RIM says first new device won't have keyboard

TORONTO (AP) ? The first BlackBerry device running Research In Motion's new software will not have a physical keyboard.

Instead, it will have only a touch-screen keyboard.

Research in Motion Ltd. spokeswomen Rebecca Freiburger said Thursday that the new BlackBerry 10 software will be offered on devices with physical keyboards in the future, but she declined to say when

RIM's touch-screen offerings have largely flopped. The development will likely disappoint people who favor the keyboard over the touch screen and who have been waiting for the much-delayed new BlackBerrys.

RIM's hopes hang on BlackBerry 10, which is meant to offer the multimedia, Internet browsing and apps experience customers now demand. RIM is preparing to launch the new software later this year, just as North Americans are abandoning BlackBerrys for iPhones and Android devices.

Associated Press

keystone pipeline purim acc tournament big ten tournament big east tournament 2012 solar storm solar flares