BlackBerry touchscreen phone to be dubbed 'Thunder'

The industrious Boy Genius has apparently unearthed more juicy tidbits about that rumored BlackBerry touchscreen device. Word from BG is that the new iPhone-ish handset is now internally dubbed the "Thunder," and will come to Verizon and Vodafone as an exclusive device. The phone will reportedly have four physical keys (send, end, menu, and back), sport a hybrid CDMA EV-DO Rev. C / GSM HSPA radio, and could come equipped with a 4G LTE component. Outside Waterloo's labs, the device could be known as the BlackBerry 9500 -- though it's possible that designation could change. BGR has included a self-made mockup (above) of what the device may look like, but as of now, no one has laid eyes on this mythical creature.

[cg006 @ May 13th 2008 1:18PM]

If the real thing looks close to this mock-up it looks awesome... too bad verizon is getting dibbs on it first :(

Sucx alot cause now its 3g iphone or BB900 or (wait a few months)BB9500

[yuppicide @ May 13th 2008 12:49PM]

I have the LG Voyager, but this looks very interesting because I'd like something with a better web browser.

[adam @ May 13th 2008 1:27PM]

yah sure you like your voyager, but you just always wished it had frickin capacitive touch. and that it could play with bluetooth like a real phone. ultimate sadness

[yuppicide @ May 13th 2008 2:04PM]

What do you mean "play with bluetooth like a real phone"? My bluetooth works great. So does my friends LG Venus.

As for the touch screen it's just fine and good enough. I just wish I could play flash games on it (without replacing other programs) and download games from people besides Verizon. There's a crapload of games I'd buy but they're not available. Even games listed on their website sometimes aren't available.

[Flashpoint @ May 13th 2008 12:48PM]

NOTE TO APPLE:

Its OVER.

sincerely:
Verizon Wireless.

[Jonathan Keim @ May 13th 2008 12:51PM]

haha, you won't have the slick interface or easy to download/transfer movies and music... until I actually see the device, my vote stays with iPhone

[w00t @ May 13th 2008 12:56PM]

Based on what?
A rumor and unofficial mockup of what the device *might* look like?

What about what it really looks like? The software? And here's the most important one, What it's actually like to use and live with...

It's far from over, if anything it's only just begun!

[rock99rock @ May 13th 2008 12:56PM]

I wouldn't say "It's over" just yet. Verizon will probably cripple the bluetooth as much as the iphone.

Shame to see this going exclusively to verizon.

[Reid @ May 13th 2008 1:14PM]

Note to Verizon:

I'm tired of your crap network dropping my phone and (especially) data calls as soon as peak hours hit. I'm tired of your junk phones, ridiculous restrictions, sky-high rates, and terrible customer service.

It's over.

[tom @ May 13th 2008 1:41PM]

*drooooooooooooool* yes baby!

[haX0r @ May 13th 2008 2:56PM]

Ownage with that comment Flashpoint!

[Chris Macdonald @ May 13th 2008 4:32PM]

it only has a chance if it's multi touch

[Sean @ May 13th 2008 8:35PM]

This sounds very hard to believe verizon has came out with every other blackberry in memory many months after the gsm crowd now blackberry comes out with this and it goes to verizon first? I just left verizon because of this and if this is true im gona smack my head on the wall and LTE? wernt they saying not till like 2011?

[Sean @ May 13th 2008 8:35PM]

This sounds very hard to believe verizon has came out with every other blackberry in memory many months after the gsm crowd now blackberry comes out with this and it goes to verizon first? I just left verizon because of this and if this is true im gona smack my head on the wall and LTE? wernt they saying not till like 2011?

[tmobileguy25 @ May 18th 2008 12:25AM]

Iphone is trash bb inerface rocks i hope the fixed the memory issue though

[Flashpoint @ May 13th 2008 12:51PM]

Now I'm feeling stupid for leaving my Blackberry 7290 to get an 8GB iPhone (which I unlocked personally).

I am NOT going to Verizon Wireless, but I'll get a Thunder when it hits the GSM market (and gets unlocked). I'm stuck using my current SIM card because my business pays for unlimited calls and data.

[aaron @ May 13th 2008 3:17PM]

According to a certain "other" website...This is a LIFETIME exclusive to Verizon, hence no GSM.

[Phoenix @ May 13th 2008 5:50PM]

The article says it's packin' both...

[Taylor @ May 13th 2008 12:55PM]

pffft...I don't know about everyone else but as long as it's a verizon device I don't see it beating the iPhone

[Rick @ May 13th 2008 1:59PM]

Well, don't forget it's NOT a Verizon device, much like the iPhone is not an AT&T device. We're talking RIM vs. Apple here. As far as the networks, there is no question the VZ netwrok is superior to what AT&T currently has to offer.

