RIM would make much more touch-friendly OS

A possible leak has emerged today of what may be a major revision to the BlackBerry platform. Coming from what's supposed to be a "best" source, shots of BlackBerry OS 6.0 show a much more visual home screen with widgets for live data. These would vary in size and include basic data like news and weather but also sports, a Twitter feed and more.

The BBLeaks shots have yet to be verified but, given the apparent customization, suggest that RIM is taking an Android-like approach and letting users personalize the home screen with their own widgets. It would signal a shift away from the strictly app-focused home screens of BlackBerry OS 5 and earlier, where notifications have largely been limited to the number of new messages and calls.

Touchscreen input has often been a sore point for RIM, as the Storm and Storm2 have been criticized for only including a superficial level of touch-friendly controls, with many areas still using text-only menus that have existed in the BlackBerry platform for several years. The design is unofficially believed to be leading customers either to non-touch BlackBerries or to rival platforms like Android and iPhone.

When 6.0 would show isn't known, but could come as early as the Wireless Enterprise Symposium in late April.

By Electronista Staff