[rollingrock1988]

Things are changing in Waterloo. The summer is drawing to an end and Research In Motion is in the very early stages of the biggest BlackBerry device launch of the brand�s storied history. BlackBerry 7 smartphones � which include new Bold models, Curve models and Torch models � will be sold by more than 225 carriers around the world this year and into 2012. But RIM�s BlackBerry 7 device launch is also significant for another reason, of course: it is the end of an era.

The BlackBerry smartphones launching across the globe right now will be the final batch to feature RIM�s BlackBerry software as we know it today. Late to the party though it may be, RIM�s top management has finally come to realize that its competition as long-since passed it by. Apple owns smartphone profits, Google owns smartphone market share, and RIM has seen its handset business decline in several key regions quarter after quarter. How did the tide turn so quickly? The explanation is beyond simple: RIM, like Nokia and Microsoft, grew complacent and sat idle while younger, hungrier companies revolutionized the smartphone industry. And now these companies must start anew.

Nokia and Microsoft have joined forces in their effort to regain market share and mind share from Apple and Google, leaving RIM to take its journey alone. This is not an unfamiliar position for the company, however. What started as a small VC-funded firm that launched the Inter@ctive Pager in 1998 to combat SkyTel would later go on to help shape the smartphone industry. But technology grows exponentially and RIM did not, so here we sit today.

Analysts and pundits are mixed when it comes to RIM�s chances moving forward. Some believe Google and Apple have built a lead that is insurmountable in the near term, and RIM will continue to stagger until a sale is forced. Others believe RIM�s BlackBerry 7 device roll-out coupled with the vendor�s continued success in numerous international markets will hold the company steady while it prepares the first wave of QNX smartphones that will right RIM�s ship. I once found myself somewhere in between these two camps, but I�m now leaning toward the latter.

BGR Editor-in-chief Jonathan Geller reviewed the BlackBerry Bold 9900 earlier this month, and he found the hardware to be a breath of fresh air while RIM�s stale software left much to be desired. Of course, regardless of where the tide takes him, Geller will always have a soft spot for BlackBerry devices and as such, I really didn�t get to spend much time with our early unit since he wouldn�t let it out of his sight. T-Mobile sent us a Bold 9930 recently, however, and I�ve been using it since the device arrived. My thoughts on the 9900 align closely with Geller�s, so there�s no need to review the phone again. But I did want to cover one aspect of the new Bold because I think it may have bigger implications than many believe.

In a recent feature, I called the BlackBerry PlayBook my favorite tablet and explained how well it is suited for my personal use. Beyond that, however, I also said how much I like the PlayBook hardware. While most seem to prefer the rock hard aluminum case on Apple�s iPad, I really enjoy the soft-touch rubberized plastic RIM used on the PlayBook. The device is very solid, save for the Playskool power button up top, and weight distribution is perfect.

And now, we have the Bold 9900. As someone who handles a ridiculous number of phones � and who apparently may never have children as a result � I feel perfectly comfortable calling the Bold 9900 one of the most gorgeous pieces of smartphone hardware I have ever seen. Falling short of Apple�s iPhone 4 perhaps only due to the grease-magnet carbon fiber-look plastic inlay at the center of the battery cover, the Bold 9900 is fantastic. Forget about the creaking, plasticky BlackBerry smartphones of old; this is a new chapter in RIM handsets. The smooth face surrounded by a brushed metal bezel is luxurious, the soft-touch rubberized areas on the back feel perfect in the hands, and the keyboard is absolutely unrivaled. But the most important takeaway from RIM�s Bold 9900 is this: RIM has changed.

As simple as it sounds, this is a big confidence booster for me. RIM finds itself where it is today thanks largely to the company�s inability to adapt to a changing market. The company was late with 3G phones because it didn�t want to compromise battery life. Meanwhile, 3G smartphones became commonplace and rendered 2G devices slow and painful to use. RIM was late with touchscreens because rebuilding its operating system for touch input was a daunting task to say the least. Of course while RIM was resisting, touch devices swept the market and now we may never again see a flagship smartphone without a touchscreen.

