Give me a slide-out keyboard and I'm all over it.

stinkyboy

Unless the four icons on the front screen are touch sensitive, I count 8 buttons in that pic alone.

CntryDoe

it's time to replace the guy/girl responsible for naming these things. bring back whoever came up w/ pearl and curve

Weihovah

@justinpe:

I thought business users hated touch screens?

This is for 'business users' that do not actually use their device for anything but showing off to other business users. Which, as it turns out, is just about all of them.

(What? You didn't think people actually used their phone to get work done, did you?)

Monty

@LA_Longhorn: think about it this way, sprint is the last on the carriers list...what did you expect? first dibs on cool phones? lol poor guy

carmen89

I'm sticking with my HTC Wizard until something exactly like this comes out, with an actual, full qwerty keyboard

Daniel Voegelin

Can we expect this in any time frame that would make it relevant, or is this a mid 2045 release date?

@LA_Longhorn: No, it was time to jump ship two years ago. Now your outta life-vests.

Darrone

4 keys?! damn, they cluttered that thing up.

robotleawesome

I thought business users hated touch screens?

justinpe

I have a friend who works at t-mobile, and we are very close so he always tells me about his meetings,lol. He told me that his team leader said that a blackberry touch is coming to t-mobile, so i don't think it's just going to be for verizon

carmen89

Damn it! I've got Sprint, and they're always the last to get the new tech. I guess it's time to jump ship.

LA_Longhorn

Saying Touchscreens are better is an opinion.

The comfort of a tactile physical keyboard will be here for a while until we no longer need to carry a physical celluar device at all anymore.

Even that people will have doubts of its practicality.

I'm even thinking of swabbing my iPhone for that Blackberry BOLD, COLD, 9000 whatever it is.

Kraftwerker

@LA_Longhorn:

Sprint will be gone in under 2 years. Might want to jump ship now.

Stacky Botrus

@Grifter:

I can type pretty damn fast on my iPhone (about 40-50 words per minute), and I do not compose a lot of long emails. My BB buddies are about the same, one is a little faster than me at about 60 WPM.

Also, you're right, you can't send files directly from the sender to recipient on the iPhone, YET (with the exception of photos). However, you can forward emails and attachments that are sent to you. Besides, I couldn't imagine writing up long proposals or presentations on such a tiny screen with such tiny keys. That is why we have laptops. The only real-world use for such functionality would be to make minor changes to documents that are sent to you and then forwarding them on.

Just wait for the SDK, man. I have a strong feeling that most of your concerns will be addressed as far as business functionality.

justinpe

@ANoel: lol we can do that!

carmen89

@OG512: Tobias Funke (from Arrested Development) - don't hate, there are literally 10s of Never Nudes out there!

rbf2000

gotta love that pic with the man in the red jock!

OG512

Things with edges are easier to hold onto. Why do these all have to have rounded corners?

James

Touch screens are only difficult to use when they're poorly designed.

Most touch screens use resistive sensors, which require more pressure than the touch capacitors on the iPhone.

Even worse, most touch screen devices still rely on the old "Window/Icon/Menu/Pointer" model of the '80s (and of Windows and Mac OS), which is completely inappropriate for a small handheld device.

There's a big difference between a device that stresses usability and a "beautiful touchscreen." As usual, the writer is making the mistake of assuming that just because good design is one of Apple's features, that aesthetics are what make the iPhone a good product.

If a touchscreen Blackberry is well designed and truly usable, it will succeed. If it's just pretty, but difficult to use, it won't.

permissionmag

@Weihovah:

for @carmen89, the Tokyo Rose of Techno, let's rename it the "Hola Chola".

ANoel

@Monty:

Never understood how a touchscreen can be so awesome for personal things like photos, internet, email, SMS, games, music, videos, maps, calendars, but it is impossible to use for business purposes.

At least that is what I've heard from a lot of blackberry users who, btw, typically use their BB exclusively for replying to emails and talking on the phone.

justinpe

BOOOOOOOOOOO! No actually business people want a product you can type fast on (this remains to be seen on this device) and allow the user to send files to clients directly from the user to the recieptiant which you cannot do with an iphone.

That would be hilarious if a full virtual keyboard would fly out the side (chuckle).

