BlackBerry Thunder: after the storm
We caused a little commotion when we posted the above shot last week. No it’s not a mock-up, dummy. But, there have been a flood of questions about the BlackBerry Thunder (remember, this is still a codename) so we’ll answer the most important ones for you. First off, yes there is a SIM card slot and it is under the battery of the device. Under the battery is also a microSD slot, so don’t expect it to rock a ton of internal memory out of the box. As far as release date is concerned, we’re still hearing Q3 of this year on Big Red. The cool part, though? It looks like the chip they are using supports almost everything. CDMA 1x, EV-DO, GSM, GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, and HSPA. Any other questions? We’ll be here all day! Just drop a comment.
Tags: blackberry thunder, exclusive, RIM, Touch, Verizon, Vodafone
Ok feeling much better about BlackBerry business practices. Looking forward to the release and subsequent unlocking of the thunder.
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Was there ever a rumor that this was going to drop in July? I distinctly remember reading it somewhere.
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As far as the sides and top portion appear it looks a LOT like a Pearl to me. Do we know what the rough size of the device will be?
Thanks
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does it make use of the multi-touch ui that rim patented?
what software does it run? is it just modified 4.5 / 4.6 with touch or something entirely new?
accelerometer? (i believe the answer is yes as i read on hofo)
thanks.
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what does a microSD slot have to do with internal memory?
9000 1gb internal + up to 32gb microSD
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Q3 is 3 months away, can’t wait to see it. You didn’t say anything about a DOrA chip
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Please, oh, please, gods and goddesses of RIM: let there be a sliding keyboard hidden in there somewhere…
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@ Sith
Maybe we have our definitions of a lot of memory confused… 1GB of internal memory isn’t a lot and I was mostly referring to a couple rumors floating around about the device having 4GB-8GB of internal memory.
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I wonder if it has the WiFi like the 9000???
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will you think this will work on tmobile 3g here in us ??
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First off, this is Q3 currently. Q3 is June-August.
Secondly, what are the odds the Bold comes out for Verizon before the Thunder? If it means anything (which it doesn’t) a sales rep in a Verizon store said he saw the Thunder pics but expects it to come out in 2009, with the Bold coming out for Verizon in Sept/Oct.
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Oh, what about naming? RIM has me all confused these days. Logically, and obviously RIM is not logical on this, I would have assumed that we would have:
- Enterprise model (expected to be 9000 Bold) called the 98XX, a la the 88XX.
- Consumer model (expected to be 9500 Thunder)called either the 93XX (replacing curve) or 91XX (replacing Pearl 2)
- New form factor (expected to be 9100 Kickstart) have a new name, like 95XX
Can anyone explain the new naming logic?
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No it wont work on Tmo
@BG
I agree it isnt alot by standards of the iPhone v1/v2, however the expansion is nice. with 32gb microSD on the way I would rather have the flash removable.
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The whole point of a touchscreen BB is to NOT have a physical keyboard. They need to make a rugged device, and a flimsy keyboard that slides out would be nightmares for them..
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At Jordan
Interesting theory, about when Q3 is, but I think you need to count months on your hands again. Q3 is July-Sept. Lets spell it out
Jan, Feb, March = Q1
April, May, June= Q2
July, Aug, Sept = Q3
Oct, Nov, Dec =Q4
Thats our lesson for today boys and girls.
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@ Wegmans
Who said anything about a slide out keyboard?
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RIM uses a different system for their fiscal years. so is it by the fiscal year, by the calendar year, or by the ancient aztec calendar.
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Dimensions?
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Firstly, if this is an hybrid device with CDMA/GSM capabilities, this will not be UNLOCKABLE just like the 8830, this phone will not have the option for GSM services in the states, the GSM feature will only work ABROAD.
Being a Verizon emp, Q3 starts from July - Sept lets get our fiscal quarters straight, we had a brief email mentioned company wide of the “Thunders” speculating release in Q3, but nothing further has been announced.
“Ok Apple fanboys, commence the Verizon bashing”
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the 8830 is very much unlockable and so will the 9500. The SIM feature would function the exact same way.
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What bands it supports for 3G HSDPA??
It is QuadBand? 850/1700/1900/2100?
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From my understanding, the Thunder will only have international 900/1800MHz bands with 2100MHz WCDMA band, so…forget about using it in the U.S.
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@ Sith
You can unlock the 8830 to use a different SIM card, however that is only when out of the country, & when the device is back on US soil, it will ONLY use the CDMA coverage, and i am very confident Verizon will do the same with this device.
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Yes that is accurate, the GSM portion can be unlocked for overseas. Many VZW reps in stores (not saying you just from my personal experience) will tell consumers that the GSM portion cannot be unlocked.
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All I really want or care about is the Bold since I am with AT&T. Apple comes out with their 3g iPhone and a date and reasonable price, but all of a sudden after the crush of BOLD information, we hear nothing, other than Rogers looks like they will be first. Why other than it is there home country do you open in a place where there are more moose than people?No disrespect meant to our brothers up north, but really, where is the marketing sense.
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