Will Touch Screen BlackBerry Steal iPhone’s ‘Thunder?’
Posted May 16, 2008 12:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
A few days ago, we told you about a brand new BlackBerry called the Bold, a sleek new device with lots of bells and whistles aimed at the business market but with a chance to spill over to the average consumer.
The idea was to steal some of the iPhone’s thunder. But now it appears creator Research In Motion intends to also steal Apple’s Thunder.
“Thunder” is the code name for yet another new product from the Waterloo-based giant, and this one will reportedly come with the same kind of touch screen that has made the iPhone an instant icon.
The company has refused to comment on reports that it’s planning anything, but RIM CEO Jim Balsillie did go on record in February as saying his firm was willing to consider the technology if customers demanded it.
But with the iPhone coming to Canada this year and a second generation due in the U.S., it may be a fait accompli. There are no details about the device beyond the name and even that may not be what it’s eventually called if and when it hits store shelves. Web rumours and leaks suggest it won’t have a slide-out keyboard and may sport only four keys.
RIM is looking to hang on to its market share in the face of the big Apple push. But like so much of the new fangled gear, if the Thunder does storm onto the shores of the marketplace battlefront, it will initially only be sold in the U.S.
Still, if it catches on there, you can be sure Canada and the rest of the world won’t be far behind.
Photo credit: Josep Lago/AFP/Getty Images
