BlackBerry 9800 Torch Launches Aug 12 for $199. We’ve Got Pics, Video, Specs And More.
Well boys and girls RIM’s latest flagship phone has finally be unveiled. The BlackBerry 9800 has stepped from behind the curtain as RIM’s best hope at staying relevant in the smartphone market. So far reviews have been very positive, but I agree with Ross Rubin’s, analyst at the NPD Group, take on RIM and the importance of BlackBerry OS 6 and the 9800.
It gets RIM back in the game. … Probably one of the better pieces of news is RIM’s embrace or extension of HML5 as a way to develop native BlackBerry programs, because the company has significant ground to make up in the app race. So [they're] taking a page from Palm’s book [and] embracing Web development standards in order to create local applications. We really didn’t see the kind of focus on media that has characterized a number of high-profile handset intros that have larger screens, like the Evo or Droid X. We heard no mention of HDMI. There continues to be a premium on efficiency and getting things done, and just really extending the RIM legacy of secure, reliable, lightweight operating systems for handsets that offer good battery life. …This could help stem the tide of BlackBerry users that have been considering jumping ship to iPhone or Android devices. But likely won’t do much to attract users of those platforms. –Ross Rubin, analyst at the NPD Group
Our boy Kevin over at the big CB brings us this event floor review of his first take on the BlackBerry 9800. You should also keep in mind that the features of BlackBerry 6 you are watching in this video, are not exclusive to the 9800. Ninty-Nine percent of the features you see, you can do on a non-touch screen device, by just using the BlackBerry TrackPad.
As you can see Kevin is pretty pumped about the 9800, so lets take a look at the specs.
BlackBerry Torch Specifications
Size (LxWxD)
Closed: 4.4″ x 2.4″ x 0.57″ / 111mm x 62mm x 14.6mm
Open: 5.8″ x 2.4″ x 0.57″ / 148mm x 62mm x 14.6mm
Weight: 161.59 g / 5.7 oz (includes battery)
Operating System: BlackBerry 6
Memory: 512 MB internal flash memory/4GB built-in storage memory
Expandable Memory: 4GB microSD card included/Supports up to 32GB microSD card
Battery Life: GSM Talk Time: 5.5 hours; GSM Standby Time: 17 days/MTS Talk Time: 5.8 hours; UMTS Standby Time: 13 days
Physical keyboard: 35 key backlit QWERTY
Touchscreen keyboards: portrait/landscape full qwerty, condensed portrait
Display: High resolution touch screen – Half-VGA+ display (360 x 480 at 188ppi)/3.2″ (diagonally measured)
Navigation: Capacitive traditional touch screen (no SurePress)/Optical trackpad
Camera: 5.0 MP camera, flash, auto focus, face detection, image stabilization, scene modes, 2X zoom, video recording
Video Camera: Normal Mode: 640 x 480 pixels with video light.
WiFi: 802.11b/g/n, support for UMA (carrier-dependent)
Bluetooth v2.1: Mono/Stereo Headset, Hands-free, Serial Port Profile, Bluetooth Stereo Audio (A2DP/AVCRP) and Bluetooth SIM Access Profile supported
You should also note that just like every other BlackBerry device, the Torch 9800 will support laptop tethering right out the box..
RIM has also launched the BlackBerry Torch official website at www.BlackBerry.com/torch . Ready to play with the new BlackBerry Torch? Well RIM as thought of that too by including an interactive site for the 9800 that allows you to play with many of the devices new features online. Just click this link to go to the interactive site.
In the U.S. the 9800 Torch will be sold exclusively by AT&T, which seems to be another feather in their cap along with rights to the iPhone and the first next gen BlackBerry. AT&T has launched the BlackBerry 9700 product site which gives you the chance to sign up to be notified when the 9700 is available for purchase. Of course as a BlackBerryDreamBlog reader you already know, you will be one of the first to know when this little baby is about to hit the street. Click the picture below to be taken to the AT&T website.
Ok so you’ve seen the pics, watch the video, now tell us what you think? Is the 9700 what you expected? Sound off in comments and let us know, also don’t forget to tell us like this post by hitting the “like†button. Want to stay in the know? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for the latest BlackBerry updates and the release of the 9800.
Are ready for a new BlackBerry? Visit our BlackBerry Superstore at http://BlackBerryDreamBlog.com/blackberry .
Sources: Fierce Wireless
Video: CrackBerry
