Gizmodo
They said RIM's BlackBerry 9000 would be formally announced on the 12th. They said it would be called the Bold. Photos suggested that it would be the sexiest thing to come out of Canada since Sarah McLachlan's Fumbling Towards Ecstasy. And they wuz right. Boy Genius says it'll be available this summer on AT&T 3G, with a T-Mobile 3G edition in the wings—the handset can handle 850/1900/2100Mhz for HSDPA/UMTS, plus T-Mo's 1700MHz band. Sascha at PC Mag is reporting a CDMA/EV-DO version as well. Jump for more details like that 480 x 320 screen—and giddy tittering—from sources all around the web, plus the official press release.
Here's the rundown:
• Has 802.11a/b/g plus good GPS, typically a tradeoff with BBs
• GPS is enhanced and assisted, and the handset has better map rendering, says Laptop
• 480 x 320 resolution screen with 65,000 colors—Crave says "never seen a better-looking display"
• 624MHz Intel PXA270/Marvell Tavor PXA930 processor (reports differ), up from 312MHz
• Runs BlackBerry OS 4.6
• Keyboard has 8800-style "sculpted keys," says PC Mag, "but the rows are separated by curved barriers"
• 4.5" tall x 2.6" wide x 0.5" deep, weighing 4.7oz
• Side-loading MicroSD/SDHC slot for up to 16GB additional
• 2MP camera with flash
• Talk time of 5 hours, with standby of 13 days
• MP3, WMA, AAC, DivX4 and WMV3 codec support
• 3.5mm headphone jack
• "Pretty powerful speakers—none of that weak, tinny junk," says Crave
• 128MB of flash plus 1GB of onboard memory (with encryption)
• Black leather back panel that can be swapped for other color leather plates
• Pricing will be $300 to $500 says BGR, a pretty wide (and obvious) range; Crave narrows it to "$300 to $400"
Why the name? Well, since Mike Lazaridis stopped taking our phone calls (blog allergy, some say), my guess is that those dudes are either fans of Goethe or fans of Cameron Crowe. You know... "Be bold, and mighty forces will come to your aid." Keep it up, RIM. I think it's working. [Product Page and Press Release PLUS Boy Genius; Laptop; Crave; PC Magazine]
Official Press Release:
RIM Introduces the BlackBerry Bold SmartphoneTop of the line BlackBerry smartphone features premium design and unprecedented performance; perfect for business professionals and power users.
Waterloo, ON- For customers seeking a smartphone that makes a bold statement, Research In Motion (RIM) (Nasdaq: RIMM; TSX: RIM) today introduced the admirable BlackBerry® Bold™ smartphone. Crafted from premium materials, inside and out, that radiate elegance with a dramatic presence, the BlackBerry Bold is designed to give business professionals and power users unprecedented functionality and performance in an intuitive BlackBerry® smartphone. It is the first BlackBerry smartphone to support tri-band HSDPA high-speed networks around the world and comes with integrated GPS and Wi-Fi®, as well as a rich set of multimedia capabilities. From its lustrous black exterior, satin chrome finished frame and stylish leather-like backplate, to its stunning display, sophisticated user interface and newly designed full-QWERTY* keyboard, the BlackBerry Bold smartphone is a symbol of accomplishment and aspiration.
"The new BlackBerry Bold represents a tremendous step forward in business-grade smartphones and lives up to its name with incredible speed, power and functionality, all wrapped in a beautiful and confident design," said Mike Lazaridis, President and Co-CEO, Research In Motion.
