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October 17, 2008 12:22 PM PDT

Rumor: New touch-screen BlackBerrys on the way

by Marguerite Reardon

Research In Motion's latest phone, the BlackBerry Storm, is only about a week old, and the blogosphere is already churning up the next set of BlackBerry rumors.

BlackBerry Storm

(Credit: RIM)

First on the list, The Boy Genius blog reported Friday that RIM is preparing a 3G GSM version of the touch-screen BlackBerry Storm. Currently, the Storm, which was released last week for Verizon Wireless' network, only works on CDMA-based 3G, or third-generation, networks.

But now, The Boy Genius is reporting that RIM is making an HSDPA version of the phone, which means that it could operate on AT&T in the U.S. and Rogers Communications in Canada. The GSM version of the phone, which is being called the BlackBerry 9900 Pluto, is expected to look a lot like the current BlackBerry Storm, the blog said. There's no word on an exact launch date, but The Boy Genius blog said it expects RIM to announce the phone at the Wireless Enterprise Symposium in May.

But that's not the only RIM rumor going around. The blog also said that RIM is preparing to launch a new touch-screen BlackBerry that will include a full QWERTY key pad. The device is said to have many of the same specifications as the BlackBerry Bold. But it's supposed to be similar in size and feel to the BlackBerry Curve.

There has been no mention yet of a launch date for the new touch-screen BlackBerry, so stay tuned. My colleague Bonnie Cha and I will keep our ears to the ground on this one and report tidbits of impending new devices as they pop up.

Marguerite Reardon has been a CNET News reporter since 2004, covering cell phone services, broadband, citywide Wi-Fi, the Net neutrality debate, as well as the ongoing consolidation of the phone companies. E-mail Maggie.
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by nfrengle October 17, 2008 1:11 PM PDT
This report totally doesn't make sense: I saw one that had UMTS (ie WCDMA and GSM) last week at Vodafone headquarters in Newbury, UK, AND it had CDMA 1x as well! The conclusion drawn from the fact that it has UMTS, that they must be making it for T-Mobile, AT&T, and Rogers is laughable: The entire rest of the world aside from a couple of odd places in South America and Korea, use GSM/UMTS. And Vodafone, the worlds largest mobile operator by revenues, owns 45% of Verizon Wireless. This is a very uninformed post. It also appears to be totally and completely out of date--you mention an announcement in May. Would that be the past May or the coming may? It was announced last week. Month? October. I was actually present at the announcement in the UK.
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by Zeeshan47 October 17, 2008 8:52 PM PDT
Thank you for your delightful insight skillingsucks. It might be helpful to back up why nfrengle is an idiot next time. Good effort though.
by MysteryMT October 17, 2008 3:37 PM PDT
RIM hasn't been able to get the Bold out, probably more AT&T's fault with it's 3G network, and the Storm was announced but still isn't available to customer's so I guess I don't follow "the Storm, which was released last week for Verizon Wireless' network, only works on CDMA-based 3G, or third-generation, networks."

Additionally, from CNET's own report, you guys stated that "s far as phone features, the Storm, like the RIM BlackBerry 8830 World Edition, offers dual-mode functionality. This means the phone switches automatically between CDMA and GSM networks to offer seamless international roaming--all while keeping the same phone number."

So umm wanna get one story together and publish it? Or do you guys all just work in cubes and don't tell each other what the others are doing or writing? Maybe you ought to get your ears off of the ground and start with basic communication.
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by Galenn20K October 17, 2008 8:31 PM PDT
ATT is a Junky Network, Major F A I L to the Infinity

Sorry Fan boys its True!
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by D3vildog699 October 18, 2008 7:53 AM PDT
I don't care what you say. That is a sexy looking phone for a business person. Hopefully they can put the missing pieces of the phone together and trump the iphone.. doubtful, but i have high hopes.
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by Blackberryking October 29, 2008 4:01 AM PDT
For T-Mobile?s G1, there will be a bundle of tmobile g1 accessories online to select from; everything from Backup Batteries to Car Accessories, G1 Cases, Chargers, Cables, Headphones, Cradles, Bluetooth Accessories, and more. The list goes on and on, but basically the primary purposes of any g1 accessories are to add functionality, such as where you can use it and what you can use it with, make some features easier to use, and extend the use of the G1 Android phone at Fommy.com.
http://www.fommy.com/t-mobile-g1.htm
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by tcoe18 November 5, 2008 6:43 PM PST
1. I know that we have to have a data package in order to get the Storm. What if we cancel the data package after a month or two, can we still use the Storm as a regular phone?
2. Once the Storm is out, would the LG Dare be on discount?
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by gjoma December 11, 2008 10:59 AM PST
My local t-mobile store has told me that they're suppose to get a touch screen blackberry in January.

I hope they're right or at least I hope they'll get one sometime early next year
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