RIM to launch at least six new BlackBerry 10 smartphones in 2013: Report

Research in Motion is expected to launch its much-awaited BlackBerry 10 smartphones in a few days from now. Thanks to various leaks, these smartphones have been in the news for quite some time now. So far, these leaks have indicate that RIM is expected to launch two new smartphones, but now there is some fresh information about RIM's plans.

If reports from FierceWireless are anything to go by, then RIM is expected to launch at least six new smartphones running on this platform within the year.

The smartphones that RIM is expected to launch later this month comprise of an all-touch smartphone, which is expected to be dubbed as BlackBerry Z10 and the other will be a QWERTY device, which may be christened BlackBerry X10.

In an interview to FierceWireless at CES 2013, RIM CEO Frank Boulben revealed the roadmap of the BlackBerry 10 smartphones. Though he did not mention too many details regarding user expectations from these smartphones, he said, "We intend over time as we transition the portfolio to have a full range of devices".

The company feels that with the help of these six smartphones it will cater to the needs of different customers across various price points.

Boulben also mentioned that BlackBerry 10 has no exclusive carrier agreement, which goes against one of the previous leaks that showcased pictures of a BlackBerry 10 smartphone with the Verizon branding. Guess we will get to know the real picture a little later in the month when RIM takes the wraps of its first set of smartphones.

It is well known that, RIM is counting on its BlackBerry 10 smartphone line-up to compete with the Android and iOS platforms. The major obstacle that the Canadian smartphone maker is likely to face is in the apps space.

In this light, Frank Boulben told FierceWireless that BlackBerry 10 will launch with at least 70,000 applications and has strong developer support.

RIM is also planning to launch a high voltage advertising campaign around these smartphones closer to the launch. Considering that RIM has put all its eggs in the BlackBerry 10 basket, the company cannot afford to overlook any aspect of the launch, especially a strong developer support and a compelling advertising campaign.

Is this the BlackBerry 10 L-Series smartphone?