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We've just gotten a look at what might be the first-ever photo of the next iteration of BlackBerry devices (based on the upcoming BBX operating system and its QNX roots), and we wanted to share. The phone you see in the picture above is apparently dubbed the BlackBerry "London," and is said to be headed for a June 2012 release. The phone allegedly is equipped with a TI OMAP dual-core CPU clocked to 1.5GHz, 1GB of RAM, 16GB of onboard storage, an 8-megapixel rear camera, and a 2-megapixel front-facing shooter. The London is reportedly "thinner than the iPhone 4" and roughly the same size as a Galaxy S II (though our source didn't say which S II specifically). Oddly, the source says that the phone can be stood straight up on one of its sides (suggesting more boxiness than can be seen in the picture).
As you can see, the phone is running some variation of the PlayBook's operating system, though coloring and icons have definitely been tweaked. For instance, the music app icon looks more like an evolution of the note you see on the PlayBook's version (this time appearing overlaid onto an optical disc). Our source says the phone shown was a "dummy" model, so it's likely the screen is nothing more than a static image.
What's strange about the phone design is that it closely resembles RIM's Porsche Design P9981. Given the source of this image, it's possible that this is also a Porsche-designed BlackBerry destined for countries other than the US or Canada. We're told that RIM is also showing off two lower-end devices, as well as the next version of the Torch, which is said be "very thin" with a 3.7-inch display and slide-out keyboard.
Even though we did multiple passes on this image for Photoshop and / or rendering artifacts, this could ultimately be someone's hilarious idea of joke. It's also possible that this is a prototype or concept design, and won't make its way to production. Still, given the detail in the image and some of the information we were given to back it up, we believe there's truth to this story. We're pounding the pavement for more info as we type, so stay tuned for updates as we get them.
Update: BGR is now corroborating our information, saying that the so-called Colt — originally planned as the first BBX handset — was scrapped in favor of the London, and that it might not be ready until Q3 of 2012. Yikes. More on this as we get it.
Comments
Whoa.
MPower - November 14, 2011
NO.
jdog25 - November 14, 2011
Whoa….. is that A WEBOS device…???
Good_ole_Pinocchio - November 14, 2011
My thought exactly…I’d say almost. :-)
kedmond - November 14, 2011
Wait…they don’t make those anymore lmao.
SF18443 - November 14, 2011
Yes, freakin’ hilarious.
DavidVogt - November 14, 2011
the music logo icon they have is an exact replica of the itunes logo.
Tablet - November 14, 2011
apple stole it from microsoft windows
Stylinred - November 15, 2011
Who stole it from your mom.
Yeah I just did a your mom joke.
pierre.french - November 15, 2011
What on earth did MS Windows use that icon for before 2002?
Cloudgazer - November 15, 2011
zune
Tablet - November 15, 2011
In 2002?
2006 maybe
Boghog - November 16, 2011
Now that webOS is pretty much dead, Blackberry can shamelessly rip off all its great features!
johnrichert - November 14, 2011
Yet somehow they will still find a way to fail.
crackedcactus - November 14, 2011
just like webOS did?
2ma_ - November 15, 2011
webOS did not fail. Its owners failed.
skat_et_dieu - November 15, 2011
Agreed, but will it be as beautiful to use as WebOS or just clunky and more like a webOS skin over winmo or android- at least until Mathias (sp?) has had longer to work on overhauling the UI…. ?
The Jake - November 14, 2011
nope the notifications arent as good
mwc2 - November 14, 2011
If this is the real device they just killed WP7 for 3rd place
patfactorx - November 14, 2011
That’s a big call.
http://cdn.esphoneblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/nokia-lumia-800-black.jpg
Andrew Rockefeller - November 14, 2011
patfactorx - November 14, 2011
a phone that isn’t even out yet, that has absolutely no developer support (many devs DROPPING support for rim devices as of now), and by the time it is rumored to come out wp7 will be onto the wp8 “apollo” update…yeah, i’ll take that with a wheelbarrow of salt
seems like a comment that is full of more wishful thinking than common sense.
simbadogg - November 14, 2011
how? bbm music is crud compared to zune
this interface looks like a sad attempt to copy webOS which already failed
the only thing this phone can take away is from android. android satisfaction rates are down the tubes, and high marketshare does not implicate people will continue buying hacked together beta stuff
Tablet - November 14, 2011
That would be true, only if it was coming out this year. By 2013, Blackberry would have fallen to an all time low and Windows 8 would be out by then, unifying the windows ecosystem even further. And if this does come out in 2013, who says it wont be Fall 2013? That’s an entire 2 years from now.
Graham Reid - November 14, 2011
My mistake. I read 2013. That’s still right around from when Windows 8 is coming out, so they will have to try their best to upstage it.
Graham Reid - November 15, 2011
JosiahCo - November 14, 2011
Better, how do you kill TWO zombie CEO’s? At the SAME TIME?
crackedcactus - November 14, 2011
http://www.blogcdn.com/news.bigdownload.com/media/2008/12/whoa.jpg
Joseph Gubbels - November 15, 2011 via mobile
Q3 2012?! I’ll be thinking about vesting my pension then…
av_a_laugh - November 15, 2011 via mobile
Check out this mockup of BBX… http://www.blackberryos.com/content/exclusive-what-new-bbx-smartphone-should-really-look-like-2291/
BlackBerryOS.com - November 28, 2011
UglyBerry
frtne - November 14, 2011
Strongly disagree.
