Okay I watched it again and again. I'm trying to find whats "bold" about it. Nothing much, and people actually call this top of the class emailing device?

Ken_Darrow

OMG... thats the most unimpressive UI I've seen. This is new?

Ken_Darrow

@georgi55: It does pretty much every thing a windows phone does not counting 3rd party software. My dash did even less then this thing does until i loaded it up with apps... now it's a total POS anyway so BBbold here i come!

LankySean

It's not bad. And some things are straight up good (like the ability to use SD cards.)

I'm not sure I'd say the video inspired me to run out and by one. (Really, why make it both as quick and as monotone as possible.) But if you want a physical keyboard, as many people seem to, then this seems like a pretty nice little blackberry.

92BuickLeSabre

not better than the iphone UI and the browser and the map application probably suck but i think its a good phone if you're a business user.

RBF05

@georgi55: Without requiring a soft reset every 10 minutes.

DomZ

So basically BB can finally do about 30% of what Windows phones have been able to do since years ago...

georgi55

@barkolounger:

The physical keyboard is THE reason that this phone is better for most heavy email users. I have a blackberry and will be getting the 3G iphone (for personal use), but the biggest complaint I hear from co-workers is that the iphone is terrible for doing any serious emailing on.

I think the iPhone is great, but until apple engineers some equivalent to a physical keyboard, don't expect RIM to go anywhere.

Secret Agent Man

@BiZarRroBALlmeR: Well, screen size doesn't really matter to me; I'd rather be able to use at least one QWERTY keyboard on a phone in my entire life...my thumbs are embarrassingly fat and I can't type on those bloody keyboards for the life of me. This one actually looks like it would be a little more comfortable for me.

Karinabob

@barkolounger: See my comment. iPhone has the hardware, but it's disabled like Verizon phones.

newgalactic

@pdditty: All the iPhone disadvantages come from software restrictions that usually don't show up on BB. A2DP, Turn-by-Turn GPS, IM, Slingbox Client, ...these are the things that usually seem to be missing on an iPhone but are available on most others. Apple is way too controlling on what they allow on their phone.

signed - happy iPhone owner since December

newgalactic

umm, iPhone does push email, syncs with Outlook, gMail, Yahoo mail, POP mail. Also pushes contacts and calendar events.
Hmmm. Also faster processor, WiFi, bluetooth, faster network (same 3G but better benchmarks- could change)
Hmmm. I guess Bold fans can still hang onto the physical keyboard.
Loyalty to the form factor will buy RIM some time but they best not sit back on thier laurels and conclude that theyve cooked up an iphone killer.

barkolounger

@twistfunk: i guess... hey you could go get a 16 gig sd card for $300 in addition to the price of this what is going to be "overpriced" phone or you could just spend that money on an iPhone that comes w/ 16 gig.. i mean im just throwing that out there.

graphx

I once had a pretty girlfriend, but she was fucking stupid.

Saying that the UI is pretty is like saying a girl has a pretty face, without acknowledging that she is fat and lacks personality.

@pdditty:
RIM still has the advantage in businesses that use Lotus Notes and Novell, but I wouldn't be surprised if Apple added Lotus/Novell support in the next few months. Besides, not nearly as many companies use those two technologies as do Microsoft Exchange, so the advantage is not that huge, but certainly would be a deal breaker for the few that do use them.

@BostonPimpDaddy: iPhone does sync with Outlook. And I wouldn't say that BB OS is faster than the iPhone's.

justinpe

- 480 x 320 screen? check
- Physical keyboard? check
- HSDPA? check
- SD card slot for essentially unlimited on-the-go storage? check
- Browser that doesn suck ass? ummm...we'll get back to you
- Phone on which people can actually hear you and you can hear them? ummm...see above
- Camera that doesn't suck? uhhhh...see above...but it will have a flash

Looks very promising...but they'll need to fill in those details...along with price, carriers, and plans. I have been waiting for android-based phones, but I don't think that I have another 6-8 months worth of patience.

scuba_steve_1

expandable memory is pretty great too.

twistfunk

How do we even know that the UI will work smoothly? What if it's slow and jerky?

Noobs-R-Us

"Where's the screen?" You'd think they'd squeeze all the screen they could on there. Some of those buttons are unnecessarily huge.

