SlashGear

A video demo of the upcoming BlackBerry OS 5.0 has been released, with a leaked version of the platform running on a Curve 8900.  Anyone hoping for huge changes will be disappointed; there are some neat tweaks such as a new media memory display, trackball flicks through photo slideshows and changes to the browser which should make it more impressive against that on rival platforms.

Video demo after the cut

Perhaps it’s natural BlackBerry malaise, but we’re a little concerned that CrackBerry’s Kevin is most excited about the new start-up screen.  Admittedly it might put a few more new users at ease, with a “loading progress” bar rather than the smartphone sitting stubbornly with an empty white screen while things whir in the background.

Other improvements are marginal, though, which is either a sign of RIM resting on their heels or that the BlackBerry OS doesn’t need all that much tinkering to keep it relevant.  We’re expecting OS 5.0 to land along with BES 5.0 sometime this year.

[via Engadget Mobile]