RIM is actively trying to regain market share for their Blackberry line of smartphones, and the first things they focused on are the operating system and the look of their devices. Traditionally, Blackberries looked pretty strict and business-like, and their OS missed on the touch and apps revolutions, both of which are pretty important in today’s smartphone world.

The new Blackberry OS 6 with improved touch and extension capabilities runs on the latest Blackberry Torch smartphone, while for those that are price- and style- conscious, they have announced the Blackberry Style 9670, a clamshell phone for social media, day to day applications that looks good and is priced right. At only $99.99, the price is definitely right, but the look is definitely niche-y (kind of like the HTC Surround).

The hardware specs are pretty good: the Style 9670 has a 5 megapixels camera, Wifi, Bluetooth, HSDPA and HSUPA support, a built in GPS receiver, the new Blackberry OS 6 and other goodies. The weak spot are the screens, which there are 2 of and none of which has touch capabilities or at least a decent size or resolution.

The external one is a 2 inch QVGA screen, and the main internal one is a 2.7 inch, surprise, also QVGA screen. A lot of people are happy that QVGA and screens under 3 inches on smartphones are finally gone, but kudos to RIM for bringing them back! Though the internal screen should be enough for texting, it’s pretty bad for anything else, including Web surfing, which is a very important part of our lives today, especially for younger people, whom this phone is meant for.

Still, the Blackberry Style 9670 is a pretty good all-around phone (without the “smart”), and the keyboard is great for messaging and communicating on social media sites like Twitter and Facebook. I’m sure it will find its buyers. Those who want the “smart” in their phone might want to check out one of the BlackBerry Torch deals on the market.

The phone is a very simple device, it comes with a 2.44 inch TFT touch screen, a 5 mega pixel camera, the latest version of the BB operating system and of course, the physical keyboard that BlackBerry handsets are always known for.

Overall, the device looks pretty much like what one would expect from BlackBerry –which is actually what is so good about the Onyx. While other mobile phone manufacturers tend to deviate their overall look and design, the BlackBerry series’ has distinctively classic appeal to users.

Staying in familiar ground is one thing, but stagnation is another, and RIM has been tweaking out the operating system to keep their mobile devices up to date. For many years, the BlackBerry smart phone has been considered to the best choice for businesses –with very few switching to Windows Mobile. BlackBerry’s OS and hardware capabilities bring together a complete business solution package to business users.

RIM’s stable and reliable handsets are also appealing to general users; however, the minimal focus on multimedia has always been an issue for some –particularly those who are not too keen on the whole physical keyboard thing.

Without a doubt, non-keyboard users are better off with full touch screen devices; but for those who need the best of both types, BlackBerry has come up with the OS 6 (which will be featured in the BlackBerry Onyx 9780). This brings more media related features as well as a new interface that should appeal to general users a lot more, the platform is also geared more towards user interface designs that rely on touch screen input.

This is because Research in Motion has positioned their BlackBerry handsets in a very unique niche in the mobile phone industry –for serious users. And by serious, we are referring to business clients and more importantly, hardcore text and email users. Of course, modern BlackBerry handsets are also equipped with cameras, video recording capabilities, media playback, game apps and a whole load of other features, but these are all extras. BlackBerry users choose this brand to answer very specific mobile phone needs.

However, it seems that RIM is no longer happy with their niche, and it is finally time for the BlackBerry OS to expand. Looking at the upcoming features for the BlackBerry 6, it is easy to see the new direction that RIM is planning to take.

The BlackBerry OS 6 seems to be fully loaded with all new media playback features. This will enable users to access and enjoy media content better than previous versions of the OS. The most significant change will have to be with the user interface. The button and control layout for listening to music or playing video files on the OS has been changed to make controls easier and more focus is given on the content.

Album art and other details are now viewable during playback, and controls have been changed to incorporate more conventional touch controls such as the use of swiping and other gestures. User images are now more organized, and users will be able zoom in and out using pinch motions. RIM has also added in onboard editing and sharing tools as well.

The initial demonstrations and leaks regarding the Blackberry OS 6 points out that the OS is running properly and is not bogged down by anything at all. In fact, one could even say that the new OS is a sign that RIM is leaning more towards the more common designs and styles for a mobile platform.

In many ways that is actually a great thing. The new UI looks plenty inspired by the Windows Phone 7 with the addition of more dynamic elements, the smooth transitions and the overall look. With functions however, this is still very much a BlackBerry smart phone.

The BlackBerry Messenger is now more hip looking with the new look and it has also been enhanced with additional media content attachments. Users can now send media such as videos, music and images to contacts through the messenger. Universal search is also now part of the OS. This makes finding specific contacts, content and even conversations easy. The feature will be present throughout the entire handset too.

RSS feeds for both news and social networks have been improved, making it easier to see the latest updates without having to jump across several pages. Updating a social network profile on different sites can also be done instantly.

Lastly, the new OS will be giving the users enhanced browsing. The layout now more stylish with the thumbnail pre-loaded views of the sites that is currently open.

BlackBerry Protect is basically a simple online service that allows existing BB users to sign in their device and have it accessible through the Protect network. This means that as long as you have access to the internet, your phone can easily be access to create alarm sounds (through a call or a text message), be locked or, if really needed, wiped clean.

It is security system that provides BlackBerry users with a backup plan in case they lose their handset. This is one service that businesses are really going to like as it allows users to instantly wipe the data from their devices. As RIM mostly targets enterprise clients and offer business solutions on their mobile phones, the average BlackBerry handset is bound to have valuable business related information –and some even have access to existing company infrastructure based networks as well.

Right now, the service relies on a web based remote access scheme. Users will have to make an account online and register their device. After doing so, a user will need to keep their login to the Protect service secure as it will allow the holder of the account to have full remote access to a device. The service includes simple functions like locking the device, to turning on the GPS and locating the device manually. The service is still in beta right now, but it is expected to be available to all users by the end of the year.