Touch-screen BlackBerry coming soon?

RIM just released the BlackBerry Bold shown here, but could have a touch-screen model coming soon.

(Credit: RIM)

Research in Motion has a touch-screen BlackBerry in the works that should be out in the third quarter, according to a report Thursday.

The Wall Street Journal has echoed a previous report from The Boy Genius Report that RIM's BlackBerry Thunder will arrive later this year exclusively on Vodafone and Verizon's networks. The device is seen as an answer to Apple's iPhone, which will likely be running on AT&T's 3G network by the time the Thunder arrives.

RIM is by far the leading smartphone company in the U.S., but Apple has come out of nowhere to take second place, and the competition should intensify with Apple's plans for business-friendly software and RIM's continued advance into the consumer market. RIM has started advertising the BlackBerry during consumer-friendly shows such as the NBA playoffs, and Apple's getting set for The Second Annual Month of iPhone Ridiculousness in the coming weeks.

[ittesi259]

I'd use a smartphone, if cell companies would release a decent pland that wasn't overpriced by itself and designed to drive a person to pay for extra features that should be standard in this day and age.

[baggyguy1218]

ittesi is right! What should a consumer do? Live without a cellphone? When the services can match the price, we can begin to love to spend money on cellphones we dont need. I would love a RIM blackberry with touch screen, but I will live with my motorola M91 flip. IT DOESNT EVEN HAVE A CAMERA! But I do.

[kgsbca]

Wow, will it be a 1" x 2" touch screen? It's great that the display on the new Bold is so crisp, but it's also ridiculously small.

[LandbridgeToysDotCom]

If it has a decent size screen, is capable to iPod like web surfing and the providers offer reasonable priced plans, I'll give it a look.

[dalellarson]

Whether this will be succesful has little to do with the touchscreen as a feature per se. The core BlackBerry market may not benefit from a touchscreen more than from the current interface. Who is RIM trying to reach with this device, and have they created a compelling experience for that market? A few thoughts about competing are at my blog, here.

[AppleSuxLeo]

The iPhone in the article right below this one , looks kinda dated now. My how things have changed. Be BOLD !...Go Blackberry ! Bold really looks cool in the dark.

[Blackberryking]

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[kellydcarter]

Can't wait for these new BlackBerry models to come out. I just hope RIM continues to innovate with features and style to stay on top of the marketplace. I hope they don't just keep coming out with a myriad of models that aren't all that different from one another other than superficialities.

If you're a BlackBerry fanatic or just doing comparison shopping, please visit http://newBBie.com to see what I have to say about the Pearl, Curve, and Bold.

Kelly Carter