BlackBerry Intros New Smartphone, the Z30

On Sept. 18, BlackBerry announced the launch of its latest smartphone. BlackBerry says that it’s the biggest, fastest, most advanced BlackBerry smartphone yet, which lets you take on any task and always be in control.

The mobile device features a five-inch display and comes loaded with the latest BlackBerry 10.2 OS. It is an all touch screen smartphone with the largest battery of any of BlackBerry’s devices. It is the BlackBerry Z30.

The first regions that will get their hands on the Z30 are the U.K. and the Middle East. Select carriers in those areas will be the first to offer BlackBerry’s newest device. The plan is that carriers in all other regions including the U.S. will be able to offer the smartphone for the holidays.

BlackBerry OS version 10.2 is the newest release. It comes with a few improvements from version 10.1.0.2019, which is what my Z10 is running. Some of the key features of the new version are:

• BlackBerry Priority Hub – BlackBerry Hub is the one place to manage all your conversations and notifications. The new BlackBerry Priority Hub can now learn what conversations and what people are important to you making it fast and easy to find the messages and information you need. It collects priority messages across your e-mail, social networking and other accounts and gives you instant access to the conversations most important to you to help you stay organized and focused on the most important tasks.
• BBM Now in Any App and Message Previews Everywhere – BlackBerry 10 OS version 10.2 continues to refine the unique communications experience of the platform. You can now get a preview of any message as it arrives in whatever app you’re using, and immediately dismiss it or tap it to read the full content and respond. If a BBM message arrives, you can instantly reply to the message without even leaving the app you’re in. In addition, if your phone is locked, you can tap the various icons on the Lock Screen to see an instant preview of your most recent messages and notifications.
• Five-inch Super AMOLED Display – The BlackBerry Z30 smartphone features the latest in display technology with a five-inch Super AMOLED display that makes whatever you’re running larger, clearer and more vivid. The smartphone also houses many top of the line components, including a 1.7 GHz processor with quadcore graphics that makes browsing Web pages faster and games more detailed.
• Stereo Audio and BlackBerry Natural Sound – The BlackBerry Z30 smartphone comes with stereo speakers that immerse you in your music, videos, apps and games, and makes conversations sound like you’re face-to-face. BlackBerry Natural Sound is new technology exclusive to BlackBerry and part of BlackBerry 10 OS version 10.2 that makes BBM Voice and BBM Video chats sound more natural and realistic. BlackBerry Natural Sound lets you hear nuances and variations in tone, making conversations sound like you’re in the same room.
• New Antenna Technology – The BlackBerry Z30 smartphone features BlackBerry’s new generation antenna technology that dynamically tunes reception to give you better connectivity in low signal areas. BlackBerry Paratek Antenna can give you faster data transfers and fewer dropped calls in low signal areas, keeping you connected in more places.
• Longer Battery Life – The BlackBerry Z30 smartphone includes a 2880 mAh battery, the largest battery ever built into a BlackBerry smartphone. Combined with the battery enhancements in BlackBerry 10 OS version 10.2, you can get up to 25 hours of mixed use to keep you moving from dawn ‘til dawn.

Carlo Chiarello, executive vice president for products at BlackBerry, said, “The new BlackBerry Z30 smartphone builds on the solid foundation and engaging user experience of the BlackBerry 10 platform with features like the powerful BlackBerry Hub, its exceptional touchscreen keyboard and industry leading browser. The smartphone rounds out the BlackBerry 10 portfolio and is designed for people looking for a smartphone that excels at communications, messaging and productivity. Having apps like the full Documents To Go suite that comes preinstalled, together with its five-inch touch display, the BlackBerry Z30 smartphone gives you a best in class productivity experience on the go.”

As of now, there is no information on pricing or availability in the U.S. What I can tell you is that the BlackBerry Z30 is designed to keep you hyper connected and productive.