Developer Tech

Smartphone operating systems often inspire dire loyalty in their users. Once someone owns an iPhone/Android/Windows Phone they rarely switch. But sometimes it’s good to put emotional attachment aside and take an objective look at what each OS really offers – you never know, you might be persuaded to switch.

We’ve heard enough depressing mobile security and malware news, so let’s take an “up-side” look at some recent research on the subject.

What’s the app economy look at the start of 2013? According to a Q1 report from analyst firm Canalys, downloads are up, markets are growing in new locations and Google and Apple are still on top. The report looked at the app stores for Google, Apple, Windows Phone and BlackBerry in more than 50 countries. Overall, 13.4 billion apps were downloaded in the past three months, an 11% increase over the end of 2012.

As the size of the mobile apps market grows larger, big names continue to enter the space or refine their current presence. That’s not just app developers, of course, but the platforms and operating systems that house those great apps, too. In the last few months alone, two formerly major platform owners (Microsoft and BlackBerry) completely refined their mobile presence, while another underground favorite (Ubuntu) will soon enter mobile with an enthusiast fan base behind them.

BlackBerry still loves its developers, it seems. Having released the BlackBerry 10 operating system on January 30 alongside the Q10 and Z10 models, the Canadian manufacturer has released 12,000 limited edition red Z10 devices (below) to developers for “taking a leap of faith”.

It was first announced back in 2011, was expected to be launched in 2012, but its various setbacks meant that 2013 was the earliest time a rollout of BlackBerry 10 could be expected. And the BB10 launch today threw up a few surprises as well as some expected features.

With the launch of BlackBerry 10 just over a week away on January 30, there have been plenty of updates from Research in Motion about the new OS, as well as the usual leaks and conjecture.

Can’t wait a full four weeks for BlackBerry 10 to arrive? Have somewhere in the region of $1000 (£613) to spend? Well fear not, as eBay may have the answer.