[www.virtual-laser-keyboard.com]

Grifter

Its about time Verizon and Vodafone are working together.

I just don't see why Vodafone can't get some phone manufactuers to throw a cdma chip in there phones so they and Verizon could get the same equipment.

It'll be nice to see how the Vodafone and Verizon phones will be different since they will be the exact same phones minus Verizons little UI.

I just wonder what the BS excuse will be when you bring a Vodafone branded one in a verizon store and ask can they connect it to the network since they will infact be the same phone.

utube2007

@Kraftwerker: Why swab your phone? Is it a suspect?

DestroyerMTL

@Weihovah: I dunno, Pearl and Curve still sound like tampons to me...or women's razors.

kalashnikov

I don't know if I can manage without a keyboard but I'm becoming more and more convinced by the Blackberry platform. It'll be interesting to see if they can retain enough of the core Blackberry experience in this device while adding some iPhone sexiness.

@Monty: I don't know anyone who shows off their Blackberry - gawdawful ugly devices, for the most part. But they do have them constantly out, typing away. It's all business with the Blackberry.

weatherman

@Stacky Botrus: he can always have someone call in and tell sprint they died,lol.

carmen89

Nice mockup

oopl

Finally my loyalty to the big V is paying off with a phone that hasn't been out on someone elses network for a year!

jeepingeek

It looks like someone took an iPhone and Photoshopped it.

yoshi

@justinpe:
"Besides, I couldn't imagine writing up long proposals or presentations on such a tiny screen with such tiny keys. That is why we have laptops."

Tell that to the millions of BB users who do exactly that

mobilehavoc

@mobilehavoc:

I suppose that BB users will now argue that their tactile QWERTY keyboards are better than those found on laptops and other computers?

justinpe

@utube2007:

"Its about time Verizon and Vodafone are working together.

uh, dude, they're the same company, pretty much.

doofusgumby

@mobilehavoc:

Apparently I just did. It is kind of hard to communicate with retards though. Anyone who types up a long proposal or presentation on a BB is a retard. I guess there could be a few exceptions like the people who forgot their laptop at home and have to finish something up on the train or someone who is never around a computer, ever.

justinpe

@Sleeper_Service:

The thing about iPhone is that it hasn't even been out for a year now. I'd like to see where RIM was back in 1996 as far as the number of devices they offered (2), both the same smart pager working on AM Mobile Data wireless network and another that was compatible with Ardis Co.'s wireless network.

Weird that it has taken RIM so long to come out with all these options you speak of (over 12 years), and two aren't even available yet, with the Thunder's release in the distant future. So, yeah, I guess if you want a touchscreen you can pick up a new iPhone now.

justinpe

mmm pretty...

And props for the Arrested Development picture!

MrPyro321

@junk:

That's the point I was trying to make. millions of BB users do not compose long presentations or any other lengthy documents on their phone, unless they absolutely have to when no other options are available. They are mainly used for email, and making minor to moderate changes to documents. Most people can wait till they get back to the office to type up something that will require a lot of time to compose.

justinpe

@justinpe: Not better, but pretty damn good. Anything longer than the screen though, I usually wait 'til I'm at a computer. I don't like not being able to see my whole message. Not being able to see all the info I'm replying to can also cause problems.

junk

The thing about BB is that you have choice - want a keyboard? Sure, get a Bold. Want a touchscreen? Get a Thunder. Want a small form version? Get a Pearl.

The iPhone gives you a choice of... uh... the iPhone.

As for composing long documents on a BB, no one does that. Long e-mails now...

Sleeper_Service

@carmen89: Well, I work for Verizon's advertising agency and I can tell you that they are exclusive to Verizon at this point or we will be redoing 2 months of strategic planning billable hours.

N@tedog

@justinpe:

So they're producing them now. Market conditions didn't make it appropriate before. RIM don't stand still which is why they've moved towards more individual subscriptions - one half of new subscriptions last quarter were individual rather than corporate as opposed to their overall portfolio ratio of one third private/two thirds corporate - and 3G units to crack the European market.

*shrugs*

People who want a touchscreen can pick up an iPhone if they wish, however Apple will need to convince businesses that it's a serious contender. Until we see what v2.0 is capable of the jury is still out.

