iPhone rival: Blackberry 9000, RIM’s “touch” phone
By Danny Mendez
RIM is working hard at developing a touch-based phone platform to rival Apple’s iPhone and HTC’s Touch. Carmi Levy, an analyst for AR Communications, believes the device is "the future of the BlackBerry franchise."
The 9000 series, according to Unstrung, will ditch the traditional QWERTY for an on screen keyboard, and it will also feature an upgraded multimedia system. The device is not meant for RIM’s usual power e-mailing, business crowd. Instead, RIM will target the casual, power user: older teenagers and young adults who love their Sidekicks, Helio Oceans, Blackberry Pearls, and, of course, iPhones.
This doesn’t mean RIM’s going touch screen only on all their devices. Businesses and power e-mailers still need proper QWERTY devices optimized for productivity, so, if that’s your thing, you can look forward to new, more traditional BlackBerries and updated, older models.
RIM plans to eventually release 3G versions of the Curve and Pearl, which will likely be renamed the "Teal" and "Semillion".
Originally shooting for the second half of 2007, RIM had to push the the 9000’s release back to what they hope will be the first quarter of next year.
Despite what you think of the iPhone, it has acted as a much needed catalyst in the US mobile phone market. Before the iPhone, Asia and Europe were home to some of the most advanced mobile phones in the world. Fortunately, us Americans don’t have to feel like we’re stuck in the mobile phone stone age anymore as the iPhone has pushed various manufacturers to step up their game here in the US. Thank you, iPhone.
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Stumble It!
November 21st, 2007
I can’t wait to buy an iPhone for Christmas.. In my opinion it’s the best phone ever made :D
But iPhone isn’t just wonderful things… Greenpeace made some scientific tests and found out that iPhone contains hazardous chemicals… Here is the video: weshow.com/us/p/22543/greenpeace_unveals_iphones_hazardous_chemicals
Unbelievable right? Steve should do something asap!
May 17th, 2008
please…Europe and asia still dominate the cellphone market. iphone hasn’t done jack all. it’s just a fad, which is fading as we speak. huge percentage of iphone users actually hate the phone afterward because it has crappy battery life (only lasts you 360 charges, meaning you can use the phone for less than a year), horrible reception, bulky design (especially if you add a case), and if you hate your computer because it often crashes wait you play w/ the iphone and it’s stupid firmwares.
america is still in the stone age in that aspect. you barely have the 3G network going right and you expect to compete? go compete w/ africa or something.
July 10th, 2009
Yes i just love the phone and hope to buy it really soon