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Is this the first BBX-powered BlackBerry?
A picture has emerged of what could be the next-generation of BlackBerry devices. The phone, which is codenamed “London”, is an all-touch screen device with design flourishes that remind us of the Porsche-inspired BlackBerry P’9981. It is expected to house a dual-core 1.5Ghz TI OMAP processor, 1GB of RAM and 16GB of internal storage (pretty standard stuff), along with an 8MP back camera and 2MP front camera.
The origin of the photo isn’t known, but it could be a fake or merely a concept device; the source of the image claims what’s on the screen is in fact static. What we can make out is the interface looks like a functional hybrid of BlackBerry OS and the Playbook’s QNX operating system, with big bold icons and plenty of delineation between the lower and top portions of the screen, much like the Playbook’s home screen.
If this is indeed the first BBX-powered device, it is expected to arrive sometime in mid-2012. With such a bold design change and a lack of keyboard, will this be the saviour that RIM so badly needs?
Source: The Verge
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51 comments for “Is this the first BBX-powered BlackBerry?”
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How come you can say this device is ugly… it look like every single touchscreen device lol…
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It’s not ugly. The problem is that it will barely catch-up with the Galaxy S2 and release at the same time and for the same price as the Galaxy S3.
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Nice design.. !
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I can’t wait for this thing.. Wish the bezel was smaller but i guess you need it since the UI is a swipe gesture based ui.. Pretty sick!!
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Mid-2012?!
Wow, they really made a strategic error focusing on the Playbook didn’t they?
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I love the design but mid 2012 is way too late.
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Cool design, finally something different from RIM. However, mid 2012 is wayyy too late for this to come out, once again, in good old RIM fashion, their hardware will be outdated. This is late 2011 hardware, which sounds excellent today, by mid 2012, we will be hearing about and using, quad-core phones and with the iphone 5 coming out around the same time, this phome does not stand a chance.
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The all new BlackBerry Zune phone
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The reason I would buy a BlackBerry would be for the tactile keyboard. Remove the keyboard and I see no distinction between BlackBerries and every other touch-only brick-style mobile, so I’d glide over this in a display case without giving it a second thought. I’m probably the minority that specifically wants a tactile keyboard and won’t spend $800 on a device without that very basic feature.
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Alot of enterprises are still on a strict Blackberry diet for their superior security and enterprise integration.
And all their employees now have an all touch option.
There’s a reason why the Blackberry Playbook is the ONLY tablet certified for US government use.
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The aspectratio seems off
Maybe it is a Porsche designed 9860??
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I don’t think Mid 2012 is too late. IMO they are already so far behind they can’t get that much further.
They should wait until they have everything 100% and do a huge launch. Rather then send out a rushed product and get criticised more.
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The thing that keeps me with blackberry is the keyboard, touchscreens lack rapid msging
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This looks like something I’d actually buy!
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Yess ! Looks better than Iphone or Galaxy .. Lets stand in Queue…
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looks like webOS. if they successfully imitate it, I will definitely be picking it up. Out of all of the OS’ that I have used, it is by far the best!
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Who cars about quad core processors, 5″ screens and the like? Really. Only sheep would get caught up in a numbers game like that. I hope that it’s worth it that your PHONE only lasts half a day because of it. Look at the IP4S as an example… what a POS.
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You two are missing the point. Why do you need a quad core processor? Yah, it’s good. but what for? The main function of the device is still to be a PHONE. which is why I wrote that in all caps. Remember when digital cameras came out and the megapixel race was on? More megapixels didn’t necessarily mean better pictures. The balance of power and power consumption is paramount. Are you telling me you’d rather have a phone that does everything well and lasts 2 days or a phone that plays 3D games and lasts 2 hours?
You two obviously don’t understand the point I was trying to make. Bold statement to say I don’t know how technology evolves. You must be right because you know me SO well. To say for a certainty that you will NEED quad core is just an example of how you’ve been brainwashed into thinking more is better and it’s a necessity. Que Apple’s marketing machine. and I quote “If you don’t have an Iphone. You don’t have an Iphone.
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the black bezel needs to be much smaller… keep the silver
the pic could be deceiving but it looks pretty damn slim
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IF this is a BBX device the Black Bezel COULD be an indication of PlayBook Gesture support!! which would be awesome, I still wouldn’t buy a phone without a keyboard, but having gesture support on a phone is the way to go, the PlayBooks Gestures after using it for a day are so natural, you get frustrated moving to another tablet with a button
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Well I really hope that isn’t the final design, but those specs aren’t that bad. The TIOmap4 is a decent A9 SoC and the rest of the specs are today’s high end smartphone standards. Keyword there is “today” not mid 2012… But oh well, not like it will matter with the Samsung Galaxy S3 coming out.
