BlackBerry Thunder, the touchscreen BlackBerry we’ve all been waiting for
Since we were the first ones to break the news about a touchscreen BlackBerry device, it’s only fitting that we follow up and give y’all the real lowdown on it! This is going to excite a lot of people, but anger many. Are you ready? The BlackBerry Thunder, as it is codenamed now, (all you "reporting" on it as the Storm are incorrect) will launch in Q3 of this year. It is a full touchscreen BlackBerry — no slide out keyboard — with only 4 physical keys. Those are the send / end phone keys, the BlackBerry menu key, and the back key. Here is the most interesting part, though: it will launch as a worldwide lifetime exclusive on Verizon and Vodafone! We’ve heard the unit will be a hybrid device with CDMA EV-DO Rev. C (for clarification, Rev C., known as UMB is practically dead. If the device will indeed launch with a 4G solution, our bet is on LTE), and GSM HSPA for traveling internationally. Verizon and Vodafone will have the same unit. Currently, the model number is the BlackBerry 9500, though it’s very early and that’s likely to change. This is HUGE for the Verizon lovers. For once they’ll get an exclusive device, but Verizon will have a sales quota for the device and if they don’t meet those numbers, we’ve heard the exclusivity will then dissolve and it’s over. This will be extremely interesting to see play out.
P.S. No, you morons, the image above is not real. Didn’t we go through this once before?
P.P.S. For futher clarification about the whole LTE thing, the chip might support it, but that does not mean the network will be ready by any means…OK?
I’m willing to bet that 90% of those ragging on this new product yet to be released are AT&T employees. If this device was coming to AT&T as an exclusive, then the mood would be a bit more rosy for sure.
I don’t understand how people can get so angry that RIM and Verizon decide to team up to offer a really cool device for users who might appreciate it.
Verizon knocks the socks off of AT&T in postpaid retail customers. The customers who pad AT&T’s net adds quarter after quarter are in part a result of a huge prepaid market courtesy of Tracfone (America Movil)
So what if you don’t like a touchscreen only device? So what if you don’t like Verizon Wireless or the services it offers. So what if you can’t afford VZ Navigator? So what if this is not designed only for B2B customers? So what if you don’t like a camera on your BlackBerry.
If it isn’t for you, don’t buy it.
RIM is reaching out to a new segment of customers. B2B customers are not the only ones who will make up the lion’s share of RIM’s future profits. Clearly, they are diversifying their strategy to facilitate economies of scale. The side effect is that even business style BlackBerry’s are coming loaded with new apps and features not seen in previous models.
I don’t use Verizon Wireless, but I am a BlackBerry user. I’m glad to see new products and services made available to all users.
I’m glad a manufacturer is going directly after iPhone in an attempt to spur competition. Someone has to do it. Who better than the most healthy wireless provider in the United States coupled with the largest mobile provider on Earth. Verizon Wireless + Vodafone are a real formidable force to reckon with.
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Why wouldn’t RIM put this on the best network in the country–according to Consumer Reports for many years running. AT&T is the one major carrier that’s LOSING customers…they won’t be around forever. Their customer service is horrible and their phones are slow. They’ve paid to much attention catering to Apple and RIM is sick of it.
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The idiots spouting off about iPhone VS Blackberry just don’t get it. What works for you *works*. End of (an adult) discussion. TechnoFascism is alive and well within internet troll-circles.
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is it just me of does this look like a photoshop job of the new BOLD just announced???
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I’m not sure why folks are bashing RIM for releasing a touchscreen device. Given the recent announcement of the Bold, it’s pretty obvious that RIM isn’t going to stop offering BBs with physical keyboards.
Toss in the Kickstart flip BB, and that’s a whole mess of options RIM is offering its consumers. Why is that a bad thing?
Just buy whichever one you like.
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Theres likely to be two touch screen Blackberry’s one full touchscreen (Thunder) and one touch screen with key board (Storm).
Regardless people need to stop whining about the Thunder going to Verizon first u dont like their network then move on stop bitching. Phone usually goes to who Ponys up the most money in this case RIM comes out on top im sure Verizon paid a big premium for the exclusivity and at the same time if they dont meet their quota RIM can port the device to another carrier
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I agree that Verizon does cripple some multi-media functionality on their devices, but the reliability of voice and data usage is the best overall in the US. We also wanna consider the fact that Verizon doesn’t play with the Blackberry UI much. I can only recall in the past the lack of GPS being a difference in a VZW BB and BB’s of other carriers. Verizon no longer strips that feature, but offers VZ NAV. The BB 8830 was initially and exclusively launched on VZW and did pretty great before landing on other networks. So, I’m very interested in seeing this device on “The Network.” I believe, if VZW steps up there marketing game substancially, it will be a great success. Hopefully it’ll be something I can drop my Voyager for and provide a true answer to this US iPhone crisis. (Why does everything gotta be compared to that damn phone? LOL)
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Verizon telephones are not compatible with AT&T - they use a completely different channle access method, CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access). AT&T uses GSM (Global System for Mobile).
