Updated : Blackberry Thunder ! The Touchscreen Blackberry We’ve All Been Waiting For !

[@ksh@T 20]

This is going to excite a lot of people, but anger many. Are you ready? The BlackBerry Thunder, as it is codenamed now, (all you "reporting" on it as the Storm are incorrect) will launch in Q3 of this year. It is a full touchscreen BlackBerry — no slide out keyboard — with only 4 physical keys. Those are the send / end phone keys, the BlackBerry menu key, and the back key. Here is the most interesting part, though: it will launch as a worldwide lifetime exclusive on Verizon and Vodafone! We’ve heard the unit will be a hybrid device with CDMA EV-DO Rev. C (for clarification, Rev C., known as UMB is practically dead. If the device will indeed launch with a 4G solution, our bet is on LTE), and GSM HSPA for traveling internationally. Verizon and Vodafone will have the same unit. Currently, the model number is the BlackBerry 9500, though it’s very early and that’s likely to change. This is HUGE for the Verizon lovers. For once they’ll get an exclusive device, but Verizon will have a sales quota for the device and if they don’t meet those numbers, we’ve heard the exclusivity will then dissolve and it’s over. This will be extremely interesting to see play out.

the most interesting thing CDMA EVDO . . .thats gr8 man!

Edited September 5, 2008 by Honest

[kshah 452]

Indeed Iphone clones are coming from all manufacturers. Hats off to iphone.

[@ksh@T 20]

well the design is excellent but the damn interesting thing is thats its in EVDO/EDGE both variants

[HetalDP 947]

as Blackberry is Hard nut to crack we just have to dream to have it in our Hand for Reliance

[Honest 836]

BlackBerry Thunder Media Player Pics Revealed

It would seem that BlackBerry’s iPhone killer, the 9500 Thunder, is no longer a rumor as a few more images have made their way exclusively to BlackBerrySYNC.com. What thrills me is the new OS version 4.7 and the whole 480 x 360 pixel resolution display. This my dear mobile maniacs is not going to be your typical BlackBerry business class handset. This is going to be as media savvy as… oh, let’s say… the iPhone.

The media player will also be able to connect to a music store that your mobile phone service provider would offer so you can download music on the fly. No longer will you have to endure the BlackBerry’s odd video player that refuses to play in full screen. According to the images posted, the video player is definitely going to be something that current BlackBerry users can really look forward too.

There’s no other information out yet, so stay tuned.

Courtesy : Tech2

[adlx21 0]

Definitely looks like a great phone, I just hope they leak out some more info on this thing

Edited July 9, 2008 by adlx21

[Honest 836]

BlackBerry Thunder is Now Storm

The BlackBerry Thunder was going to be RIM’s answer to the iPhone. With its large touch screen and seemingly sleek design, it could not go wrong. It's even undergone a name change. It's now called the BlackBerry 9530 Storm.

What reports are stating is that the 9530 will be launched in a CDMA version exclusively for Verizon. Of course the company is still working out the kinks in the handset.

There’s no word yet on the official availability or the pricing so stay tuned.

Courtesy : Tech2

[rajat8676 0]

Looks real good. Another mobile to give iPhone a run for its money

[Greatest 55]

Nice looking phone!!

[drmadhu 87]

Never expect that this phone come with reliance

[kshah 452]

BB is a good OS if you like to use the phone the way manufacturer gives you. If you like too many add on softs, then BB is not OS for you.

Also in name of security, they impose many limitations. BTW good phone. Why we compare every thing with iphone?

[ACS 130]

Never expect that this phone come with reliance

@ V Malhotra

Hey buddy its wrong to assume that this phone will not come to Reliance..

Its as good as saying that BB would not like this model in a growing top-end market like India.

So if BB Curve/Pearl can be sold why not this.

Its true that currently RComm may not support features like EVDO etc.

Just like it sells Pearl/Curve (which boast of a GPS) without fully supporting its features..