Oh and the small form factor is available. It's called the Pearl. As for 'distant' futre for the Thunder, we'll see.

Sleeper_Service

It will be interesting to see how well this stands up to the iphone. Hopefully the OS will be designed to make sense with a touch screen. I would be afraid of RIM just tweaking the current/new OS 4.6 on the Bold to be touch capable. This is going to be an interesting battle royale between RIM and Apple and At&t and Verizon.

holvey

permissionmag pretty much has it right. We can bicker all we like about how well business users can supplement their laptops with tiny phones with only two digits rather than the full arsenal to type up long documents (damn masochists), but if this thing has a crappy virtual keyboard a la WinMobile, as seen on the HTC touch, it will just plain suck.

But seriously though, why in the name of Buddha's scrotum would anyone want to compose a long document on a phone anyway? Gluttons for punishment deserve no pity. I want to put peanut butter under your keys and coat each key with that sticky brown goo you see in roach motels.

Kaiser-Machead

@justinpe: no Mac fanboys

flyboy

Or, for those who are fans of the 1970's blaxploitation genre:

He's the hit man out to hit the Man. He's got a thick black hide, and a big black ride.
He's cool with the ladies and hot with his gun.

He's Black Barry Thunder, Private Eye.

coming to a theater in your 'hood.

ps61318

And I am officially taking the low road today:

I ate a quart of blackberries the other day. They were delicious, but I developed quite the case of BlackBerry Thunder afterward.

ps61318

"Ka-chigga! Ka-chigga! Say it with me now... ka-chigga, chigga, chigga!"

macserv

@Kaiser-Machead: ...in the name of Buddha's scrotum?????????

That is incomparable, dear sir. I never even imagined that Buddha might HAVE a scrotum, much less invoke it. That's awesome.

Oh, and does it even have a name?

ps61318

Touchscreen? We are so over, RIM. I don't care if it's been ten years. I'm going to the bar, and I want you out by the time I get home.

kexline

@flyboy:

Weird how Apple haters flock to every post Giz has on the iPhone or anything Apple related.

Not really hating on this thing anyway. Seems like a good idea. Also, just pointing out that the Thunder will be a consumer device considering it is a touch screen. Touch screen phones are merely toys that are only good for watching videos, listening to music, checking email and playing games. Just sayin....

justinpe

@rbf2000:True that. I don't know how this fits in with Gizmodo's commenting policy, but this is quite a long thread, so maybe no one will even see it.
[img216.imageshack.us]
Me, Halloween 2006.

itchytooth

@justinpe: iHave iGot iTo iAdmit iYou iHave iA iPoint

flyboy

@ps61318: Lotus Teabag?

Kaiser-Machead

@Sleeper_Service:

Not trying to dis RIM here, but they do have a tough and unpredictable road ahead of them, as does Apple or any other device manufacturer looking to compete for a slice of the business market.

RIM is obviously a leader in the industry, and they got to where they are now for several good reasons. A touch screen device was not one of them, and by judging from the opinion's of BB users, this thing will not appeal to their hard-core fan base at all, and will ultimately flop.

I've been listening to BB fanboys for a year now talk about how much my iPhone sucks (including friends and coworkers). They say that it sucks because it has a touchscreen and is hard to type on (without even trying it, btw). Now, all of a sudden, touch screens are the wave of the future because RIM is developing one?

justinpe

There is no doubt that RIM is taking a chance by making a touchscreen device. And if it flops, eh...

Blackberry will survive because they have a series of products that are successful and they can go after new markets with increased revenue. Isn't that what Apple has done with the Iphone anyway? There is also discussion of a hybrid Blackberry touchscreen/physical keyboard combo device on the crackberry.com forums.

Blackberry has release about 14 different handsets to date (not including subcategories like (8300,8310,8320)) There is a natural evolution in product design to improve upon the previous "new best thing", and RIM would be crazy to NOT try their hand at a touchscreen device. Whether or not it is better or worse than the iphone? We'll just have to see when this is released.

holvey

@flyboy:

I shouldn't have been so "Bold" trying to steal Blackberry's "Thunder"

justinpe

@holvey:

Agreed. RIM will either have to go after a different demographic with this thing, or convince business users that touch-screen phones have a place in business. Maybe Apple will do that for them with iPhone 2.0?

justinpe

@justinpe:

I think you're missing the main point: BB are building a touchscreen model because there is a market segment who wan them. However, unlike Apple, it's not the only model they offer.

