Test Drive the BlackBerry OS on Your PC

Here’s how you could test out the latest version of the BlackBerry OS for free on your PC.

Agree to the license, and click Next.

Finally, nudge the Download link to download the simulator software.

Once the download is finished, spin up the installer.

You’ll also be prompted by the simulator with info about using the virtual touch screen on the simulator.

Now you’ll see a virtual BlackBerry on your desktop, booting the latest version of BlackBerry OS.

Here’s the simulator at 50% zoom, so now we can see it all at once.

When the virtual phone finishes loading, you’ll need to accept a license agreement.

Click and drag up to scroll through the text.

Then at the bottom, click Ok to accept it.

Your virtual BlackBerry will now present you with a setup process.

Feel free to change any of the configs you’d like and explore what it has to offer.

Everything else seemed to work fine.

Once you’re done with the introduction, you’ll see the full BlackBerry OS running right on Windows.

To scroll, drag up or down with your mouse, just as you would on a touchscreen.

Click and drag to rotate the virtual phone.

Using BlackBerry OS in The SimulatorThe BlackBerry Simulator works almost just like the OS on a real BlackBerry machine.

you’re able to launch apps from the pane at the bottom of the home screen.

Or, click and drag up to see all the available options and applications.

you’ve got the option to also see how the notifications work once you’ve added some networks.

The simulator even has a virtual red alert light when you’ve got a new message or alert.

Most of the applications work great, but some of them did crash.

Additionally, as mentioned before, the internet tool crashed every time we attempted to run it.

After a few moments, your new app will be downloaded and installed.

Here’s an app from the App World running on our BlackBerry simulator.

Click Load BlackBerry program in the File menu to bring up the program.

pick the *.cod file you’ve downloaded in the Explorer window that opens.

Moments later, your new tool will appear in the tool menu ready to use.

A lot of business users still use Blackberries and it will fit their needs well.