Response To BlackBerry 6 OS Mostly Positive, But Questions Remain

Reaction to RIM's latest teaser for its upcoming BlackBerry 6 smartphone OS have generally been positive, with the biggest complaint so far related to the lack of information about when and on which platforms it will be available.

Respondents to the teaser also suggested ways RIM could make BlackBerry 6 developer-friendly as a way to ensure its future popularity.

Research in Motion on Monday provided a YouTube video showing off some of the features of BlackBerry 6, including an enhanced media interface, the ability to post to multiple social networking sites simultaneously, and a new version of the BlackBerry Messenger application.

Also included is universal search which , in response to a search query, returns videos, images, blog postings, and other information in addition to the traditional text-based information.

Most viewers of the BlackBerry 6 teaser responded positively to the features in the video, and several provided suggestions to RIM for improving the OS before it is finally released.

One respondent, Joe257, suggested that RIM makes sure its new OS is fast and responsive on a 5-inch high-resolution screen with full Java, JavaScript, and Flash support, and that the company makes sure that it provides integration between apps such.

Joe257 also suggested giving the BlackBerry devices running the new OS 1 GB or more of RAM as a way of making it easier to sell more apps.

Developers' requirements also should be front-and-center, Joe257 wrote. "Stop creating more varieties of BlackBerry -- too hard to support for RIM & developers. Create three lines at the most: (a) Hard keyboard (AKA Bold), (b) hard keyboard w/ touchscreen (AKA Torch), (c) touchscreen (AKA Storm)," he wrote.

Another user, Alex van den Hoogen, praised RIM for adding universal search and for how it is integrating social networking features into BlackBerry 6. "(The social integration) looks like the KIN, and that is a good thing! - Shame Msft killed it," van den Hoogen wrote.

van den Hoogen also liked the BlackBerry 6's new on-screen keyboard. "Looks a bie (sic) iPhone'ish, but that is a good thing," he wrote.

Several respondents liked BlackBerry 6's new browser, which appears to be build using the open source WebKit browser engine.

Next: Make It Developer-Friendly

Making BlackBerry 6 developer-friendly is important for many respondents.

Raul A. Montero said that BlackBerry apps are not known as being as user-friendly as other smartphone apps, and is looking forward to seeing whether BlackBerry 6 will be more developer-friendly.

"Because in the end, a smartphone is just about apps. with better quality in blackberry applications (sic) will mean more ways to use your phone," Montero wrote.

dkonigs asked when simulators and development tools for the BlackBerry 6 will become available. "I hope its (sic) before the end-user release, so we can maks (sic) sure all our apps are ready," dkonigs wrote.

Common complaints included the fact that RIM has yet to say when BlackBerry 6 will be made available, or which of its smartphone devices will run the new OS.

Several respondents said that RIM has to hurry, because if it waits too long they will move to the Android platform, to which Zackp responded, "We ALL know you're gonna stick to BB and wait this out. This looks absolutely amazing!!! I love everything about it! I just want to know, like everyone else, what phones will get this update though."