Eggs, basket, etc.

Sleeper_Service

@justinpe:

That is a little bit of a double standard though, I believe that RIM is making this device to attract social users and not business users. I believe that is the right way of going about expanding your user base. Apple on the other hand made this device that is great for the social user. Now by adding push email and SDK, it is the perfect device for business? Not by a long shot. My previous employer is still distributing old 72xx blackberries because they still work. Companies are frugal especially as the economy heads toward recession. To me this hurts apple right now going into the business sector.

Apple has always tried to tell the customer what they want, and they have their hits and misses. Ipod was a hit obviously. So far the Macbook air has been a miss. I give apple props for taking the chances they take, but at the same time, until the Iphone is a proven platform for business, RIM's defections will be at a minimum.

holvey

Sprint might be gone in two years.. but why jump ship? They still have a good network. Good data speeds and cooler phones coming out in June July.. With the Instinct and others.

And even if Sprint DOES go under it will just be bought out by either.

1. Deutch Telcomm
2. SK Communications
3. Comcast ( which would be really cool )

BenG9810

T-mobile most likely to buy out Sprint. Writing is on the wall...

[www.electronista.com]

Grifter

Everyone saying this phone is going after a different demographic than BB's typical business users is correct. Just like the Pearl attracted non-business users, this might attract people who just want a shiny toy.

And anyone saying "Who's retarded enough to type a long presentation on a PHONE?! lollol!" obviously never looked at themselves or their friends 'navigating' the web on their iPhone. Pinching and squinting then repinching... Yes, it's such a joy to view google maps and youtube on a 3 inch screen.

The problem I have with touchscreens is the sensitivity is never effective. Sony had a touchscreen phone/PDA out in about 2003 that you literally had to take a hammer to the screen to type a number. Then the iPhone is so sensitive that it registers keystrokes when I barely graze the screen going from one letter to the next. I'll take my physical keyboard over that mess any day. If I had it my way, I'd have BB functionality with a Palm-type keyboard and touchscreen hybrid. The trackball is annoying.

coketown

Touchscreens that aren't connected to ATM's are designed by people that hate one handed people. Death to you.

Justinpe, give it up, are you Jobs or Woz?

Synik103

I actually think that Business users ARE hoping for a touchscreen device, as long as it works well. When the RAZR came out, it was the early adopters, or rich business types that paid the 700+ for the phone, just to have it as status. The iPhone would have done the same, but since everyone has it, it can't really have uber-cool status (which is really defined only by prevalance.) If there was a touchscreen Blackberry, those early adopters would jump on it real fast. And if it worked well for the biz user, they'd sell a whole lot more than you think.

clj41

@Synik103:

I can't believe Apple would be so stupid as to exclude the huge number of one-handed-people that use smart phones. Huge market there. BTW, I can use my iPhone with one hand pretty easily. Better than aBB anyway.

@coketown:

I would rather browse the web on 3.5" iPhone screen than a tiny BB screen. And, most iPhone owners find it quite enjoyable. More so than typing a long presentation on a BB screen for sure.

justinpe

@Sleeper_Service:

I think you're missing MY point. I said that RIM will have to go after a different demographic or convince business users that a touch screen phone has a place in business, which, according to its current customers, it doesn't.

I guess I don't understand your blathering about Apple only offering one model phone. It is true that they only offer one model, but they are not exclusively a phone company. They also have eggs in other baskets including iPods and Macs. Besides, they have only been in the phone market for less than a year.

How many devices did RIM have after the first year of their Smart Pager launching? (One). How many iPods did Apple offer one year after its launch (One). Now just look at how diverse the selection is for both companies. Give it time dude.

You talk about RIM offering all of these choices for consumers, but at this point you really don't have many. In the future, you might have the option for a touch screen BB, but right now, you basically have to decide what size your keyboard will be and how big the device will be.

justinpe