Ghost650 - November 14, 2011
This looks incredible.
EngadgetRefugee - November 14, 2011
It looks absolutely incredible!
The Porsche designed Blackberry was a sign of things to come.
Leica_Virgin - November 14, 2011
The sides and the back look fantastic, the front looks like ass….
This phone is dubbed “butterface” for sure…. the keyboard looks horrible.
Plazmic Flame - November 14, 2011
i was sipping coffee while going through the comments, and i spurted out.
hilarious :D butterface
Muf - November 14, 2011
is there something wrong with your eyes? god help us if its left up to you for you to design a phone.
I don’t even use blackberry anymore , but this thing is beautiful .
Grundyman - November 15, 2011
The Porsche Blackberry also has a sticker price both of $2000. That’s an odd sign for the future.
Canucker2 - November 14, 2011
not really considering apples outrageous prices
Stylinred - November 15, 2011
Um for 2000 you can get a Macbook Pro.
EngadgetRefugee - November 15, 2011
free iphone on contract. yea outrageous.
Tablet - November 15, 2011
This Blackberry Porche thing is hideous. Absolutely hideous. It’s similar in vein to the Nokia disasters a few years ago. Horrible implementation of the design language. Looking at it, I want to do something horrible to the designer.
The “London” BBX phone on the other hand is refreshingly different. I like it a lot better. Hopefully RIM continues to refine it and ship it on time, feature-relavent and relatively bug-free.
Aenean144 - November 14, 2011
And the likelihood of ALL the things in the that last sentence coming to pass? <.01%
crackedcactus - November 14, 2011
$2000? Where’s my damn trackpad? I WANT MY TRACKPAD.
backporchprophet - November 15, 2011
BlackBerryOS.com - November 28, 2011
And me.
Absolutely gorgeous industrial design but q3 2012?
Blackberry will be dead by then.
Boghog - November 15, 2011
Shave that top and bottom down and then we have a usable looking phone.
jdog25 - November 14, 2011
Seriously? An extra cm at the top and bottom of the phone renders this phone unusable?! You, sir, are a fool. I would think that the OS and UI would have a greater effect, but that’s just me.
Ghost650 - November 14, 2011
At least take off the top and bottom black bezel, I mean come on a giant bezel on a giant bezel.
jdog25 - November 14, 2011
YO DAWG
storm8ring3r - November 14, 2011
I heard you like bezel so we gave you some bezel to go with your bezel
joeyklatzko - November 14, 2011
SO U CAN BEZEL WHILE U BEZEL
storm8ring3r - November 14, 2011
IMMA SHIZZLE WITH YO BEZEL
krazyfrog - November 14, 2011
I’ve always wanted to do this. CO-CO-CO-CO-COMBO BREAKER.
DeanStephens - November 15, 2011
The bezel is probably there to assist with bezel gestures.
codemaker - November 14, 2011
Well in that case they should add even more bezel to make up for that bezel
UCLAKoolman - November 14, 2011
the giant BLACKBERRY logo does’t really help either, is that really needed on the front?
Cnewton - November 14, 2011
Agreed. They should lose that and free up some room for screen or other things. Leave the BB logo on the back. Lose the silver and just have a slate/iPhone/Android-esque design and it would be sweet. Although I’ll probably wait for a qwerty or slider model.
TheAmazingHarold - November 14, 2011
I love the silver additions to it. Plus the screen is big enough that it can afford to leave the rest for aesthetics. It doesn’t need anything else on it to work.
As for the comment about making it look like an iPhone/Androidesque model… I say absolutely not. It’s a BlackBerry. This looks like nothing else out there and that’s perfectly fine by me.
KevCollazo - November 15, 2011
Since BBX relies on bezel for navigation, it’s sort of necessary.
SF18443 - November 14, 2011
Right? I feel that may be just because it’s a really early prototype. I mean putting the BLACKBERRY right at the bottom of the phone is just not classy.
And the giant bezel makes the bezel’s bezel unnecessary because that first bezel is enough for gestures.
ericralph - November 14, 2011
Whoa, double bezel all the way
AzureAlert - November 14, 2011
Shave that top and bottom down and then we have a
usable looking phone.iPhone.Pobregizmo - November 14, 2011
Dumbest comment award goes to…………Pobregizmo’s commenter on theverge.com!
jdog25 - November 14, 2011
Pobregizmo forgot to add:
Signed,
Apple’s legal team.
WasAPasserBy - November 14, 2011
Or you have a rectangle with a black bezel, just like dozens of other smartphones.
TOMMMMMM - November 14, 2011
you shave bottom of anything and it’ll look good amiright?
ranhalt - November 14, 2011
I have a feeling that the top and bottom are antennae. RIM is very concerned about reception and the only way to make phones slimmer is to move the Antennae outside the device like Apple did. Otherwise you get stuck with the famous Hump.
69camaroSS - November 14, 2011
Far from it, my friend, far from it.
kedmond - November 14, 2011
i think it looks really nice, hopefully rim can make a comeback.
evcom - November 14, 2011
First thought: woah.
This thing looks like it could seriously compete.
jagger27 - November 14, 2011
Looks can be deceiving. But I said WHOA too. Need to see it in acton, get some reviews.
ddpacino - November 14, 2011
Just Whoa’d too. Man, this thing looks… If it is as thin as it looks. Than man, this is some nice piece of hardware.
