Research in Motion,RIM, has unveiled ‘Dev Alpha B’, a new prototype for its forthcoming BlackBerry 10 handset, which is due to be released in January 2013. Unveiled at the BlackBerry Jam Americas Conference by RIM CEO Thorsten Heins, the new hand-set does not include working phone software but updates the existing Dev Alpha device that was distributed previously to developers.
It allows developers to access more of BlackBerry 10’s core features, including an improved camera, browser, calendar, contacts, App World and BlackBerry Messenger (BBM).
A BlackBerry spokesman claimed, however, that the new handsets were produced, because RIM found demand had exceeded supply of the previous models. Some 5,000 have already been given away. The new BB10 software was due to launch before Christmas, but was delayed earlier in the year to the first quarter of 2013. It will feature a ‘Universal Inbox’, aggregating all emails, text messages, instant messages and social network contacts, which RIM is calling ‘BlackBerry Hub’. It, however, is not being released to developers in the Dev Alpha B device.
