Decoding will be covering BlackBerry Live with a LiveBlog from Orlando, Florida! We should start around 8.30 a.m. EST on May 14th, Tuesday. Stay tuned, it will be covered by Ann-Louise Winter.
8:30 a.m., May 13th: Weather at Orlando is good, registrations have begun. Amazing scenes here in Orlando Marriott World Center, place is buzzing with BLACKBERRY.
9.30 a.m.: Government day training kicks off and lots of BlackBerry Execs around. And wait, we also got Thorsten Heins in the house!
BlackBerry Live Conference area sneak peak
Also you can get the Decoding BlackBerry app for all BlackBerry phones and the Playbook also on the BlackBerry World: http://appworld.blackberry.com/webstore/content/21866589/
At the keynote: Thorsten Heins opened by reiterating that BlackBerry is built for mobile and is committed to driving innovation, changing the landscape. The first step, of course, was the BB 10 platform. Feedback from audiences, networks, customers, enterprises is positive – allows it to manage connections. The Z10 and Q10 were introduced January 30. The Q10 keyboard is ranked the best outright–no other keyboard device can come close. They have launched in 40 countries already with 10.1 out of the box for Q10. BlackBerry will be providing regular updates to customers. Q10 includes HDR camera, improved BB Hub including PIN to PIN messaging, keyboard shortcuts (loved and demanded by so many users), 10.1 rolling out to Z10 users by end of this week for most. US by end of the month.
BlackBerry recognizes that BB10 needs to be available in ideal price level so is introducing the Q5.
Q5 rolling out in many colours. Many people, especially in emerging markets have no desktop or laptop but people do have a smartphone. For . We predict moibile workforce will be 1.3 billion people worldwide. BlackBerry needed to design a device for this future. Applications too. Fit desktop into mobile. Not optimal. Some people said that people want desktop on a tablet??? No. Mobile experience needs to be built for mobile. Specifially. BB10 needs and was build tfor mobile originally and exclusively. Mobile computing must be flexible. Securely transmit mobile info. Trusted platform. Privacy, corporate security is paramount. BB is the only platform that understands this and has always made this security a priority. BlackBerry has a thriving ecosystem and is committed with working with BB partners to develop this platform. Devices given out with developers. Vision Mobile, Strategy Analytics rate BB #1 to develop for .
Today, Moog announces that they are launching an app on BB10 this week!! Only available on BB and iOS. SKype and 10.1 today. Blaq, Doodle Kingdom.
Good commercialization. Our app remuneration for developers twice that of Google Play.
Any end point that can connect can be part of the BB10 platform.
QNX at the cutting edge of technologies.
See video for BB QNX in car systems. (To be uploaded later today.) We see BB10 as a mobile platform Literally. Transofrm the experience.
Mercedes Benze CEO — Using BB QNX infotainment systems. WAnt to develop a seemess experienceMercedes has used BB QNX for years. But now, MB needs robust, reliable and secure platform. Transfer data to cloud, for example, needs to be fery secure . Mercedes uses secure VPN link to /from car. Leverage partnerships to accomplish this. BB10 smartphone – crucial to connect smartphones to their cars. He is a proud BB10 user.
Possibilites for BB10 are limitless. Strong commitment to enterprise and business custiomers. Understanding BYO. BB is designed to handle mobile traffic safely and securely. Manage all connected devices, including iOS and Android. ANy deviandy connecdted device can be managed by BES 10.
Kristian Tear – BB has heard a lot of things. Security is top priority. Enterprise is complicated. The reliable, scaleable solution is very important. Fast deployment of applications to Enterprise. Needs to protect corporate and personal information. Announce global launch of BES 10.1 this week.Upgrade to BES 10 is free!12,000 BES 10 services installed globally. Implementation . BlackBerry has security baked in from supply chain up. There is no sacrifice of user experience to get productivity and functionality. Therefore BB created BB Balance. Carrying two devices is not needed because of BB Balance. You can manage your personal life and protect corporate information. BB10 supports Active Sync as a standeard as a standard. So organizations that do not need BES do not have to have it. For high security, BES 10 brings complate control. It is regulated. US DoD announced their support for BB10 devices and commitment to the polatform.
Chase Mobility Kevin McConnel IBM
500 devices deployed on the pilot today. Users love separation No password needed on personal sidem just work side. Can download and repost to connections files 8 tiles, 12 browser tabs open with 20 active applications. Upload/download/post to corporate brown bag BB meetings.
Secure workspace will launch this summer for BB, Android, iOS devices without any configuateion changes to the customer’s devices. 650 Global carriers. No one else offers this but BlackBerry.
Thorsten Heins _
Frank Boulben -
Streamlined BlackBerry. We needed to define what BlackBerry will become in the years to come. We will We had to change from a multiple name company to one: BlackBerry – the device, company, platform. What are the BlackBerry people?
BlackBerry is among the top 10 on Facebook and Twitter. This 38 million watched the digital ads on other devices eg iOS and Android. The Keep Moving Projects were started to inspire people. Worked BlackBerry 10 is Selling in stores worldwide. BB khas been working hard on this and will keep improving.
Alicia Keys – We desire to innovate. She is energized to play a role in BlackBerry – women, content development, ambition, collaboration. 56% of BB users are women, more women graduate from college than men, women are embracing mobile technologist Clear that we need to elevate more women into leadership roles. BlackBerry is engaging women in all levels. BlackBerry is launching a Scholars Program to help women get into technology. www.BlackBerry.com/Scholars – need to equip our girls to compete. This starts this fall.
Frank Boulben – High tech and sport BlackBerry has partnered toth the Petronas Formula One team
THorsten Heins __ BlackBerry Messenger more than 60 million uysersMore than 10 billion messages. Almost half of messages are read within 20 seconds. The best mobile experience is BBM You only engage with people you want to engage with. Not just We want customers to build BBM communities even further – driven by customer. BBM chann
Launching BBM Channels – engage with other partners, brands. BBM Channels launching today in beta. Join and create channels with Mercedes AMG PetronasFans will get immediate information after the race. BBM Channels provide an even richer experience BRING BBM to a greater audience. How do we unlock this? Cross-platform BBM. THis summer BBM will go across multiple platforms. Premier mobile messaging solution all all devices. iOS 6 and Ice Cream Sandwich and above. BBM is the best messaging and collaborating platform in existence. BB controls both the platform and experience. Start with messaging and groups features. Roll out future parity like BBM voice, video and channels later this year. All free. Why is BB doing this now? This is a statement of confidence. The platform is so strong that it is time for BBM to become an independent mobile messaging solution. Thorsten said, “We are starting a new race. BB is ready for a new year, for our users, developers and shareholders. BlackBerry is confident looking into the future.”
Note: Post typed as it happened. Don’t worry, this will have pictures, videos and be more readable later 
Thanks for reading. I hope you are all excited for these new developments!