TORONTO (AP) — BlackBerry-maker Research In Motion says it will hold a launch event for its much-delayed new BlackBerry 10 smartphones on Jan. 30.
The Canadian company said Monday details on the smartphones and their availability will be announced at the event. RIM will unveil both a touchscreen and keyboard version.
The new software is seen as critical to RIM's survival. The release will come as the company struggles in North America to hold onto customers who are abandoning BlackBerrys for flashier iPhones and Android phones.
RIM's hopes hang on BlackBerry 10. It's thoroughly redesigned for the touchscreen, Internet browsing and apps experience that customers now expect. A full touchscreen device is expected to be released first followed shortly after by a physical keyboard version.