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 agree, I have had both and actually VZW BBs home screen is a little more appealing. Can’t wait for the BB Touchscreen. I’ve had the VZW BB 8830 since day one of its release, great phone…..can’t imagine what the Thunder will be about. You know it will have a very responsive touch screen and multimedia package or whats the use…seems to be the direction all mobile manufacturers are heading. Give’em hell BB (RIM).
Permalink | Reply
http://www.boygeniusreport.com/2008/04/17/blackberry-nine-thou-what-bring-on-the-blackberry-9100/comment-page-1/#comment-156883
Looks like I was right back on April 18th!
Permalink | Reply
also, what I think RIM needs to focus on is making the devices have a current millennium browsing experience and decent media support.
Permalink | Reply
I want one… like right now.. no joke…..
Permalink | Reply
RIM needs to do two things: 1. Make the typing on its touchscreen better than Apple’s and at least comparable to it’s physical keyboard, and 2. Make it’s web browsing comparable or better than Apple’s. That’ll do the trick.
Permalink | Reply
You are famous:
RIM Plans to Answer iPhone
With Touchscreen BlackBerry
By SARA SILVER and CASSELL BRYAN-LOW
May 15, 2008 2:17 p.m.
Research In Motion Ltd. plans to introduce a touch-screen version of its BlackBerry device in the third quarter, answering the challenge posed by the runaway popularity of the iPhone made by Apple Inc.
The device, known as the Thunder, is to be sold exclusively through Verizon Wireless in the U.S. and Vodafone PLC abroad, according to people familiar with the matter. Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications Inc. and Vodafone. The device is designed to run on wireless networks in the U.S. and abroad, those people said.
RIM said its policy was to decline comment on rumors and speculation.
Release of the Thunder will be the latest move by the Waterloo, Ontario-based handset maker to expand beyond its core of heavy business users in the U.S. and Canada. The company has signed new distribution arrangements, developed phones to run on faster networks and improved browsing features, battery life and processing power.
BlackBerry devices held 46% of the U.S. and Canadian market for multimedia cellphones or smartphones in 2007, according to the research firm Strategy Analytics. Apple’s iPhone took 16% share last year, the year it was introduced.
Word of the new phone’s release first appeared on the Website Boy Genius Report1.
Write to Sara Silver at sara.silver@wsj.com2 and Cassell Bryan-Low at cassell.bryan-low@wsj.com3
URL for this article:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121087480469495889.html
Hyperlinks in this Article:
(1) http://www.boygeniusreport.com
(2) mailto:sara.silver@wsj.com
(3) mailto:cassell.bryan-low@wsj.com
Permalink | Reply
“…we’ve all been waiting for?”
I think the touch-screen Blackberry we’ve all been waiting for is called the iPhone, and it started selling almost a year ago.
From what I can see thus far, it appears to try and copy the iPhone looks, but uses a Symbian OS, which isn’t OS X, not even close. Usually, one menu past go and the whole systems becomes something akin to an HTC piece of garbage.
I use a Perl at work - and I hate it. It is a Fisher Price toy vs and iPhone that I could actually utilize.
If the new iPhone comes out in June, and Apple delivers an unlocked GSM and CDMA version, this will become the best selling smart device in history. Apple is lining up a massive world-wide launch for this device, so don’t count on anything less.
At this point, would you bet against Apple? People tend to forget the iPhone is also the best iPod ever - which it is. These other devices kinda shoosh aside iTunes, because they have nothing to compete with that side of the equation, but consumers know.
~OUT
Permalink | Reply
Will this phone have Haptic Technology?
Permalink | Reply
I have an inside thing with those at RIM. I’ve known that they’ve had this software for a while now, WAAAAAY before Apple did. Don’t worry, it won’t be as exclusive as it seems, either.
Permalink | Reply
Has anybody in this room heard of girls? I sold for verizon sometime back its a phone VZW has the service and the support to make this work count your blessings as within the next 5 years there will be 2 US carriers VZW/ ATT and they will all have intercompatible phones and no contracts . Its gonna happen so go find a girl or a bike and get some exercise and stop letting your phones run your lifes !!!! I cannot stand people that know it all!!!!!!!
Permalink | Reply
NEVER ! ATT WILL HAVE SOMETHING UP THERE SLEVE ! IF THEY GET THE 9500 AKA THUNDER ! THEN WE GET GET THE 9900 STORM!
VERIZION SUCKS LOCK DOWN THE ENTIRE PHONE ! ENJOY THE LOCKED UP PAPER WEIGHT….
Permalink | Reply
is this device related to this paten?
http://blogs.zdnet.com/blackberry/?p=551
Permalink | Reply
nah..diff
Permalink | Reply
Please, let this have a qwerty!
Permalink | Reply
Who would have guessed what the iPhone would do to the world. mmmm…
Permalink | Reply
Just got the curve after 4 (horrible) days with the 8830. This gimmic a)will never be released on time b)utilizes an unneccessary touch screen when blackberry already has an industry leading interface and c)is trying to appeal to iphone demanders- which are NOT blackberry demanders. if you want the iphone, get one. then when you grow up and get a job you’ll get the ‘berry
Permalink | Reply
I was suprised when I got my 8330 for Verizon last. I thought the device would be locked down and not let me download apps, bluetooth music, etc, etc…and I was completely wrong. My GPS doesn’t work, but google maps does a good enough job finding where I’m at.
You also have to remember with the iPhone you HAVE to get them from iTunes. And with both the iPhone and the new Blackberry’s marketing more to the private consumer not to the business user as much, things such as being able to create free ringtones and download game apps is something that may be able to kill the iPhone on its own!!!
Software patents are also very specific too. Apple may have some patents on the touchscreen phones, but they weren’t the first with a touchscreen and definitely won’t be the last. BB just has to program the touchscreen a tad bit differently and voila new patent.
Permalink | Reply
The Bold is a oversized (twice as thick) Curve with the crampy 8800 keyboard and a high res screens the sucks the life out of the battery. VZW’s network is 3 fold that of at&ts…. at&t will be “Thunder Struck” by this new Berry…!!!
Permalink | Reply
Follow the leader, of new ideas, THINK , APPLE iphone
Permalink | Reply
Verizon has no control of locking blackberrys down. Its a RIM operating system, which is the most stable in the cell phone market. This will be a huge hit for Verizon, and. For the I-phone I’ve had three replaced I can’t wait until contract ends with AT@T, slow ass network –EDGE what the heck were they thinking
Permalink | Reply
PLEASE, I hope there is a full QWERTY keyboard! Touch screen is terrible for texting and typing (which is one of Blackberry’s best draws). I seriously can’t stand the iPhone’s annoying touch screen keyboard.
Oh, and no more stupid roller balls. The wheel is so much nicer and definitely more durable.
Permalink | Reply
I am assuming that little piece of fruit is always a Blackberry because the big piece of fruit (Apple) would never win in that study. The iPhone is a nice toy, but nothing more.
Permalink | Reply
why are u people so bitter about this phone being exclusive to verizon. come to think of it verizon wireless has the fastest and most reliable broadband service. a blackberry unlike the iphone is not a teenager phone. it is mainly a business phone.. verizon being the best in broadband and phone service deserves exclusivity of this touch screen blackberry as most of its customers are business professionals.
Permalink | Reply
Hey, Nothin can beat iphone market… Do u think the display of blackberry thunder has better DPI than iphone??? Let me know if u ppl know wat is the DPI
Permalink | Reply
Take a look at http://www.MyBlackBerryThunder.com as it provide some additional info about this phone.
Permalink | Reply