BlackBerry Thunder not quite ready for primetime?
That’s what one of our RIM ninjas are telling us! We’ve got the scoop on the BlackBerry Thunder, and contrary to most reports, we’ve been told that the unit is nowhere near being able to enter production, let alone being released. Here’s a quote: “Thunder is in no way shape or form market-ready. If Bold was any indication, Thunder won’t be ready for at least another 4-5 months.” Our source goes on to tell us that the keyboard is incredibly annoying to type on, and the screen actually shows ripples even when pressed ever-so-lightly. There is an accelerometer in here, but it goes “bonkers” when the device is moved. In its current state, the UI blinks and lags when you try to scroll, and for every key press, you have to wait half a second until you get a response. Our guy, when talking about haptic feedback, said that the screen “clicks.” We were informed there are “buttons” on each corner, so when you press the screen, you might feel one click, two clicks, or four simultaneously. We’re told these four independant buttons actually press, so you do “click” the screen. RIM implemented a touch-and-drag approach which is the only way to select on screen buttons at this point. We were also told this was the latest build of the software, and to quote him, “Most of the people who have handled it thinks it’s a joke.”
Yes, the timing of this announcement is certainly both convenient and fortuitous for Apple.
“If Bold was any indication, Thunder won’t be ready for at least another 4-5 months.”
IIRC, the Bold is/was held up by battery life and overheating issues. How do battery issues with the Bold serve as any kind of measuring stick by which RIM will address these alleged touch-screen issues with the Thunder? We’re talking apples and oranges here.
Maybe the report is genuine and honest. But without any qualification, this “4-5 month timeframe” seems to be, at best, someone just talking out of their ass. At worst, it sounds like a deliberate “poisoning of the well” in hopes of convincing people to not hold on for the Thunder and just buy an iPhone on Friday instead.
oh come on RIM!!!!! I want to feel the thunder!!!!! Hoooooooooooooooooo! lol
The type of post that generates lots of traffic to be $ure.
Not sure who to believe, other sources praise the Thunder, while it is given thumbs down here. It’s obvious someone is lying.
I’ll just play the waiting game and see what really happens, Either way, i’m sure all the bugs and stuff will be cleaned up before release.
In the mean time…. can’t wait for Bold!
Oh yea, do you know the offical date when bold is coming out for tmo or any company?
It matters little how reliable all the Ninja chatter is. The fact is that Apple is ready to drop the 3G and RIM is out there, somewhere, who really knows, with its new Bold and Thunder. Being a Blackberry(8120) user, I am twisting in the wind, waiting for RIM to drop. Many reading these smartphone forums, like me, are early adopters, wanting the latest technology. My loyalties are not with RIM, Apple or any other manufacturer. I will buy the best product that is available. In that regard, RIM is missing the boat, big time, particularly if their new products are 4-5 months away.
Blackula, Not sure exactly when but August for ATT and the rest in September for sure.
So, Rim is having a bad day and who doesn’t…besides Verizon.
Oh well, I’m glad I’m not even looking at the phone otherwise I’d be really upset because the bold is what I need.
Actually, I like a keyboard as a keyboard, and a screen as a screen because when flipping the phone sideways and that keyboard gets bigger…your screen gets smaller and vice versa. Too many options, too many confusions..
I knew we’d get some RIM news from the BG sooner or later.
I feel better now, knowing whats actually going on with the thunder.
Now for the javelin……..
….the nagain 4-5 months away could work out better. We’re talking holiday season. And probably by then, the Bold will be available on more than one carrier (US). Most likely, unlike the iphone.
the iPhoen will indeed sell well (even though most of their plans in most areas are complete BS), but RIM has numerous devices coming within the next 2-6 months that will appeal to a broader market.
Thunder, Bold, Javelin, and hey even the kick start. If it really is a $50 flip phone, just by having the name “blackberry” on it, will sell like crazy, to that market.
but time will tell.
Good. Maybe this abomination will go the way of the dodo.
A keyboard-less Blackberry is just wrong, people.
I think the part that cracks me up most is his final quote..“Most of the people who have handled it thinks it’s a joke.”..hahaha.
What he’s saying is…”even though another company (apple) designed and mastered a multi-touch screen over a year ago, we at RIM still can’t seem to get it together.” There is no way this guy works for RIM. Who would refer to their dev. coworkers and untimely themselves as jokes.
If Steve Jobs had employees walking around the office during iphone development calling it a JOKE, their asses would be on the street.
If this story is true… Why is the thunder running winMo 6.1?
My loyalty lies with American companies right now since it’s time to give back to this country. So, I can either go with a MOTO Q or Apple Iphone…THAT’s IT Support your country…or don’t, but make sure to at least love on Marx.
I call BS on the att battery issue since the bold is being relasesed on rogers this week or next
im begging it wonder if BGR is becoming the tech bloge of the New York Times. What next you wnat a left wing dem in the white house?
the theory that BG might be a an ATTman might hold some water but in your in the NYC area att has most of the coverage and a good chuck of people hate verizon I don’t think ninjas could get thate phone that early before bublic release unles you have somone on the inside helping you out
also Ninjitsu is the aret of stealh assins enhanced with a bit of weaponry
@Galvatron
In America we communicate using English. Im sure whatever country you’re from uses it as well. Get acquainted with it sometime.
And make no mistake. . .the iPhone was a joke just a couple of months before it was demo’d. In other words, even if this story is dead on, by the time the product is ready, it can still be great. (And to those of you that wish to say that the iPhone as released was still a joke, behold the Thunder, a physical keyboard-less Blackberry that would not exist if not for the iPhone, and even the biggest RIM fan has to admit that). So chill out.
hmmm…. two days before the iPhone is to be released. interesting timing. if all that’s said is true, I’m glad it’s coming out on VZW, because they will not release it until everything is up to snuff… and if it’s not til the end of the year so be it — by then half the people that bought the 3G iPhone will realize they’re not in AT&T’s 3G coverage area anyway! And then they will hear the rumbling of the thunda!!! Holla!
Ok so I see its the lets jump on the I hate BGR bandwagon. I love how everyone is like oh this is a fake story to raise hype for the iphone and BGR doesn’t know anything. Who is the one usually with the rim exclusives and who usually has the pictures first. People need to get there head out of their ass and loosen up.
Is it possible that your ninja has joined the force of AT&T?
BGR was just quoted on CNBC regarding this article. symbolic step i’d say!
You made CNBC!
@MRSALTY
Support your country? Isn’t all of this stuff being assembled abroad ANYWAY? It doesn’t matter where it’s designed, because odds are it’s being assembled in China or possibly Mexico. Your money is STILL going elsewhere.
My dad is a top level exec for Verizon and this phone WILL hit Verizon stores in August and you will see a flood of marketing later this month. Anyone who doubts my credibility and wants to make some sort of wager can propose this to me via email at aquemini01@aol.com and we can set something up through paypal or something. My info is 100% accurate.
@VZW Exec
Every knows this is going to Verizon. Keep up
He said it would be released in AUGUST. keep up