We've obtained pictures of a device that we're told is the
"Onyx," a 3G-enabled GSM BlackBerry that looks like a slightly sexier, smaller version of the Bold with some
Niagara /
Tour genes thrown in for good measure. We'd previously heard that this phone is ultimately destined for AT&T (while a UMA-enabled version might come to T-Mobile as the Driftwood), which definitely takes the edge off of the impending
8900 launch over there -- but then again, this is a prototype, and it'll be many moons (at best) before this thing gets launched. Every time we look at the
Bold, it looks more out of proportion -- and sexy beasts like this one certainly aren't helping matters. Keep on keepin' on, RIM.
posted May 10th 2009 11:24PM
Endless variations of essentially the same thing....
Endless Shitter fuggly variations of essentially the same thing....
*fixed
I used to have a BB 9000 series and then upgraded to an iPhone. I just can't see going back for anything less than a QWERTY keyboard...and now, with the G1 available, I can't see going back at all
I'm not trying to be anti-Blackberry or anything. I know people like using them. I just find it a bit puzzling. Maybe it's the 3G that makes this machine special.
But each Berry release seems to be the same form factor, with maybe a slightly larger or smaller keyboard or screen. No new super camera or GPS or any other distinguishing marks. It puzzles me. Why bother?
They're not like Nokia or Samsung and trying to cover a wide range of markets. They make a Business Smartphone with an emphasis of email. That's it. They could easily do the same as the Fruit Company, and push out a single nicely updated machine once a year. Maybe a handful of internal variations for 3G, Edge, CDMA.
Then think of it as an incremental upgrade. I doubt you'd find many who think that the Onyx isn't a gorgeous Bold variant.
I was just going to say how increasingly difficult it is to differentiate between Blackberries. They're all just variations on a theme -- a very long-winded, ho-hum, suit-the-purpose-only theme.
Funny. I have spoken to many individuals with the outlook of the members above. Those people all have never used Blackberries.
The people who have, though, know how great every release is. Blackberries are like Ferraris, unparalleled at what they do best. And apparently only Blackberry users are able to vocalize that...
Greg,
Couldn't agree more. Why does BB get a pass for making (essentially) the same crap they've made since the late 90s? How is this new?
New chipset, a better screen, a different color, but essentially the same thing. Honestly, what's so grand about that business model?
BlackBerry can't innovate either. The storm was a joke, even their CEO admitted it was a "first-attempt." Guess what guys, most of the time that's what everyone gets, one attempt before everyone else is two generations ahead, like they're going to be.
RIM is getting very redundant and is going to over saturate the market. It's similar to what happened with GM and Chrysler. They simply made too many different models instead of focusing their efforts on just a few great ones. Quality went down as quantity went up. I could be wrong, but I doubt it...
i'm glad you posted this because i was thinking the exact same thing. every blackberry post i read on engadget has a picture what seems to be almost exactly the same phone as the last blackberry post and something about the release dates and whatever else. i can never distinguish one from the others. i dont get it.
Though I agree that the upgrades are rather minimal in general it isn´t like we don´t see certain other producers do the same. Yet the most important thing about BB´s and I think this is also the reason why the upgrades are minimal i that BB relies heavily on the safety and stability of it´s software. Business people won´t accept if all of a sudden a few mails are gone or their appointment didn´t sync. I feel it´s rather similar softwarewise to BSD, a slow yet reliable OS.
I do wonder though what´s being claimed that BB`s are cheap and poorly build if those ever touched a BB. I abuse mine as an engineer in the field rather badly varying from touching the scrollball with greasy fingers to dropping it once a floor and sofar it keeps working. And regarding the software its just near perfect, yes it might look oldfashioned but it never hanged up on me nor did it ever consider dropping a call.
And sure.. it might be a bit pricy but it´s a smartphone dominating the smartphone market with 45% of its share and those who get it ussually get it corp payed so it isn´t like that much of a problem to RIM. Also I wonder what other high-end smartphones are cheaper then a BB.
That said, it might not be the most sexy mobile around but for what it does, its the best in its field.
Greg, when i saw this topic I thought the same thing - another BB that looks like every other model to me. I just fail to get it. Yes, I know its a ncie device people like, but I just have trouble seeing how people could be excited for what looks like the same phone with a new model name over and over. I just don't get it.
too many blackberries, not enough hos
RIM just keeps making little updates to their Blackberry line.
Nothing they do seems to make us at the edge of our chair.
So, RIMM has finally remembered that yes, there is a 3G standard associated with GSM! Finally, I was afraid they had totally forgotten... (obviously they knew at some point, since there is the Bold)
It doesn't appear to have the Bold screen, though, does it?
let me guess.... not coming to at&t. eff the bold.
