After weeks of carrier testing and preparation in the run up to its long-awaited debut, embattled and beleaguered platform developer and manufacturer Research in Motion has announced two launch dates for its new look BB10 operating system.
The first launch date, set for January 13th is the official worldwide launch of BB10 with carriers rolling out support for the new platform and RIM rolling out the latest updates to its platform for BB10 suport on that date. The second launch date of January 30th is the official consumer launch party for the platform, whereby consumers will be able to test and use the first wave of BB10 devices at specially planned launch parties around the world.
With RIM setting these two dates for future availability of the platform, the company looks to calm investor concerns about availability of the platform after facing considerable delays, delays which have relegated the company to a fourth place position in the market with Windows Phone 8 looking to become the third alternative to the dominance of iOS and Android.
Whether the new dates will make an impact remains to be seen, as both dates are well outside of the International CES tradeshow window and many industry watchers expected RIM to debut BB10 during CES. With RIM deciding to launch outside of the International CES window, it may mean that the company does not want to risk being overshadowed by other technology announcements made during the show and would rather host its own events in order to shore up media coverage.
