Hi,

I've recently seen pictures of the upcoming Blackberry 9000. Some iPhone details have snuck in:: Square icons, metal "lining" when seen from the front. Very clean design. Looks good. I've been a BB user since they looked ugly unlike anything else, but worked great. Now they look great, but sometimes they don't work as well (like the wonderful 8800 with it's sucky keyboard).

So, to my question: I know that a lot of people like touch screens, I'm not one of them. Is there a technical reason for RIM not to make a touch screen BB like lack of OS support, or is it simply a choice? A price issue maybe?

Please do not misunderstand me. I would like to be able to purchase a BB without touch screen, and also without a camera if possible. I'm a keyboard/mouse guy also on my laptop and desktop computer. Still, I wonder why RIM isn't taking Apple on by offering one or more touch screen models?

And a useless comment at the end: I would like the track wheel back. I like the look of the ball, but I was faster with the wheel. Like that's gonna happen....

//C

there are a lot of rumours that RIM is working on a touchscreen device which is currently codenamed "Storm"

It's pretty commonly thought that the device is in development, but RIM is keeping it really close to their chest until they are ready.

RIM CEO has already acknowledged publicly that they will be making a touchscreen BB sometime down the road. How long? only he would know.

I used a Treo for a short while and didn't like the touch screen there. I've messed around with an iPhone and didn't mind it too much....
I think the ultimate for me would be touchscreen *with* the trackball. So you can 'one hand it' when you needed to with the trackball, but could get better control and quicker response from a touchscreen. What do you think the chances of that happening with the Storm?

If the Storm doesn't have both it's gonna be Storm in a water glass as far as I'm concerned.

//C

I never really cared for the trackwheel. I feel like when I'm typing with my thumbs, it's easier to use my right thumb on the trackball than to shift my hand to the side to use the wheel. I tried using my pointer finger on my old 8700, but I ended up rolling the wheel when I needed to click it.

I remember hearing alot of rumours about the 9000 possibly having a touch screen, but it seems that that isnt happening, so, maybe an alternative to the 9000?
Hm... that really would be an iPhone (yuk i feel sick saying it) rival.

Touchscreen, trackball and a physical keyboard would be even better.