Matous Vales - November 14, 2011
Has style, but edges use a lot of space – screen could be bigger.
artysx - November 14, 2011
Um…this needs to be out NOW if they want to compete. Those specs are dated in June 2012.
guitarfreak846 - November 14, 2011
Exactly what I was gonna say !
Misch3000 - November 14, 2011
Exactly, you almost read my mind.. I was about to post those exact words. These specs are ok for 2011. Once again in 2012 RIM will be last.
Ezekiel - November 14, 2011
Par for the course, these days.
Jeremy-P - November 14, 2011
Well, at least they’ve caught up to 2011. With OS5,6,7 they were still a couple years back.
Plazmic Flame - November 14, 2011
But think about it, BlackBerries are known to have amazing battery life. They’re probably wanting to keep things like the processor strong enough, but allow for it to retain the longer battery life
droidsarefun - November 14, 2011
so.. they’re projecting for when batteries can withstand the prolonged use of a dual core chip and 4 inch screen??
so.. they’re projecting for when batteries can withstand the prolonged use of a dual core chip and 4 inch screen??I think it would be in their best interest to get these in the hands of consumers ASAP, battery life be damned. I am willing to be that the guy with the work-issued BB is used to dealing with the battery life of iphones or androids with their personal phone.
Ghost650 - November 14, 2011
exactly, the phone is not too bad, but they have to release it in CES in january.
marnuc - November 14, 2011
Exactly. Being forever late to a tech party isn’t fashionable, it’s fatal.
korbermeister - November 14, 2011 via mobile
Reminds me of when the PlayBook was announced; sounded, looked AMAZING. When it was released the specs were run of the mill, not to mention the half baked software.
DrJobb - November 14, 2011
Just putting this out there, the playbook looked like nothing. It was a bland black rectangle. It had absolutely zero character (still does), so much so that when Amazon went and ripped off the design it didn’t even matter because the thing was so generically stale.
This is a step back from the playbook. If you want to get some hype going for your company I could fake a better idea for a phone (scheduled for next june) in under and hour and send it in to the Verge as an anonymous tip.
This is a sad attempt to scramble back from what they should have started doing a couple years ago.
Dino_the_Dino - November 15, 2011
Isn’t the OS more important than the specs? How many iPhone 4 users care that their phone’s specs are horribly dated?
kiteeatingtree - November 14, 2011
I would argue that they will be outdated by January 2012.
DavidVogt - November 14, 2011
Nothing will be out with a higher than 1024x resolution in Jan. By Q3 2012 when this comes out, it will be common me thinks. Also Win8 tablet and WP8 will be abound. Developer intrest has already shifted from RIM to WP after IOS and Droid.
KeyboardG - November 15, 2011
Good point. RIM just can’t execute fast enough. If this phone were to come out today, it would be amazing and keep RIM in the running of high end smart phones. Next June, they will be up against quad core android phone with 720p displays, possibly iphone 5 as well. Also looking at RIM’s recent track record, I doubt they would make the June deadline, it will probably come out in the fall, or near year end.
qspace - November 14, 2011
Excellent point.
kedmond - November 14, 2011
I’m hoping that they’ll take advantage of the planned time between now and release to re-address and evolve those specs. (Just because an early concept prototype is running on that hardware now doesn’t mean the final product(s) will.)
Hope. Hope. Hopehopehope.
Thogek - November 14, 2011
maybe, maybe not. BBX is a new operating system for phones, we don’t know what kind of processing power it needs to run, Maybe it will run fantastic with the hardware it is given
speak easy - November 14, 2011
Oh my god, RIM actually did something cool!
GLaDOS - November 14, 2011
Maybe and we will see it in 2 years.
jdog25 - November 14, 2011
Of this has a 720p screen and a good OS, Blackberry may become relevant again.
Chrisness - November 14, 2011
Key word being “may”.
jdog25 - November 14, 2011
apparently 1024×600
XiXora - November 14, 2011
Yup, same as the Playbook.
Plazmic Flame - November 14, 2011
Hey, this looks like the Pre 4.
DelScorcho - November 14, 2011
It’s not bad looking…
But it’s not great looking either… Porsche Design Blackberry from a while back wasn’t the best looking, why carry the design further?
APVangeliLMS - November 14, 2011
I thought the Porsche Design BB was fantastic. Thats why.
Ghost650 - November 14, 2011
That’s not why. Nor should that be why. Just because one person liked that illustrator rendering doesn’t mean they should push forward with this design language. It looks dated already.
What they need to do is focus on getting software out there that people want to care about. Putting together a decent enough hardware set for a smartphone these days shouldn’t be a problem.. HTC pumps out new phones every week it feels like.
Dino_the_Dino - November 15, 2011
Clearly I am not the only one. I don’t think this looks dated at all. Sure it has more bezel than we have seen from other modern phones, but overall the design is very clean indeed.
Secondly, yes they of course need software that people care about, but a gorgeous device to attract attention would sure help too. This and that porsche phone are those devices. I am not going to say that blackberry is back and Windows needs to look out. But this is at least a strong sign of life.
Ghost650 - November 15, 2011
This is the best looking Blackberry phone I have seen in a while.
antonjonas - November 14, 2011
Whoa. Just.. Whoa.
