissan-built minivan does not come in a hybrid version -- a violation of the city code.
Thorsten Heins, CEO of Research in Motion, introduces the BlackBerry 10, Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2013 in New York. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)
