BlackBerry Storm 9530 (aka Thunder) Pre-Release Thread

[GBVZ]

So BGR released information this morning about the BlackBerry "Thunder", tagline: The Touchscreen BlackBerry we've all been waiting for.

http://www.boygeniusreport.com/2008/...n-waiting-for/

We all remember the debates when the iPhone was released about whether it would take over the corporate market that BlackBerry has dominated for so long. The main argument against the iPhone was its on-screen keyboard. It was said that it would be difficult to quickly type out an email, without typos, using the on-screen keyboard.

I think it is quite clear that the "Thunder" is RIM's response to the iPhone. I believe that the "Thunder" is aimed at the younger "iPhone" demographic versus the corporate exec. demographic.

I'm excited that it seems to be exclusive to Verizon. I plan on testing it out when it's released... but I'm concerned that I won't like the on-screen keyboard it's sure to have.

[backdown00]

So BGR released information this morning about the BlackBerry "Thunder", tagline: The Touchscreen BlackBerry we've all been waiting for.

http://www.boygeniusreport.com/2008/...n-waiting-for/

We all remember the debates when the iPhone was released about whether it would take over the corporate market that BlackBerry has dominated for so long. The main argument against the iPhone was its on-screen keyboard. It was said that it would be difficult to quickly type out an email, without typos, using the on-screen keyboard.

I think it is quite clear that the "Thunder" is RIM's response to the iPhone. I believe that the "Thunder" is aimed at the younger "iPhone" demographic versus the corporate exec. demographic.

I'm excited that it seems to be exclusive to Verizon. I plan on testing it out when it's released... but I'm concerned that I won't like the on-screen keyboard it's sure to have.

I think this thread might be a little premature? its not expected for at least 1 year+ with the possibility of being put off further.

Is there even an FCC page for this phone yet?

[jrapp]

Really skeptical about the lack of a physical keyboard. Other than that, looks pretty nice.

[Mazinga]

Really skeptical about the lack of a physical keyboard. Other than that, looks pretty nice.

looks just like the iphone....

Also if there is no actual qwerty keyboard then I hope the touch keyboard will be alot better than the iphone or I wouldn't even care for it.

[x ray tech]

Now with the Thunder and the 9000 series coming out we have something new to wait for. And with Verizons track record it might be quite a wait. Well at least we got the Curve to hold us over.

[MangoGT]

looks just like the iphone....

Also if there is no actual qwerty keyboard then I hope the touch keyboard will be alot better than the iphone or I wouldn't even care for it.

Reading helps:

P.S. No, you morons, the image above is not real. Didn’t we go through this once before?

[xoutthestars]

Reading helps:

Thanks for posting that. I was just about to.

[N.Y. Johnny]

Really skeptical about the lack of a physical keyboard. Other than that, looks pretty nice.

I have an iPhone and that was one of my initial fears about it. I used it and it didn't bother me at all. If this Blackberry gives me something like that and ohhh baby screen real estate that big to use for Videos and Web browsing, I'll be in heaven and carrying one phone from now on. This thing has enormous potential I think and it is only good.

[Esquire0399]

I have an iPhone and that was one of my initial fears about it. I used it and it didn't bother me at all. If this Blackberry gives me something like that and ohhh baby screen real estate that big to use for Videos and Web browsing, I'll be in heaven and carrying one phone from now on. This thing has enormous potential I think and it is only good.

Let's just hope it turns out to be as awesome as it sounds.

[vrs626]

I think this thread might be a little premature? its not expected for at least 1 year+ with the possibility of being put off further.

Is there even an FCC page for this phone yet?

Did you read the actual BGR post? It says that it will be released Q3 of this year.

[joepocky]

Did you read the actual BGR post? It says that it will be released Q3 of this year.

Seconded.

[backdown00]

Did you read the actual BGR post? It says that it will be released Q3 of this year.

So are we taking bets then? so I guess what BGR is the truth 100% of the time? what he gave was an estimate based on what his insider sources know. I know many instances where BGR posted an article claiming a date for verizon and it got pushed back, the v9m comes to mind...

I don't know if you are familiar with Verizon, but they are notorious for pushing phones back. Unless confirmed by Verizon, the Q3 date is just a rumor... For instance look at the curve, that was supposed to be released before May. It had at least 4 release dates and that info came from insider sources as well. How about the xv6800, that too was pushed back from a rumored release date. I have my reasons for doubting a Q3 release date...

[vrs626]

So are we taking bets then? so I guess what BGR is the truth 100% of the time? what he gave was an estimate based on what his insider sources know. I know many instances where BGR posted an article claiming a date for verizon and it got pushed back, the v9m comes to mind...

I don't know if you are familiar with Verizon, but they are notorious for pushing phones back. Unless confirmed by Verizon, the Q3 date is just a rumor... For instance look at the curve, that was supposed to be released before May. It had at least 4 release dates and that info came from insider sources as well. How about the xv6800, that too was pushed back from a rumored release date. I have my reasons for doubting a Q3 release date...

Do you actually have any inside sources? Well it appears that BGR does, and his sources claim Q3. You, on the other hand, are claiming that it isn't expected to be released for another year or more. Sure there is a chance that it gets pushed back, but I'd like to know where you're getting your "1 year+ with the possibility of being put off further" info.

[dikiem]

BGR annouce a lot of things, but dang, this is at least a year away....

It will be released Q3, doesn't mean it will reach VZW mainstream Q3. It might be release to VZW to start testing and evaluating and modifying Q3 of this year...

[jorGeorge]

If the Q3 rumor is true, then wouldn't the BB Thunder be released within a few months or even weeks of the Bold? Is that normal for Blackberry to do? Can we still expect the Bold to eventually make it to Verizon? And if so, would the Thunder affect its release date?