RIM has announced that it will officially launch its next-generation BlackBerry 10 platform on 30 January 2013. The launch event will also see the unveiling of the first two smartphones powered by the new OS.

BlackBerry 10 will include the BlackBerry Flow user experience “that is unlike any smartphone on the market today”, according to RIM president and CEO Thorsten Heins, as well as a range of apps for consumers and business users.

RIM recently said the OS is being tested by more than 50 operators, while BlackBerry 10 devices and its Enterprise Service 10 product achieved certification to be used in US government agencies.

The Canadian company is hoping that the long-awaited OS will help revive its fortunes after it has struggled in recent years to compete with the likes of Apple and Samsung in the smartphone market.

The company reported a net loss of US$235 million for the third quarter of 2012 on revenue of US$2.87 billion, compared to a prior-year profit of US$518 million on US$4.17 billion in revenue.