SUPERIOR PERFORMANCE
The BlackBerry Bold smartphone's support for tri-band HSDPA and enterprise-grade Wi-Fi (802.11 a/b/g) networks and its next-generation 624 MHz mobile processor make short work of downloading email attachments, streaming video or rendering web pages. The BlackBerry Bold also includes 128 MB Flash memory plus 1 GB on-board storage memory, as well as and a microSD/SDHC memory card slot** that is conveniently accessible from a side door. It comes with the renowned BlackBerry productivity applications, including phone, email, messaging, organizer and browser, and works with thousands of mobile business and lifestyle applications, making it easier than ever to stay connected, productive and entertained. With this powerful new smartphone, users can even talk on the phone while sending and receiving email or accessing the web, and download Word, Excel or PowerPoint files and edit them directly on the handset using the preloaded DataViz® Documents to Go® suite.STUNNING DISPLAY
The BlackBerry Bold smartphone comes with the most vivid and bold display ever introduced on a BlackBerry smartphone. Its half-VGA (480x320 resolution) color LCD is fused to the undersurface of the lens, making images leap out with stunning definition and clarity. Pictures are vibrant and razor sharp, while videos play smoothly and web pages, documents, presentations and messages snap with exceptional quality and contrast.DESKTOP-STYLE WEB PAGES
With its newly enhanced, high performance browser and high-resolution, ultra-bright display, the BlackBerry Bold smartphone gives users an on-the-go web browsing experience with desktop-style depiction. The trackball mimics a mouse, making it easy to navigate sites in "Page View" or "Column View" or to zoom in on specific parts of a web page, while various emulation settings allow users to choose between the full desktop-style HTML content and layout or the mobile version. Attachments can also now be downloaded from within the browser and there is support for watching streaming videos (RTSP - real-time streaming protocol).RICH MULTIMEDIA
While it is designed to meet the extensive requirements of the business professional during the day, the BlackBerry Bold smartphone also caters to the business person's consumer side during evenings and weekends. It features a 2 megapixel camera with video recording capability, built-in flash and 5x digital zoom. The enhanced media player can display pictures and slideshows quickly, play movies smoothly in full screen mode, and manage an entire music collection. Audio can be played over the handset's dual speakers in rich, stereo sound, and when using wired headphones or external speakers, the media player gives the user an equalizer with 11 preset filters - like "Lounge", "Jazz" and "Hip Hop" - that boost or soften audio ranges to create the perfect ambiance.For managing music and video, the BlackBerry® Desktop Manager software includes Roxio® Media Manager for BlackBerry® as well as Roxio Photosuite® 9 LE, which makes it easy to enhance pictures and create photo albums on the computer. For users that manage their collection with iTunes®, the new BlackBerry® Media Sync application provides a simple way to sync iTunes digital music collections with the smartphone***. Support for High Speed USB 2.0 allows all files to be transferred quickly from a desktop computer to the BlackBerry Bold smartphone.
POWERFUL WI-FI & GPS
For even broader high-speed network coverage, the BlackBerry Bold smartphone supports the 802.11 a/b/g Wi-Fi standards, ideal for use in enterprise or campus wireless LAN deployments, over Wi-Fi hotspots and on wireless home networks. A new "Push Button Setup" is included, making it faster for users to connect to protected wireless networks that require a sign on process.Through its integrated GPS, the BlackBerry Bold smartphone can pinpoint its exact location, supporting applications like BlackBerry® Maps and other location-based applications or services. With its improved rendering capabilities, faster download speeds and ability to support simultaneous voice and data, the BlackBerry Bold smartphone even allows users to navigate while on a call.
FIRST CLASS PHONE
The BlackBerry Bold smartphone features a new acoustic design that increases the size of the phone's audio sweet spot, improving listening quality and clarity. It also comes with numerous premium phone features including Speaker Independent Voice Recognition (SIVR) for Voice Activated Dialing (VAD), Bluetooth® 2.0, with support for hands-free headsets, stereo headsets, car kits (including car kits that adhere to the Bluetooth Remote SIM Access Profile) and other Bluetooth peripherals. It is a quad-band EDGE and tri-band HSDPA handset that supports global roaming**** and features dedicated 'send', 'end', and 'mute' keys, smart dialing, speed dialing, conference calling and call forwarding. It also features noise cancellation technology that offsets background noise, a powerful speaker phone and support for polyphonic, mp3 and MIDI ring tones.ROBUST EMAIL & MESSAGING
Like all BlackBerry smartphones, the BlackBerry Bold gives users the industry's leading mobile messaging solution. It works with BlackBerry® Enterprise Server, which enables advanced security and IT administration within IBM® Lotus® Domino®, Microsoft® Exchange and Novell® GroupWise® environments, as well as BlackBerry® Professional Software for small businesses. It also works with BlackBerry® Internet Service, which gives users access to up to 10 work or personal email accounts (including most popular ISP email accounts), and the BlackBerry® Unite! software for SOHO and home users.CONVENIENT ACCESSORIES
The BlackBerry Bold smartphone comes with a variety of convenient accessories including a stereo headset, travel charger, carrying case or sleeve and USB cable. Users will also be able to personalize their BlackBerry Bold smartphone by purchasing replaceable leather-like backplates that come in a range of colors. The removable / rechargeable 1500 mAhr battery provides multi-hour usage with a target talk time of approximately 5 hours and 13 days standby time.Accessories for BlackBerry smartphones, including leather holsters and totes, charging pods, premium earphones, the BlackBerry® Remote Stereo Gateway and Bluetooth headsets, are available through retail outlets or online at: www.shopblackberry.com.