BiZarRroBALlmeR

as a mac fanboy, i have to say.. i really like this phone. i was looking for reasons to dislike it because i'm such a picky ass designer, and i couldn't. the video was well done, the phone's UI looks super slick, simplified and easy to use and if it wasn't so expensive i may have had to consider it.. but iphone 3G comes to canada in 17 days - so, yeehaw!

robot-shmobot

Canada's own Jesus phone.

M. Night's The Halfshafting

FIGHT!

Simpsons-Movie-ruled

And what does T-Mobile have in store? Oh yeah, old tech. Way to let Verizon and AT&T scoop up the good phones.

OMG! Ponies!

@pdditty: Blackberry syncs with outlook, does iPhone do that? BB camera has flash. BB OS is faster than iphone. My friend's iphone is SLOW.

BostonPimpDaddy

What's, uh, so great about this?

BaseVilliN

@spuntyb: My thoughts exactly. I'm holding out on buying a phone for this thing, least RIM could do is give us a date.

BigPapaCherry

That video didn't really show much.

OGHowie

And the best part is, it has intensely powerful autogyros that keep it completely motionless when you hold it. So powerful in fact, that you have to stand still!

I think this is a very good piece of kit, but the pointer thing for web browsing is not winning me over.

Kaiser-Machead's Chips Ahoy!

The phone looks cool but defintely not on the iPhone's level. The only thing Blackberry had going for it was push email but since the iPhone will be doing that I really dont know how the Blackberry is a better phone than the iPhone. The only thing I can come up with is a real keyboard.

pdditty

i would rather have a release date instead of this unhelpful video.

spuntyb

@gelatinous:

Apparently, there are alot of crickets chirping on this thread. HA HA HA

yoshi

not really impressed by the UI like the look of the phone though.

graphx

C'mon fanboys let's hear some reasons why this phone pales in comparison to the almightly iPhone...

gelatinous

@Ken_Darrow: So your saying that I have to install a 3rd party app to get a better UI? Apple's pride shouldn't allow this.

newgalactic

I like my iPhone, but I'm not going to remain quiet about what I don't like about it. I dislike it when I hear about how great the iPhone's UI is when it takes me so many actions to make a call on it. It takes on average 6 actions (press, slide, press, scroll, press, press) to make a call from Contacts. Most phones I've owned usually have taken less. The problem is, the iPhone is usually in sleep mode when you try to make a call and it takes a Press, Slide to awaken it. It then takes a Press to open the Phone app, a Press or Scroll to find the contact you are looking for, and a Press, Press to access the number and make a call. Apple could fix this if they made a hot key from Sleep that opened the Contacts section.

Most people mistake flashy UI for actually efficient UI. That's why Sex and the City poked fun at the iPhone's "excellent" UI by having Sarah JP picking a non-apple phone to make an important call. iPhone is currently set up with all apps being treated equil, requiring a standard number of actions to open any app. However, this should be configurable to allow certain hot-keys to favor one app over another. I like how I can open the iPod portion with a double-click of the home button. But there should also be some sort of double-action to open the Contacts section (my other widely used app on my PHONE).

newgalactic

Tap phone, favorites, name, done.

Ken_Darrow

@Ken_Darrow: How many actions does it take to make a call from Contacts with an iPhone? ...it's UI can use a little work (and not more "flair").

newgalactic

i have to say, i like that you can do whatever you want to your BB without having to employ a tactic with the words 'jail' or 'break' in it.

i'm likely still going to get an iphone next month (thankfully, as a gift), but i don't like that i will not be able to edit documents, cut and paste, use java/flash with the browser, or tether out of the box. if not for the ipod, the iphone would reign supreme as the gimpiest cupertino gadget ever.

spuntyb

This may make me finally trash my T-Mo Dash

Cordfucious the Black

Be BOLD...get an iPhone!

clearbox

iPhone is #1 on my list. Blackberry #2. It's not that I don't like the Blackberry anymore... I do. Just not as much as my iPhone though!

clearbox

I read that MMS is old outdated technology, and the rich HTML email where you can embed high resolution images was more modern? No extra charge sending these right? :-)

Ken_Darrow

You know I'll be the first to admit that the iPhone is a pretty sweet phone, but seriously, I don't think you can sit here and compare this phone (Bold) with the iPhone. They're two totally different types of phones. Now if you wanna compare it to a Palm or Motorola Q, for example, that would be comparing apples to apples. I'd say once the Thunder comes out, (I believe that's the name of the touch screen RIM phone coming out) then you could sit down and say how much better one is over the other. Just my opinion.

metaluna21

@newgalactic: oh you forgot tethering and MMS you know the two things that every peice of crap phone on the market can do, except for those made by apple.

jeepingeek

The entire video looks like computer animation - I wouldn't go by this video if you are trying to get a feel for the speed/responsiveness of this new phone.