Hexidecimal - November 14, 2011
This is the most unique looking piece of industrial design I’ve seen since iPhone 4. I’ve never been interested in Blackberry but this could make me interested.
Hidd3nFury - November 14, 2011
let’s hope they do and it can gain some traction because a two-horse race just ins’t that interesting.
azulum - November 14, 2011
I see a fair amount of Zune HD in the design… which is not a bad thing at all. But it’s not the most unique I’ve seen; not by a long shot.
Ghost650 - November 14, 2011
For me the N9 design is much more appealing
Moominpappa - November 14, 2011
Actually the Lumia and this are..if this turns out to be real.
Adriel Mingo - November 14, 2011
Looks like Porsche Design Lab got their hands on this too. Yuck.
alexflint - November 14, 2011
I was going to say the same thing. I don’t think their previous phones were ugly (certainly not as elegant as other available phones) but I wouldn’t want this phone regardless of the OS.
crichton007 - November 14, 2011
Mind = blown.
KaiserKappel - November 14, 2011
omg.
Laura June - November 14, 2011
Great Job.
kwolgast - November 14, 2011
Epic image!
Plazmic Flame - November 14, 2011 via mobile
Hello Hexagonal Phone!
JONvsLEE - November 14, 2011
you do mean octogonal right?
azulum - November 14, 2011
Reminds me of a Droid Razr.
Plazmic Flame - November 14, 2011
Without the ugly.
69camaroSS - November 14, 2011
To me this is Blackberry trying TOO hard to be edgy (no pun). Subtly and simple design wins.
frtne - November 14, 2011
This isn’t simple enough for you?
codemaker - November 14, 2011
not really. To me the octagon shape serves not purpose. I just think RIM is out of touch and grasping at what they think will get attention, rather than just aiming for great design. The N9 or any Ives creation are more in line with my sensibilities.
frtne - November 14, 2011
While the Porche design is definitely ugly, the lead image really isn’t bad. Very industrial, metal and glass. There’s nothing wrong with that formula.
H.L - November 14, 2011
That’s a pretty ugly phone., though the UI is nicer… Is this the Blackberry comeback?!
benjamin_ - November 14, 2011
RIM just out-did Motorola on the whole “removal of corners” thing.
Consequence219 - November 14, 2011
Nope.
codemaker - November 14, 2011
Agreed. This is how you do corners in a physical product, commit and make them look purposeful, not like you dropped your phone. Well done RIM, you might just pull this off.
dashiel - November 14, 2011
Aren’t they supposed to be same resolution as the playbook? Screen almost looks too wide to be same aspect ratio. Maybe it’s the picture angle or the lengthy body…
scaots - November 14, 2011 via mobile
Interesting design. I would just nix the BB logo on the bottom for something for subtle. Looking forward to BB’s future.
garrett - November 14, 2011
*more subtle.
garrett - November 14, 2011
Yeah, I don’t think that logo is big enough.
oghowie - November 14, 2011
Not going to take me from Android
4wrestling - November 14, 2011
It’s god damn sexy!
wasia - November 14, 2011
Honestly that looks terrible
Allegrotechie - November 14, 2011
It looks so bad and if it’s anything like the Playbook it will never sell
jstine - November 14, 2011
Well it stands out.
It looks like they’re trying so hard.
BoydCape - November 14, 2011
I don’t like the look of the Porche phone, but I think this is rather handsome. It’s much cleaner without all those unnecessary lines. If this is actually BBs next move, then good on them!
Dasaii - November 14, 2011
My first reaction: Whoaaaaa! Is that a BlackBerry?
Very sexy, screen could be bigger though and specs would be average by summer 2012.
Edgard - November 14, 2011
As long as the price is also average I’m in.
rsanchez1 - November 14, 2011
Way too much black bezel around the screen. Make that thinner and this phone would look incredible.
jonbutler - November 14, 2011
Bezel might be there to assist with bezel gestures. IDK
codemaker - November 14, 2011
I dig the ID. Sort of reminds me of ZuneHD which itself was sort of the anti-ipod/iphone.
Ghost650 - November 14, 2011
‘Cause sometimes a leak is just too big to simply leave a ’The Verge’ watermark in a corner
simon.ly - November 14, 2011
This is insane.
Ineptune - November 14, 2011
Wow that cant be a blackberry – not the sexiest thing in the world but this would be a super model driving a ferrari in a blackberry world.
newshaggy - November 14, 2011
Judging by the strong opinions on the hardware design, I think this is a good move.Polarizing > acceptable.
Ghost650 - November 14, 2011
My immediate thought was: Battlestar Galactica
Vendrazi - November 14, 2011
Digging it. I haven’t said that about a Blackberry in three or four years.
NaJaKwa - November 14, 2011
That music icon looks identical to the old iTunes logo. Just saying’.
williamgarrison - November 14, 2011
First thing I noticed. Seriously?!
Pobregizmo - November 14, 2011
Is it time for RIM to buy WebOS to put it on this phone? o.O
Hasseo - November 14, 2011
Why buy it when they already stole it and put it in the Playbook?
rsanchez1 - November 14, 2011
No. They are investing heavily in QNX.
codemaker - November 14, 2011
That actually does not look bad at all! It just needs the screen to expand to fill the entire black area.
GebradenKip - November 14, 2011
No joke. Push the screen to the edges of the phone or Apple will do it first.