SO SAD! why won't RIM give verizon a 3G phone with a keyboard? :(
....there isn't one already is there? if there is, please tell!!
The Pearl and Curve.
Where have you been?!
The 8830, like years ago.
maaan :( i had no idea those were in 3G now haha. awesome thanks.
All modern CDMA BlackBerrys (though not the old 8700 variant that VZ still sells, IIRC) are 3G, I believe. But none have WiFi, while on GSM, most of them aren't 3G, but can come with WiFi...
the cdma "3g" is an older standard that is slower than the hspa "3g" really these cdma phones are only slightly faster than the edge gsm phones.. the 8120, 8320 would be a better choice because of wifi speeds .. this new berry is the first small form factor 3g phone so it is a big deal.. the thing is people use phones in more places than north america so hspa is a big deal.. cdma isn't going to cut it for a lot of people
You're completely wrong- CDMA 1xEV-DO is far faster than EDGE- HSDPA can go much faster, sure, but in real-life situations the two tend to give about the same speed, things like distance to the tower, signal strength, and such tend to affect things far more than CDMA vs. GSM.
Wi-Fi is totally worthless to me, (if I'm in range of Wi-Fi I'll use my laptop or netbook instead) as is traveling to Europe- (I do go to Europe on occasion, and managed to have absolutely zero issues without using my usual phone- who knew?) different people have different needs.
Wow. A Blackberry.
Sexiest classiest good looking device!
Got excited for a moment..thought it was a Treo..
Why won't Chrome memorize my regularly commenting password?! Ugh!
don't know, it has mine remembered.
You're using Chrome? Pbthpth! Get Firefox!
Dear Ms. Onyx,
You are unbelievably sexy.
Sincerely,
Lando Calrissian
P.S.- I want you.
P.S.S You look like every other BB we have ever seen. How neato.
I want more sexy portrait QWERTY phones like the Eos or the E71. BlackBerry just never makes them slim, powerful, and sexy :\
Why does every blackberry look exactly the same?
BlackBerry that looks like a slightly sexier, smaller version of the Bold
So it's a slightly unsexy, bigger version of e71?
is it on someones leg?
yes.
Um, they couldn't just make sure they were on the 3G network? If you look closely, it's on EDGE right now. So there's no real way to be sure it's actually 3G-equipped.
Actually it appears to be lower case "edge" and not "EDGE"
At best this device is only set up for SMS/MMS and voice atm.
http://www.blackberry.com/btsc/search.do?cmd=displayKC&docType=kc&externalId=KB02334&sliceId=2&docTypeID=DT_SUPPORTISSUE_1_1&dialogID=85000802&stateId=1 0 85008674
hahaha, Love the "many moons" line....
Am I the only one who thinks the Bold looks nicer?
@ MONKEY
As a BlackBerry user, I couldn't disagree with you more. Every release isn't "great." I'm on my third BlackBerry now, and they are all essentially the same, with very minor (emphasis on very) upgrades. It's mind-boggling how they won't/can't put 3G and wifi in the same phone (aside from the Bold, which is very overpriced). The phones themselves feel cheap. The trackballs are destined to break. The OS is the epitome of archaic.
Now, that being said, the only reason why I kept buying them is because there was nothing better. I've had the 8830 for almost 2 years now, and when that came out it was competing against the old Palm OS and WinMo 5. There was no iPhone, HTC Touch Diamond, or Palm Pre. Even Palm, who was on the brink of utter failure, managed to come out with a gorgeous OS and phone simultaneously. You would think that with all the money BlackBerry has from sales that they would be able to put their heads together and come out with a better OS. The Storm was a monumental failure. I don't see too many Bolds out and about. Why get a Bold at $249 when you can get an iPhone at $199? That's what most people were saying to themselves, I can guarantee it. Even OS 5.0, from what we've seen, doesn't looked like a much of an improvement in terms of usability or aesthetics; rather, it merely looks like another minor incremental step.
Additionally, the BlackBerry App World is going to be a relative failure because the OS isn't the right type of OS for Apps. There is no arguing about it - it just isn't. And how about the fact that all of the apps, if not free, are $2.99 and up? I'm not paying $4.99 for Grey's Anatomy - The Mobile Game, or $12.99 for Drink Wizard.
the associated press app is 2.99 and its free on the iphone. to top it off the new york times app on the curve is horrible, but at least its free. and you have to pay for shazam as well. come on
Several points here -
"The phones themselves feel cheap. The trackballs are destined to break. The OS is the epitome of archaic."
