At Mobile World Congress, RIM's co-CEO Mike Lazaridis wowed the audience with a new BlackBerry WebKit browser and "super-apps".
BlackBerry smartphones have been criticized for what reviewers call a "sub-par" browser. RIM acquired WebKit browser company Torch Mobile last summer. WebKit is an open source web browser engine.
Lazaridis pointed out that the BlackBerry WebKit browser is very efficient with faster panning, zooming and
scrolling.
The BlackBerry WebKit browser loads JavaScript faster, supports HTML 5.0 and CSS3. The browser scored 100 per cent on the Acid 3
test for "fidelity" in rendering the web for more PC-like browsing.
He called the BlackBerry WebKit browser "blazing fast" and also network efficient. A video of the new BlackBerry WebKit browser appears at the end of this article.
Lazaridis also showed "super-apps", that integrate right BlackBerry smartphone native apps and functions.
"Super-apps are integrated with other apps, giving a seamless experience across the device. They're contextual - aware of things like your location and status," he said.
One super-app was a Twitter app that enables tweets to be viewed and sent via the BlackBerry email. There was an eBay app that works with the calendar to notify users of auction times. The 7 Digital music download service service saves bandwidth by adapting the quality of the download to the type of network the user is currently using.
"While this is important for consumer apps it's even more important for businesses as they look to mobile applications and solutions as a way to maintain a competitive advantage in this challenging economy," he added.
He also announced that RIM will launch free version of its BlackBerry Enterprise Server software. If you don't like your current BlackBerry browser on your BlackBerry Storm (1&2), BlackBerry Bold, BlackBerry Curve, BlackBerry Flip, we suggest you try the BOLT browser that is very fast and has PC-like rendering.
BlackBerry Storm Apps and BlackBerry Tour Apps lists.
BEST BLACKBERRY STORM APPS ARTICLES:
- Top Best Free BlackBerry Storm Apps for Summer Fun.
- Top Best Free BlackBerry Storm Apps this Month (MAY).
- Best Free BlackBerry (Storm) Travel Apps from BlackBerry App World.
- Best BlackBerry Storm Apps -Suggestions for the Holidays.