It's humorous to see people drawing these radical conclusions about how a device that hasn't been released yet is going to look or feel. These pictures are reportedly quite old and supposedly look nothing like what the final version is going to be, yet people have already concluded that it can't compete the with iPhone. Very premature.

Wow it looks excellent. Wish I could get my hands on this thing right now. XD

Is it possible this is photoshopped?

The key (no pun intended) is how user friendly the keyboard is going to be.

The phone looks really nice. Too bad that it won't come to T-Mobile and others.

I highly doubt it. This was from a reputable source (Kevin @ CrackBerry.com). When the photoshopped ones come out, they are usually associated with a shady website somewhere and no one can tell where they come from. I would have to say on photoshop

I've only recently been introduced and settling into the Blackberry way of things (had my 8700g for about 3 months now at least and loving it so far!) and yes this does seem like a departure or evolution even for RIM...

I'm going to reserve my judgement on this until i see a UK release (regardless on what network, so i can have a play about with it in store) so for now, looks alright, sounds alright but then again as with any phone it's all down to the software and how it can execute its full potential and functionality...

"If people will take 10 minutes and read about the Iphone 3G and it's capabilities and how Apple has totally changed this device to a more corporate device and overall a phone that anyone can use from young to old you will realize Apple has indeed set the bar."

I have to disagree on the corporate comment. The iPhone cannot be remotely managed in the same manner as a BlackBerry. The iPhone can only get software from the apple store, whereas I can push out software to the BB from my BES. I can also set policies for the BB, not so much on the iPhone.

Bottom line is that the iPhone is still a personal gadget and has still has no place in the enterprise for companies who truly care about security and policies. Microsoft still has a long way to go in developing ActiveSync, too.

That pretty much echos what I think about the iPhone. I personally am interested in it, but I don't think corporate users are too interested in coverflow album art or pinch/enlarging photos or most of the "wow, look at that" features. The iPhone is all about the big beautiful screen mainly, and the typing, security, email, and synch comes second. You can fanboy it all you want, and it's a remarkable device, but it's not as good as a BB for the corporate messageladen person.

the phone reminds me of the LG Voyager from the look alone. I am sure it works entirely different. I myself have never fancied the touch screen that the voyager had but that is just my opinion.

So its a wash.

The iPhone is going corporate and the BB is going consumer. I always like how people say the BB's is trying to be an iPhone in the consumer market. Well here is some breaking news, the iPhone is trying to be like the BB's in the corporate market.

This phone looks pretty good, but I'd still rather get the Bold or Javelin :P Touch screen keyboards just don't do it for me.

I really couldn't disagree more. The distinction between consumer and corporate devices is blurring with each release from Apple or RIM. RIM started as corporate messaging devices, yes. iPhones started as consumer devices, yes. I got my BB from my company before I really knew what they were about. I'm slowly starting to use mine for photos, music and internet browsing, features typically associated with the consumer, not the corporate user. Many iPhone users I know started using their devices for photos, music, phone, browsing, and are now finding themselves wishing for better email integration. I think comparisons are inevitable and somewhat justified for users who begin to blur the line between corporate and consumer even further. If you only want to carry one device, comparisons are not only valid, but necessary. In my opinion, of course.

what O.S. is it gonna have?

For now, but that will change. Bet on it. Remember the phone has only been out a year and is on its second rendition. Didn't the first BB look like a pager?

Yes it did, but how long ago was that?

BINGO, you got my point...

It's running OS 4.7. It's most likely going to be OS 4.6 optimized for touchscreen use.

Jibi posted this story in BlackBerry News a couple weeks back.
EXCLUSIVE: BlackBerry Thunder now the BlackBerry 9500, OS 4.7.0 | BlackBerryNews.com

Personally I was unimpressed with the original iPhone. Then when I heard about the new iPhone and what it had to offer I was seriously thinking about switching from Verizon to ATT to get the new iPhone.

Now, I've had all 4 major US carriers and have gotten by far the best service from Verizon and everyone I communicate with regularly has Verizon so for me to switch would be a big deal. So when I heard about how the new iPhone performed I cringed and quickly decided to stick with Verizon and wait for this to come out before getting a new phone.

Now this is coming out for Verizon and I'm very excited. I'm confident I'll get better network connectivity from a RIM device than the iPhone has and the larger size is great as I find the iPhone too thin for my hands. I already have a 160GB iPod so I don't need a phone that holds much if any music. Finally, as for the interface, I love the current Blackberry UI and if this isn't too different I know I will like it.

I really think that the iPhone vs. the Thunder will be totally a matter of personal preference as long as the as long as the touch screen doesn't suck and as long as it's at least as good as other Verizon touchscreens it will be OK.

We are lucky we even know about this phone guys/have pictures. Two people working on the Thunder got fired from Mike L himself for releasing the pictures so early.