NaJaKwa - November 14, 2011
Maybe it’s necessary for the swipe gestures in the OS? Pretty sure the Playbook recognizes gestures in the bezel, may be there for that.
Consequence219 - November 14, 2011
I’d rather have more screen real estate than those gestures.
NaJaKwa - November 14, 2011
Bezel gestures are amazing. Using those gestures on the playbook feels very natural.
codemaker - November 14, 2011
I am not sure if the bezel on my playbook recognizes gestures. I believe they just treat a 1 pixel border around the edge of the screen as the bezel. So any gesture that crosses that border is assumed to come from the bezel (or go to the bezel).
codemaker - November 14, 2011
I read somewhere (I believe it was CrackBerry) when the PlayBook first came out that someone experimented with the bezel by covering the whole bezel to see if it was just registering from the screen and it was determined that the bezel is really touch sensitive.
DaGooch1979 - November 14, 2011
I don’t have my playbook with me right here to test it, but you might be right.
codemaker - November 14, 2011
Cut away the metal and it looks like those new Nokia things.
KevinJay - November 14, 2011
Thick bezel around the screen which makes the device quite big but it’s definitely good looking phone, much needed change from what we’ve seen lately.
ericrekut - November 14, 2011
JUNE 2012?!
oghowie - November 14, 2011
Good luck not getting sued by Apple for that music icon.
awwyeah - November 14, 2011
yea no kidding! that thing screams iTunes…
codya321 - November 14, 2011
It looks like THE FUTURE! Circa 1985
Bassam - November 14, 2011
They’re going to need a phone like this, but I hope it doesn’t come late to the game though. Good for RIM for pulling up their socks.
Kenny G Jr. - November 14, 2011
I’m still in shock that a leaked photo like this wasn’t blurry!
Chunkygeek - November 14, 2011
Amusingly high quality “leak”. That’s a very beautiful device, will it be too late?
AngryOaf - November 14, 2011
I kinda like the design. Will see if QNX (or BBX?) will stand out the competition.
Wolfpet - November 14, 2011
This looks quite nice. My only complaint is the oversized and ugly BlackBerry logo and text on the bottom. Stick the branding on the back of the phone. If I own the phone I know what it is and don’t need to be reminded of it.
Only issue will be the fact that the QNX app store sucks right now. Of course since they have the Android player it might be a bit better, but developers will still have to take the time to submit to their app store.
jclardy - November 14, 2011
this looks good!
vendetta - November 14, 2011
This actually looks really sick! I’m surprised with RIM. They have finally designed a phone that I could imagine myself using.
LogicallyTechnology - November 14, 2011
After looking at this, I feel BB can give a shot at success.
RaviK - November 14, 2011
If this is real, then I still have hope for BB. Also, if you hadn’t told me this was a (rumored) RIM phone, I would’ve thought this was the webOS slate phone that was rumored to be developed by HP before they shut down webOS.
rsanchez1 - November 14, 2011
Definitely a step in the right direction.
TLG - November 14, 2011
There is too much unused space on top and bottom, extend the screen size maybe.. but looks… okay
ill pass
tachi91 - November 14, 2011
If this is true, then this is a huge leap for RIM. If they release this anytime soon, they’re back in the game I think. There’s no denying BlackBerry is crippling in its current state.
Dylan Spronck - November 14, 2011
I get why they are making the multitasking screens large, but couldn’t they fit more apps in bottom toolbar. I think five apps is the right move. My guess is that they’ll have a bunch of variations on hardware design, so I’m less concerned about that side of things. I could do with a much smaller blackberry logo, smaller silver framing on the top and bottom, etc.
People should also keep in mind that QNX/BBX is more efficient with the same specs as Android, so the dual core 1.5ghz will probably be enough to whatever you will be able to do on a quad-core Android that has bloatware. Windows Phone 7 and the iPhone get by just fine will specs that are way behind the fastest Android device.
Lastly, June 2012 seems really far away and unless they are coming out with some software items (cloud storage, bbm video chat, etc.), they really should consider pushing that to like April.
DBX00 - November 14, 2011
Shhhhh. You’re making too much sense.
The Stark - November 14, 2011 via mobile
DAMN! This is a serious looking phone. SERIOUS looking.
What about the app development kit, openess? RIM is about to be crippled by Windows Mobile. This is a real showstopper.
Now what about the app development ecosystem? Beutiful device (Like the N9), but developer support?
BigMixxx - November 14, 2011
It has HTML 5, native kit is in open beta, android app conversion and some other stuff. The game developers have released a bunch of games for the Playbook the last month and all the QNX apps will work on BBX phones. I think they’ll be able to get enough from third parties, but they still need in-house apps that are compelling and let developers hook into the OS level systems to integrate across the OS.
DBX00 - November 14, 2011
What is the upside down eject button next to the App Title?
DBX00 - November 14, 2011
I noticed that too. Might open a menu, might close the app. There is an X there on the playbook 2.0 OS build.
codemaker - November 14, 2011
It’s great that BB is changing their phones, but please come with better designs!!!
this phone has way too mush unused space :|
gamemanx - November 14, 2011
Anything without a QUERTY k/b doesn’t interest me but anything that keeps RIM alive and relevant is probably a good thing..their about the only company left making a smartphone that caters to those who can’t use touchscreens (although I’d love to see Moto finish ripping off the Bold with the next version of the Droid Pro).
