Touchscreen BlackBerry With Slide-Out Keyboard

by Robb Dunewood on May 30, 2008 · 14 comments

 
I know that all the BlackBerry buzz right now is about the BlackBerry Bold and the BlackBerry KickStart. The machine is even getting into gear for the BlackBerry Thunder. The device that I believe a lot of BlackBerry users that really follow RIM are waiting for, however, is the touchscreen BlackBerry that will have a pull out keyboard.

I know that there are BlackBerry traditionalist that don’t think RIM should ever come out with a slider, but, many of those same people didn’t think that a camera, SureType, or even a color screen would ever fly. The biggest knock on a BlackBerry slider is durability, however, I believe that RIM, who has a knack for building sturdy devices, will be able to get past this hurdle.

There is no doubt that if the BlackBerry Thunder rumors are true, I will probably be getting one day one or sooner, however, I think that a BlackBerry with a touchscreen and a slide-out keyboard will be the next really big thing for RIM.

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{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }

Omar May 30, 2008 at 8:28 am

I know that this is just a scetch but if RIM is coming out with BlackBerry with a slider keyboard that it looks a lot better than this.

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I Goncang May 30, 2008 at 9:21 am

I hate sliders! They’re too small and all greasy, and don’t cost 25 cents anymore. Oops … wrong slider — we’re not talking White Castles. I still hate sliders, though. After awhile, the keyboard doesn’t sit firmly anymore and the whole thing feels wobbly. Unless it’s been bad luck on my part to get defective HTC units.

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bluehorseshoe May 30, 2008 at 10:05 am

This is one design I personally thought would be great. Looking forward to seeing this one when and if it comes out.

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REV May 30, 2008 at 10:37 am

Aw, man. When I saw this article’s headline in my RSS, I thought there was some official announcement by RIM of a slider/touch combo. :(

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Emilie June 1, 2008 at 11:48 am

Well I’m not gunna lie… I was excited about a touch screen. I can’t stand the iPhone but I was really hoping that RIM could do it better. I agree with the previous comment about how the phone can become wobbly or not sit right after a while. That would suck. Non the less, out of the Bold, Kickstart and the Thunder…I would for sure get the Thunder.

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Brian June 1, 2008 at 12:14 pm

I like the whole touch screen ideal. But just like the rest I’m not a fan of the slider ideal. The just don’t last. And let get down to the facts, phone are far from being cheap enough to replace all the time.

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Ku June 1, 2008 at 4:09 pm

I test-drove a T-Mobile Wing, before I settled on a Curve.

The Wing is very similar to the drawing above. The touch screen and the idea of the slide-out keyboard were quite appealing. MS also includes a copy of the original Palm Graffiti, which I liked a lot.

I found the Wing’s KB small enough that thumb typing was unavoidable.
The size and bulk made carrying the Wing more like toting a brick. In short, the Wing was a better PDA than phone, for me.

RIM will have to do a lot of work to keep the unit light and durable, and I gather that isn’t easy.

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Drew June 3, 2008 at 4:31 pm

Blackberry is master of the keyboard, iPhone is the master of the large screen. A slider or a Voyager style clamshell are the logical solutions to have one’s cake and eat it too. However, the execution to date by others has been lacking. I believe a slider is a great idea if it can be reasonably sized and well executed, no inch thick, 6-7 ounce monster.

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REV June 4, 2008 at 5:42 pm

I wonder if there’s any truth to the rumors that this touch/slider combo is the “Blackberry Storm,” a sister to the touch-only “Thunder”.

Assuming this is accurate, I agree that thickness would be a big concern for me. I’d rather adapt to a soft keyboard than lug around another brick.

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Mohbbeen November 23, 2008 at 2:08 pm

hey ppl
can yall giv me a link of th thunder bc i cant find it
and i wanna know what company and price it is

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Brontegirl September 30, 2009 at 12:30 am

I would like to see something besides a slide out key board. The tracks never line up on those devices. How about a pivot? The keyboard would be under and the user could type on the keyboad and have the flexibility to look at a landscape or portrait screen? I would think that a pivot would be more sturdy and less likely to break. If you are having trouble visualizing, take a deck of cards. Cut the deck and put one part up and down and the other part right to left so that they share a corner in common. When you are done with the keyboard, you just pivot it back into place.

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