Research in Motion just released several new BlackBerry devices, but all eyes are on the company's next-generation OS, QNX. According to Boy Genius Report, the first QNX-based BlackBerry will be released in the first half of 2012, but like RIM's PlayBook tablet, it could be missing a few bells and whistles in order to stay on schedule.
The device, known internally as the BlackBerry Colt, is currently being tested with a single-core chip. As PCMag mobile analyst Sascha Segan pointed out recently, RIM has complained it can't move to QNX quickly because dual-core phone hardware isn't ready yet, but Nvidia and Qualcomm have been offering attractive dual-core platforms for months. BGR said it's possible that the Colt might get a dual-core chip by its release date, but for now it's strictly single.
There's also the matter of email. The PlayBook launched without a native email client, reportedly because RIM's current system couldn't put email on more than one gadget. BGR reports that RIM is now prepping a QNX-specific BlackBerry Enterprise Server (BES), but the Colt will not include support for existing BES versions.
"The kicker? If companies want to use Microsoft Exchange email on the device, they will actually have to use Microsoft ActiveSync, which the phone will support out of the box," BGR wrote.
PCMag's Segan suggested that RIM could be "setting itself up for a disaster of Nokia-like proportions" because it's crippled by a corporate and management structure that promotes bureaucratic confusion rather than brave new ideas. RIM needs to get its act together and talk about QNX rather than BlackBerry 7, Segan said.
Earlier this month, RIM announced the BlackBerry Torch 9810, 9850, and 9860 for AT&T, Sprint and U.S. Cellular (see slideshow below). Also this year, AT&T will launch the BlackBerry Bold 9900, with which we had some hands-on time back in May.
For more, see BlackBerry 7: Dead on Arrival? and How RIM Turned Two New BlackBerrys Into Five, as well as BlackBerry Still Tops for IT.