We already know about RIM’s 2000 employee layoffs, and being the first FIPS certified mobile manufacturer.  It seems like the company is currently on a see-saw, it’s quite hard to determine whether they’ll be able to pull through this slump.  So what do they do to lift their spirits?  Launch BBM 6, the upgrade on their OS that lets users BBM each other while in-app, pretty neat right?  You don’t have to exit an app just to BBM back.  But unfortunately, the BBM6 only works for some apps: click here for the list of apps compatible with the new BBM 6.

The BBM6 is available for download in The BlackBerry App World and features upgraded real-time communication with:

• Share immediately: send and receive messages in seconds and see when your contacts are typing.
• Don’t hold back: share your thoughts, stories and rants with unlimited characters and emoticons.
• Get confirmation: know when your messages are delivered and read.
• Add friends: add contacts by swapping PINs or scanning barcodes¹.
• Create groups: connect instantly with personal groups of friends, family or coworkers with BlackBerry Groups.
• Text non-BBM friends: send text messages from your BBM™ screen²—just add contacts without BBM to your list by phone number.

“This is opening up the crown jewels in terms of BBM and allowing developers to be able to leverage that growth”, said Alistair Mitchell, vice president for BBM and integrated services. BBM, which comes free on all BlackBerrys and lets users see when their messages have been read, has about 45 million users with 2 million more added each month, he said.

Aside from this, consumers are anticipating the release of their new smartphones equipped with the BlackBerry OS 7.  The Onyx OS was supposed to be the new BlackBerry OS, but RIM seemed to have gone the other way, moving forward with OS 7 instead.  RIM is aiming to topple Apple’s lead with their BlackBerry PlayBook, but critics are skeptic, especially with the company’s recent performance.