Research In Motion (RIM), the Canadian smartphone manufacturer, said that the next-gen BlackBerry 10 will support HD display screens.

BlackBerry 10 is the new operating system from RIM that will run on future BlackBerry smartphones and tablets. The expected release date for the new operating system is in the first quarter or 2013.

All future BlackBerry 10 touchscreen smartphones will sport a 1280 x 720, 16:9 display.

"We've listened, we've learned, and we are now telling you that moving forward new smartphones will be standardizing on the following screen resolutions which will allow you to design your applications to fit two main form factors: Full touch devices: 1280 x 720 (16:9) and Keyboard devices: 720 x720 (1:1)," said a statement by BlackBerry on a developers blog.

Two different screen resolutions - 1280 x 720 for touchscreen and 720 x 720 for the traditional QWERTY design - may make it difficult for developers who will have to develop apps to suit two screen resolution.

Along with the HD screen resolutions, rumors suggest that BlackBerry 10 will have a redesigned onscreen keyboard with enhanced multitasking features, a new browser and will sport an improved camera.

Previously, BlackBerry boasted a strong presence in the smartphone market. Previous reports have indicated that "Before 2007, when Apple launched its first iPhone, BlackBerry devices accounted for one in every five mobiles sold. Along with stiff market competition RIM has suffered from a series of strategic and operational mistakes. The mistakes include a daunting week-long Internet blackout throughout Europe and the Middle East in Oct. 2011."

The increase in Android-based smartphones and Apple's iOS-based iPhone has made RIM struggle in the highly-competitive smartphone market. Time will tell if BlackBerry 10 rescues the company's future and dwindling fortunes.