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I’m a big fan. And you’re always on the money with RIM, but I got a couple quibbles. First, we’re hearing the touchscreen BB will not be out until 2009. My source on this is not 100%, so I’ll defer to you. However, the Rev. C/LTE stuff is just plain wrong. There is no way. There are no Rev. C/UMB/LTE chips available yet. And there won’t be for years. Sounds like someone is misreading a Qualcomm spec sheet.
We’re hearing that there will be a CDMA-first Blackberry out this year, but I’m pretty sure it will the update to the Curve.
You don’t have to publish this, but it would be great to start a discussion if you want to e-mail me. I just left WES and we spend a lot of time looking at RIM.
Regards,
j
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iPhones are a toy… plain and simple. Im also not sold on the touch screen yet, the iPhones have WAY too many problems with them still. However I think if there is a company that can pull this off and make one of the best phones, i would have to say BB can do it. and Yes AT&T is loosing customers at an alarming rate (I am one of them) and Verizon is picking them up fast (I am one).
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Verizon locks down their “dumbphones,” not the smart ones, which use their own operating systems.
BlackBerry will be steering clear of AT&T with this one because they’re afraid of cannibalization from the iPhone and it’s warranted. Not only that, being CDMA, there’s little to no chance of hacking it to use on another network and BlackBerry can get their cut from data packages; that’s exactly what Apple was trying to acheive when they approached VZW first with the iPhone instead of AT&T.
I have Verizon and I’ve had absolutely zero problems with my service so I’m not real sure where everyone is getting their disdain from. From those I know with Verizon also, they are completely satisfied. They’re a little more expensive than the rest but there’s always a premium for luxury. This is a smart move for RIM and Verizon/Vodafone.
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So I’m not exactly sure why the majority of this thread has become how Verizon “cripples” all their devices. As far as I am aware, with BlackBerry, all they do is restrict the SPG to only function with a subscription to VZ Navigator. Yes I think that is wrong, but come on people, they are running a business. They charge a measly $9.99/month for turn by turn voice guided GPS navigation, which now includes traffic information and suggests routes around traffic back-ups and accidents. Most other software for GPS that gives you that much functionality will cost you about the same price.
So what else do they “cripple?”
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Going to Verizon, no thanks. It seems like a rock solid winner in every way but the fact that Verizon is getting it is just pitiful. Like I hate att’s customer service but Verizon is just an all out bitch when it comes to how they lock their phones down, the UI, and the signal on that crappy EV DO network. I don’t care what y’all say, EV DO is slow as shit.
Can’t wait for it to come to att though. This will most likely beat the records set by the Star-Tac back in the late 90’s/early 2000’s.
This is worth my money, assuming it’s still cheaper than what I paid for my Tilt.
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Is there any chance of it coming with an ATOM processor?
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Are you smoking crack? EV-DO is PROVEN faster than EDGE, and it’s NOT EVEN CLOSE. EDGE is 2G, EV-DO is 3G. You clearly have no idea what any of that means, and you clearly didn’t read any of the posts above you. Way to go, education!
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im buying this verizon all the way u guys are all jealous hahahahha o man this is by far my favorite post
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On May 13, 2008 @ 2:12 pm, Smuuth Said:
“Actually, I have a BB pearl on VZW and can say there is little difference between my phone and versions on ATT/Sprint/TMO. Verizon may screw with other phones, but doesn’t cripple blackberries.”
How’s that GPS working for you?
Better than any GSM service, Oh and hows the Data speed on the nations slowest network? OH wait, Only on CDMA can you get a blackberry on 3G, Which is what a BB is all about, MOVING DATA! Nice try bucko
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This just proves blackberries intention to dominate the private/retail client space as well as the corporate space. No businessperson would want to type on a screen based keypad. Granted, perhaps if you just use your berry to read emails and you rarely reply more than “yes”, “no”, “buy”, “sell” then this might not be much of a limitation. But even just typing in web addresses or IMs would be so painful…
Now, if they could get it to sit up on it’s side and laser project a soft keyboard onto your desk that you could type with - then you’d have something!
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“…VZW’s BBs still runs BB OS and have all features other than GPS…” CORRECTION-GPS nav is available on the VZW Pearl! See- things at VZ just keep gettin’ betta
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I still prefer the BOLD…can’t wait to get my hands on it. How much do you guys think it will run by?
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iPhone users are just overly proud, that’s why you see so many “on the bar”. There are 10x as many blackberry’s out there (and I don’t use either)
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This will still stink. I’m on my second Blackberry, and I’ve hated them both. Lousy UI, too many clicks to do simple things, buttons all over the body of the phone, inconsistent build quality, and the data plan is super expensive. I can’t wait for my IT department to start supporting the iPhone.
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that the Bold sucks!!!It is so ugly!!! I’d much rather have all the features of the Bold on a Curve. But now this is where the jizz (and shizz) is at!!!
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For the last time people, Verizon DOES NOT cripple Blackberrys and does not put their UI on it, you should know what you’re talking about before you post and stop hating on the BEST wireless carrier in the U.S……..anyway, i could have sworn i saw an article where RIM patented a touchscreen device but it had a qwerty keyboard also. I wonder if this is the same one or if there two separate touchscreen devices.
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Here it is, if this is it,this will blow away every other device on Earth.
http://gizmodo.com/364076/touchscreen-blackberry-patent-suggests-rim-has-sidekick+envy
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