RIM launches new BlackBerry 6 operating system

Research In Motion has announced BlackBerry 6, a new operating system for BlackBerry smartphones. According to the company, the new OS features a redesigned interface that seamlessly works with a touch screen and trackpad, an advanced multimedia, a convenient new Universal Search tool, and a new WebKit-based browser that renders web pages quickly.
“BlackBerry 6 is the outcome of RIM’s ongoing passion to deliver a powerful, simplified and optimized user experience for both touch screen and keyboard fans,” said Mike Lazaridis, president and co-ceo, Research In Motion. “Following extensive research and development to address consumer needs and wants, we are delivering a communications, browsing and multimedia experience that we think users will love, and we are thrilled to debut BlackBerry 6 on the amazing new BlackBerry Torch smartphone.”

BlackBerry 6 offers multiple views that help users better organize their applications and content. Users can organize where they want their icons to appear, and can add contacts or web page shortcuts directly to the Home Screen.
Users can multitask by holding down the Menu key, which pops up a visual grid of all the applications currently running, so users can instantly switch between applications.
A powerful Universal Search tool is also accessible from the Home Screen. By simply clicking or tapping the Universal Search icon, users can search for any content on their handset, the web or in the new BlackBerry App World, which is also integral to BlackBerry 6.

The new browser features tabs for accessing multiple sites simultaneously, a double-tap to zoom feature that can intelligently wrap text in a column while maintaining the placement of a page’s key elements, and pinch to zoom.
RIM’s new Text Messages application also adds exciting new features for users who communicate mostly via SMS and MMS, including the ability for users to now view a conversation in one threaded ‘chat’ as well as share photos, videos and other rich content.
The multimedia experience in BlackBerry 6 is designed to give users a more engaging and streamlined. The new BlackBerry Desktop Software 6 includes Wi-Fi Music Sync, a unique feature that allows users to view their entire iTunes or Windows Media Player music libraries from their BlackBerry smartphone, create and edit playlists, as well as select music for download. When in range of their home Wi-Fi network (or via USB), the changes are synced with iTunes or Windows Media Player and the songs are automatically downloaded to the smartphone.
BlackBerry 6 will debut on the new BlackBerry® Torch™ smartphone (announced today) available from AT&T on August 12 and it is also designed to run on select BlackBerry smartphones already in market.