As long as VZ doesn't cripple the device features somehow, I'm anxious to see it!

[Bevo4138 @ May 13th 2008 2:24PM]

According to Consumer Reports, in the US, Verizon Wireless has the best customer satisfaction rate... Granted it is CDMA, but still, a phone should first and foremost be able to perform as a phone well.

queue the anecdotal replies about service...

[Todd @ May 13th 2008 12:53PM]

"Thunder"? Campy, but I bet the suits will like that...

Business guy 1: "Hey what phone is that?"
Business guy 2: "It's da Thunder! In yer face!" ( strikes WWF wrestler pose )
Business guy 1: "My kids bought me this iPhone, I like it..."
Business guy 2: "Oh hell no, iPhones are for people that for Libertarian and drink soy milk! THUNDER!!!" ( Does the "gun show" body builder pose )

[brad @ May 13th 2008 12:59PM]

epic....epic fail

[OnlyShawn @ May 13th 2008 1:13PM]

libertarian != wrestling

[riggs @ May 13th 2008 2:35PM]

your avatar suits you.

[Ruben @ May 13th 2008 10:28PM]

Thats the worst thing ive ever read, and ive read a Fox And Friends article.

[MeatyPi @ May 13th 2008 12:54PM]

I would love to hold Thunder in my hands and wield it like a God.

[itlnstln @ May 13th 2008 2:12PM]

That's what she said...

[Tom Boucher @ May 13th 2008 2:11PM]

too bad thunder only follows something...

[Craig @ May 13th 2008 12:55PM]

Excuse me, do these effectively hide my thunder?

[Jon Kit @ May 13th 2008 1:29PM]

This show needs to make a return to TV.. or movies.. or somewhere where I can watch it.

[CraigJ @ May 13th 2008 1:03PM]

"Can't have the lightning without the thunder."

[MeatyPi @ May 13th 2008 1:09PM]

does it hide your thunder thighs?

[Craig @ May 13th 2008 1:15PM]

apparently not arrested development fans...

[CraigJ @ May 13th 2008 12:56PM]

What you really need to know at this point:

"BGR has included a self-made mockup (above) of what the device may look like..."

[Kevin @ May 13th 2008 12:57PM]

Verizon exclusive...about time!

[marcin @ May 13th 2008 1:04PM]

@taylor

pfffft what? verizon > at&t and i'm a current at&t customer. i switched thinking at&t has improved but am going right back to verizon as soon as this contract expires in a year.

with the news that verizon is going open to all manufacturers and the fact that it'll provide 4g, which is actually mentioned in this article, thats more than enough news to have me switch back to verizon.

[SeditioN VII @ May 13th 2008 1:25PM]

All CDMA phone manufacturer's! At&t has always been open to all GSM Manufacturers. I'm sure this is going to be an awesome phone if and when it becomes reality I'm sure many people will buy it. Will it compete with iPhone? Probably never. Oh, and at&t is going LTE the same year as VZW.

[conor @ May 13th 2008 3:09PM]

at&t is going LTE 2 years after VZW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Gain_Bijou @ May 13th 2008 5:14PM]

Thunder
Thunder

Thunderphone HOOOOOOOOOOOOO

[Gavin @ May 13th 2008 5:28PM]

owned

[duffman @ May 13th 2008 1:03PM]

iBerry?

[andy @ May 13th 2008 1:05PM]

if someone steals this phone, they would be stealing your thunder.

[Ramel @ May 13th 2008 1:07PM]

Epic Win. Lmao.

[Superevil @ May 13th 2008 1:13PM]

Yeah , yeah, I'll give it to you. Nice one.

[Rob @ May 13th 2008 1:04PM]

So I guess "Thunder" makes the Iphone "Lightning" since it came first. Personally, I'd go with "Lightning".

[Mohsin @ May 13th 2008 1:21PM]

Is that a 'Cars' reference?

[Steffen Jobbs @ May 13th 2008 1:46PM]

Heck yeh! iPhone Lightning can do serious damage when it strikes. Thunder is nothing but a bunch of useless noise, much like the RIM Thunder or any other non-iPhone smartphone. Cover your ears and it's like they never even existed.

So now is the end of Apple? Every handset manufacturer thinks they can duplicate OSX. WTF are they thinking. Does any handset manufacturer even design their own OS? Don't they just slap on an OS like a cheap coat of paint onto any hardware they happen to have lying around at the time?

[David @ May 13th 2008 1:07PM]

I agree with woot, though I do like the look of "thunder" it definetly purrty. I like that other companies are pushing to improve upon what Apple has introduced to the market years ahead. The more other companies get on this bandwagon, the better chances we the people can actually get a device that does what the hell we want it to do... and maybe more.

[Phoenix @ May 13th 2008 1:11PM]

That's a mockup BG made, it might not look anything like that.