I hope RIM stays relevant. I won’t touch their devices with a ten foot pole, but competition is nice. Same with Apple, their devices are terrible in my opinion, but if they weren’t on the market other smartphones wouldn’t be as affordable.
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I’m betting it’s Porsche design of the 98xx series Torch.
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I agree ELNY that that was a very ignorant comment. we should not be satisfied with good enough. otherwise there will be no advancement and competition. if desktop computers with this way we will still be on single core 1 gigahertz computers.
and no tactile keyboard are not faster than touch keyboard, not even close. there are touch keyboards with great prediction and even swipe technology that will destroy it.
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Not bad design at all.
Reminds me of the Nokia X7… or anything from Battlestar Galactica.
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Wow… I was actually taken aback when I say this picture! It’s so purdy!
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It is a Zune HD with the corners snipped off
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Seriously, my first reaction was really positive. This could be the turnaround if it impresses the disappointed masses.
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I’d love for blackberry to release the QNX-like based phone soon but I think with these specs (if ever they are real), it won’t be much of competition to the phones that exist right now (Samsung Nexus, Samsung G S2) but I’d love for blackberry to come back really solid and gain back lost customers. If they can do that, I’d switch back to Blackberry in the blink of an eye! Love u BB
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Holy crap that’s gorgeous. ‘Bout effing time. Wish I wasn’t so committed to the Android ecosystem though. Sorry RIM. Maybe next round.
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Too little too late if it’s arriving mid next year.
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its lookin’ pretty sec c
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The next phone blackberry releases will either break or make them.
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I am not sure why, I guess I don’t get it, but I actually need (insist) on a physical keyboard. It feels better and types faster. I save a lot of time typing on an actual keyboard. This means I will keep my 9900 a while longer?
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My uncle works with the husband of one of RIMs marketing directors and from what he has told my uncle, this looks like the phone.
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Thsi is a cool device, but as many say it is true that mid-2012 IS TOO late.
If your uncle does work with the husband of a director, mention this to him to mention…and see if they are trying to get this out before mid-2012….????
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Wow. First time I have been impressed by RIM. This thing is a beauty. Best of luck with this RIM, but like others have said mid 2012 is late c’mon push for Q1 next year!
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The design almost reminds me of the old HTC Legend. God, that phone was truly a beauty in the hands! It was made of pure aluminium, so hopefully RIM will be doing the same thing here.
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I swear if RIM does what it says it will I’m buying this right away when it comes out and I’ll promote it so well people will want it like hungry people want food.
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Buying it!
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You two are missing the point. Why do you need a quad core processor? Yah, it’s good. but what for? The main function of the device is still to be a PHONE. which is why I wrote that in all caps. Remember when digital cameras came out and the megapixel race was on? More megapixels didn’t necessarily mean better pictures. The balance of power and power consumption is paramount. Are you telling me you’d rather have a phone that does everything well and lasts 2 days or a phone that plays 3D games and lasts 2 hours?
You two obviously don’t understand the point I was trying to make. Bold statement to say I don’t know how technology evolves. You must be right because you know me SO well. To say for a certainty that you will NEED quad core is just an example of how you’ve been brainwashed into thinking more is better and it’s a necessity. Que Apple’s marketing machine. and I quote “If you don’t have an Iphone. You don’t have an Iphone.
And your comment about personal computers.. Remember when computers evolved at a lightning fast rates, doubling processer power 6 months? All the while there were NO applications or games that could fully utilize it? But you were definitely sold on NEEDING the new technology.
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I totally agree with LC. I’m a network admin in a medium-sized corporation and until iPhones/Androids start introducing cheaper roaming plans for our travelling employees, we won’t be supporting either iOS or Android. With the blackberry devices, not only do they save our company tens of thousands of dollars every year (Approx 3 times less data useage than Android/iPhone), they’re also more secure. If employees want to use other phones for their personal use, they can go right ahead. I can tell you right now, most IT depts in governments, colleges, universities and larger corporations will most likely side with RIM.
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It does look great. I was a blackberry fan for years. But I had a Torch 9800 and it was terrible. Then the problems with the blackberry network late this summer. Yes, this phone looks cool. But I fear that RIM might be in a death spiral. I replaced my Torch because it simply ceased to function. Got a Samsung Galaxy S II X after paying a huge fee to replace a phone that no longer worked through Telus.
I hope RIM does well. But my experience was one where as much as I liked my blackberries, I wouldn’t go back. Keep fighting the good fight, RIM.
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Looks great! Blackberry should have released something like this a long time ago, so it could at least have had a direct competitor to the Android and iPhone smartphones instead of relying on extreme differentiation.
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WOW. Talk about a great looking phone. I might just have to pick this up
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