Update: The images of the BlackBerry Slider originated from BBLeaks so we wanted to update this post to give credit where credit is due…
So, the Internet’s buzzing with what could be the first live pictures of the BlackBerry Slider, possibly the BlackBerry Storm3, and the big question that everyone is asking… “Are these pictures fake.” I’m not a Photoshop expert and can’t really tell just by looking at the pictures, however, I can’t, for the life of me, figure out why a BlackBerry with a touchscreen would also need a track pad. These first live pics of the BlackBerry Slider, Storm3, or whatever this device will be call just isn’t passing the gut test…
It’s looking like my gut feel may be wrong. CrackBerry is reporting that not only is this real, but, is probably what the BlackBerry Slider that gets released will look like… I still am not sure why it needs a trackpad. Actually, I am starting to get it…
{ 24 comments… read them below or add one }
The assumption is that the big screen will be touch. I think that the device will simply be a big screen and the trackpad will still be used for all other purposes. You can get what you want from a BBOS without the tacked on feeling of touch.
FAIL
2003 called, it wants its meme back.
Can anyone tell me why people think that using word “fail” is still cool?
I don’t know, maybe because it’s still used. And speaking of 2003, RIM should take note.
If has a touchpad, so its not touchscreen. Am i right or wrong?
No, its has both.
Hopefully it’ll work both ways. Recently had my Storm 9530′s touch screen crack at the screen conecction. I was unable to use the phone AT ALL. It would be nice to have the track pad as an option for this instance or when you need precise navigation of the cursor. (I.E…selecting text.)
So, what would be some good reasons for having both, the trackpad and the touch screen? Besides for selecting text when doing copy/paste?
Ask the same question to HTC on their Android phones. They have a touchscreen and a trackball. More options better then less.
I hope that this device will be in addition to the the Toucscreen only BlackBerry Storm and not a replacement for it. I actually really like my Storm2 and don’t think I need a slide-out keyboard, even though I am sure it will be pretty popular.
There is some speculation that this is NOT the Storm 3, but an evolution of what the Magnum was to be.
We need a view from the side. I want to see how thick this puppy is. It could be my next BlackBerry…
I could see the trackpad being useful…
When the slider is closed, just use the touch screen. The hands are probably in the wrong position most of the time to make the touchpad useful.
When the slider is open and the hands are in the keyboard position, it would be a real pain to use the touch screen, and relatively easy to use the touchpad with a thumb.
After sleeping on it, I can see where the TrackPad makes sense. The BlackBerry Slider will be a bridge device between whatever BlackBerry users are currently using and the direction the RIM is taking the future of the platform.
By adding the TrackPad, RIM should be able to give a very familiar experience to BlackBerry users who currently have keyboards and trackballs or trackpads, essentially eliminating the objection that I don’t like it because it is different than what I already have.
Like PBXD40, I hope that this is not a replacement for the Storm as we know it, Touchscreen only, but, an addition to it.
If this is really a touchscreen, I do not understand the need for a trackpad. The only reason I can think of is for compatibility with older apps that may require a trackball/trackpad. Personally I think having it is unnecessary.
In my initial opinion, epic fail. May be too long to handle comfortably when open (looks larger than the Pre open). Also, if it’s the “click” screen, I can see people snapping this sucker in half when the device is open. If the click only operates when closed, then the track pad is in an awkward position when open with a long reach.
RIM needs to look at the construction of the Devour and go that route regarding design (just make the screen bigger and remove the dedicated number row so the space bar has its own row).
Who would ever want a tack-pad and touch? None of the Androids have trackballs! Oh wait they do…
Do Android people whine about both options?
For everyone who doesn’t understand the trackpad… Robb is exactly right but it also extends to the same reasons why the Palm Pre has a trackball.
The trackball is there for simple navigation around the phones menus or when you’re surfing the web and you don’t have a directional pad. It also comes in handy when trying to select small sections of the screen on websites. Small buttons or links. However, probably the most useful thing is when you’re typing and you notice a typo a few lines back. It’s much easier to scroll there than it is to try and pinpoint the spot with a touch. Capacitive touch screens are not as accurate because the contact patch for your finer is much bigger than the area you want to select. Zooming isn’t always easy or practical. The iPhone addressed this issue with a magnifier built into the OS but with a trackball you can easily scroll back to the poitn where you want to add or remove a letter. For all those places where your finger can’t quite get an acurate touch, the trackball is perfect and as you can see, takes up very little space on the “UI”
Got that Eric?
Uh…the Pre doesn’t have a trackball.
Looks like this device is a spin-off from the Bold and not the Storm. With that said, it still looks like sh*t. The track pad is located in the middle, which makes it a stretch. The only benefit from this design is a larger screen since it won’t have touch capability on the screen. I hate to say this, but RIM just doesn’t get it. In the past two years they have only made incremental improvements. I love my BB, but the way technology is progressing, it’s making it harder and harder each day to justify “email” is my most important issue. I really can’t wait for the N1 on VZW.
I am hearing that it will have a touchscreen, it just won’t be TruePress. (screen won’t click)
I really like the Devour Design and material minus the touch pad placement. If RIM stole that design and ran with OS 6 plus the webkit browser, I would consider that a substantial leap in both design and functionality, and certainly a player in high end phones despite the antiquated OS design.
Oh, its perfect. first, i hate touch screens they are never accurate so having a track pad, keyboard and touch with a big screen is my style. and it slides out from the bottom and not the side. I don’t want to keep having to flip my phone over on an angel every 5 seconds. Finally there is some geek out there like me who wants the same thing.
iphones are cool as hell but for work purposes blackberry’s rock.