BlackBerry pits latest operating system against Android, iPhone

Android and iPhone operating systems may be enjoying the numbers in terms of global usage, but Canadian smartphone maker Research in Motion hasn’t yet given up the OS mobile fight.

Recently, RIM introduced its new phones touting the latest BlackBerry 7 OS—a platform optimized for both touch and qwerty BlackBerry units and the BlackBerry cloud-enabled ecosystem.

Featuring sleek thin designs, shiny premium metal parts and sturdy casings, the new smartphones include the BlackBerry Bold 9900, a qwerty unit with full touchscreen; Blackberry Curve 9360, a qwerty smartphone; and BlackBerry Torch 9860, a full touchscreen device.

The premium BlackBerry Bold 9900 is the thinnest unit at 10.5 mm. It includes support for near-field communication—a technology that allows devices to pair up to read or send encrypted data in short distances. The phone is currently offered by Globe through its postpaid plan P3799.

According to RIM South Asia vice president Hastings Singh, the new BlackBerry OS is better because it features a web browser that is “25 percent faster than competition.”

The new OS combines advanced WebKit browser engine with powerful hardware enhancements. Additional features include optimized zooming and panning for smoother web navigation and web engine HTML5 for incredible gaming and video experiences.

The new BlackBerry OS also features the latest release of BlackBerry Messenger.

“Filipinos love text messaging and social networking. The new smartphones are tailor-fit to their needs,” said Singh.