The QNX BlackBerry Colt Plot Thickens With More Rumors

We first heard rumors about a QNX BlackBerry Colt super-phone not to long ago. The rumor then was that current dev versions are running a single core 1.2Ghz processor that everybody seems hung up on. It also would not be supported on BES at launch and will instead use ActiveSync and pack a 4.3" screen. The main catch was that this device was coming in Q1 of 2012. Now the Dutch website Tweakers.net (via Engadget) claims to have heard from sources that the QNX based BlackBerry Colt may even come by the end of the year or Q4 2011 according to their trusted industry sources. It supposedly will also have a resolution of 900px+ or so whatever that means and run the same 1.2Ghz Qualcomm snapdragon processor as the 9900. They also created the mockup you see above.

So anybody want to start throwing more fuel into the rumor mill? Let us know if you spot anything else!

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Rumor: BlackBerry Colt to be First QNX Powered BlackBerry in Q1 of 2012

We know that RIM is working on some QNX powered superphones for us starting with Q1 of 2012 but we have not heard much about them. The BGR is hearing a new rumor that the first QNX superphone is codenamed the BlackBerry Colt. This same source has the Colt running a single core processor in its current internal testing variant but that may change before release. The source says that RIM is also rewriting the BES code to work with the QNX operating system which they are already doing for the PlayBook. The rumor has RIM working on a QNX specific BES server and the QNX smartphone will not support the current BES versions at launch which makes total sense for a totally new platform. These devices will actually use Microsoft ActiveSync which will be supported out of the box.

This would be a very interesting move for RIM. I have been waiting for them to offer ActiveSync support for ages but it was killed off due to BES. I always wanted it at least for consumers to be able to get full PIM sync without BES. Either way this BlackBerry Colt is on schedule for Q1 of 2012 and the Software Verification team is already well into testing the device.

Things are really shaking up around RIM headquarters… There is even an improved OS 7 making the rounds which I am trying to dig up more on. Until then let the rumors go wild and take all of this with a huge grain of salt!

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Rumor: 10” PlayBook Canceled to Focus on QNX Superphones (SuperBerrys)

You should take this with a huge grain of salt but if true I am all for RIM making this decision. N4BB is reporting that one of their sources told them the vaguely rumored 10 inch BlackBerry PlayBook prototype project was scrapped for now. That same source said the reasoning for it was to focus on the upcoming BlackBerry QNX powered superphones which will include specs like:

I think the single core processor for these super phones is a possibility but QNX truly shines with multiple cores due to its messaging subsystem for multitasking but who knows. We do know that the current TI 4430 processor in the PlayBook would never work on a phone which is why no other manufacturer has tried. Also the source said the LTE 4G PlayBook is scheduled for October 2011 which is about the same time we are hearing the WiMax Sprint version is scheduled for. While this is a rumor about a rumor I still think RIM should be doing all they can to get these next generation QNX powered phones out the door. They are making great strides with the PlayBook but they have tens of millions of customers waiting to be wowed by the next phone from Waterloo.

RIM’s strategy for the upcoming next generation SuperBerrys is starting to all come together with a Java Player to allow for all core BlackBerry Java apps to run on QNX. The native SDK is also coming and RIM is fleshing out the API’s for the AIR/Flash and WebWorks SDKs. I can’t say much more but obviously QNX has a limited time to spend and as such they should be focusing on getting these SuperBerrys out this year if possible. There was no huge demand for a 10” PlayBook especially since RIM has more critical areas to focus on. I don’t recommend they cancel the project but rather wait until the next generation to add more sizes.

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