BlackBerry revealed plans for new models and asked shareholders to be patient during its annual share holders meeting.
BlackBerry plans to release a BlackBerry smartphone based on its previous OS, BlackBerry 7, not the new and current BlackBerry 10. Thorstein Heins informed attendees at the BlackBerry shareholders meeting that BlackBerry will release a BlackBerry 7 smartphone later this year.
Leaks suggest that the BlackBerry 7 smartphone will be the BlackBerry Bold 9720, a mid range BlackBerry with a classic BlackBerry QWERTY keyboard and striped back case. Specs for the new Bold are not known, yet. Some believe it will be compete with the BlackBerry Q5
Coming soon is the BlackBerry Q5 an economy priced BlackBerry Q10 with a redesigned QWERTY keyboard, 3.1" touchscreen, 5MP camera, LED flash, BBM Video with Screen Share, BlackBerry Hub, Wi-Fi and other "youthful and fun" features. It comes in red, black and white.
BlackBerry will release no more than six smartphones at a time.
"It is a rocky road, there's no guarantee for success, ladies and gentleman. Let's be clear about that. But I know it's a fantastic opportunity," Heins said.
Shareholders approved the name change from RIM to BlackBerry. BlackBerry will not upgrade the BlackBerry PlayBook tablet to BlackBerry 10.
Shareholders wanted to know why BlackBerry is doing so poorly in the US. Heins noted that the U.S. is a very competitive market, it is tough to sell to U.S. Carriers with AT&T selling 6 million smartphones, 5.2 million of them iPhones.
CEO Heins at the shareholder meeting, asked for patience for when the company will be profitable again. He also reported that an outright sale of the company was still possible as well as licensing agreements.
BlackBerry will be releasing an iPhone and Android version of BlackBerry Messenger this summer, which appears to be delayed.