RIM's QNX-powered BlackBerry Colt set to launch in Q1 2012

BGR is reporting that Research In Motion's first QNX-powered handset, the BlackBerry Colt, will make its long awaited debut in the first quarter of 2012.

Published today, the report suggests that the first QNX device out of Research In Motion will be powered by a single-core processor, rather than a speedier multi-core chipset RIM promised previously. It’s entirely possible that the processor could change, the BGR's source also indicated, but the internal testing going on right now is with a single-core chip only.

The trusted tipster also told Boy Genius that the QNX smartphone will launch without support for the current BlackBerry Enterprise Server, although RIM is supposedly developing a version for QNX. This means that if companies want to use Microsoft Exchange email on the device, they will actually have to use Microsoft ActiveSync, which the phone will support at launch. An ActiveSync-only launch scenario was almost unthinkabe in the past, reports Engadget, and we tend to agree.

Whether or not RIM actually goes through with this strategy or a similar strategy involving BES remains to be seen, but as TG Daily points out, the BlackBerry OS 7 devices that recently debuted had ActiveSync pre-installed, so it is no doubt possible. I would say that RIM is definitely at the very least considering the move.

With an accelerated launch schedule, RIM no doubt has its work cut out for it in order to get the Colt to market by Q1 2012. I for one am actually rooting for them as I really enjoy their products.

Here's to hoping for a timely release!