Details of the upcoming BlackBerry 10 mobile operating platform have been unveiled in the US.

Research In Motion (RIM) has released prototypes of the devices it hopes to release later this year. The unveiling ceremony took place at its BlackBerry World conference in Orlando.

Developers will be able to create apps rich in graphics thanks to a software toolkit called Cascades.

RIM said its BlackBerry 10's software developing kit features a range of application programming interfaces which should enable developers to access core device features and a range of BlackBerry application services, including Push and Payment services.

Alec Saunders, RIM's vice-president of developer relations and ecosystems development, said: "BlackBerry 10 builds upon the core values and exceptional user experiences that have attracted more than 77 million BlackBerry customers around the world today.

"Developers building for BlackBerry 10 will be able to easily create the kind of cutting-edge apps that deliver truly engaging experiences and 'wow' customers."