Earlier this morning Inside BlackBerry posted up some screenshots of the OS6 homescreen as well as a short interview with Joey Benedek, Director of UX Research at RIM. We have seen video footage, but I don’t recall seeing screenshots this up and close before. The homescreen looks ‘refreshed’ rather than completely redesigned. Refreshed in the sense that compared to previous operating systems, the homescreens look similar. Just because it has been refreshed does not mean that new features were not added. This is the cool part. I love my BlackBerry. I love how easy it is to navigate through my phone, and with OS6, navigating through the device is going to get even better. If you’re wondering what’s new, I’ll explain to you some of the new features.
The ‘Notification Dropdown’ will allow for better multitasking and searching. I can’t wait to test the dropdown out. Another new neat feature is the ‘Universal Search’ bar. Use this feature to find content on your BlackBerry smartphone. Search by contact, messages, music, pictures or appointments, all through ONE search box. Also noticed is the ability to activate your alarm from the ‘Manage Connections’ icon. That even looks refreshed too! What do you’all think of the new ‘Quick Access’ areas so far?
Continue reading for more pics and details >>>
Everyone has their own style of phone backgrounds, and some even choose different layouts and add themes. I personally just use a nice dark background over the stock precision theme and arrange the icons to my preference. Well in BB6, the all new ‘Views‘ are brought. Five new separate views have been added so the user can navigate through what he/she is really looking for. These include: “Frequent”, where your most frequently-used apps are automatically placed for easy access; “Favorites”, where you can choose to add not just your favorite applications, but also to create shortcuts to particular Contacts or web pages (making the important people and information in your life just one click away!); “Media”, for all your media-centric content; “Downloads”, for all the apps you download; and “All” – this is the big vertical list that you can scroll through, similar to the Home Screen today. Even icons that were hidden in folders before are now placed on the homescreen for easier access as well. The first thing I find myself doing when a friend hands me their new BlackBerry is go into certin folders and send certain apps and icons to the Homescreen. I feel that some of these are important and should be there. Well RIM read my mind, as well as your mind because i’m sure i’m not the only who does this.
What do you’all think of the refreshed look? One small note I would like to add is I noticed the ‘Myspace’ app icon. Myspace on new Os6? Myspace has shifted from a premier social newtworking site, down trailing behind Facebook,Twitter,Foursquare. Does this mean Myspace is finally getting an update and possibly a comeback? Not quite sure on making a comeback, but a nice update their app for BlackBerry would be pretty sweet!
Read the full interview >> Here