[@ksh@T 20]

Edited September 18, 2008 by @ksh@T

[Mufaddal 678]

though i not a big fan of blackberry os stilll its nice to see them catchin up in the touchscreen race.

i have seen video preview of d earlier protos all i cansay though d device was fast but the touchscreen was not as responsive as iphone( storm uses presurre senitive screen and iphone works on capacitance screen which r highly reponsive)

but overall look a promising....but let see until d retail unit comes out

[vmsanghrajka 0]

It looks promising but BB is looking its uniqueness.. Most of the upcoming features which BB boasts are already available..

[Honest 836]

RIM to launch touchscreen BlackBerry 'soon': Verizon

24 Sep, 2008, 0000 hrs IST, REUTERS

TORONTO: Research In Motion (RIM.TO: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz)(RIMM.O: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) is preparing to launch the long anticipated touch-screen version of its BlackBerry smartphone, according to an official promotion e-mail from U.S. carrier Verizon Wireless (VZ.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz)(VOD.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz).

The device will be known as the BlackBerry Storm 9530 and will feature "global capabilities", Verizon said, without providing specifics. It also did not give an exact launch date, saying only that the smartphone is "coming soon".

Technology bloggers and analysts have speculated since early this year that Waterloo, Ontario-based RIM was working on a touch device as an answer to Apple's (AAPL.O: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) popular iPhone.

In February, RIM co-CEO Jim Balsillie told Reuters the company may launch a touch device if consumers want it. And in May, media reports said the touch-screen BlackBerry would be called Thunder and would likely launch in the third quarter of this year.

A RIM spokeswoman was not immediately available for comment.

RIM shares were up 71 Canadian cents at C$102.10 on the Toronto Stock Exchange.

[Sadikk 301]

I am fedup with iphones iphone craze.

Hey world stopit now.

Do not think that all u wanted was i phone but u settles with this goddammit nokia, HTC, palm or other.

[Honest 836]

BlackBerry Storm to Strike Soon

The Storm has more leaks than RIM can fix. New information on the touchscreen phone inside. UPDATE: To be released end of October

Research in Motion (RIM) is back in the news again.

BlackBerry Thunder, the much-anticipated touchscreen smartphone from RIM, will be launched, re-branded as BlackBerry Storm, reports Reuters. However, technology bloggers and speculators are unsure whether Bell or Verizon will be the cellular service provider of the North American market.

Reports indicate that Verizon Wireless has more or less confirmed the launch -- RIM has rolled up its sleeves to launch the touchscreen BlackBerry line smartphone -- BlackBerry Storm 9530, which will feature "global capabilities".

Though Verizon didn't disclose the specifications and release date, the slideshow leak of the official presentation indicates that the new BlackBerry Storm is going to make the iPhone pant in the touchscreen smartphone race.

Last week, we reported on the leak of the Storm announcement video of Verizon at CrankBerry and being touted as a strong competitor for Apple's iPhone.

The leaked slides and specs follow:

The BlackBerry Storm has similar features to the iPhone:

- 3.5-inch half-VGA display (480x360)

- 7.2 mbps HSDPA/UMTS (2100/1900/850 MHz)

- 3.5G EvDO Rev A support

- Quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE (850/900/1800/1900 MHz)

- UMTS/HSPA 2100MHz

- 1GB of memory, 128MB Flash memory

- MicroSD support and expandable up to 8GB

- 3.2-megapixel camera, autoflash, auto focus, 2.5x digital zoom and image stabilization

- Video capture (480 320) and MMS mode (176 144)

- Assisted GPS -- Enhanced version of GPS that performs at a faster speed

Another Job Aid leak triggered speculations on possible Storm variants like a GSM-only version, which might come out in the future. The spyshot images clearly show the features and specifications of BlackBerrry Storm 9500.

Incidentally, at the launch of BlackBerry Bold in India, Jim Balsillie, the co-CEO of RIM, refused to comment on any rumors about BlackBerry Storm. However, he did mention that they'll roll out a touchscreen device if there is a customer requirement.