RIM�s previous high-end phones have been fantastic engineering feats, but the quality of RIM�s hardware was never on par with the likes of HTC or Apple. The Bold 9900 is a completely different story.

When I envision a device with the Bold 9900′s build quality, RIM�s fresh new QNX-based operating system and an the ever-expanding Android application ecosystem available via RIM�s Android app player, I really like RIM�s chances. Add on competitive entry-level QNX phones to pick up where RIM�s new Curves left off, and the tide may very well turn sooner than we think for RIM.

RIM's QNX phones are going to be amazing

Wow. It seems like the media as a whole has taken BB Viagra and now their hard-ons are raging for RIM

[DrewDT]

Interesting coming from BGR's site. Those skeptical of BGR's intentions will intepret this to mean "pass on the OS7 devices just released."

[BergerKing]

Having been hands-on with the 9930 already, it is definitely a departure from previous handsets in a number of ways. I really liked the touchscreen/keyboard combination, I was able to fluidly move into a realm that had been previously undesired.

The 'heft' of the Bold was a pleasure, as in how it feels in-hand. The keyboard was sweet, display just gorgeous. I look forward to when I can take it home.

I rebooted it in the store, and the 45 second time almost made me drool.sure beats the 5 mins of my Style.

Probably the best move they made was a widespread release, instead of this 'exclusive' crap that becomes ever-so-tedious.

Is it perfect? Not for everyone. Is it better? Oh, yeah.

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

[tack]

Actually I think they stated that with the 9900 they think that RIM has changed. That is partly why he is predicting that QNX phones will rock. I hope he is right. We shall see.

The 9860 came 6 months too late for me to stay, but I might come back with a great showing in 2012 with QNX.

[sf49ers]

that's pretty much inline with Kevin's comments about BB 9900...seem he liked it very much and he went on to the extent of saying it is the best phone he ever held..impressive isn't it? coming from BGR..

[Rickroller]

I can just see everyone's epeen swelling..now that the almight BGR actually has something good to say about RIM. All the "bgr is trash, clueless, garbage journalism" is going to fade into "Well if BGR likes it..it must be awesome amirite?"

[anon(1603170)]

I can just see everyone's epeen swelling..now that the almight BGR actually has something good to say about RIM. All the "bgr is trash, clueless, garbage journalism" is going to fade into "Well if BGR likes it..it must be awesome amirite?"

Thats the usual in here

[FranzJoseph]

I can just see everyone's epeen swelling..now that the almight BGR actually has something good to say about RIM. All the "bgr is trash, clueless, garbage journalism" is going to fade into "Well if BGR likes it..it must be awesome amirite?"

When you can get huge RIM/BlackBerry haters to like a device, you know you did something right.

[rollingrock1988]

I can just see everyone's epeen swelling..now that the almight BGR actually has something good to say about RIM. All the "bgr is trash, clueless, garbage journalism" is going to fade into "Well if BGR likes it..it must be awesome amirite?"

Posting for irony considering that BGR usually writes nothing but hate for anything other than apple.

Irony makes people laugh, amirite?

[big_time2]

I guess it always good to start the hype early. I'm sure other bloggers will start posting similar articles soon.

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

[Danf]

as Long as Rim keeps making good QWERTY phones I am on board. But I am not so sure the management is making brilliant decisions. Good example being their asinine decision to sacrifice auto focus camera in order to have the "Thinnest blackberry ever".

Stupid move.

[mjs416]

I can just see everyone's epeen swelling..now that the almight BGR actually has something good to say about RIM. All the "bgr is trash, clueless, garbage journalism" is going to fade into "Well if BGR likes it..it must be awesome amirite?"

Nope - BGR is still the suxor. Never has there been a more misleading misnomer than the Boy Genius Report.

