RIM to Roll Out Emerging Market-Focused BlackBerry

By WILL CONNORS

ORLANDO—BlackBerry maker Research In Motion Ltd. BBRY -0.48% said it is planning to roll out a new phone that will run on its latest operating system and target customers in the developing world—the first new RIM product following the launch of its all-touch BlackBerry Z10 and its keyboard-equipped Q10.

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Associated Press

RIM CEO Thorsten Heins on Tuesday showed the company's BlackBerry Q5 smartphone that is expected to be available in emerging markets later this year.

But the company also disappointed analysts and investors by pushing back slightly its timeline for rolling out the Q10 in the crucial U.S. smartphone market. That debut was expected later this month, but RIM Chief Executive Thorsten Heins said Tuesday the device would now be available in early June.
Separately, one big U.S. wireless carrier said it won't be making the phones available until later in the summer.
Both the Z10 and Q10 phones run RIM's new operating system and have received good reviews. It is still unclear how well they are selling, however, with analysts' estimates varying wildly. RIM is expected to report sales figures next month. The Z10 has been rolled out in most of RIM's big markets, while the Q10 hasn't debuted in the U.S.
Sprint Nextel Corp. S +0.55% said Tuesday it would start carrying the Q10 in "late summer." Analysts have had high expectations for the Q10, citing RIM's large and loyal stable of customers who are believed to be holding out for the keyboard-equipped phone.
At its annual conference for developers, partners and customers here, RIM also unveiled a number other new initiatives, including an effort to offer its popular BlackBerry Messenger service, or BBM, on rival phones including Apple Inc.'s AAPL -0.30% iPhone and mobile devices that run Google Inc.'s GOOG +0.59% Android operating system.
Analysts have long suggested RIM could boost its revenue stream by licensing BBM, popular for its security features and its affordability. Unlike text messages, BBM messages are free for BlackBerry subscribers. RIM said Tuesday it would offer the service free, as a downloadable app for the iPhone and other platforms, subject to approval for those devices.
It is unclear how RIM will try to leverage that into new revenue, though other messaging services have offered a free trial period, after which they charge for use.
Mr. Heins also used the Orlando conference to announce the rollout this summer of the BlackBerry "Q5," described by RIM in a release Tuesday as a "youthful and fun" version of the Q10. The new phone will be available in selected markets in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Latin America, with expected availability beginning in July, RIM said in a statement.
RIM has said it plans to roll out a number of different devices powered by its new OS and targeted to different markets and price points.
Write to Will Connors at william.connors@wsj.com

A version of this article appeared May 15, 2013, on page B4 in the U.S. edition of The Wall Street Journal, with the headline: BlackBerry Expands Its Lineup.