BlackBerry 9000 – Myth or Reality?
The BlackBerry 9000 series, fast becoming a ‘white unicorn’ in BlackBerry circles, has finally received some substantiated information. Well, it appears that we may first be underwhelmed prior to being overwhelmed with our pipe dreams of the "Perfect BlackBerry".
The BlackBerry 9000 device (not series) has been confirmed with screen size of 480 x 320, although the physical dimensions are unknown at this time. Think of this device as the elder sibling to the BlackBerry 8320. Like it’s small screen counterpart, it will operate with a quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE radio (850MHz, 900MHz, 1800MHz, and 1900MHz) and will feature 802.11a/b/g Wi-Fi capabilities. This will be a full QWERTY device, as well.
The BlackBerry 9000 will feature the same general OS platform, although it will launch with version 4.3.2. Coincidentally, OS 4.3.2 will potentially be in the future roadmaps for all 8000 series devices, sans the 8700 family (although that may change).
To recap, Research In Motion will soon launch the BlackBerry 9000 handheld, which will feature a larger screen, a new OS update, most likely a new full QWERTY keyboard layout (which may or may not be a touch screen keyboard), but without HSDPA or UMTS capabilities. This could launch as soon as January and as late as April, although we’ve heard whispers it might even be officially announced by RIM today during their quarterly earnings report. Stay tuned!
that was some photoshop dude… can’t think of a bb without their qwerty keyboard. As it’s been proved that touchscreen ain’t as fast as keyboards – that dummy should be scrapped…
last think I want is a iphone lookalike bb… no chance…
Am I missing something but aren’t all BlackBerry xx30 models 3G?
- CB
@CB, you’re not missing anything except that outside of the United States, CDMA is pretty much a worthless technology with few exceptions. Most people who reference ‘3G’ will refer to GSM evolution technologies, such as UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA and HSPA. But yes, technically you are correct in stating the 7250, xx30, xx03, xx07, and any other xxxxe devices are all 3G devices from RIM. Nevertheless, this is a GSM-centric world, despite the Verizon hook-line-sinker that seems to plague the United States.
P.S. – In 2006, only 13% of the world’s population used a CDMA-capable device. That percentage actually dropped from previous years. During that same time, Verizon coveted 80% of 3G users in the United States. Do you see what happens when a minority technology carrier (global scale) decides to implement a majority technology (LTE) as their 4G network? It’s a huge swing to the right, as in direction and opposite of left. I’ve often found that customers of Verizon are almost as snobby as the carrier and it’s reps. I’m glad Vodafone is finally whipping the little b*tch formerly known as AirTouch into shape and forced them into the GSM evolution roadmap.
@Jibi
Your “confident” sound impresses me, so until theirs more pictorial evidence of the famed 9000… nope you’ve satisfied me for the time being, although, the “Pearlesque” form factor I had my hands on the other day makes me want to disagree,however I never was one to argue especially with those who have the same goal as me
Dtest,
I think you’re just trying to bash it ’cause it’s gonna be hella better than the iPhone.
Assuming it’s a touch-screen.
Confused…
For 3G now…. Sprint or Verizon…. Pick your poison.
I have the curve 8320 instead i will buy the 8120 and have 2 UMA devices
@jibi you also failde to point out that CDMA carriers ussualy have higher prices an rates for features. And if you want to use a Cryptophone with 256bit encryption you need a gsm carrier with a data plan.
Jibi…
Other than a reference to speed…does 2.5G (which apparently is still EDGE) a technology that allows simultaneous data and voice?
I know that is only one aspect of the advantage of a true 3G device, but it is the one that would allow me to have a single device as opposed to two.
Unfortunately…my clock is ticking for a GSM device that allows this functionality; I really don’t want to make the jump to CDMA but…
Well…in any event, Happy Holidays to everyone on BGR…
Chris
Jeff B. I still use my BB, im not bashing RIM anymore than saying they really need to get the 3G going.
Forget about the 9xxx models.
The new 13xxx models will be out in Q2 2013.
They will have Edge browsing, a 210×180 display, a battery pack that you wear as a backpack and gives you 6 months on continuous talk time.
It takes pictures, video, makes coffee, folds clothes and there is a special microphone and earpiece attachment that allows you to use it as a phone.
Yes we all want 3G, Camera, Video, WiFi, GPS, Media Player, Bluetooth, etc. but until it comes out, lets cut the crap and enjoy what we have right now.
If you don’t like it, by a soldering gun, some solder, some mini lcd screens and create your own phone. See if you can jam 5 antennas inside of it and still get it to fit in your pocket.
out…
Yea, I don’t see why the manufacturers don’t have most of their line being a 3G capable device.
But we know why apple hasn’t yet…and RIM…
its just another touch phone. stick with you iphone if you have one, and wait til something really neat comes out in 2009.
Errr…. RIM has had a 3G device on both Verizon’s & Sprint’s networks for some time now… DOH!
This huge desire for 3G seems unrealistic to me. Tests have shown that with the current chip sets, 3G is only about 7% to 10% faster than Edge and yet drains the battery about 40% faster. Furthermore, in the U.S., 3G is seriously lacking in coverage compared to Edge. So why would anyone want this? Better 3G chip sets are coming, but I think handset makers are wise to wait until these new chip sets are available rather than compromise the experience.
Why does it look as an iPhone ripoff?
Another iPhone rip off.
Just get the real thing from Apple.
There is no competition coming close.
@ Bernt and Tim:
Guys – forget the photo – that is a stupid photo that BGR Photoshopped together and they insist on linking it to every 9000 story.
The photo shown has nothing to do with the BB 9000. It has nothing to do with any existing or planned RIM device.
Why BGR insists on putting it up is beyond me.
boys. why play with cheap junky toys when you can have a genuine Apple iPhone? anything Rim comes out with will only be a lame imitation of what true genius is already set before you.
What’s with the iPhony? Why doesnt crackberry just do their thing instead of copying apple?
I wonder if this ‘touch screen’ will need a stick to operate it just like those naff WM phones. Either way its likely too little too late.
Might as well buy an iPhone now!
What is it with you people and 3g? Yes it will be faster but do you a want a device that is rushed or a carrier to release a service that has a lot of bugs? Patience is needed for the big reward.
Come on!
Stop with this 3g crap… enjoy your berry, cause has 10 mails to set up, or because of the Blackberry messenger… if you want to use your Ipod as a cellphone, buy a Iphone… and now in spanish
Terminenla con esta mierda del 3g, disfurten de su blackberry y de sus 10 cuentas de mail y del Blackberry messenger… pero si quieren usar su Ipod, como un telefono, compren un Iphone..
I loved my pearl and it was a huge step up from the sidekick 3 which feels like 80s technology. I feel bad for rim now because they spend years designing a consumer based phone and apple comes out with the iphone. I don’t care for apple that much but the web browsing on it is almost perfect which is what I wanted for the longest time on a phone. Internet anywhere