Very interesting. We will have to see what emerges.

interesting read

time will tell

It could very well be a blackberry killer as well....

Why?

RIM, having built their base in the Enterprise space, is now moving "down" into the consumer space. Apple, having a built a solid base in the consumer segment with the iPhone, is now moving "up" into the Enterprise space. The key will be where the two companies intersect in their market penetration as that will become the new battleground for mindshare. It will be a two horse race (at least in North America).

Competition is great. It will bring out the best enginering and Industrial Design in both companies. The end user will be the beneficiary.

No truer words spoken .

I am completely offended by being categorized as a generation of thumb-jockeys with bad posture " I'm fit and have great posture!! Jerks! ;)

Thats what I thought.

Well I speak for myself but I'm sure alot of old school BB users will agree, a touch BB would be pointless.
Now on the otherhand alot of the newer users would welcome a touch BB.... so I guess to each their own.
".

-TelX

It is important to note that a touch screen BB does not have to mean no physical keyboard. There are plenty of touch screen devices out there that have physical keyboards. The touch screen would be needed to use with any iphone like browser that requires zooming and scrolling that would be difficult with just the track ball.

From what I read did they say they would start selling the new BB in May?

I find the whole Apple Killer/BlackBerry Killer idea amusing. Both companies are here to stay, and will keep evolving to stay in the marketplace. I see these devices as the Palm killer and maybe Samsung killer

Interesting article. It looks like it is going to come down to "survival of the fittest."

If it forces RIM to "step up their game" then bravo to Apple

i hope with all the competition between them we can start to see more lower prices without the need of a 2 year contract and i dont mind having it since i got my BB curve for 1 cent with 2 year contract.

I think RIM is only adding to their arsenal. They still keep the 88xx devices with no cameras but with GPS or WiFi and they are still demanding a higher price with most carriers because they are primarily a business device. I think that trend will continue.

Agreed. Interesting to see who is stepping up their designs and who is beginning to fall off the radar a bit. RIM , HTC, Nokia and LG look like they are in the competitive arena, while Samsung, Moto and Danger/Sharp/Microsoft are trailing, at least at the moment.

LG isnt really in the smart phone business. They are making middle ground phones that mimic the abilities of the iPhone. Palm is a dying beast, and as was said of IBM a long time ago "Its a moose that has been shot through the heart, and refuses to die". Going forward its going to be RIM, Symbian, Apple, Android, WinMo, Palm where Apple/Symbian will eventually switch places. I think Apple needs to change their business model, and open it up to multiple carriers, and you will see them take over Second place.

Does anyone believe the article that it will be out in May? The reason I'm asking is I keep going back and forth from an Iphone to the BB, I really like both devices, but I think the BB has the edge. I had the curve and went to the Iphone and now I'm dying to go back to the BB again. If the new BB is coming out in May or June then I can wait. If not till Aug or Sept, then no way can I wait, I would have to buy a curve again. Any advise???

These arguments always seem to devolve into keyboard v. touchscreen. I say, as long as you don't FORCE us to use a touchscreen, I see nothing wrong with releasing a touchscreen phone. As one poster said (#10) it comes down to personal preference. I, for one, once owned a pearl and hated the lack of a full keyboard. Yet, the devices appear to be successful in their niche. Same thing for touchscreen. While I have no need for it, more power to RIM for trying to go after Apple's lunch. Similarly, you can't begrudge Apple for going after the enterprise market.

In the end, it is consumers who benefit from better products at lower prices.