Research In Motion (RIM) is set to launch a new BlackBerry handset with QNX operating system, according to a website . This new handset, codenamed BlackBerry Colt, will be the part of the five new smartphones that RIM is supposed to launch in coming times.
Preliminary details of the BlackBerry Colt smartphone indicate that the device will run a single core Processor and will sport the new QNX operating system. This device is expected to be shown in the first quarter of 2012.
RIM acquired QNX Software Systems from Harman International last year. Earlier this year, RIM launched the BlackBerry PlayBook tablet powered by QNX operating system. The company also confirmed that in future QNX will replace the BlackBerry OS and that transition will take a while. This transition has been cited as the chief reason why PlayBook did not have any native email client.
The leaked image of the BlackBerry Colt shows a totally refreshed home screen which is entirely PlayBook style — QNX probably. The display appears to be a touchscreen and slightly bigger than the usual BlackBerry devices. On the home screen lies the carousal of widgets that can be swiped on the either sides. At the bottom is another menu that shows four tabs — All, Favorites, Media and Games. Each tab has a number of apps or shortcuts listed such as Photos, Music, Camera and App World.
This image might be yet another placeholder (dummy/mockup) image for the upcoming devices. RIM’s engineering team is said to be testing the prototype of the BlackBerry Colt with single core processor on it. The hardware specifications may change and we hope that the Colt gets better processor and at least a front facing camera for video call.