He also expects businesses to continue to employ BlackBerry OS devices for years.

"We expect it will take time for enterprises to migrate to BBX," Saunders says, since many IT shops have already invested a lot of time and money into the BlackBerry OS, and they're familiar with supporting this software.

Bottom line: Though BBX is expected to hit RIM smartphones sometime next year--Saunders wouldn't get specific about release dates--the BlackBerry OS isn't going anywhere anytime soon.

A few more details on the new BBX smartphone, from Saunders: the first BBX handhelds will support BES and native PIM apps immediately on launch, or at least that's RIM's intent right now; and a "" smartphone app is also expected to be available for companies that wish to employ it for security reasons, though the app won't be required to access BlackBerry PIM apps, as is currently the case with RIM's PlayBook tablet.