[southlander]

I can just see everyone's epeen swelling..now that the almight BGR actually has something good to say about RIM. All the "bgr is trash, clueless, garbage journalism" is going to fade into "Well if BGR likes it..it must be awesome amirite?"

No. They can be sensationalist whether negative or positive. It's all about page views and ad revenue.

If you note their more "positive" coverage coincides with RIM releasing phones that by any rational measure are very good for the BB fan base. Seems logical to me.

[Economist101]

Irony makes people laugh, amirite?

It's only ironic for the paranoid people that think BGR posts negative things about RIM for sport. On the other hand, for those of us that realize that BGR is going to post whatever it finds, then this review isn't all that surprising, and neither is the forum flip-flop on the validity of items posted on BGR's site.

[danimalchil]

i just love going on bgr and terrorizing all of the haters that pitch a tent in any post related to RIM.

[rollingrock1988]

It's only ironic for the paranoid people that think BGR posts negative things about RIM for sport. On the other hand, for those of us that realize that BGR is going to post whatever it finds, then this review isn't all that surprising, and neither is the forum flip-flop on the validity of items posted on BGR's site.

I for one understand that. It's for page views. Which is why there is irony in their news posts.

They can't honestly stick to one opinion or another.

So- when I say it's funny it's because it is funny. It makes me laugh at how desperate media outlets have gotten and how poorly written articles are. Journalism is no longer journalism because journalists have no ethics or ideals to stand on when writing an article.

So it's ironic, pathetic and sad and there is nothing for me to do but just shake my head and laugh.

People can hate on RIM all day and tomorrow but at the end of the day the sales numbers will speak for themselves. Does it get old? Yes. Do people have emotional attachments to their devices? Yes. But if you think about it, the media and journalists have only perpetuated America's infatuation with material items. So in a sense they, themselves have created fanboism and materialism.

For people to get upset about other peoples' obsessions and wants(^^above) is stupid and what's even worse is that they come here to crap all over the posters who are here to be apart of an eco-system they enjoy. No matter how you dice it, on both sides of the "smartphone wars" are fanbois.

[avt123]

When you can get huge RIM/BlackBerry haters to like a device, you know you did something right.

BGR is far from a hater. He use to be addicted to his BB. Just because he showed the negative side of things doesn't mean he is hating. He called what was going to happen and begged for them to change way before the constant bashing by the media. Now they finally are changing and the site is showing recognition.

[chiefbroski]

The two H's of BGR: Hate and Hype. Product quality doesn't matter.

[StaticFX]

the BGR report is just an Opinion. Thats it.


any one of us on here could say.. the QNX phones will be better than anything!... its just an opinion. Only difference is sometimes BGR has good info and good scoops.. so it seems to make it more credible.

[CGI]

Having played with a Playbook, I have high hopes for QNX phones.

But... realistically, its going to be a while before the apps are fully supported on the variety of devices. I really think RIM needs to consolidate the hardware, but what do I know?

[_StephenBB81]

RIM’s previous high-end phones have been fantastic engineering feats, but the quality of RIM’s hardware was never on par with the likes of HTC or Apple. The Bold 9900 is a completely different story.

Now I appreciate the complements, this bugged me, if you go back to 2008 and compare HTC to BlackBerry, BlackBerry was head and shoulders above HTC in build quality, if you go back to 2006 again BlackBerry was head and shoulders above UTStarcom in build Quality,

it wasn't until RIM abandoned their belief of function before form and they started to try and make pretty devices for the masses did their build quality suffer, IMO the Bold 9000 and the Curve 83XX are the end of RIM's old build quality era, and between then and now MANY saying they don't really stand up to the quality of an HTC slab phone could be said, what the 9900 build quality means to me is RIM is coming BACK to when they had a clue about the market, and are BACK to making a industry leading handset.

I still think RIM needs a commercial with LL Cool J "Mama said knock you out" because this isn't a come back but they are making a splash and want to be recognized for it.

