BlackBerry 10 Merges Contacts, Social Networks As RIM Plays Catch-Up

By Jonathan Charles | Aug 24, 2012 12:35 PM EDT

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RIM's BlackBerry 10 reboot of the flagging mobile operating system will be released 2013, and RIM will be bringing a feature recently introduced into Windows Phone. BlackBerry 10 will have the ability to merge contacts and social network information.

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Reuters reported that BlackBerry 10 will show contacts' Facebook and Twitter information, and "other details culled from their online lives," including information on meetings. RIM aims to combine social networking and enterprise into a single hub.

"BlackBerry has always had this heritage of productivity. We are just going to make it better again, when we launch BlackBerry 10," RIM's T.A. McCann said. He is heading the BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) and contacts app development. BBM is a cross-BlackBerry device instant messaging service.

RIM's ailing fortunes spawned rumors of Microsoft buying the company, perhaps utilizing its enterprise background. RIM denied the claims and ruled out a move to build devices for Android and thereby become a third-party original equipment manufacturer (OEM). RIM hopes BlackBerry 10 can effectively reboot its prospects in the mobile world, after Apple's iOS and Google's Android dominated RIM. The company's inability to provide compelling touch-enabled devices, with a responsive and attractive UI to boot, have ultimately caused users to move away. Killer apps including BBM also lost value with the introduction of competitors including Apple's iMessage and apps like WhatsApp. 

Before RIM launches BlackBerry 10, both iOS 6 and Windows Phone 8 will launch, bringing improvements. Microsoft especially is treating Windows Phone 8 as a major update to its operating system, with the company seemingly comfortable with abandoning previous versions of Windows Phone due to the new Windows NT kernel. Microsoft's Windows Phone operating system includes the People hub, aggregating contacts and social network information. Google's Android also features similar functionality. McCann added to Reuters that the feature is coming to the company's PlayBook tablet.

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