BlackBerry Bold / BlackBerry Thunder release information
First things first… how did you like our BlackBerry Bold review? If that just made you crave the device more, you might not be too pleased with the latest info we got. We’ve been told that the Bold might have been pushed back yet again. What’s the whispered launch month now? September for a lot of carriers. That’s not to say it couldn’t launch sooner on a couple carriers, but that’s what we were told. It looks like there are still some problems with the radio code that have to do with network roaming, searching, etc. The Bold software has not even gone GM3 yet, and with weekly builds still coming out, there’s nothing to be shipped at this point in time. The hardware side is done, but as usual, these units are waiting for the final flash to start FedExing. Now, what about the BlackBerry Thunder? We’ve held on to this information for a bit, but now that we’ve confirmed it with 2 independent sources, we’re ready to run with it. Here are the most confirmed Thunder dates: a huge marketing push in the U.S. starting in September, and device release in mid-October on Verizon. We said November because we were betting on a couple week delay which, knowing RIM, certainly wouldn’t be out of the question. But, we’re told RIM is fully active in doing everything they can to get the Thunder launch-ready, even putting it above the Bold in terms of prioritizing.
Tags: blackberry bold, blackberry thunder, delayed, exclusive, launch
Grr. I want the bold!! My curve is falling apart but I really want the 3g version! And no since in getting a brand new curve if the bold is just around the corner. Annoyed with RIM they said it would be out this summer not the fall!
Permalink | Reply
if your gonna edit a picture atleast make sure you dont screw it up and have edges hanging over the screen of the phone. how annoying
Permalink | Reply
@moni, it depends on the phone and the spouse.
Permalink | Reply
Damn I figured after the Bold review it would be iffy and now it has been pretty much confirmed by what I heard too on the push back. KILLIN’ ME!!!
Forget the Thunder and I agree that the Bold should be priority, ppl have AT&T for phones and decent service and Verizon for the better service, not so much phones…they can wait a lil’ longer… :’(
Permalink | Reply
*sigh* I’m so thoroughly disappointed if this is true. We have nothing to look forward to in the near future. No Bold and the Thunder is only for stupid Verizon. I’m getting really tempted to move to the iPhone. RIM is annoying me. 4.5 has been delayed for several months, now the same goes for the Bold. Ridiculous!
Permalink | Reply
As far as the information I have received launch is not delayed in the country of origin…07-29 is still a go.
Permalink | Reply
BB server’s won’t crash worse than Itunes/iPhone, why? Because NO WAY is BB selling anywhere close to 1 million in its opening weekend. They’ll be lucky to hit 100,000 in the first weekend.
Permalink | Reply
Seems to me this is all software related. Maybe RIM should have forgone the myriad versions of 4.5/4.6/4.7 and just focused all their resources on getting 5.0 out for all new devices this year.
I can completely believe this rumor, with AT&T. Remember how frigging long they took to get the 8310 out the door last year? I think they kept pushing back the release date, eventually up to 3 months.
Finally, I think this is a bigger loss for AT&T than RIM. Now, AT&T will have the Bold competing with the Verizon’s Thunder, instead of being the only new RIM game in town.
Permalink | Reply
Yeah, I’m one of those iPhone/Thunder fence-sitters. If the Thunder isn’t competitive with the iPhone, I’m gonna be bummed out.
The Bold looks nice, but I just can’t see myself watching movies and browsing the web on that, no matter how sharp the resolution.
Permalink | Reply
Ugh BG…this post fails to bring some real info on the Bold, the thunder/storm maybe..but the Bold info..what’s up with that? How abt some more info on what carriers will be getting it?..are the issues still revolving arnd AT&T?..is Rogers July 25th date squashed?..if not will the Rogers device be a substandard version, that will just end up in some warranty exchange box?..come on..give us some real info here..normally your posts will answer questions, this one just leaves the door open for a tonne of other questions.
Permalink | Reply
Any word on if the BlackBerry Thunder (or Storm) will be coming to T-Mobile?
Permalink | Reply
Consumers didn’t purchase 1 million iPhones on opening weekend either - that’s how many were sold to the retail stores like AT&T and the like. 425,000 units were sold. That’s a lot of phones no doubt, but Jobs misrepresented the numbers - like all manufacturers do I’m sure.
Permalink | Reply
I am saving up for the Thunder -
Permalink | Reply
I have to give it up to Apple on this one. No official announcement for months, even though rumors of the iPhone 3G were flying everywhere. And when they do announce, they give a release date and hold to it. How long as the Bold been on Blackberry’s site now? Still no official release date announcement? This is getting ridiculous.
Permalink | Reply
From what I have read on tmonews.com the bold is coming to tmo in september. Hopefully they will stay true to their 3g launch of october as well.
I am not sure I understand your frustrations with the delay regarding the bold. What further complexes me is how you can even look at the iphone if you have a curve currently. Its like taking a step back in technology just to have a cool touchscreen but now foregoing everything else.
I currently have a E61i, ever since I heard about the E71 but I am in no rush. I have no upgrade to worry about, just waiting for the right bands to show up so I can utilize the 3g on tmo
You and I both know that the Bold and Thunder will kick ass…just look where RIM has already gone…why do you believe they will disappoint?
Permalink | Reply
When did you rebel against paragraphs, BGR? Hehe… Blackberry Thunder Forum at http://mobileroar.com/forum/blackberry-thunder
Permalink | Reply
For the last time, the Thunder is a hybrid CDMA (North American bands)/HSDPA (Euro bands) handset that is exclusive to Verizon in the US, Vodafone in their operating countries, and most probably Bell in Canada.
Any carrier launching the Bold will not be getting the Thunder, and vice versa.
Permalink | Reply
HEY, I have an idea! Let’s get a pool going as to how many different models of Blackberry RIM can churn out. I say 100. What do you say?
Permalink | Reply
Clearly you are new here, you may want to do your research before posting something like that. BGR has an excellent track record for accuracy and is right about 95% of the time on their info.
Permalink | Reply
@sadude
TMO Germany still has it listed as July release.
@snowkarver
You mean to say the Evil Empire TELUS might not get the Thunder.
I wonder if they brand it again a World Edition or some stupid thing.
They should get rid of CDMA and just focus on the wider available GSM System.
Permalink | Reply
I don’t get it, your last post where people were you claimed people and giz were calling out “the kid” you said that it was on target for a November release and that it wasn’t delayed. Now you are saying it is an October release but delayed until November…ugh very reliable.
Permalink | Reply
Where are those fabulous sources you keep prominsing me????? Great Job BG.
Scot
Permalink | Reply
The Thunder is a CDMA phone and Verizon has a Lifetime exclusive. Neither sprint nor AT&T will be getting it at all unless sales are way below expected.
Permalink | Reply
Im furious I have to wait longer for the bold. The only thing that’s stopping from getting an iphone instead is tha
Permalink | Reply
Im furious I have to wait longer for the bold. The only thing that’s stopping from getting an iphone instead is that I’ve read Apple never fixed the phone quality and it’s actaully a crappy phone still. Damn RIM!
Permalink | Reply