[_StephenBB81]

Having played with a Playbook, I have high hopes for QNX phones.

But... realistically, its going to be a while before the apps are fully supported on the variety of devices. I really think RIM needs to consolidate the hardware, but what do I know?

I think the consolidation of hardware would be the death of RIM, if they don't offer a full family of phones, they can't compete with Android headsets which are trying to offer a full family, and RIM can't compete with the Sauron phone, at the same game.

WHAT RIM needs to do is build an IDE/SDK that includes a multi resolution scaler, that allows a GUI to be built and scaled within the IDE to all RIM's resolutions, if RIM build a quality IDE for developers you'd see more developers come over and try it.

[scorpiodsu]

Do you guys even realize that the same person doesn't even write all the articles? So when someone says "BGR wrote this..." that implies that it's the same person. Anyhow, the point is it's all opinion. When they were writing stuff that weren't so positive it didn't mean anything and this certainly doesn't either. It is funny how the same people that went out of their way to discredit BGR when they said some negative things will now agree because they like the article.

In the end, I hope RIM does make great QNX devices. I do not want to see only 2 dominant platforms. More option and competition will force them to push each other to offer better services and products to us. Having said that, there's nothing that RIM has done thus far to proclaim what's going to be great or what's going to be bad. No one knows. We won't until the devices actually come out. Using OS7 devices as a basis for new devices on a different platform that people may or may not care for is a little silly. Just the same as using past blackberries to predict the failure. We won't know until we know. All we can do is hope. Period.

[_StephenBB81]

Do you guys even realize that the same person doesn't even write all the articles? So when someone says "BGR wrote this..." that implies that it's the same person. Anyhow, the point is it's all opinion. When they were writing stuff that weren't so positive it didn't mean anything and this certainly doesn't either. It is funny how the same people that went out of their way to discredit BGR when they said some negative things will now agree because they like the article.

In the end, I hope RIM does make great QNX devices. I do not want to see only 2 dominant platforms. More option and competition will force them to push each other to offer better services and products to us. Having said that, there's nothing that RIM has done thus far to proclaim what's going to be great or what's going to be bad. No one knows. We won't until the devices actually come out. Using OS7 devices as a basis for new devices on a different platform that people may or may not care for is a little silly. Just the same as using past blackberries to predict the failure. We won't know until we know. All we can do is hope. Period.

his prediction seems to be based on RIM finally getting back to making solidly build devices, and not having the hardware issues and the lack of stylish materials, so assuming RIM keeps it's hardware momentum from the PlayBook, into the 9900 and 9850/60 then into QNX RIM will have a compelling hardware, and QNX on the PlayBook has lots of potential, if RIM can realize it, and make a Solid Android player, maybe give us Widgets (please!) QNX could be a killer OS, that doesn't have to go the way of WebOS which was killed by hardware.

As long as who ever was incharge of industrial design for the 9900 and 9850/60 stays with RIM for 2012 and beyond I am confident RIM will have a strong QNX position, I wont be buying the first all touch QNX, but will be sure it will be grand.

[sivan]

This is just idle speculation. How will QNX be so awesome?

Look, there are things that QNX can't change about Blackberrys. If you want a keyboard, then you get a small screen. And with a small screen come complex menus, because you can't put buttons all over the UI. That's also why we haven't had touch screens, because they are not very practical on this kind of device.

And the complex settings aren't going to be all that different. With BES and BIS, it will just not look like regular account settings on other phones. Any simplifications RIM can do in those areas have nothing to do with the OS. Speaking of, it's interesting to hear that QNX won't even ship with BES support initially.

The silly EULA screens when launching apps for the first time, RIM can clean this up on OS7 if it wanted to.

So what else do you expect from QNX...faster boot times and no need to reboot after app installs, maybe. The performance of OS7 is already excellent and we like it, don't we? I don't understand the excitement for QNX. It's just a long term investment for RIM.