I personally have a Pearl and for the most part, absolutely love it. This new Bold looks cool, but also looks way too big of a phone - definitely not something that I would be interested in.

Hazdaz

THAT THING IS FRIGGIN HUGE!

Stacky Botrus

LOL... whats wrong with you. Thats the idea of favorites, it's not to duplicate your list contact list.

The slide function is a non issue. You do enable lock on your other phones don't you? All phones have a lock feature so that it doesn't call Sibera by accident. Duh.

Ken_Darrow

@Ken_Darrow: ...and you model doesn't address a phone in Sleep. That's another two actions (press, slide).

newgalactic

@Ken_Darrow: My mistake, I thought Tap phone was a 3rd party app.

So your saying that all my calls are in Favorites? What about my Aunt, Step-brother, boss, ...

If I put all those people in Favorites, then I just have a duplicated Contacts list.

newgalactic

@Ken_Darrow:

word, an action is an action! whether it's a click, slide, push etc. that's what I hate about my iPhone too, but it's still sexy.

Faslane

Faslane66

I like how the web page he brought up INSTANTLY appeared, as if were actually THAT fast. LOL, still sexy though, nice KIT!

Faslane

Faslane66

Nokia 5160 FTW!!! just kidding...

Motorola Vertical Brick phone FTW!!!!

Faslane

Faslane66

@Ken_Darrow:

Engadget that way -------->

kumuasata

@Ken_Darrow:

Hmm making a call from my BB Curve...hmm lets see how many steps to call Bob..

1) Press anything (wakee wakee BB)
2) B
3) o ...oh there he is...Send

Sorry guys, I've used JUST about every phone OS on the block. Iphone OSX, Symbian, BB, WiMo, you name it..But the Blackberry OS is by far the most responsive and accurate at actually GETTING THINGS DONE.

I'd prefer to have a brunette with an IQ, over a sexy blond anyday. The BB OS may not do everything perfect, but 99% of the stuff people ACTUALLY need a phone for, and use regularly, it does extremely well.

Tell the truth guys, and most I know openly admit it, after awhile all of the WOHOO ANIMATIONS! Slider! Slider! Slider! wears off, and you just use it as a phone.

I have an idea GIZ GANG! Let's have a good old fashion smackdown, pitting the best against the best. Get yourself 1 maybe 2 Pro users of each type of device (Blackberry, IPhone, even throw WiMo in there), and we can have a nice list of commonly user features. Let real users handle the tasks, and score it on speed, reliability, and functionality. We can put some of these arguments to rest.

I would put good money on there not being a Iphone user alive, that could crank out say 10 emails, to 10 dif people, 10 IMs on any tool of choice, and make 10 phonecalls, faster than a above average BB user. That is what Blackberries are built for, not IPhones.

helfrez

@BostonPimpDaddy: What is outlook?

Inepsa

Blackberry will still be the choice for companies because of real-time email redirection. The iPhone may now have push mail (using Microsoft ActiveSync), but it's not real-time. Also, corporations will stick with Blackberry because they can control all device settings on an extremely granular level. This may not appeal to the mass consumer, but for companies this is a very important feature.

On a personal level, the feature I love the most about my Curve is the voice dialing. You don't have to record any names like with other phones. As long as the contact's name is in your address book, you just have to say, "John Doe mobile" and the Blackberry will call it.

seizure

For godsake, I dont believe you people. I've got the biggest hands of anyone I know and I can type on the iPhone faster than I can on a plastic phone keyboard.

Of all the sweet features that the iPhone has to offer, you still pit its UI against something as archaic as this Bold thing's UI (which is laughably archaic).

Yes, I wish that I had shorter cuts to instantly make a call to a particular number, but that by no means makes the SweetyPie iPhone inept.

If you feel the need to roll your eyeballs up into the back of your head as you type on your little plastic keys, then, by all means, indulge yourselves.

smayton

"I'm sending you the login password you requested"

?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!??!!?

No wonder enterprises can't keep their data secure...

