BlackBerry posted a new previvew of the upcoming version of BlackBerry OS named BlackBerry 6. It will bring a number of new features like social integration with Facebook and Twitter, BlackBerry Messenger, universal search, and my favorite, a completely revamped UI. On top of that, it will also support BlackBerry's new program similar to Apple's Find My iPhone service in MobileMe called BlackBerry Protect. More on that below.



I did notice in this video that some features in the UI were used by a track ball of some sort while others strictly use the touch screen. I await how RIM will somehow tie these two ways of input in BlackBerry 6.

As for BlackBerry Protect, it's going to be a new service from RIM allowing you to backup and restore your BlackBerry wirelessly plus with some enhanced security options for losing your phone. These include the ability to remotely wipe data, remotely lock the phone, send a loud ring regardless of whether or not the phone was set to silent mode, displaying a message on the phone to return to its rightful owner if found, and locating your lost phone on a map. The majority of these are all currently offered on Apple's MobileMe service. However, MobileMe currently comes at a hefty $99/year. No pricing was announced for BlackBerry Protect just yet, but it will be interesting to see whether or not its pricing beats out Apple.