When launched, the BlackBerry Storm will be the first touchscreen smartphone from BlackBerry. It has the capability to take on the iPhone on aspects of a better camera and 3.5G EvDO support. The latter is, however, cellular service provider-dependant and won't be available in many countries, including India.

When contacted, Blackberry refused to comment at this point. We'll keep you posted with updates as and when they develop.

UPDATE: Multiple sources have confirmed that BlackBerry Storm will be a Vodafone exclusive in the UK and will see release at the end of October.

Courtesy : Techtree

[Mufaddal 678]

well whatever people say but iphone has taken d phone market by storm

i mean just look at it nokia samsung lg and now blackberry they r all gearing up towards releasing a full touchscreen based phone

before the iphone was launched v din have these big players into releasing full touchscreen phones but after iphone sucess evrery phone manufacture is up to get it with thier own full touch based device

i know that apple have a gr8 marketing team and hae created a lot of hype but i do also believ that the iphone has a tremnedous potential ...n u cud c it rite now with d app store

again d app store has stirred d mobile world now looking at the sucess of app store andriod will start "android market" and even microsoft is starting their own software store

one thing i myself don like is d hype surrounding d iphone but then hey dats wat v call marketing ... looking at blackberry storm all i cud say it is also onemore attempt by blackberry to take iphone down

so whether like it or not any blog or any thread will have some comparison regarding iphone bcoz iphone has started d revolution of sleek n powerfull stylusless touch devices and so it will b a standard of comparison of all other "wannbe iphone" devices released by other players around

m waiting to see how this device will fair againt the ever popular gizmo they call as "iphone"

Edited September 26, 2008 by mufaddal_km

[situ1962 21]

You are absolutely correct my dear friend mufaddal.all companies are now thying to make atleast like an iphone,if not better.whether we like it or not,IT'S true that iphone has set a new trend and al are trying to follow it.also it has moulded the mindset of people in such a way that people will definitely compare every new smart phone with the iphone untill somebody succeeds in making a new device which betters the iphone.till then there will be only iphone and iphone only everywhere.

[@ksh@T 20]

**********UNDER EMBARGO UNTIL 12:01 AM ET ON WEDS. OCT. 8**********

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MEDIA CONTACTS:

BLACKBERRY TAKES THE WORLD BY STORM ON THE MOST RELIABLE NETWORKS IN EUROPE AND THE U.S.

Verizon Wireless, Vodafone and RIM Deliver the Power of a Smartphone with the World’s First Tactile Touch Display on a BlackBerry

BASKING RIDGE, N.J., NEWBURY, England, and WATERLOO, Ontario – Verizon Wireless, Vodafone Group (NYSE and LSE: VOD) and Research In Motion (RIM) (NASDAQ: RIMM; TSX: RIM) today announced that the BlackBerry® Storm™ will be available exclusively to Verizon Wireless customers in the U.S. and Vodafone customers in Europe, Australia and New Zealand next month.

Designed to appeal to both consumers and business customers, the BlackBerry Storm combines the powerful communication features and productivity tools of a global BlackBerry smartphone with revolutionary technology that provides for easy and precise touch screen typing on the world’s first tactile touch display that responds like a keyboard and combines multi-touch and gesture support for intuitive selection and application navigation.

In the U.S., BlackBerry Storm customers will benefit from the nation’s most reliable wireless voice network and the pervasiveness of Verizon Wireless’ reliable high-speed Evolution-Data Optimized (EV-DO) Revision A (Rev. A) network for rich Internet browsing. Building on the strong business heritage of BlackBerry, the Storm offers consumers a host of fun and practical features, including:

• Large high resolution screen coupled with a rich multi-media suite

• Text (SMS), picture messaging (MMS), the ability to watch 30-second video clips, instant messaging and access to popular social networking sites

• Removable and rechargeable 1400 mAhr battery that provides approximately 5.5 hours of talk time and 15 days of standby time.

