I know that all the news over on Verizon right now is about the iPhone 4 which will be hitting their network on Feb. 1oth, but, contrary to popular belief, most Verizon BlackBerry users won’t be switching over to iPhone (although quite a few might). It has been a while since a high end CDMA BlackBerry device hit Verizon shelves and there a lot of BlackBerry Storm, Tour, Storm2, and even Bold 9650 users that are looking to move on to a higher end BlackBerry device.
It usually takes about 6 months or so before a CDMA variant of a device comes out after its GSM counterpart which means we should see a BlackBerry Torch ready for Sprint and Verizon sometime around the middle of next month. Let’s hope that, like with the BlackBerry Bold 9650 over the Bold 9700, the CDMA BlackBerry Torch has a little more under the hood. Just being on AT&T was enough to make me return my BlackBerry Torch, but, I wasn’t terribly impressed with the hardware either as the device just seemed under powered.
Both Verizon and Sprint are long over due for a higher end BlackBerry, and even though the Torch was a little less than expected when initially released, I’d gladly use it seeing how I am one of those corporate BlackBerry users that will be on the BlackBerry platform for the foreseeable future…
Even though I would buy one day one if it came out on Verizon, I am guessing no time soon. The problem is that the carriers aren’t placing big enough orders for them for RIM to actually build the devices. People forget that RIM doesn’t sell devices to consumers, but, to the carriers that order them.
Sprint is still licking the wounds and trying to figure out how to move warehouses full of the BlackBerry Style. Verizon could care less about RIM after being burned with the Storm and the Storm2. Verizon will sell them, but, they aren’t going to market them for RIM or put large orders in as they are selling a lot of Android devices and you are about to witness what will be the fastest selling smartphone of all time when they release the iPhone 4.
If I were VZW, I’d be pushing for the 9780, based on existing models.
The 9780 offers little more than the 9650. I believe just a bit more memory. I would go straight for the Dakota. It’s something different than the same old devices we’ve seen for years…
I’d take the CDMA Torch (if QNX upgradeable).
I’ll need somthing flashy to pair with a Playbook, if I stay with BB.
I think it’s clear that these are the new devices coming out this year. Since none of them say “dual core” I think we can assume they will not come out with QNX for the BlackBerry this year. I know, I know QNX works great on a single-core (I was in college when you could boot QNX on a single floppy… No dual cores at that time… Worked great)… I think RIM is making up the dual core thing so that they can squeeze more life out of OS 6 so they have more time with the smartphone version of QNX.
I think there is further evidence since RIM announced OS 6.1. It’s kind of smart not tipping their hand of when the QNX os comes out for the smartphone. M$ did that and it almost blew them out of the market announcing Phone 7 waaaayyy tooo early. Heck, we still don’t have a Windows Phone on Verizon. If you are not on Verizon then you are missing out on half of the US sales. It’s a big deal.
Same is true with RIM missing a OS 6 touch screen for the Holidays 2010. Big miss if you ask me.
Verizon has the iphone and a full house of Android phones. Why would they want RIM’s yesterdays technology. If my work place in any indication, people are dropping the BB left and right for newer, better technology.