RIM is putting the finishing touches on a new BlackBerry smartphone, code-named Meteor. This will debut with an updated version of this company's operating system with a long list of improvements. This has not yet been unveiled by RIM, but an overview of BlackBerry Device Software 4.6 was recently leaked to Boy Genius Report.

Many will likely consider the upgraded web browser to be the most significant change. The current one is widely reviled, but the upcoming one should be noticeably better, and include support for many more Web standards and playing video embedded in pages.

In addition, there will be a selection of themes, one of which will include a home screen that strongly resembles Windows Mobile's Today Screen.

In the area of multimedia, there will be a new picture viewer, improvements to playlist handling, and the camera software.

There will also be improvements to the software for finding and working with Wi-Fi access points and BlackBerry Maps' points of interest system.

BlackBerry 8900 or 9000?

Reports differ on what the official name of the Meteor will be, with some saying it will be the BlackBerry 8900 and others calling it the BlackBerry 9000.

The Meteor will be an improved version of RIM's current smartphones, but the company is reportedly working on a model that will be a radical departure, as it will be its first with a touchscreen.

Some say its this touchscreen model that will be called the BlackBerry 9000, with the Meteor being named the BlackBerry 8900.

Neither of these devices have been announced by RIM, so rumors and speculation are all there is to go on.