The Members Forum

BlackBerry-maker Research In Motion (RIM) released the first BlackBerry smartphone running its "BlackBerry 6" mobile OS just six months ago, but the company is already hard at work on the next major BlackBerry OS device software update, BlackBerry 6.1.

Thanks to a wealth of information posted yesterday on CrackBerry.com, we now have a fairly clear look at a number of cool new feature and enhancements RIM plans to include in BlackBerry OS 6.1 when it ships along with a few as-of-yet unannounced BlackBerry devices, likely later this year. (It's not clear whether or not current or existing BlackBerry device models will get BlackBerry 6.1 upgrades, but since many of the new features require newer, stronger hardware, it seems unlikely.)

Those upcoming devices include the first touch-screen BlackBerry Bolds: the codenamed BlackBerry "Dakota" (GSM version) and the BlackBerry "Montana" (CDMA variant); and the BlackBerry "Monaco Touch," a.k.a. the Storm 3.

Keep moving for a breakdown of six of the coolest features in the upcoming BlackBerry 6.1 mobile OS.

(Note: One of the leaked slides that detail upcoming BlackBerry devices includes a reference to the "BlackBerry 6.1 Lite" OS. It's unclear what exactly the term "Lite" means at this point or if the software differs from the full BlackBerry 6.1 OS. But the Lite OS could lack the full feature set found in the complete version of BlackBerry 6.1. So the device that will reportedly run BlackBerry 6.1 Lite, the BlackBerry Curve "Sedona," may not offer the same range of functionality as its BlackBerry 6.1 counterparts.)

PC World has the details HERE!