BlackBerry OS 6.0 Expected To Debut Tomorrow

The next generation of the BlackBerry operating system is almost certainly going to be officially unveiled at an event in NYC tomorrow. BlackBerry OS 6.0 is going to bring really significant changes, making devices running it more competitive against Apple's iPhone and smartphones running Google's Android OS.

The new version will be noticeably enhanced in many areas. This will start with a redesigned home screen which will allow users to organize software into different pages that slide up from the bottom of the display.

RIM, the company who makes all BlackBerry devices, has been emphasizing the entertainment features of OS 6.0, including a redesigned music player  and an image viewer with support for the multi-touch gesture pinch-to-zoom.

It will also have additional social networking capabilities, such a tie-in to Twitter.

BlackBerry OS 6.0 is going to upgrade its business-like features, too, including an updated email app capable of showing embedded images and a more graphical calendar.

In addition, the next version of the OS will include a summary screen for recent communications, including emails, missed phone calls and upcoming calendar appointments.

One of the major new features will be a re-designed web browser. Thus will be WebKit-compliant, and much more capable than the current one, including support for tabs and pinch-to-zoom.

BlackBerry Bold 9800, Too
In addition to unveiling BlackBerry OS 6.0, RIM and AT&T are expected to announce the BlackBerry Bold 9800, the first RIM model with a sliding keyboard.

Some details have leaked out ahead of this announcement, though, including images showing that it will have a portrait-oriented sliding keyboard, a touchscreen, and a trackpad.

Aside from unconfirmed reports of a 5 megapixel camera, most other specifications of this device still remain unknown.

Upgrades for many current models are also expected to in the coming months.