QWERTY BlackBerry Full-Keyboard Version

QWERTY BlackBerry Full-Keyboard Version Will Launch Before June 2013







A report from Forbes citing research firm Detwiler Fenton, said the Blackberry 10 devices wouldn't hit until March, and that the QWERTY version wouldn't come until June.

The bit about a June launch is inaccurate, according to a person familiar with the company's launch plans.

RIM is expected to unveil its devices on January 30, with a launch coming roughly four to six weeks after, so the first BlackBerry 10 phone may actually hit in March. The full touch-screen device is expected to launch first, while the qwerty version will come "shortly after," the company has said.

The touch-screen device is the priority for RIM because the U.S. has shifted to a largely touch-screen-only market. The company is banking that consumers who would normally buy an iPhone or Android phone will consider BlackBerry 10 instead.

The company, however, will need the full-keyboard version quickly to satisfy the still faithful existing BlackBerry customers who prefer the tactile sensation of actual keys. In fact, there are likely many past users reluctant to try a full touch-screen BlackBerry device given its poor history with that style of user interface.

RIM hasn't defined what "shortly" means, the person said the qwerty BlackBerry 10 phone would come out before June.