Everything BlackBerry

New BlackBerry Devices On Horizon?

According to a report, RIM is poised to release new BlackBerry devices in the coming year that would compete directly with the Apple iPhone.

In a research note by GMP securities analyst Ray Sharma, a pair of patent schematics show what appears to be two new BlackBerry devices. One of the devices is being called the "Touchscreen 1.0" (not a company name) in the note. The device reportedly couples an iPhone-like touchscreen with a BlackBerry QWERTY keyboard. Various research studies have found the iPhone's virtual keyboard to be the achilles heel of the device and RIM's rumored new BlackBerry device could have mass appeal for those looking for iPhone touch screen integrated with a QWERTY style keyboard. The other device was mentioned as a follow up to the Pearl, with "a standard numeric keypad that can rotate 90 degrees to offer a typing experience similar to the QWERTY set up." "We believe that the next two generation BlackBerry devices will offer some interesting hardware enhancements that are positioned to target two markets; the touch screen and feature phone segment of the handset market," said Sharma.

Not unlike most technology companies, RIM has not released any details on their future devices. The company has started to penetrate the consumer smartphone market with the highly successful Pearl and Curve. The release of a touchscreen device with BlackBerry's legendary email service, would certainly allow for further inroads into this market.

Source: The Globe and Mail

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