From BoyGenius Report:

This isn’t confirmed, but with RIM rumored to be exploring sliding-QWERTY devices for a pretty long time, one of our BlackBerry connects dropped some info on us and we wanted it to share it. Here’s what we know:

* It’s a portrait-oriented slider. While most people assume a device with slideout keyboard would end up being something like HTC’s devices, we’ve been told this particular handset is more like the Palm Pre in terms of layout.
* The phone will run BlackBerry OS 6.0
* The rumored device will 100% support Wi-Fi 802.11n
* The resolution unfortunately has not improved, it is still 360×480.
* No word on if this will have a touch screen, but we’d assume so, and our source alluded to this possibly being what the rumored BlackBerry Magnum/Dakota evolved into. Not saying there won’t be a Bold-like device with touchscreen, optical trackpad, and physical keyboard, but this might be released first.
* If it does have a touch screen, this could in fact be the mythical BlackBerry Storm slider — picture a Storm 9520 with a slide up Bold-esque keyboard.
* The phone will not be a Verizon exclusive — it’s supposed to be a GSM/HSPA device.

That’s all we’ve got for now, folks. What are you thinking? Does this remotely interest you, or could you care less about the hardware at this point and just hope that RIM can make some pretty big strides as far as their OS is concerned?

Details on RIM’s new BlackBerry slider? « Boy Genius Report

Interesting. If the Storm II had a keypad, I probably would have kept it. But since I've switched to Verizon from TMO, then now I'd have to switch back to TMO or AT&T......probably not going to do that but this is an interesting concept. Would be interested in actual execution.

Since this is still at the rumor stage, we have to wait and see.

Interesting. Can't wait to see more.

My concern will be the quality of the frame.

Sounds very interesting. But hope RIM keeps an option for camera-less WIFI, 3G model too. I'm in a place where the security guards faint like women from old British movies, on seeing a Cam Blackberry. So stuck with an old 8820 (I like to have WIFI better than 3G, so far) but love 3G too, a stylish slider would be good, very good.

There's always the option of the 9000 without a camera.

I'd be very interested in this. There are only so many ways to do a physical keyboard with a large touch screen. The keyboards on the 8900 and 9700 are well liked, so it seems like a good move to keep what people like, and try to give them what they want: a decent sized touch screen, and eventually improved web browsing experience.

Ubizmo

I'd prefer it be a landscape keyboard, but I'd bet they are trying to NOT do screen rotations and having to re-organize all your on-screen content any time you hit the physical keyboard.

I gotta say, after RIM gave the the Pearl flip the cold shoulder and the quick ascension of the Storm2 (and Tour2/Bold2) I must say I will be a bit skeptical of this phone.. but I suppose they may have learned from their mistakes.. right?

I personally don't like the idea of it. The photo looks weird. I've seen some Storms firsthand, but have not tried them, but they look like beautiful phones. I am not a big fan of sliders, but I wouldn't mind seeing a BlackBerry with a horizontal slide instead of like in that photo. I think it would reach out to more consumers.

I like that about BlackBerry, there are so many different kinds and types to suit specific needs

I really would like a horizontal slider, not sure about this format. My next device will be coming around May when my contract is up. I have been looking at Andriods, Iphone 4G along with BB. Being on a BB for the last 5 years, I like the device, but just want a bigger screen & slider, 3G 7.2 & Wi-Fi.

Will continue to watch all the players before picking my next device.

Probably because it's photoshopped and not a photo of an actual device. Notice "Image for illustrative purposes only" at the end of the article. So no one knows what it will really look like yet.

That's what I thought, because it looked so blurry. I guess the concept looks weird. I obviouslly can't make a decision on how I feel until an actual device is presented.

Portrait slider = FAIL
Who wants to type on a cramped tiny keyboard like the Palm Pre has. If true, once again RIM is trying duplicate their tried and true form factor and feel with new technologies. First they tried to make a touch screen click and now a portait slider. There is reason why most sliders are landscape. Wide confortable keyboard(usually). Quit trying to reinvent the wheel RIM, you aren't any good at it. If you are going the slider route then stick with what works.

Agree. Not sure how it will be until I can actually hold one in my hand.

Slightly better than the previous photos. Claim to be live images. I don't think it looks too bad.
First Live Images of a BlackBerry Slider; Could This be the Storm3? - BlackBerry Leaks - Blackberry news, software, videos, info, reviews, previews

ARGHH! I want to come back to BB but don't want to wait forever and don't want to spend money on a Tour when Tour2 is coming out but if this is going to be soon, maybe I'll go ahead and find a Tour on ebay so I can get this one.

Good find! I hope this is the real deal...and I hope T-Mobile gets it, although I think that's a long shot. I would like that keyboard-screen combo a lot.

Ubizmo

It doesn't look as bad as I thought it would! I wonder if this will be the real deal? I like the option of a trackpad and touchscreen.

With the keyboard out, it still looks long and bulky to me, just a bit, but who knows how it would feel first hand.

It is long, no doubt about it. And it has to be bulkier than phones without keyboards, although it needn't be too bad. Having the slider keyboard in portrait orientation will allow people to use it with one hand, which seems to be something that many BB users are keen on.

Ubizmo