Tag: blackberry

BlackBerry 10 now available

The BlackBerry 10 has been officially launched this week, after nearly a year’s worth of delays. Research In Motion, which has changed its name to BlackBerry, has successfully launched its latest, highly anticipated mobile device, which has a very strong focus on mobile gaming. For nearly the entire lifespan of the BlackBerry, the platform has catered to business professionals and enterprises in various industries. Now, however, the platform is beginning to expand its capabilities.

New BlackBerry adopts focus on mobile gaming

While BlackBerry has never been exclusive to business professionals, it has not won the favor of a wide range of consumers because of its lack of consumer-oriented features, such as mobile gaming. The BlackBerry 10 was initially slated for a 2012 release, but Research In Motion decided to delay the launch of the new smart phone several times due to emerging competition in the mobile device market. During these delays, the company hosted several events in which Android developers were encouraged to port their mobile games over to the BlackBerry platform, making these games available for the first time on a platform apart from Android. Many of these developers were provided financial incentives to participate in this campaign.

Mobile gaming may attract attention of new consumers

The BlackBerry 10 boasts of a wide range of features that are likely to be well-received by diehard BlackBerry fans, as well as appeal to consumers suffering from iOS and Android fatigue. Given that the device has become more accommodating of mobile gaming, it may see a great deal of interest from tech-savvy gamers that have long been interested in the platform but had chosen either the Android or the iOS to satisfy their gaming interests.

BlackBerry 10 designed to last more than a decade

According to Research In Motion, the BlackBerry 10 is designed to have a lifespan of at least 10 years. This is significantly longer than most of today’s mobile devices, which have a lifespan of a little over one year. The device’s stronger focus on mobile gaming may come in handy if it is meant to last for over a decade before a new BlackBerry device is released.

 EnStream works to make mobile commerce in Canada secure

EnStream, a mobile solutions provider based in Canada, has reached a deal with Research In Motion (RIM), creators of the BlackBerry platform, concerning a new system that could make mobile commerce in Canada more secure. In 2009, EnStream, which is comprised of Canada’s three largest telecommunications companies, introduced the Zoompass mobile payment platform. The platform enables consumers to use their smart phones to pay for goods and services. As mobile commerce becomes more popular, security concerns are threatening to derail mobile payments in Canada, thus RIM has been tapped for its acclaimed security technologies.

RIM technology will help EnStream create new services

Through this new deal, EnStream will be able to make use of RIM’s Secure Element Manager, a system that will allow the company to manage the credentials of NFC-enabled smart phones in Canada. This move comes after EnStream finalized the sale of Zoompass to Paymobile, thus opening up the companies resources for the development of a new mobile commerce platform that may be better suited for the latest generation of NFC-enabled mobile technology. Backed by RIM’s technology, the company may be able to help bring more security to mobile commerce in Canada.

Security continues to be serious concern for consumers

Security is one of the most significant problems facing mobile commerce today. Consumers have shown interest in the concept of their mobile devices doubling as payment platforms, but have also expressed extreme concern regarding the safety of their financial information. Security faults with NFC technology and the fact that many mobile commerce platforms can be easily exploited by hackers has caused some turmoil in the burgeoning industry. EnStream believes that bringing more security to the industry may also provide it will more stability.

EnStream to bring mobile payment services to MTS customers

EnStream has also signed an agreement with Manitoba Telecom Services (MTS) to bring its mobile payment technology to MTS customers by 2013. Once these services have successfully been incorporated into the MTS network, customers will be able to make purchases for goods and services using EnStream’s technology, as long as they have NFC-enabled mobile devices.