RSSRIM's new BlackBerry Bold to rival iPhone on world wireless networks
By Jacqueline Emigh | Published May 12, 2008, 12:35 PM
RIM's just unveiled iPhone competitor, the BlackBerry Bold, looks likely to be available on multiple 3G wireless networks in each of many world markets, a prospect that could potentially impact Apple's policy of setting up exclusive relationships for its own device with carriers such as AT&T for the US and O2 for the UK.
Offering support for high-speed 3G networks, Wi-Fi (802.11/a/b/g), and integrated GPS, the BlackBerry Bold features a glossy metallic look. It also provides much more memory than RIM's current BlackBerry Curve model with 1GB built in. With the Bold, RIM is matching the screen resolution, but not the screen size, of the iPhone.
Like the iPhone, the Bold will support full Web page rendering and sync with iTunes, at least for those with non-DRM music. It features a standard headphone jack and microSD slot for expanding the storage capabilities.
The BlackBerry Bold (formerly known as the 9000), however, isn't available anywhere yet, because RIM hasn't completed the carrier certification process. Pricing hasn't yet been announced, either.
AT&T has been issuing written statements that, in the US market, the BlackBerry Bold will be available on AT&T 3G network first. But according to the Gearlog blog, RIM CEO Mike Lazaridis has confirmed that the Bold will be available for multiple US networks in the near future, in contrast to Apple's exclusivity policy.
Apple holds exclusive relationships for the iPhone with AT&T for the US, with Orange for France, T-Mobile for Germany, and with 02 for the UK.
RIM is making other moves meant to improve the BlackBerry's standing versus the iPod and other rivals. In conjunction with the Bold launch, RIM also announced a $150 million BlackBerry Partners Fund with RBC Venture Partners, JLA Ventures, adn Thomson Reuters, focused on investing in Blackberry mobile applications and services.
Meanwhile, RIM and Microsoft announced plans to bring Windows Live Messenger to BlackBerry devices, and to improve integration between Live Hotmail and the BlackBerry software.
No mention of T-Mobiles U.S. counterpart having access to this phone I will be first in line for this upgrade. Married with T-Mobiles U.S. coverage and the Bolds strengths and we have an I-Phone killer! Extend my contract T-Mobile another 24 months till 2011!
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|Such a small screen, who r they trying to kid. iPhone rival/killer my a**.
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|I have seen ridiculous headlines here but this one is amazing. When this device was set to compete with the iPhone? It's for another totally different market.
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|I hope the screen is not as small as it looks in that picture...
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|Wow, that's an amazing screen, it's almost bigger than the iPod Nano. LOL
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|I have to say, BlackBerry is giving Apple a run for their money.
RIM copying Apple? Right.
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|meh...
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|RIM is just copying certain design elements from Apple to make their newest device have broader appeal. True Blackberry fanatics would get this thing if it was made of wood and had a propeller on top. The Iphone is a consumer device that has limited business application, whereas the Blackberry is exactly the opposite. A gig of RAM is perfect for a device such as this..16gb is overkill unless you're gonna be playing a lot of 3D games on your Iphone, which to those of us who hate touchscreens seems kind of absurd. Oh, and one gripe: the new name. Whats next, the Blackberry Extra Crispy?
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|RIM is releasing a 3G phone? Wow! This is a big surprise considering how opposed they've been to 3G in the past due to reduced battery life. I don't see how this phone will compete with the iPhone considering it has a tiny little screen and an actual keypad instead of a better on screen touch keypad.
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|Options are always preferred to the tyrannical dictatorship of oppressive empires! Any business oriented choice to the teenager gadget iPhone is welcome! I know the Tech-Nazis at Apple just hate to see the public get actual choice in their lives...
Go Bold! Don't be a lemmings...
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|Becareful what you say! your asking for Jedi Master Jobs to strike you down!!
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|your saying by buying an iphone, you're being a lemming?!?!?!
THAT IS THE FUNNIEST/LAMEST STATEMENT EVER!
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|you really think that this rivals the Iphone?
wake up..
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|Why ATT?? America's slowest network..
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|There's no reason not to go with AT&T. AT&T has the fastest data network in the USA, they have better reception than any other USA carrier and they have better, more advanced phones than other USA carriers. AT&T isn't just blowing smoke out of their a** when they say more bars in more places. It's actually true.
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|Unfortunately you are right. I tried using Sprint. I like a lot of their phones, and they have MUCH better prices. But they just don't have the coverage of AT&T. I haven't found anyone that can touch it so far.
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|More bars doesn't in fact mean better quality--VZW still has that market cornered. In fact, VZW has great coverage and doesn't really go through dropped calls either.
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|hmm wheres the touch screen?
Do you people understand that the reason why Iphone does so well is not because of its shape but because of its UI?!?!?!?!?!
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|For some of us not having a hardware keyboard is THE reason not to consider iPhone...
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|Yeah, some people love a UI that's extremely difficult to use, unlike the iPhone's UI.
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|If the touch screen was so important, HTC would own the smartphones market for more than 2 years now.
Touch screen does NOT matter... wake up. Mac freaks love the IPhone because it's "fashion". And as we all know, Mac users are hardly geeks, as 100 out of every 100 have the SAME Mac Desktop, AND the SAME Iphone colors/themes/colors. Oh wait, the Iphone is barely customizable, that's right, i was forgetting.
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|"RIM's new BlackBerry Bold to rival iPhone"
I wish it luck...but with its prodigious(sic) amount of memory (1GB), it sure won't challenge the iPhone's 16GB!
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|Perhaps you did know, but this is a 16gb BlackBerry Bold! Ha! Take that Apple!
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