AVAILABILITY
The BlackBerry Bold smartphone (model number: 9000) is scheduled to be available from wireless carriers around the world beginning this summer.For more information please visit: www.BlackBerryBold.com.
About Research In Motion (RIM)
Research In Motion is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of innovative wireless solutions for the worldwide mobile communications market. Through the development of integrated hardware, software and services that support multiple wireless network standards, RIM provides platforms and solutions for seamless access to time-sensitive information including email, phone, SMS messaging, Internet and intranet-based applications. RIM technology also enables a broad array of third party developers and manufacturers to enhance their products and services with wireless connectivity to data. RIM's portfolio of award-winning products, services and embedded technologies are used by thousands of organizations around the world and include the BlackBerry® wireless platform, the RIM Wireless Handheld™ product line, software development tools, radio-modems and software/hardware licensing agreements. Founded in 1984 and based in Waterloo, Ontario, RIM operates offices in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. RIM is listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market (Nasdaq: RIMM) and the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: RIM). For more information, visit www.rim.com or www.blackberry.com.* Keyboard also available in AZERTY and QWERTZ configurations to support different language groups.
** MicroSD/SDHC memory cards are available today in configurations of up to 8GB and the BlackBerry Bold is expected to support upcoming 16GB microSD/SDHC cards.
*** Certain music files may not be supported, including files that contain digital rights management technologies.
**** Check with service provider for roaming services.
Comments
thats damn near sexy.
::looks at her curve.."you stupid fat bitch::
DO WANT
I want... I think i'll be bold and switch to AT&T this summer.
The Blackberry Bold vs. The HTC Diamond vs. The 3g iPhone vs. The Sony Ericsson Xperia...
Man, tough decisions...
...bye Blackjack, it's been a nice 1.5 yrs.
Now it just needs windows mobile or symbian.
I think I may need one of these. The iPhone pales. But then again, a 3G iPhone might make for some stiff competition.
@Dark-Dx: our are kidding right?
Makes the other blackberrys say to the owner, who is the new bitch on the block?
i just got my curve =\
well, for a $0 price, w/e
dude, same.
@jvh:
You know, in THREE
@TheManator: FUCK
You know, in THREE articles here on Gizmodo, I already said this device will be on ATT - as I work for ATT. This phone WILL be released by the end of June of this year too. Expect the 26th or around then.
This looks pretty damn sweet.
Available this summer eh? So we should expect approximately a late June arrival of this bad boy? Well I still have until 8/30 until I can renew my contract with AT&T so this is perfect timing. I do have one question though...
Why 2 choices for the 9000 BB? Are people really running over the 8gb a lot on thier BB memory? Why the 16gb? I mean are they really going to be using this as a subsitute for their music/vid player? Will they make 9000 music docking players? I will be using for files to send to clients and some music and vids but not for every day use. I really wonder how big of a hit the 16gb really will be.
who measured that? there's no way that's thinner than a Curve... but then that's assuming the height/width numbers are correct... arrgg.
Crackberry Sizemodo, por favor!
You call these sexy? The keyboards don't look very practical and I'll quote the Falcon beer commercial on this: "It's soooo thick!"
Kinda looks like an iPhone. Anyway, its a great upgrade from existing BB. Good for BB fans, but it doesn't look like it will do much to slow down the iPhone. Specially with 2.0 just around the corner.
