The BlackBerry Thunder Is Coming

Dalton
#1. July 16th, 2008, at 10:20 AM.

Wow, so we still have to wait at least 3 months. I have now already decided not to get this since I will only have to wait a mere 12-14 months to get the Bold. Can’t wait!

MacVicta
#2. July 16th, 2008, at 10:50 AM.

Looks like they’re in a real hurry. I’d hate to think that the device will be compromised in any way due to a rush to launch.

REV
#3. July 16th, 2008, at 10:59 AM.

You think mid-October is “a hurry”? You’re far more patient than me, friend.

But I agree that I’d rather wait for a solid, stable and polished device than a half-ass rushed-to-market iPhone knock-off.

Thought
#4. July 17th, 2008, at 7:51 AM.

Perhaps RIM and Verizon are getting worried watching the iPhone fly off the shelves.

By the time the Thunder drops, how many iPhone 3g’s will have sold? Maybe 3 or 4 million? Maybe more…

The sad thing is that RIM is playing from behind, trying to catch up with Apple…and so for a few months at least Apple will have the field entirely to themselves…(yes, I know that there are other iPhone competitors, but they are pretty mediocre).

In the meantime, Verizon will probably just have to watch some of their customers switch to get the iPhone.

It’s kind of sad though that development of the Bold seems to have been put on the backburner…I think the Bold would sell more overall units…but I guess ATT doesn’t need a killer device right now, because they have the iPhone.

Bob
#6. July 17th, 2008, at 8:44 AM.

{This comment showed up in the spam filter, however, “Bob” played fairly nice so I am letting it through… moderator}

I can’t believe that you still haven’t learned. The only reason that CDMA is still big in the U.S. is because Verizon, the most anti consumer of all wireless carriers, has brainwashed their minion subcriber base into believing that they have a superior network.

I admit that Verizon BlackBerry users aren’t flocking to the iPhone, however, Verizon is seeing significant consumer feature phone churn.

It is simply a matter of time before a few of BlackBerry using Verizon sheep wake up and realize that they are still able to talk to their more elightened friends and family members that have made the move to AT&T to get the iPhone, or, even a BlackBerry that hasn’t been locked down to hell with all of the anti consumer practices of Verizon.

The day is coming when even Verizon BlackBerry users will start to believe that iPhone users can actually make calls more than 50 ft. away from a cell tower. Verizon’s game is almost up. Fear, uncertainty, and doubt which keeps the flock loyal cannot and will not prevail forwever.

If I were RIM and the Rumors are true about them putting more priority on getting the Thunder out than getting the Bold out, I would change up on the front immediately.

The game is over when it comes to touchscreen devices. Apple won it when they announced the first iPhone back in January of last year. RIM better stick to what they know and just hope Apple doesn’t decide to stick a keyboard on an iPhone any time soon.

Billy Bob
#7. July 17th, 2008, at 12:27 PM.

Hellno, game is not over. The network matters. The game has just begun.

Todd
#8. July 17th, 2008, at 1:29 PM.

i picked up an iphone to play with on the 30 day trial. I’m a Verizon 8830 user. I gotta say the service (I’m Philadelphia to New York area) on AT&T is just as good as verizons which surprises me a lot. Every dead spot I’m used to with verizon, At&T seams to cover. At&T’s Dead spots seam to be covered by Verizon making service coverage a push in my book. Dropped calls are pretty much a push as well 1 week into my little trail here.

I must admit, though i dont agree with everything bob has to say above, it is really nice to be using a carrier who lets me use ALL of my PHONE, and it is nice to have the latest a greatest phones an option to me. I have no faith in the thunder, I think RIM will have a big learning curve with this new interface.

AT&T may have just won me over from Verizon, the only question is: keep the iPhone, or wait for the Bold.

Thought
#9. July 17th, 2008, at 11:04 PM.

I agree with Robb; it’s ironic that RIM is now turning to Verizon and CDMA in trying to compete against the iPhone.

I wonder why RIM is not releasing this device on GSM and ATT? Perhaps because they don’t want to compete directly with the iPhone, at least not yet?

Let’s face it: the odds are very thin that RIM will come close to matching the magic of the iPhone as a touchscreen device. RIM needs VZW’s network reputation to even begin to compete.

BB is still a great device, and is still king of email, not an insignificant market. But no one will out-Apple Apple.

Apple has this market won. Period. As Jobs said, their software is years ahead of the competition. Add to that all those great new Apps for the iPhone, and the fact that they are insanely easy to develop, and you will not beat Apple at their game.

Consumers will prefer the iPhone by a huge margin over any competition, including the Thunder.

I still think RIM should focus on the Bold, which accentuates their strength with the keyboard.