Psycros - November 14, 2011
Reminds me of the Zune HD design aesthetic – I just don’t see people carrying something like this around. I’m all for a BB comeback but doubt they’ve got enough in the tank. Ugly.
Gansevoort - November 14, 2011
It’s a good looking phone. A little plain, but still attractive. The only problem I see is that this phone maybe too late for the party. Knowing RIM and there famously “delayed” shipping times, this puts the phone dangerously close to an iPhone 5 release and after a new Android is update. By the time this ships, quad-cores maybe inside all of the releases, putting Blackberry behind “the curve” again.
PremierePrimo - November 14, 2011 via mobile
Kindda like the Zune
Mikehenriquez - November 14, 2011
no buttons?
mikeyboom - November 14, 2011
Looks like RIM might be making steps in the right direction. They would have a good amount of catching up to do though when it comes to market share. I bet this would at least stop it from declining so quickly.
rjmccollam - November 14, 2011
Everyone will have moved onto quad-core by then. Too late blackberry. Fail
tim.durden1 - November 14, 2011
Holy Batman, Batman! That looks amazing!
bluECHO - November 14, 2011
Whoa, I wasn’t expecting this. BB just grew a pair!
benr - November 14, 2011
This reminds me of the Nokia N9, waaay too much extra “stuff” on the top and bottom of the phone. It still is an attractive phone however.
powerofT - November 14, 2011
They’re trying soooo hard! Too bad they’re going to fail. This time next year, RIMM will be bought out, for sure.
aberaf - November 14, 2011
Whilst I’m not typically a fan of black colored phones, I truly believe this hardware would look better in black. Something about that tan color bothers me. Otherwise, the thinness and buttonless design are a step in the right direction. I am eager to see what BBX offers as a phone platform. Nonetheless, will people really have space in their minds for a fourth operation system? I’m excited to see the new hardware and implantation of the cards metaphor, yet I do not have any strong feelings for the platform.
On the positive side, this will be a shock to the corporate bobbles head as the adapt to BBX and Windows 8.
@yveslune83 - November 14, 2011
zune hd
john gotti - November 14, 2011
Ha! Good call. But I can’t say that I don’t like it. Other than the size that is. Way to big for me to ever want to get one.
cbalcom03 - November 14, 2011
I could totally see myself buying one of these, if the OS runs basically the same as on the PlayBook. Considering that I won’t be able to buy a webOS phone, ever, this seems like the next best thing. Mos def excited.
yetinaut - November 14, 2011
Looks like that Porsche Design BB from last month also ushered in the next generation of BB design
maxstolfe - November 14, 2011 via mobile
First time in 5 years that I’m actually considering a BB.
Tj00139 - November 14, 2011
THAT’D BE A STUNNING DEVICE IF IT HAD AN ACTUAL USABLE OS ON IT!
TJ Frye - November 14, 2011
Wheres the keyboard?&
Devin Birmingham - November 14, 2011
If RIM is trying to compete with this ugly BBX and without keyboard against Android and iOS, than good-night!
regiobaden - November 14, 2011
wow.. im really surprised by this.. We will see when and if this comes out..
DeJuanPenn - November 14, 2011
if this is legit you have to admit RIM is going for broke. the complete overhaul
looks interesting… but it will be a crime if they succeed when PALM has failed.
FurryFungus - November 14, 2011
RIM is dead as far as I am concern.
http://www.google.com/trends?q=blackberry&ctab=0&geo=us&date=all&sort=0
travisonfire - November 14, 2011
SWEET! BlackBerry Razr HD
low_level_ninja - November 14, 2011
It is kind of an ugly phone.
Agreb - November 14, 2011
If this is merely a prototype or dummy device that RIM was trying out, I hope they pay close attention to people’s reactions to this design. Not that RIM has design problems, they just need to make sure they understand the current of the market.
codemaker - November 14, 2011
Slap some Windows Phone 8 on that bad boy
CJneo01 - November 14, 2011
HOLY MOTHER OF GOD THEY’RE BACK BITCHES!!!
That’s a beautifull looking phone; I just hope they can update the 9900 to the new OS!
Tiago117 - November 14, 2011
9900’s screen is too small for the new OS probably….
Plazmic Flame - November 14, 2011
That looks like an android 2.1 device with the dell streak skin, ugly as heck.
Raloc - November 14, 2011
I have to say, while I’m not a fan of touchscreen only phones, that looks pretty amazing. The look of BBX on that phone is really nice. This makes me more anxious for a keyboard BBX phone, hopefully next year.
DaGooch1979 - November 14, 2011
Ok… I REALLY hope they pull this through. Looks awesome!
Mobile - November 14, 2011
RIM makes the best mobile hardware keyboards, and also the worst virtual keyboards in the world.
Here’s a foot, let’s shoot it.
roman129 - November 14, 2011
Maybe RIM can stay afloat after all. Hopefully this is truth.
LyndonWhitlow - November 14, 2011
This is the exact move that RIM needs to do to get back into the market. Not sure if this will be the phone they do it with, but they need this type of dramatic change from their usual.
xblacknightxz - November 14, 2011
Such a refreshing design! Very beautiful.
branawesome - November 14, 2011
They need to take some cues from Apple and prevent their phones from being leaked a year before launch.
maattp - November 14, 2011
Exactly. It’s very obvious that these are either controlled leaks or RIM really doesn’t care if this stuff gets out but with the position they’re in now, they really need to take the leaks more seriously and stop them. When stuff leaks, it almost always generate lots of hype but then there is no product to back it up and then usually it’s coming out in 8-12 months. How hard is it to get people to sign NDA’s? (Non-disclosure Agreement).