“The BlackBerry Storm offers our customers more ways to stay connected to both their personal and professional lives – whether in their community or around the globe,” said Mike Lanman, vice president and chief marketing officer of Verizon Wireless. “The BlackBerry Storm combines the reliability of our network with the dependability and network efficiency of the BlackBerry platform to deliver our customers the ultimate wireless experience – all in one of the coolest smartphones available on the market today.”

The Power is in The Touch

The BlackBerry Storm comes with a unique touch screen that gives a distinct ‘click’ confirmation when depressed ever so slightly, very similar in experience to a keyboard-based BlackBerry smartphone. An easy to use menu adds support for multi-touches, taps, slides, swipes and other gestures, so customers can easily select, scroll, pan, and zoom for smooth navigation.

The tactile touch screen display gives customers worldwide a choice of virtual keyboards – RIM’s SureType® layout in portrait and a full QWERTY* layout in landscape orientation. Relevant features such as cut and paste are only a touch away for the ultimate smartphone experience.

World Class Smartphone

The BlackBerry Storm is a top of the line mobile phone with global connectivity. In the U.S., the BlackBerry Storm gives Verizon Wireless customers EV-DO Rev. A/CDMA – technology – and (2100Mhz) HSPA/UMTS as well as quad-band EDGE/GPRS/GSM for global use. The BlackBerry Storm 9500 from Vodafone supports (2100Mhz) HSPA and quad-band EDGE/GPRS/GSM networks.

Browse the World Over

Customers will enjoy a full HTML high performance browser that works in either portrait or landscape orientation. Navigating Web sites is fast and easy with the touch screen interface that lets users tap to zoom in and slide their finger to scroll. Icons along the bottom of the display allow for quickly accessing “Favorites”, opening the virtual keyboard to enter text, switching between “Page View” and “Column View”, as well as the ability to toggle between “Pan” mode and “Cursor” mode. The enhanced browser supports file downloading, streaming audio and video, and with its built-in RSS support, new content from supported Web sites can be automatically pushed to the user.

Packed with Additional Features

The BlackBerry Storm, exclusively from Verizon Wireless and Vodafone, also includes the following features and functions:

• BlackBerry® Internet Service, BlackBerry® Unite!, BlackBerry® Professional Software and BlackBerry® Enterprise Server support for seamless integration with corporate email systems and the security and IT policy controls that enterprise customers require

• Edit Microsoft® Word, Excel and PowerPoint files directly on the handset

• 3.2 megapixel camera, with variable zoom, auto focus, and a powerful flash that also provides continuous lighting when recording video; the camera records video in half-VGA resolution (480×320) or at 176×144 for MMS

• 1 GB of on board memory storage and 8 GB microSD memory card included in expandable memory card slot

• Media player that can find content on the handset in an instant, display pictures and slideshows quickly, play movies smoothly in full screen mode in any orientation, and manage an entire music collection; playlists can be created directly on the handset and there’s an equalizer with 11 preset filters – including “Lounge”, “Jazz” and “Hip Hop” – for customized audio ranges when using wired headphones or external speakers

• Sleek, elegant design with contoured corners, stainless steel back and chrome side-accents that frame its large (3.26”), touch sensitive, glass lens display; its exceptional 360 x 480 resolution at 184ppi, offering the highest resolution display ever introduced on a BlackBerry smartphone, is crisp and colorful with clarity that’s easy on the eyes

• A sensor automatically adjusts to ambient light for ideal screen viewing and an orientation sensor allows customers to use the handset in a portrait or landscape position

Additional details related to availability and pricing will be announced in the coming weeks. To learn more, visit www.verizonwireless.com/storm.

* Virtual keyboards are also available in AZERTY, QWERTZ and other configurations to support different language groups.

# # #

About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless operates the nation’s most reliable wireless voice and data network, serving 68.7 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 70,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD). For more information, go to: www.verizonwireless.com. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.

