Troubled mobile maker Research In Motion has announced plans to give developers a prototype BlackBerry 10 device.
According to Reuters, the big idea is that the developers will help design applications for future smartphones that will run on a modified version of the software running RIM's poor-selling PlayBook tablet.
RIM has insisted that the gizmo was not the commercial BlackBerry 10 device, which will launch this year but would help create excitement among developers for its overhauled operating system.
RIM's social media manager Alex Kinsella said that while it is not the final hardware or OS it will help developers get started with designing for what's coming.
It has to do something. It has no real match for the huge libraries of software available on Apple products and Google's Android.
Starting with a new PlayBook and BlackBerry 10 with a different operating system than RIM's current BlackBerries will reduce the amount of available software still further.
The device, called the BlackBerry 10 Dev Alpha, will be given to developers attending RIM's annual BlackBerry World conference in May.
The one thing I like about Playbook and the Blackberry smartphones is the fact they are high quality products. RIM needs to work hard to get out of this decline and hopefully the Blackberry London (10) along with the Playbook will and all the new features and OS, will put RIM back into gaining market share once again.
FACTS to consider:
Apple = Overpriced Hype Period.
Google = Good value for your Money.
RIM = Best Value for money Spent.