I remember my company was working on a project with the government and some info leaked about the project, they requested our company fire that entire team. NDAs should be taken seriously.
Plazmic Flame - November 14, 2011
It looks good, cant wait to see more
BahamasGeek242 - November 14, 2011
I see this and The Lumia and I wonder why the Iphone and Galaxy Nexus Designs have become so uninspired. Even HTC and Moto are changing things up a bit.
shingi_70 - November 14, 2011
It’s good to see something materialize from RIM, but I’m not a fan of this hardware design from the angle shown. One of the great things about Blackberries of the past is how function plays a big part of the external design of their products. I hope that continues when they push out QNX devices that are based on touch.
novawolverine - November 14, 2011
It looks like the Porche Blackberry, that one was ugly, so is this one.
jippew - November 14, 2011
honestly, putting aside the uncanny resemblance to web OS, that looks like a cool phone and OS. More power to competition!
Jabman. - November 14, 2011
Hmm that is one of the ugliest phones I have ever seen.
TFausett - November 14, 2011
if this really is the new os i will come back to blackberry!!!!
anfro218 - November 14, 2011
Looks like someone on the hardware design team really loved their Zune HD.
albooher - November 14, 2011
WOW! VERY nice device. Although I wish they could get more apps, this build quality looks amazing and sexy!
Noble 4 - November 14, 2011
looks like a cross between a droid x and droid razr.
tommychen - November 14, 2011
Droid Razr pretty much is just a thinner Droid X
tuftslax18 - November 14, 2011
Oh dear. That is so so ugly. Who would actually want to buy a phone that looks like that? One upside too it…it’s not as ugly as the Porsche device.
mattchapple - November 14, 2011
Looks pretty cool to me.
martonikaj - November 14, 2011
Looks….. Awesome…
Jonathan Seals - November 14, 2011
Oh I love it. I am tried of iPhones & iPhone look alikes! Something UNIQUE!
MiSoFine - November 14, 2011
It looks like the DeLorean of smart phones.
cwchase - November 14, 2011
I really hope so, this phone could bring the “cool” back to Blackberry!
OKJCGO - November 14, 2011
Massive logo makes me think DON’T FORGET THAT YOU’RE USING A BLACKBERRY.
RIM, if you’re listening, and this is real, mind rounding those corners off a tad and shrinking that logo down to oh, I dunno, 1/5th the size?
Simon A - November 14, 2011
I think I would like rounded corners better too. The logo is fine by me. Rounding the corners would make people scream “iPhone”, although it would also then look like a 9000/9900.
codemaker - November 15, 2011
This will enter the market when BB starts selling the Playbook @ $99-sell-‘em-’til-they’re-gone! and rumors swirl as to which tech co. would benifit more from their assets
korbermeister - November 14, 2011 via mobile
A smaller bezel and this is nice.
hatwearer2034 - November 14, 2011
Why didn’t RIM sell its BBM to Apple or Google — voila: instant BBM functionality on those two platforms — and call it a day?
derekpoore - November 14, 2011
Looks pretty sexy, but that bezel is freaking huge. That must be a giant in the hand.
DanJ01 - November 14, 2011
I know the OS sucks and will continue to suck, but I like this design. Has a certain amount of passive aggressiveness. I’m bored by all the black slabs (some times white); iPhone is OK, but Android & Windows Phones’s hardware designs are just “following” Apple’s (I won’t say all of them are iPhone rip offs, but are heavily influenced by iPhone, that’s for sure).
sadi85 - November 14, 2011
Bad. Ass. Will my next phone be a BB?
greedom - November 14, 2011
“At RIM, we’ve made a phone you can KILL A MAN WITH.
Also, BBM."
BenDTU - November 14, 2011
Rim can’t wait that long to put this out, this is the only chance they will succeed
scottkauppinen - November 14, 2011
This is cool!
Justin Glow - November 14, 2011
I think it looks good
Jackrabbit - November 14, 2011
Did anyone notice the icon on the right side of the “card” labels? Looks like a minimize button to me, and that would be awesome! Maybe swipe down to minimize as a shortcut?
Nostril - November 14, 2011
Normal stuff
FrankyApple - November 14, 2011
So based on those specs, they are releasing a Rezound. Only you get it 10 months later. I would bet more money that RIM will be sold/bought by Q3 next year than this phone being released at that time (if at all).
NexusVergil - November 14, 2011
blackberry should have bought webos cause they sure like using the cards concept. But then we surely would never be able to see a webos printer…
PB&JP - November 14, 2011
[ghetto slur] Yo Porsche Design! You R BAD NOOS! No Likey!
ball- - November 14, 2011
Not a fan of the aspect ratio of the screen, in addition to the case design. Too early to tell on the software.
novawolverine - November 14, 2011
THIS IS SO BEAUTIFUL
TheMilkWars - November 14, 2011
Wow, that actually looks pretty incredible. FIRST SEXAY BLACKBERRAY?