About Vodafone

Vodafone is the world’s leading international mobile communications group with approximately 269 million proportionate customers as of 30 June 2008. Vodafone currently has equity interests in 27 countries across five continents and over 40 partner networks worldwide. For more information, please visit www.vodafone.com

About Research In Motion

Research In Motion (RIM) is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of innovative wireless solutions for the worldwide mobile communications market. Through the development of integrated hardware, software and services that support multiple wireless network standards, RIM provides platforms and solutions for seamless access to time-sensitive information including email, phone, SMS messaging, Internet and intranet-based applications. RIM technology also enables a broad array of third party developers and manufacturers to enhance their products and services with wireless connectivity to data. RIM’s portfolio of award-winning products, services and embedded technologies are used by thousands of organizations around the world and include the BlackBerry® wireless platform, the RIM Wireless Handheld™ product line, software development tools, radio-modems and software/hardware licensing agreements. Founded in 1984 and based in Waterloo, Ontario, RIM operates offices in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. RIM is listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market (NASDAQ: RIMM) and the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: RIM). For more information, visit www.rim.com or www.blackberry.com.

Forward-looking statements in this news release are made pursuant to the “safe harbor” provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. When used herein, words such as “intend” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions made by and information available to Research In Motion Limited. Investors are cautioned that such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements include, without limitation, possible product defects and product liability, risks related to international sales and potential foreign currency exchange fluctuations, the initiation or outcome of litigation, acts or potential acts of terrorism, international conflicts, significant fluctuations of quarterly operating results, changes in Canadian and foreign laws and regulations, continued acceptance of RIM’s products, increased levels of competition, technological changes and the successful development of new products, dependence on third-party networks to provide services, dependence on intellectual property rights, and other risks and factors detailed from time to time in RIM’s periodic reports filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, and other regulatory authorities. RIM has no intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

The BlackBerry and RIM families of related marks, images and symbols are the exclusive properties and trademarks of Research In Motion Limited. RIM, Research In Motion and BlackBerry are registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and may be pending or registered in other countries. All other brands, product names, company names, trademarks and service marks are the properties of their respective owners. RIM assumes no obligations or liability and makes no representation, warranty, endorsement or guarantee in relation to any aspect of any third party products or services.

[vIa:BB]

Edited October 8, 2008 by @ksh@T

[Mufaddal 678]

WELL looking at the massive success of the app store and even the hype surrounding google"s open sourced android it now blackberry,s turn

recent reports suggest that even they are planning to increase thier database of 3rd party app support and to get head on with the "almighty" IPHONE

" Alongside the launch of, the BlackBerry Storm, RIM has let loose some development tools to get started on the new device. Fresh APIs will allow programmers to mess around with the accelerometer, rotation, camera, touch screen, and home screen backgrounds. These should provide lots of opportunity for programmers to make some great stuff on the BlackBerry 9500, while still working within a familiar operating system. Not to be left out, compatibility for both the BlackBerry Bold and BlackBerry Pearl Flip are also included in the beta for BlackBerry Java Desktop Environment 4.7, and good thing - I’ve been waiting for so many apps to make the Bold leap… Simulators for all three devices should help get things properly tested and ready for distribution. All of this is just in time for the first Blackberry Developers Conference in Santa Clara, California, which will be covered by yours truly in less than two weeks. It will certainly be interesting to see what folks manage to cook up for the BlackBerry Storm in that time, especially with that rumour of an Application Center floating around … If you’re thinking of going, it might be prudent to download the BlackBerry JDE 4.7 and any simulators you might need. "

via RIM

[lavi4u 0]

Vodafone has announced its plan to sell the BLACKBERRY STORM exclusively from next month in Europe, India, Australia and New Zealand

[Mufaddal 678]

@lavi4u

man u seem to be a blackberry lover.........having two 8830

[anuragemani 2]

@lavi4u

man u seem to be a blackberry lover.........having two 8830

But do u think storm wud come to reliance cdma:P