Can't say I've ever heard a reviewer (or owner, or both) say the new line of BB's feel cheap; the trackballs are not destined to break, because they rarely ever do; millions find the OS stable, functional, and quick.
"It's mind-boggling how they won't/can't put 3G and wifi in the same phone (aside from the Bold, which is very overpriced)"
As a multi-year owner of a BB, I would assume you would understand that CARRIERS are responsible for this issue, not RIM. You honestly think RIM couldn't fit wifi into a CDMA device? Yikes.
"Why get a Bold at $249 when you can get an iPhone at $199?"
Where the iPhone is a iPod touch + phone, the Bold is a phone/email device first, multimedia device second. From BGR, "RIM’s email can’t be touched...Again, corporate usage goes to the BlackBerry." If you want to use your phone for videos, photos, music, etc; go out and buy an iPhone. If you were to use it for corporate use, emails, etc; stick with a BB. I'm more than happy with mine (and I'm certainly not the only one), despite your claim that the Storm is a 'failure.'
As far as I see it, each new release produces a more refined phone based on a very solid design. Would I like if they limited their product lineup a bit? Yep. But I don't really mind it if gives us more options on more great devices. And they are great, even if you want to deny it.
Additionally, isn't the "Onyx" just a black version of the Tour?
I have a Bold and freaking love it. My main problem with RIM is the relative vomiting of devices they seem to put out. Keep it freaking simple RIM and concentrate on 3-4 form factors and shoring up the OS. It would reduce consumer confusion and increase margins. Once you have a stable form factor upgrades should only be made to the OS with new device releases no more than once a year. RIM has the form factor down better than any others out there but they just have way too many to choose from.
RIM has produced a phone with a different form factor called the Storm, the worst cell phone you can buy today . Even RIM's CEO admitted it's a POS. I can't wait for the iPhone to come to Verizon.
Meh, those looking for their phones to be an extension of their "individuality" wouldn't buy a blackberry in the first place. Most blackberry users that I know (myself included) are business users who really couldn't care less about the new and "funnest" devices on the market or the status associated with them. Personally, I just want a stable platform that offers some form factor/OS improvements over time with the least amount of additional learning curve associated with upgrading.. and the blackberry tends to fill those needs. The last thing I want to do during my limited amount of free time is dick around with my phone because of it's "fun" or "cool" factor. But then again, I've always defined myself by what I do.. not what I own. Different markets require different devices.. and if you've ever used a blackberry in the past.. there's pretty much no learning curve for using a new one, which is great for business users.
Yeah all blackberries look so alike. They should learn from Apple and look at the IPhone, the first gen is SOOoooo different from the second gen. When I saw the second gen, I couldn't even recognize it. It was SOOoooo DIFFERENT looking. I absolutely see no resemblance of the original touch screen and the button in at the bottom and the square body shape.
Yes, cause this is only the second BB model. C'mon man.
There is already an onyx phone...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oEcnfelkBWs&feature=related
Looks just like the Blackberry Meh issued to me by my employer. Said BB is sitting in a drawer.
That is no excuse they still had the chance to change it. When I look at the first RIM product, the first RIM Blackberry( which was BLUE), and this new Blackberry the only thing that each of them have similar is a QWERTY keyboard. Just like a IPod, the only difference is size and specs; heck even all Mac laptops look exactly the same.
Apply products have their distinct look and so does Blackberries. If you dont like it then there is a simple solution, don't buy it.
PS: Don't get me wrong I love Apple products ( 1st gen Macbook proud owner ). It was just the easiest thing to compare. :)
WTH are you people talking about with the "too many form factors" from RIM? They have a grand total of four currently: the 8000's, Curves, Storm, and the Pearl. That's a full-blown PDA phone, a mini-PDA phone, a touchscreen and a flip phone. Other than Apple, what company doesn't cover these primary bases? The Bold was actually FREE online not long ago..its now $150 on contract from Wirefly, which undercuts the iPhone and pretty much every other top-end PDA phone. RIM-haters: your meaningless elitism impresses nobody. You want to know what people see in the Blackberry family? The same thing iPhone fans do...just with a really great QUERTY interface that you can use with one hand (gasp! What an innovation!). Their easy to use, full-featured, rock-solid devices. Only the Storm falls short, and that's because it wasn't ready and because it was a Blackberry. Nobody even cares about all the crappy Samsung and LG touchscreens, because people don't rely on them every single day to get the job done. RIM customers do, so when their needs aren't met its a huge deal. And it should be. RIM made a mistake following the crowd and trying to play catch-up with Apple. The Storm should've had at least another three months of R&D. Maybe its successor will finally deliver the touchscreen BB nirvana that many people were looking for - certainly RIM is more than capable.
yeah, guys I don't understand the near-limitless kudos' you give to RIM. I love 'em, they've had their innovations in the past, but the new handsets that've been previewed since the 8900 have been shameful. Even the 8900 itself was not much of an improvement over the original Curve. And the Bold really could've used, oh, say, a 5 MP cam? When I look at an E71 dummy sitting beside a Bold at my store, it's definitely more tempting (a wider keyboard is the ONLY thing the Bold has to hold over it). It beats the Bold in Camera, Price, and equals it in every other category.
