Ever wondered if you could get the BlackBerry OS to work on non-BB smartphones, like how you can use Android or Windows Phone on Samsung and HTC devices? Research in Motion (RIM) CEO Thorsten Heins hints in a long interview with German newspaper Die Welt that licensing BlackBerry 10 to other manufacturers is “conceivable.”
During its post-earnings conference call in July last year, Heins debunked rumors of RIM considering partnerships with other OS developers, stating that they will be sticking to the BlackBerry OS. However, as the interview with Die Welt shows, there is a possibility that RIM is considering taking the other route—offering their OS to manufacturers—once it is proven to have potential.
While discussing BlackBerry 10, Die Welt asks Heins if it’s time to make the platform available to other manufacturers. Heins replies, “Before you license the software, you must show that the platform has a large potential. First we have to fulfill our promises. When we bring forth this proof, licensing is also conceivable.” [Original Heins quote in Die Welt was in German; Translated text via SlashGear]
RIM has been hard at work with BlackBerry 10, and promises that the new OS is a “future-proof” platform,” predicted to float RIM’s boat through the next ten years.
BlackBerry 10 is scheduled to launch at the end of January.
Photo from CNET