We've just been sent a mother lode of shots of RIM's upcoming
BlackBerry 9800 -- a phone whose market name is still unknown -- but whether it's called the Bold, the Torch, or something else altogether, we think we're looking at near-final hardware here. The software is identified as version 0.9, but you can clearly tell from the UI that it's running
BlackBerry 6 with an ever-so-slightly refined look and subtle 3D elements missing from prior releases. This particular phone is AT&T-branded, and it starts up with a carrier logo screen that proudly proclaims the 9800 a world phone -- sure enough, the About screen shows support for WCDMA bands I, II, V, and VI, which means you'll be able to use the phone for 3G service in Japan and most of Europe. Generally speaking, BlackBerrys haven't been known to be the prettiest things around (with the possible exception of the
Curve 8900), but we'll admit -- we're digging this. Check out the full gallery below!
[Thanks, Om]
posted June 24th 2010 2:48PM
Haha, pics taken with an iPhone... classy.
Haha, pictures taken with an iPhone... You can the Apple emblem in the reflection on the screen in one of the shots. Classy.
Who cares AT&T a fuckin Wackberry with a slide out keyboard. AT&T always trying to be innovative but always fails!!! They fuckin Suck!!
Is that a front facing camera up there?
I sucks that I just bought the Tour from Sprint with this thing to come out eventually. It appears to use the same awesome keyboard as the Tour, though!
@Simon Phoenix
you bought the Tour or the tour with a track pad and wifi called the bold?
Finally a touch screen phone with a slider! Now i just have to wait for android to have such a device so i can buy it instantly.
Or perhaps dell lightning will be promising.
@karan1203 Ha, well when i bought it, it was called the Tour. It's got the trackball: the last but greatest trackball BB IMHO :p
Nicely done RIM.
It's like the screen size of the Storm, withe keyboard of the Bold/Tour. I love it. Too bad its on at&t.
I like this BB... too bad it's on AT&T
@koolerz1569 Could someone clarify what carriers this will support? Mentioning bands I, II, IV, V is all nerdy and stuff, but I'd rather hear "Will work on AT&T and T-Mobile in the US, Bell, Rogers, Telus, Moblicity, Wind in Canada, whatever-they-are in Europe etc.
If it works on ALL 5 CANADIAN HSPA CARRIERS, that will give it a huge boost in the market, because we're so overcharged up here, being able to buy a phone and move between any of the 5 carriers will keep them honest (well, maybe it will make them slightly less deceitful)
@lorax1284 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UMTS_frequency_bands states that it is bands I, II, III, IV, and V that would provide full HSPA coverage in North America. Are there any devices that support all five bands?
http://www.engadget.com/photos/exclusive-blackberry-9800-for-atandt-fully-exposed/#3116294
Its not really my thing, and in the time of EVOs, Droid X's, and retina displays, its hard for me to get excited about it, but to the BB faithful this must be drool worthy to say the least. Here's hoping it does well and makes some BB users happy!
PS: I bet AT&T won't block sideloading on this like it does on a certain other mobile OS *shakes fist*
You know what I enjoy most about this phone (judging from these pics)? The fact that I can't see any physical, AT&T branding on it. I truly hope most carrier phones will be like this-
Looks like the Palm Pre slept with a blackberry curve.
Can someone extract the browser and youtube app from this so we can install it on normal blackberries?
Not for me but it looks nice!
Still think RIM would've been smart to buy webOS.
that's the new Pre 2... ohh wait a WACKberry.
Chris, I just will never understand your continued hard-on for the 8900. Both in form and function, the Bold line is far better.
can't wait to see one of these in person... just might be the ticket to keep me from getting an iphone 4 :D
I don't know maybe its because of Morpheus' phone in The Matrix but I LOVE slider phones. Something about that form factor that I can't get enough of. Hmm RIM you may have yourself a new customer!
Really liking this. Just wishing it slid sideways instead of up. Could have had bigger keys for my fat fingers that way.
That is one tiny battery, I doubt that it will last a full working day.
Ok, I think I get why they added the track pad. If you are holding the device with the keyboard exposed, it's going to be very easy and natural to reach the track pad with your thumb when typing (to move the cursor, etc.). Conversely, it would be odd to have to move your hands from the keyboard position just to move the cursor or navigate a menu by using th touch screen. Smart design and something you probably won't appreciate until you use it.
PLEASE someone make android work on it!!!