Most People Who Have Handled The BlackBerry Thunder Think It’s A Joke!

Thought
#1. July 9th, 2008, at 9:20 AM.

While I too hope the reality isn’t as bad as this, this story actually makes more sense than the more glowing reports on the Thunder.

Let’s face it: you cannot develop this type of software quickly and easily. All other attempts at a touchscreen interface have been rather mediocre, except for Apple of course.

But Apple used the core of its desktop OS in its iPhone; that’s a huge advantage over the OS of any mobile device. And Apple has years of experience developing that software and perfecting it. Even with the iPhone itself the device was years in secret development. You don’t make up that kind of ground quickly.

When the iPhone was introduced, it was said that the software was years ahead of the competition. I can believe that.

RIM is a great company, but to expect them to do in about a years time what it took Apple several years to accomplish is probably too much.

REV
#2. July 9th, 2008, at 10:27 AM.

Yes, but that post over at BGR has an inescapable hint of bullshit about it, IMHO, for two reasons:

1.) this news just so happens to come out two days before the iPhone is released; and

2.) this “4-5 month” delay sounds like someone pulling a time-frame out of their ass. They qualify it with “If the Bold is any indication….” Well, the Bold and the Thunder are two totally different phones, with two totally different sets of problems (battery/overheating v. touch interface).

Claiming that the problems with the Bold serve as a reliable benchmark for the resolution of the Thunder’s (wholly separate) problems just sounds too idiotic to take at face value. It sounds more like someone to push the iPhone/Thunder fence-sitters into going to AT&T this Friday.

argonnj
#3. July 9th, 2008, at 11:03 AM.

It sounds more like someone to push the iPhone/Thunder fence-sitters into going to AT&T this Friday.

Wow, what a spin. You should be in politics. I wouldn’t hold your breathing waiting for the Thunder to launch, you will have a long wait.

Amish
#4. July 9th, 2008, at 11:57 AM.

I believe Robb has said this before but RIM can’t expect to out Apple Apple.

MacVicta
#5. July 9th, 2008, at 12:26 PM.

The BlackBerry fanboys are really tearing into BGR on this one, even though he’s been an excellent source for BB news thus far.

I feel more inclined to believe this rather than the glowing tales from elsewhere. I can’t see RIM pulling it off so quickly. However the news and rumors in favor of a ready and able Thunder are overwhelming against this single report that says otherwise so I have no choice but to write it off as misinformation.

Should it turn out to be true, BGR’s clout will be through the roof and I’ll no longer question him (or is it them now?) on contrary info.

REV
#6. July 9th, 2008, at 3:31 PM.

argonnj

Why do you consider my thoughts on the BGR post to be “spin”?

Do you not agree that it’s curious that such a damning leak comes out 48 hours before the iPhone release? Do you really think it makes sense to estimate the Thunder’s release based on the (totally unrelated) battery issues with the Bold?

For the record, I like BGR. I visit the site every day, and he’s usually right on the money. And I’m buying an iPhone this Friday, too. So I’m no BGR or Apple hater. But this Thunder post just had an odor to it.

Do you have any substantive thoughts on the matter, or do you just like making snide trolly comments to feel all superior?

argonnj
#7. July 9th, 2008, at 5:39 PM.

REV,
Trolly comments? I post here a lot. Anyway, RIM is basically building a whole new UI with the Thunder. To think they would be able to throw it together so quickly is crazy considering the delays they are having with the Bold or the delay in releasing OS upgrades to existing devices.

JaggedXJ
#8. July 9th, 2008, at 8:06 PM.

I have to agree with the OS comment in the top post. While my Curve 8320 on Tmo is the best phone I have ever used bar none, it still has many areas that could be improved. There are well documented cases online of random resets because of simple memory issues. Why is there no warning equivalent to “low disk space” on a PC OS? Why is the mem so small to begin with. I know there are many issues that are hardware limitations, supposedly addressed in the next gen of BBs, but there are a few glaring ways that the OS is flawed. There are also a number of obvious missing functions that 3rd party app$ have been happy to fill in for. All this leads me to believe that RIM will need either a crack team (better than now/recently) or more time for a stable device as “wonderful” as the Thunder.
In short the RIM OS is far from polished.

Thought
#9. July 9th, 2008, at 8:34 PM.

I would just add that we have not had many instances of positive reports of the Thunder working so well right now; really we only had the story on crackberry.com.

So we have one positive report, and one less so from BGR.

We also know that BGR has a great track record.

Logically, it does seem more likely that RIM is still experiencing some issues with a totally new OS.

REV
#10. July 9th, 2008, at 9:10 PM.

argonnj

I know you do. But your post had a trolly vibe.

I agree with you (and Thought) 100% that RIM has its work cut out for it. And, yes, BGR has a great record. All the more reason to call “bullshit” when you see it in order to keep him to his high standards, yes?

I want to see both the iPhone and the Thunder do fabulously. I think there’s plenty of room in the sandbox for both to thrive. Still, that BGR post - specifically the actual quotes from the ninja - just sounded “off” to me, not entirely genuine. Almost like the guy really really wanted to give you a convincing reason not to wait around for a Thunder. Maybe his report is 100% true, but then toss in the fact that this post came on the heels of that glowing Crackberry review, and both came mere days before July 11th, and I just get the feeling that some folks aren’t being totally forthcoming.

Chris Rowan
#11. July 10th, 2008, at 2:01 AM.

This is idiotic. It’s not a release ready device. How it performs at any moment in time before release means nothing. This is a case of too much information about something that doesn’t matter. Some people need to find something better to do with their time than useless information whoring.

Albert
#12. July 10th, 2008, at 7:16 PM.

Who really knows what’s the truth, when people don’t go on record, and people do anonymous tips, you’re completely basing it on the journalist. So basically if you believe BG then you believe him and if crackberry is your thing, then you belive them

Thought
#13. July 10th, 2008, at 10:04 PM.

I think some need to chill…regardless of what the reality is, there is no conspiracy to tarnish RIM’s reputation.

The numbers of people who read these rumors on the blogs and who would actually allow them to impact their purchases is tiny.

Apple and their supporters do not need in any way to spread negative rumors about the Thunder in order to sell tons of iPhones.

At this point, all we have are rumors…so we probably will get a mixed bag of messages, sometimes contradictory.

REV
#14. July 10th, 2008, at 10:53 PM.

@ Thought

“Apple and their supporters do not need in any way to spread negative rumors about the Thunder in order to sell tons of iPhones.”

I agree. They don’t need to.

But if there’s anything I’ve learned from reading BGR, Engadget and RIMarkable, it’s that some people take their mobile phones waaaaaay too seriously. This dick-swinging rivalry among web sites and message board posters would be hilarious if it wasn’t so sad.

I don’t think Apple had anything to do with anything. But I can totally see some sorry-ass Apple-supporting freak trying to use misinformation or selective facts to sway minds and influence people against a carrier or manufacturer the guy hates for whatever reason.

As for the “tiny” effect BGR has on the masses - I dunno. Do you notice how many web sites - even legitimate mass media news sites - pick up on “groundbreaking” BGR headlines? I remember when he broke the news on the Thunder, and his blog entry was parroted all over the place. Major newspapers, cable TV news channels, the whole schmear.

Point is, even if the media never refers to him by name, when he releases “big deal” news, it gets around.

Bernhard
#15. July 12th, 2008, at 7:18 AM.

Is it just me or is the BlackBerry thunder really, really ugly? Reminds me of the first versions of the HTC Phones.

I think RIM should look for designers you are able to create a masterpiece, not try to imitate other phones (as is the Bold compared to the iPhone)