Jarrrod - November 14, 2011
For a Blackberry device, this is probably the best/most modern looking device they’ve ever made for sure. Judging by the picture though, it’s hard to tell how big it is exactly. It looks really long… like… too long. Looks like it’s a 5+ inch screen.
Plazmic Flame - November 14, 2011
I can’t believe I am even remotely enjoying looking at a Blackberry device right now, but if that thing is real, it is pretty sweet. Although looks are only one thing without testing the device. If it doesn’t come out until Q3 then there is almost no point to them trying.
gcelano - November 14, 2011
Cut off the extra silver crap, RIM. You’ll then have a desired phone.
Groknar - November 14, 2011
RIM should buy WebOS for this device!!
seankyte - November 14, 2011
Just like HPalm, RIM is taking a millenium to release their products… they need to have this released now! Psh, who know whether RIM will still be around sometime next year…
laoh - November 14, 2011
The metal up top and down below seem like they’d make for a very long phone, no?
Ben Hyams - November 14, 2011
looks awesome
gustavomds - November 14, 2011
If they call it the Blackberry Verge next year, I want a livestream of Josh Topolsky wiping out RIM’s product/marketing department like a Jedi Temple full of Younglings.
jedivulcan - November 14, 2011
Looks almost competitive.
abapicalTaenia - November 14, 2011
I think the design looks pretty nice but would really like to see some more in-depth photos. The specs that were listed are pretty good but unfortunately, as we’ve seen from every RIM device in recent memory, by the time the device comes to market in Jun/Q3 the specs will likely be outdated. Furthermore, I’m not the least bit excited about BBX and don’t see it pulling RIM out of their current rut anytime soon.
david.radermacher - November 14, 2011
WHOA! Thats an amazing device!!!! (if it was released before THIS thanksgiving) 1.5 dual core 8MP camera sounds like current specs not a year from now specs. Oh well!! I will always love Blackberry it was my first true phone love!!
Fonzo - November 14, 2011
The design reminds of the Zune HD….
Tech Ninja - November 14, 2011 via mobile
Promising, however…
If this device is the first BBX device and wont be out until 2013, that’s an extremely long time to wait. By then, not only will apple have iOS 6 or 7, and android have the successor to Ice Cream Sandwich, but Windows 8 will be out as well. Furthermore, if blackberry continues to decline at the rate they are going, by the time 2013 comes around, they be extremely far behind the game. If people thought WP7 was late to the game, then damn…
Graham Reid - November 14, 2011
My mistake. I read 2013 somehow. Nevertheless, knowing RIM, they wouldn’t release this until Sept and if we can expect windows 8 in lat Q3/early Q4, RIM will have to try their hardest.
Graham Reid - November 15, 2011
Pretty interesting design. I’ll tell you like this. iPhone look with android specs …now we talking about BB Device that can actually ROCK ! Now one thing I really want to say about this whole thing. Durability of screen ! I replace screens whole day for living and I must say that this is huge problem. So get gorilla glass or something in that BB and you’ll be set.
XAKEP - November 15, 2011
And what are you gonna run on it? Probably Android apps…
KeyboardG - November 15, 2011
i think this looks fantastic; the first time i was ever interested in a blackberry
Stylinred - November 15, 2011
Q3 2012? Jesus Christ RIM! Do you have any perception of time? Learn about some basic relativity….
bananaoomarang - November 15, 2011
If this comes out after the iPhone, or even around the same time, this is going to be another misfire of PlayBook-sized proportions.
Skald - November 15, 2011
WOLDMOTHER!!!
DarthNicklas - November 15, 2011
Those corners are hideous…. It just seems like Rim can’t get it together no matter what they do. It’s all playbooked up and trying to steal ideas from webOs which is basically on life support at this point seems like a complete misstep. I can’t wait to witness the death of the blackberry because it’s poor decisions like this that will pave the way for it.
acidburn - November 15, 2011 via mobile
I like it, but two of RIM’s signature features are the LED light and the convenience keys. Very surprised t see those weren’t worked into this.
Disparishun - November 15, 2011
London?
That has Stuttgart written all over it
Boghog - November 15, 2011
Iphone icons, the shape of an Nokia X7, Android interface. and made by BlackBerry? : ugly.
C7 - November 15, 2011
URY’`GHI8QFVPC R4FQECSADW8EIHLBCFUTPG
jefgrosfeld - November 15, 2011
Don’t release it before it is ready RIM. Don’t playbook it!
codemaker - November 15, 2011
Ugh, what’s with the Blackberry logo at the bottom? Lose that, and it’ll look pretty decent.
moseley - November 15, 2011
Looks like RIM is picking up what Microsoft is putting down. Zune HD 2???
DarkHorse87 - November 15, 2011
super late to the party as always. I still don’t understand why people buy blackberries. less functionality for more price. has to be a status symbol thing. so stupid…
PantieDropper - November 15, 2011 via mobile
I just can’t see RIM ever competing with Apple, Google, or Microsoft when it come to media consumption driven devices. They ought to be supremely focused on business/enterprise driven devices. How? They could make killer apps that are really useful for the suit wearing folk. They need an excel for mobile devices (not necessarily a spreadsheet app, but a killer business app). Just my opinion.
ColinR - November 15, 2011 via mobile
how about a Q3 2013 release date…? they short of engineers or something…?
rsh007 - November 15, 2011
that’s one ugly device and can the brand be any bigger?
vishesh - November 15, 2011
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