[itmccb]

I keep hearing (well, technically reading) that the L-series isn't final hardware and that the device that ships will likely look very different. While I agree that what we've seen of the L-series isn't final hardware, I find the proposition that the shipping product will have a different design to be ridiculous. The Nexus 4 that was shown to the Verge days before release wasn't final hardware; the leaks that had "With Google" printed on the back instead of "Nexus" weren't final hardware, yet the device that shipped was effectively identical. The same goes for the iPhone and pretty much every other device that has been leaked before launch. At the most, I expect the numbers printed on the face of the device and the "not for sale" stickers to be absent -maybe a little more fit and finish. Though, this is just what I think based on what I've observed; I could be wrong. Does anyone know of a case where leaked hardware (especially on this scale with slide decks, photos, renders, sightings, etc.) has been significantly different than the final product?

[skyrocket9]

I keep hearing (well, technically reading) that the L-series isn't final hardware and that the device that ships will likely look very different. While I agree that what we've seen of the L-series isn't final hardware, I find the proposition that the shipping product will have a different design to be ridiculous. The Nexus 4 that was shown to the Verge days before release wasn't final hardware; the leaks that had "With Google" printed on the back instead of "Nexus" weren't final hardware, yet the device that shipped was effectively identical. The same goes for the iPhone and pretty much every other device that has been leaked before launch. At the most, I expect the numbers printed on the face of the device and the "not for sale" stickers to be absent -maybe a little more fit and finish. Though, this is just what I think based on what I've observed; I could be wrong. Does anyone know of a case where leaked hardware (especially on this scale with slide decks, photos, renders, sightings, etc.) has been significantly different than the final product?

Lots of cases but every case is different. L series will more than likely look like the leaked versions.

[limh5]

Lots of cases but every case is different. L series will more than likely look like the leaked versions.

Agreed.

[itmccb]

Any examples?

[Thunderbuck]

Actually, I suspect that the units we're seeing leaked now probably ARE "final" hardware

[Taigatrommel]

I also highly doubt the final hardware will look radically different from the leaked pictures.

[robtanz]

I am hoping it looks different. Hardly a memorable design. I am hoping for a surprise like the BB style was(vs the leaks that we saw)

Sent from my Atari 2600

[skyrocket9]

I am hoping it looks different. Hardly a memorable design. I am hoping for a surprise like the BB style was(vs the leaks that we saw)

Sent from my Atari 2600

No it will be like what is showing already yea the design is a bit weird but aesthetics aren't important to RIM designers.

[digitalman101]

Sent from my Atari 2600

[Bold_until_Hybrid_Comes]

I think the front is pretty much final but the back will be different. There is no way the CEO of a company would be seen at the front row of an NBA game showing his final hardware to the world months before it is launched.

[TheScionicMan]

I would be quite surprised if the design were to change. There's not a lot that could be done. It's the container. I don't choose a TV based on the shell. Without actually handling and using one, it's just too soon to say if it is balanced/shaped/designed well.

[skyrocket9]

I think the front is pretty much final but the back will be different. There is no way the CEO of a company would be seen at the front row of an NBA game showing his final hardware to the world months before it is launched.

Unless it's the final model and the CEO doesn't care because there is no competition looking tosteal any designs from blackberry.

[03_CTD]

I think the front is pretty much final but the back will be different. There is no way the CEO of a company would be seen at the front row of an NBA game showing his final hardware to the world months before it is launched.

Interestingly enough, within the last two or three weeks RIM employes have been carrying their "Dev Alpha B" devices covered with a rubber skin. Why produce and demand use of a skin this late in the game (for BlackBerry/tech followers, not the general public) yet so soon after the announcement of the launch party and Thorsten's now famous pics? Perhaps a marking or two may change from current but, IMHO the Dev Alpha B hardware IS the final product.

[aragone79]

I keep hearing (well, technically reading) that the L-series isn't final hardware and that the device that ships will likely look very different. While I agree that what we've seen of the L-series isn't final hardware, I find the proposition that the shipping product will have a different design to be ridiculous. The Nexus 4 that was shown to the Verge days before release wasn't final hardware; the leaks that had "With Google" printed on the back instead of "Nexus" weren't final hardware, yet the device that shipped was effectively identical. The same goes for the iPhone and pretty much every other device that has been leaked before launch. At the most, I expect the numbers printed on the face of the device and the "not for sale" stickers to be absent -maybe a little more fit and finish. Though, this is just what I think based on what I've observed; I could be wrong. Does anyone know of a case where leaked hardware (especially on this scale with slide decks, photos, renders, sightings, etc.) has been significantly different than the final product?

I have onyx 1 EU which still use trackball instead of track pad. So I think it has a significant difference than what we can see at the final hardware.

[technology-buzz]

I think that design is nice! It is simplistic and will look very sleek. As Steve Jobs said "Simplitcty is the Ultimate Sophistication" and he knew a thing or two about the design of a phone.

[Drew808]

I think that it is the final hardware but I also hope that the back will look somewhat different. Most smartphones these days are black slabs and the only distinct features are the color, feel and design of the back of the phone. I thought I read somewhere that RIM would have different colors for the BB10 devices; If this is so that could give marketing a wider net of possible customers who would maybe choose a Windows phone instead of Blackberry solely based off of color of phone and not OS. I personally think that the design has to have some flare that will catch the casual buyer who doesn't already know which phone they'll get when they go to sign a new contract. RIM may want to play it safe with the understated look but consumers buy the designer device of the moment so they'll need polycarbonate or aluminum to stand out in the crowd...In my opinion.

[pkcable]

I think the lawyers make them say that. But I agree what we are seeing with the exception of the "Alpha" devices are final hardware designs.

[gng11]

I think that design is nice! It is simplistic and will look very sleek. As Steve Jobs said "Simplitcty is the Ultimate Sophistication" and he knew a thing or two about the design of a phone.

RIM hasn't achieved quite the level of design as Jony Ives has done for Apple. Almost there but still lots of room to catch up. The engineering of the phone could also do some work. Flipboard's CEO is a former Apple iPhone engineer, and could be hired in exchange for the guarantee of Flipboard to be on BB10 maybe.

[technology-buzz]

That would be amazing, I think that they have good build quality and I prefer a simple clean look when compared to something that is overcomplicated (cough*SGSIII*cough).

[aragone79]

RIM hasn't achieved quite the level of design as Jony Ives has done for Apple. Almost there but still lots of room to catch up. The engineering of the phone could also do some work. Flipboard's CEO is a former Apple iPhone engineer, and could be hired in exchange for the guarantee of Flipboard to be on BB10 maybe.

Flipboard team said that they are working on to be available at multiple platforms. Hopefully it will be available for BB10 soon.

[RubberChicken76]

I'm hit or miss on their designs, honestly. They're pretty functional, but with the exception of the 9900 and 9000, not many have ever 'wowed me'. I didn't mind the touch curve actually in terms of looks. 9900 was probably the device I thought was the sexiest and it was quite distinctly BlackBerry Benz.