EXCLUSIVE: BlackBerry Thunder now the BlackBerry 9500, OS 4.7.0 | BlackBerryNews.com



...slightly larger screen resolution than the iPhone...

Launch date? j/k.

yeah. we will see if they ever roll out 4.5.HA!

This is cool news. The more info that we get about this, the better I feel about holding off on the Bold and waiting for this. I don't think I'll like the touchscreen keyboard, but I don't type too many long messages anyway. I might have to sell my Creative Zen M when this drops.

It make sense as 9500 requires different OS to run with its touchscreen. Too bad, no love for NA gsm and 3g

Looks good for the Verizon/Vodafone crowd but there is no returning to Verizon for me. It will be interesting to see how the touch screen UI will change how BB users use their devices. I will definitely play with one when it launches but I'm not a big touch screen fan anyone for the cellphone side. Now if RIM made something like the iPod Touch or hell I could pick one up for fun

The device looks great, and I am sure 4.7 will be every bit as good as the hardware, but the concern has got to be, what features will Verizon lock-down...

OS 4.7 ... Where's OS 4.5?? (I'm sorry I had to)

I think I'm just going to upgrade to the Curve when I can, I'm not sure about a touch screen Berry.. Of course I can't wait to mess around with it but I don't think I can deal with a Touch screen just my preference.

*moved to 9500 forum*

Well lookie here! A Thunder section. Anyway, can't wait to see more info on this device. I really want to see what kind of tweaks there will be to the OS.

so tmo or att wont be dropping this?

My first thought is to say that the touchscreen does not appeal to my tried-and-true-BB-with-buttons side. But upon further thought, RIM has never really let me down. I've owned BB's starting from the 6000 series, gone from monochromatic to color, done both suretype and full-qwerty, and have always loved each and every one of my BB's (albeit some were easier to love than others...7700...ahem).

The bottom line for me is, RIM has earned my respect through the years and the least I can do is give them the benefit of the doubt. And having said that, I'm excited to play with the Thunder whenever it's released to see exactly how RIM will execute their version of a touchscreen smartphone.

Until then, my 8330 is the cat's meow!

I am poised and ready! I want this one! ....I think.

I believe the deal with VZW/Vodafone is dependent on them meeting a certain sales quota (whatever that is). I'm not sure, but from what I've heard if they don't meet the quota, then the exclusivity will dissolve.

I agree with you on that.

Lifetime exclusive on Verizon.........thats the nail in the coffin for me, Verizon is terrible in my area and you couldn't pay me to switch to them, too bad looks like a great phone.

I don't get it though, why a lifetime exclusive deal, I understand 90 day etc, but a lifetime deal on the first ever touchscreen BB, makes 0 sense to me to launch on a carrier that has been in at least 3rd position+ on phone launches in the past.

Just my 2 cents though.

If memory serves correct there was a lot of debate when the pearl trackball came out as well, I know this one is a little more major, but like you said BB usually does it right when they do it.

Not to threadjack, but I used my old 8700g the other day and I *really* miss the click wheel. The trackball really is a poor substitute -- why they didn't just put both on every phone, I'll never understand.

I hate exclusives, PERIOD. The cell phone biz in the US is already a racket with device lock ins, ETFs, hidden costs. The "life time" exclusive takes it one step forward.

You'd think with the whole iPhone/AT&T ordeal and the amount of people wanting the iPhone unlocked for use on other carriers that they would shy away from exclusives. Then again when the cellular carrier is willing to subsidize a large percentage of the development and hardware costs, I suppose it's hard to resist. Still, it's bad for consumers in the end, and it's sad that the interests of the consumer aren't given more consideration.