Why is it that all that we are told is the resolution (480x320) and not the screen size? Seriously I can't find it anywhere.
daftrok the screen siz hasn't changed much from the current 8830 which is Screen Size, 320 x 240, 320 x 240, 320 x 240. But the image quality is MUCH better. The old display was only 320x240 with QVGA vs Half-VGA display. It should make a huge difference in the overall appearance in the way the screen looks and how easy it is to view.
@Ken_Darrow: fanboy! (had to be said)
how does it look like an iphone? sure its roundish, like many other BBs, and is rectangular in shape, like almost all smartphones, but the glaring difference would be that it has BUTTONS. why is it that apple never gets accused of ripping things off and everyone seems to think everything is a rip off of something apple did?
and i have a mac, so im not biased against apple or anything, it just seems like too many people take their brand of computer/phone as a religion these days
@carmen89: Don't be angry with the curve it is a nice little phone, just wish there was some wifi on it and some 3G.... wait a tick, she is a stupid fat bitch... damn it.
@daversW: Amen.
I got an estimate. Given that the device is 2.6" wide and the screen ratio is 480/320 (1.5), I would say that the screen size is around 2.7 to 3.0 inches diagonal.
Wow. The Bold reminds me of those really feature rich VCRs that came out just before they were killed off by the much simpler DVD player.
You guys are forgeting the Nokia E71! :P
I'd be all over that if I didn't have so much trouble typing on Blackberries.
"out of Canada since Sarah McLachlan's Fumbling Towards Ecstasy"
Gizmodo +10
BUT DOES IT DO REAL IMAP!?
@carmen89:
LOL
@Ken_Darrow:
It looks like an iphone? What are you on crack? Thought so.
too huge and uncomfortable in using...I think...
The black face with the metal bezel does have that iPhone-ish appeal about it. People sure are defensive, and it seems that iPhone has become a dirty word around these parts :P
@Stacky Botrus: Well, it has a black face and a chrome rim, two features invented by Apple.
@OMG! Ponies!: and Apple invented the color white, too!
iPhone is not a dirty word - the venomous pen zealotry of the iPhone loonies is the dirty language around here. From my lone outpost on the periphery of the intertubes, just once, I'd like to see an advanced phone introduced without the crapola cameras.
Wow that's a damn sexy phone... I think I know what i'll be getting myself as a going back to school present :D
Got to play with one the other day...still like the curve form factor, just to big for my taste but it does feel nicer then the 8800.
@Darkest Daze: Are you serious? It is a qwerty? How hard is it? I got me some fat digits but I still manage alright.
@Skeezix404: It's called snarkiness.
As for the cameraless phone, look at the Blackberry 8800. They do, in fact, sell Blackberries without phones and hopefully will continue to do so. Many large corporations as well as some government offices forbid cameraphones and Blackberry fills the niche with a model with no camera.
Looks like a decent, although pretty much expected, update for bbery fans. If you are interested in media or web browsing, the iphone even on the edge version destroys this. I can't tell you I'm that excited about this bbery. Main function I use on mine is email and calendar, which worked great even on edge. Use my iphone for person email, texting, web browsing, and listing to music. If i didn't have to be tied to bbery for work I would just carry the iphone.
"Has 802.11a/b/g plus good GPS, typically a tradeoff with BBs"
As opposed to bad GPS?
@OMG! Ponies!: Alrighty then - yeah, I have the 8830 from VZW - except the the damn GPS lockdown, the 8830 is an excellent phone. -- packetsniffer - the bad GPS reference is made to poke VZW in the eye, I think.
if I didn't like my WIFI curve so much, I would consider the Bold when it gets to t-mobile, but i don't think even a great deal on the Bold will get me to make a change. I really like the form factor of the Curve. I don't want to give back size for a few more features.
I love the RIM seems to be the one company that isn't afraid of the iPhone, and they just keep doing what they do, and making it better (instead of trying to make the iPhone lite, like everyone else.)
That, and the fact that they continue to make me look brilliant for buying their stock during all those litigation issues last year.
@mistamc:
Oh so you've used this particular BB then?
...
No?
Oh, I see.
Anyway...
Looks lovely but does it blend?
The res sounds nice, but the screen is still way too small. Still, it sounds like ATT will be getting a LOT of new customers this summer. Im probably going to finally switch to the iphone as long as it goes 3g. Bye bye cheap sprint sero plan :(