BlackBerry Kickstart, the clamshell flip phone? We’re unveiling it to you for the first time!
133 comments
Filed in BG's Corner, BlackBerry, Exclusives, Handsets
Are you ready, people? We’ve been holding this info for a while now trying to confirm it, but no more! We have here pictures of a new BlackBerry device. It is a BlackBerry clamshell — a flip phone and codenamed the Kickstart! Let me repeat this. This isn’t fake, this isn’t a hoax. We’ve known RIM is planning to launch a flip phone within the year, and we now have the pictures to prove it! As you can see, it uses a SureType keyboard, has an external LCD, and a pretty decent looking internal LCD. It also uses the TrackBall for navigation and does have a camera. We’re hearing a release date before the end of the year. What do y’all think of it? Hit the gallery for all the pictures of the brand new BlackBerry flip phone!
On Apr 30, 2008 @ 11:11 pm, MarxAnth Said:
LOL.. Riiigghhttt..
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On Apr 30, 2008 @ 11:13 pm, S Said:
RIM just jumped the shark with that one…
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On Apr 30, 2008 @ 11:15 pm, Ypocaramel Said:
It’s not bad from that picture but I’m disappointed RIM didn’t do anything more creative key-board wise with that form factor, rather than just say, a flip Pearl.
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On Apr 30, 2008 @ 11:18 pm, Brian Said:
Unless it’s significantly smaller than the curve I wouldn’t consider it because I hate suretype. If I liked sure type I’m not sure I’d like this because I wouldn’t want to constantly be opening my phone when messaging.
There’s definitely a market for this though.
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On Apr 30, 2008 @ 11:21 pm, Bob Atkinson Said:
News Bulletin: PHOTOSHOP FAKE !!!!!!
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On Apr 30, 2008 @ 11:25 pm, hmmmmm Said:
Not the BB for me, as I’ll always stick with QWERTY. That said, I agree with others that there is a definite market for this, and I’m glad that RIM is trying something new.
Also, this is definitely why I compulsively check BGR every day. Holla!
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On Apr 30, 2008 @ 11:27 pm, LordObento Said:
Its the Blackberry Blazer!!! sorry, a little RAZR humor.
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On Apr 30, 2008 @ 11:39 pm, FyreStarrter Said:
Actually I cannot wait for this. I will buy it as an accompaniment to my 9000 & switch them back & for & let the 9000 be business & this be all about pleasure!!! Cannot WAIT!!!
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On Apr 30, 2008 @ 11:41 pm, Chris Said:
I really believe that a clamshell phone is a more natural form-factor for taking phone calls. It forms to your head much better than a candy bar. I miss my old Moto V551 because it was such a good *phone* (not much else).
Having said that, this is no iPhone killer. As much as you iPhone haters would like it to be. The problem many iPhone haters have is that they believe that the iPhone is what it is; touch screen, email, web browsing. But those people have completely missed the point. It’s not what it is, it’s how it works. Having been a cell phone/smart phone junky for the better part of 8 years I’ve had too many to count. Only the iPhone figured it out. Until the other phones/carriers figure it out too, there won’t be an iPhone killer.
And I’m no fanboy. If there’s something better than the iPhone I’ll get it. But right now, there’s not. And better specs does not the better experience make.
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On Apr 30, 2008 @ 11:45 pm, kingfish Said:
Ehhh…not much use for corporate types that live and die on email. Potential for teen to college market but I doubt it will make an entry into the enterprise market. Seems like a very late entry into the market
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On Apr 30, 2008 @ 11:48 pm, GhettoFabulous Said:
Maybe this will go to Boost so it’ll fit right in with those other 5″ bricks.
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On Apr 30, 2008 @ 11:49 pm, Gil Said:
Freakin… WANT! NOW!!
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On Apr 30, 2008 @ 11:55 pm, miltos Said:
The only thing that surprises me about this is that it’s coming so long after the Pearl first launched. The Pearl was clearly a step into the consumer (non-business user) market for RIM, and you have to have a flip model to compete in that market. I’ve never owned a flip and I don’t like them, but a lot of people do.
The real questions on this are:
- what are the specs
- will 4.6 play well to non-business users
- what carrier(s) will get it
- how soon will RIM get a post-9000 handset (touchscreen) to market
This flip will tap into the core consumer market, though probably not in any remarkable way. The 9000 is nothing more than what BB power users have been asking for for the last year (class BB form factor with all the latest tech combined (WiFi AND GPS). RIM needs to knock it out of the park with whatever they have in R&D right now, and they need to do it by the end of FY08. By adding Exchange support, Apple is clearly making a run at the business market and they are only going to keep pushing.
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On Apr 30, 2008 @ 11:58 pm, Dayne Said:
Seriously BG, you made my freaking year getting this to the masses so quickly. pwnage in the tech scene.
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On May 1, 2008 @ 12:09 am, Ricardo Said:
I like that its taken covertly in a bathroom haha
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On May 1, 2008 @ 12:12 am, bb boy Said:
Wow! My world just came crashing down. I never thought they would go flip. It looks really big, maybe the person holding it for the pics has tiny hands? LOL
I hope it is a fake personally just because I think it’s a step backwards, but then again RIM seems to know what they are doing just take a look at their stock.
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On May 1, 2008 @ 12:19 am, Jeff Said:
why would the dates on the screens show Friday July 27, 2007?
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On May 1, 2008 @ 12:22 am, Geoff Said:
Looks out dated and it isn’t even out yet. Kinda reminds me of the old sharp phones. The only good thing about is no more accidental pocket calls to anybody, why is it the pocket calls always go to the person your talking crap about?
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On May 1, 2008 @ 12:52 am, T-Bone Said:
Nothing says classy like spy shots taken in a bathroom.
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On May 1, 2008 @ 12:55 am, Praful Said:
i have a pearl but this thing just looks ugly as fuck… bring out a slider version with a big screen!!!!
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On May 1, 2008 @ 1:02 am, Tyrone D. Said:
@FakePhoto - the photos aren’t fake. you can see the reflection of the person taking the pics; and BGR said it himself that it’s not fake/hoax. pay attention when you read! and you’re an ignorant bastard who needs open up to other ideas just like RIM is.
Moving on… it looks like a promising device and though I’ve fell in love with the 8700/Curve-type keyboards and looking forward to the 9000, I’m definitely going to check this out when it’s out.
Thanks BGR and team!
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On May 1, 2008 @ 1:33 am, chris smith Said:
I pray it isn’t like the samsung x blackberry on tmo (7 hundred something)…disaster
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On May 1, 2008 @ 2:25 am, mk Said:
I want one with full qwerty keyboard. It’s difficult to type non-English words with SureType. RIM, please make one with full qwerty. Thanks.
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On May 1, 2008 @ 2:32 am, Verizon Guy Said:
Not the one I’m waiting for…
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On May 1, 2008 @ 2:38 am, Z Said:
What benefit would the flipberry have over a Pearl? None that I can see… It sure is ugliberry.
I like my curve and am excited about the 9000 with a faster cpu and 3G, but this thing doesn’t raise my pulse a bit.
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