I never did understand the lack of a touchscreen, either...all this hubbub in the early 2000's, over a jog-wheel? Even PALM was doing better than that (and yes, I know how addictive [though frustrating] brickbreaker is). Speaking of which, the Storm is an obvious novelty. RIM could do to put some effort into their own QWERTY slider/touchscreen, instead of trying to copy the iPhone.
Odd, I'm going to mention Palm again (I never actually liked them until they announced the Pre), but look at the Pre! Sure, it takes it's cues, but the TouchDual-style slide-out QWERTY is the extra touch (no pun intended) that makes it stand out.
We need to see more innovation from RIM, they're certainly capable of it. Gloss black is always nice colour, but it's like the whole company went colourblind after the Bold's success. Don't they know it's already overused? And the chrome detailing...
Personally I can't wait for the HTC Dream and (hopefully) the Magic (or whatever they're calling it now) to come to Rogers next month. We need some variety up here!
More Nokia handsets up here would be nice as well. The market is getting interesting!
i will take it although i really want a bold which is never coming to tmobile
People that dont own or havent tried at least 2 or more of the newest blackberry smartphones should really refrain from posting some... lets say "weird things" so i dont get into insults. The curve 8900 not being a huge improvement over the older curves? I bet you used it to its fullest potential, i bet you squeezed that processor with zip files and huge pps files. Not to mention spreadsheets and videos. There is a huge difference in processor performance between the new curve and the older curve line. Gosh... seriously, if you havent tried any of the newer blackberries dont come around here saying "their devices are always the same" Outside? yeap they probably look alike, but hey thats pretty much for every model line on each brand isnt it?, on the inside? they arent, each new device comes with different hardware suited for enterprise power users or a little bit more for the home/business person. The bold and the iphone are one of the most amazing devices for multitasking with its their 600+mhz processors. Have you looked at the E71 processor? 329mhz? I wonder which one is better... besides of sharing similar processor architecture with the bold. There is no argument like "there is more done in one clock cycle" You dont need a 5MP to take decent pictures, go buy a real camera for that. The camera on the blackberries is a backup camera, not to be used like a real one shot shot shot shot shot, but just in case of emergencies. Just like people who complain about not being able to play games on their "blackberries". I bet they were made for that ffs. There are tons of gaming consoles dedicated to that. I own both iPhones, 2G and 3G, the curve 8900 & 8320 and the bold. Hell all of these are amazing devices that can have huge potential if you "KNOW" how to squeeze it out, outside looks are optional when working with a phone, you just need whats inside and what powers the applications. Either way there are quite a few stores that sell bezels, battery doors, keyboards and stuff to customize the blackberries, regrettable the iphone is not that customizable. Thats pretty much how the blackberry line is and for what they are known for, QWERTY keyboard + trackball. If you get on to details you will notice each device is different, in keyboard, size, battery doors, camera location. If you dont like the color then, go buy a new bezel/battery door. They made the bold decently good looking with the chrome sides and pleather battery door, IMO it looks elegant and its one of those phones that I would really want to take out in an enterprise conference and not some weird plasticly toy that looks that it was made for a teenager. I hope the blackberry line stays like that, since thats what their main market is, enterprise, we dont need games when working, we dont need cameras when working, we just something that can handle as many tasks as possible. I will have to agree with palm pre, thats another amazing machine that packs great hardware, i'll be getting out just for the sake of testing its performance, thats pretty much one of my hobbies when it comes to smartphones/computers.
Each blackberry has quite a decent amount of differences compared to the previous ones. Same goes for the iPhones, they might look alike on the outside, but on the inside they have so much more to offer. Thats what we might call "form factors" and companies usually stick to it.
Another point i would like to mention is the operating system. It is great, but its like it needs to be opened a little more and probably some more tweaking, they are releasing too many new OSes and not improving the older ones as they should. Because one thing important for applications is the operating system. Im pretty sure the blackberry OS can still get even more performance from these processors they have been using lately. In addition to the rumours i heard that this "onyx" will have a slightly faster processor than the bold. That will be a tiny qwerty monster. This will be in my must have list as well as the palm pre.