BlackBerry X10 gets shown off in leaked pictures

There's not long to wait now until RIM's BB10 operating system launches, and with it a slew of new handsets. Here's one of them in the flesh -- the BlackBerry X10, part of the BlackBerry N-Series, according to N4BB.

As you can see, it's a Qwerty affair, with the keyboard taking up the lower half of the device. This should please BlackBerry stalwarts who aren't keen on giving up physical buttons.

Don't fret if you like BlackBerrys but do want to ditch the keyboard, as RIM will also launch a range of completely touchscreen handsets for BB10. They'll be known as the L-Series, and we spied one a while ago. It's not a million miles away from a certain fruit-themed phone.

For more on the keyboard itself, check out this video walkthrough.

There's no word on the specs of the device such as screen size or resolution unfortunately. But still, you can get a closer look at the screen in the second snap, with two rows of app icons, along with shortcuts along the bottom for calling, search, and the camera. From behind it looks like a classic BlackBerry.

BB10 launches on 30 January -- so a month to the day exactly. Many people think it'll be make or break time for RIM, after its recent troubles. There was a rumour a while ago that RIM would have to split the company in half and sell off its networking business, or join forces with Microsoft. BB10 has already been delayed twice, so let's hope 30 January is indeed the day it launches.

We'll bring you all the launch day happenings as they occur. Are you looking forward to BB10? Or is it too little too late for RIM? Can it compete with Android and iOS? Or should it buddy up with Microsoft and Windows Phone? Let me know in the comments, or on our Facebook page.