Research in Motion set to debut BlackBerry 10 globally

After years of delays, Research in Motion is set to launch its new BlackBerry 10 smartphones. The launch will take place overnight, Australian time.

The new platform, along with its first two handsets, will be simultaneously unveiled in New York, Toronto, London, Paris, Dubai, Johannesburg, Jakarta and Delhi during a webcast at 10am US ET.

Further details of the new phones and their availability will be announced at the event, with Australian consumers willing to burn the midnight oil able to watch the presentation live via the company’s website.

Ahead of the launch, RIM has announced it is renaming its BlackBerry App World marketplace to BlackBerry World, with the company claiming in a statement it will feature “one of the most robust music and video catalogues in mobile today.”

“Music and video content is an integral part of a rich mobile experience. People want easy and convenient access to their favourite music, movies and TV shows wherever they are,” says RIM’s chief marketing officer, Frank Boulben.

“RIM is committed to working with content providers to bring the best, most up-to-date content to our customers with BlackBerry 10, and to make it easy for them to get what they want.”

Unfortunately for Australian consumers, while DRM-free music downloads will initially be available in Australia, video downloads and rental section will initially be limited to just the US, UK and Canada, making the service far less “integral” for Australian consumers who will initially miss out.