Overview of a fading Operating System — BlackBerry
Blackberry Is a mobile operating system which is designed and developed by Blackberry Limited (RIM-Research in Motion). It was initially released in January 1999 as version 1.0. The OS is specially designed for Blackberry line of smartphones such as BlackBerry Bold, Pearl, Curve and Storm series. Unlike Android and Symbian operating systems, the BlackBerry OS can run only on BlackBerry phones.
The Blackberry OS supports input devices adopted by BlackBerry, such as trackwheel, trackball, trackpad and touchscreen. Most recently the BlackBerry platform allows complete wireless activation, synchronization with email exchange, notes, contacts, calendar and etc. And also, it is known as multitasking OS, as it allows user to perform more than one application at a time. BlackBerry OS is well known for ‘push e-mail’ functionality which is invented by RIM. This functionality is implemented through BlackBerry Enterprise Server.
The latest version of BlackBerry OS, version 10.0 released in January 2013. It is based on QNX (Commercial Unix-like-real time OS) operating system. And it supports devices such as Blackberry Classic, Z3, Z30, Q5, Leap, Passport and etc.
Blackberry applications are written using C++ and Java Micro Edition Platform. Third-party developers can write software using BlackBerry API. RIM introduced a Web-kit-based browser in v6.0 to create web applications using HTML, CSS and JavaScript code. And also, BlackBerry Applications can be written using BlackBerry Java Development Environment which is a standalone and graphical IDE. RAPC compiler and Sun Java Compiler are the other tools which can be used to develop BlackBerry Applications.
BlackBerry Enterprise Solution Architecture
BlackBerry Enterprise Solution is an IT-friendly solution which provides advanced smart phone functionality with wireless access for their applications and organization email to their mobile users.
BlackBerry Enterprise Solution Architecture consist of six key elements as follows.
Enterprises server
Mobile Data System
BlackBerry Smart Phones
Connect Software
Alliance Program
Solution Service
The Enterprise server provides instant messaging, email access and personal information management tools to their mobile users. It acts as the connection between smart phones and wireless networks. Smartphones are integrated wireless devices which are designed to provide push-based email and data access. BlackBerry mobile data system provides the access to a wide range of corporate data and applications. Solution service helps user to gain more value from BlackBerry Enterprise solution.
Main features of BlackBerry OS
Email: Enable user to continuously connect to the wireless network and access email. User can perform normal email activities without dialing or connecting. Users have full control of their mail with this function.
Paging: This service is available for users who do not have email ids.
Wireless Internet: BlackBerry provides wireless internet service that enables user to browse the internet from anywhere.
Phone: BlackBerry phones contain a variety of features like call answer, call waiting, call forwarding and conference calling. Different models of BlackBerry contain different special features like a digital walkie-talkie, SIP-based IP telephony, Bluetooth, speakerphone, etc. Blackberry provides QWERTY keyboard and also ‘super-type’ keyboard feature on a business phone.
Tethered Modem: The device can be used as a tethered modem to connect the desktop or the laptop to the internet. Because of that user can access to the internet without a wireless PC card.
Organizer: Mobile functionality that helps user to plan their day-to-day activities and make them easy.
Instant Messaging: Help users to connect with their instant messaging people, when they are connected to the wireless network.
Corporate Data Access: BlackBerry enable user to access to the corporate data and archive business goals via the wireless connectivity.
BlackBerry OS Versions
BlackBerry OS v1.0: Released in 1999 for BlackBerry 850 pager
BlackBerry OS v3.0: Released in 2002 and supported for BlackBerry 6230
BlackBerry OS v4.0: Released in 2003 and supported for BlackBerry 7000 series
BlackBerry OS v4.1: Released in 2006 with BlackBerry 5810 smart phone
BlackBerry OS v4.2: Released in 2007 and Supported for BlackBerry Pearl
BlackBerry OS v4.3: Released in 2007 and Supported for BlackBerry Curve 8330
BlackBerry OS v4.5 Released in 2008 Including Voice recording and voice note recording and Supported for 8100, 8800 series, BlackBerry Curve.
BlackBerry OS v4.6: Released in 2008 and Supported for BlackBerry Pearl Flip
BlackBerry OS v4.7: Released in 2008 and supported for BlackBerry Tour, BlackBerry Storm
BlackBerry OS v5.0: Released in 2009 with BlackBerry Bold 9000 and Supported for BlackBerry Storm, BlackBerry Storm 2 and BlackBerry Tour
BlackBerry OS v6.0: Released in 2010 including Web-kit based browser
BlackBerry OS v7.0: Released in 2011 with Bold 9900 and 9930 including Touch screen performance-Liquid Graphics Technology, Enhanced web browser- HTML 5 video support, and Voice-activated search
BlackBerry OS v7.1: Released in 2011 with ability to create Wi-Fi hotspot, and Supports for Wi-Fi calling, BlackBerry Tag, FM Radio and BlackBerry Bold and BlackBerry Curve
BlackBerry OS v10: Released in 2012 including BlackBerry Hub, Flow Interface
BlackBerry OS v10.2: Released in 2013
Flow Interface, BlackBerry Hub, Active Frames, Touch-Screen Keyboard, Time shift camera, Connected Calendar, BlackBerry App World, BlackBerry Browser, BlackBerry Balance, Improved Gaming are the main features introduced with BlackBerry OS V10.