AJ_Syrinx

Personally, I'd own an iPhone.
Professionally, I'd own the BB Bold.

But my company pays for my phone.. unlimitted everything. And they have a deal with Verizon. So, I can get this when it comes out at no cost and/or pay $200 for an iPhone and an exclusive 2 year contract. Free.... $200 + contract... free... $200 + contract.

No need for a bat phone yet so it looks like I just got me this bad boy.

N@tedog

@helfrez: I second the Battle-modo there. I have not had my Curve for too long but it is speedier than the tilt I had since it came out. My wife's iPhone is nice just not my thing too pretty. Although the WiFi is excellent, just need to upgrade to the Bold now for that WiFi.

ThatsMrOffDutyNinja

Oh, and another thing, the Blackberry can't even do HTML mail while the iPhone does.

diesel828

Wow, half you people don't have a brain! Apparently, and you're all propagating this, the iPhone is the benchmark -- the standard to which all phones must be compared... because that's all this boils down to. There is a post about the Bold, then suddenly half you monkeys start comparing it to the iPhone. Congratulations, all... you've proven nothing except that the two really shouldn't be compared because it's all apples and oranges. I own a Blackberry Curve, and for the record, when I had the iPhone I could type just as quickly on it, if not faster, than a physical keyboard. Pretty soon, the only thing Blackberry has going for it (push e-mail) is going to be outdone and a standard on a lot of phones.

diesel828

As far as some of the comments go about Exchange and push e-mail. People always seem to consider Exchange ActiveSync and Blackberry Enterprise Server equals when talking about push e-mail. While they do provide similar functionality and performance as far as delivering e-mail, BES blows ActiveSync away as far as managing devices and the granular policies you can apply to users and devices. Which is why most enterprises will be still with BES and BB devices for some time.

kirby822

The Blackberry's strengths have to do with having a very straightforward OS that is efficient and fast to use (creams Windows mobile, s60, etc) and most importantly that the push e-mail works very quickly (read instantaneously). It is weak in the spell check department, general flexibility, multi-media and browsing. You just have to pick your primary interests and go with those.

p.s. I hate to break it to you but having an iphone is no longer cool no matter what Steve says - now that everyone has them, it is just....boring (yawn)

symbiano

@spuntyb: After July 11, those words won't matter anymore. And to be frank, I'd jailbreak my phone any day if the alternative is to use a BB. To be fair, I use both because my work mandates the BB, but I still prefer my iPhone at the end of the day.

ryan1524

The screen is NOT large. It's as big as ANY other phone that needs to share its front-space with keyboards. As for the UI being pretty, sure the icons are nicer. But the way things work are the same as any previous BB. It's just a new skin over old stuff.

I admit the BB email app is pretty nice, but for everything else, I'd rather stick with my iPhone. And considering all the trade-offs, I think I'll 'suffer' my perfectly fine iPhone mail client. ;)

ryan1524

Why does everyone bust on Palm for consistently using the same old Palm OS, but Blackberry does absolutely nothing over the years and everyone out there cant keep it in their pants? Come on, RIM has added multimedia support and RAM (not nearly enough) and you guys lust after this phone like the hot chick that sat next to you in spanish class in high school. I am a Curve user and I like the device cause it gets the job done, but it certainly isnt impressive. This device has a nice screen, same old OS, probably not enough RAM to run fast enough for my liking and a big price tag. Rush out sheeple and get one fast before they sell out!

bcwebgcwek

OK here is why Blackberry is better than the Iphone:
BBM (Blackberry messenger). Get with it guys. All the important people are on it, and corporations use it as well. Iphone is bulky and unnecessary.

tsunamisurf

@jeepingeek:"oh you forgot tethering and MMS you know the two things that every peice of crap phone on the market can do, except for those made by apple."

I think "piece of crap" speaks for itself.

toddgarvin

@helfrez:

they will never agree to it!! the same people who ran from winmo to iphone because of the crappy mail experience now say that it will pwn blackberry in the corporate world using the same shitty fetch email protocol that winmo uses. activesync.

for those who will opt to have all ur email delivered as it hits your server will forever have your device tethered to a power source MUAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAA!!!!!

bold to the world!!!

keysereble

@diesel828:

oh and another thing... the iphone doesnt do content/HD encryption, or corporate IM (BB IM or OC).

hmmm...

keysereble

def a more attractive ui than the current.

eddiearias