The wait is over especially now that we know that OS 6.1 is the next in line for the upcoming BlackBerry line. Thanks to BGR we now have some idea of what RIM’s future plans are for their smartphone line. We knew about the BlackBerry Dakota but now we have a picture of the device along with the specs to go along with it. This upcoming Bold style device has features like a mobile hotspot (Sweet!), touchscreen along with keyboard, HD recording, 768MB of RAM, NFC, and more. The only thing that we do not know is if this new device will finally ditch the 3 year old 624Mhz processor found in most current gen BlackBerrys for the last 2+ years. Hopefully RIM has learned from their past but you never know…
For your drooling pleasure here are the specs we know:
- Quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE
- Tri-band UMTS
- 5 megapixel camera with HD video recording, flash, and image stabilization
- 4GB of built in storage, 768MB of RAM
- 2.8-inch VGA 640×480 capacitive screen
- WiFi b,g,n on 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequencies
- 3G mobile hotspot!
- MicroUSB port
- Bluetooth
- NFC
- Magnetometer
- Accelerometer
- Proximity sensor
- 10.5mm thin
- Launches with BlackBerry OS 6.1
barrist ( View Profile) - Posts: 1186
Posted: January 13, 2011 at 9:28 AM EST
It says its a VGA screen doesn’t it??
Ronen Halevy ( View Profile) - Posts: 3311
Posted: January 13, 2011 at 10:05 AM EST
Good point not sure how I missed that
Maybe I was looking to hard for a 1Ghz processor…
barrist ( View Profile) - Posts: 1186
Posted: January 13, 2011 at 10:29 AM EST
hah yeah.. a bit troubling that EVERY spec except for processor is leaked.. i guess RIM has always been a bit mysterious with its processors though.
barrist ( View Profile) - Posts: 1186
Posted: January 13, 2011 at 8:45 PM EST
So… if the Torch 2 has a 1.2ghz and only 512mb ram.. why would they give the Dakota a lesser processor but more room? Could the Dakota have a 1.2??
barrist ( View Profile) - Posts: 1186
Posted: January 13, 2011 at 9:29 AM EST
They’ve gotta be using a better processor for this.. it seems like HD recording would need something better.
This is the phone they should have launched alongside the Torch.
I NEED A RELEASE DATE. im almost more excited for this than the playbook now
dkonigs ( View Profile) - Posts: 108
Posted: January 13, 2011 at 9:35 AM EST
That photo looks more like a photoshopped combination of simulator screenshots of the 9700 bottom, 9000 top, and maybe some minor tweaks.
barrist ( View Profile) - Posts: 1186
Posted: January 13, 2011 at 9:37 AM EST
ie the perfect BB
Corey Davis ( View Profile) - Posts: 1293
Posted: January 13, 2011 at 9:42 AM EST
Okay, as I’ve said, about time they get mobile hotspot. This is the kind of change we need to see from RIM.
But…..This should’ve been out 2 years ago! Being GSM I’m sure it will hit AT&T so again, it will be limited. “Le Sigh!”
barrist ( View Profile) - Posts: 1186
Posted: January 13, 2011 at 9:45 AM EST
yeah as i said, they really should have launched this with the torch.. people would have eaten it up.. the bold 9000 was such a popular phone.
mobile hotspot will make alot of people happy.
hopefully it is out soon,, my upgrade is coming up in april
Corey Davis ( View Profile) - Posts: 1293
Posted: January 13, 2011 at 9:46 AM EST
I just got the Bold 9650, but it was free and off contract. So if it came to anything but AT&T who has horrible service here, then I’d go for it.
CraZy88 ( View Profile) - Posts: 61
Posted: January 13, 2011 at 9:46 AM EST
OMG! Don’t tell me they are cutting corners by using an old bold 9000 housing and the keyboards already in circulation… Did I mention that RIM reminds me of Chrysler? I’m so disappointed. I do hope it is successful and I’m always pulling for RIM. We shall see, I suppose…
barrist ( View Profile) - Posts: 1186
Posted: January 13, 2011 at 9:51 AM EST
the bold 9000 had the best feel of a phone ive ever had. THE best keyboard of all time. its the insides that count. the VGA screen will be sharp as hell on a 2.8″
barrist ( View Profile) - Posts: 1186
Posted: January 13, 2011 at 10:00 AM EST
Just noticed.. if the specs are correct,this is thinner than the original bold by about 5 mm… likely not the exact same body then
Ben Not Registered
Posted: January 15, 2011 at 8:25 PM EST
I have a 9000, I really liked this form factor, my daughter has a 9700, to me it was too small, a nice lady’s phone maybe, this new Bold looks good but to me it is too little too late, I’m looking at the phones that use Android. maybe the Motorola Atrix. as long as it doesnt go to Verizon, ill never go back there.
jonp ( View Profile) - Posts: 67
Posted: January 13, 2011 at 9:48 AM EST
How long until a QNX phone?……… I feel like this phone is just to try to keep us happy until the QNX phone comes out and I don’t want to wait 2 years for it.
barrist ( View Profile) - Posts: 1186
Posted: January 13, 2011 at 9:53 AM EST
well it was kind of expected that there would be more os6 devices coming out. they’re a bit late with this, but i think it’ll still be a great phone.. gonna sell my torch as soon as this is released~
Corey Davis ( View Profile) - Posts: 1293
Posted: January 13, 2011 at 9:56 AM EST
From my sources there could be a total of 4 devices out this year (if not more). Who knows if some will be refreshers…(like VZW’s Torch version around March/April)….We’ll have to wait and see
Ronen Halevy ( View Profile) - Posts: 3311
Posted: January 13, 2011 at 10:06 AM EST
Yeah RIM has a whole line of devices that they had planned. We didnt know if they were going to hold off for QNX but these devices were started over a year and a half ago.
barrist ( View Profile) - Posts: 1186
Posted: January 13, 2011 at 10:13 AM EST
HOpefully it means release date is not too far off
barrist ( View Profile) - Posts: 1186
Posted: January 13, 2011 at 9:59 AM EST
I can already tell that will be the general impression in the blogsphere.. that its too little too late to “save” RIM.
But i think at the least, it will help KEEP alot BB Fans from switching. This was the phone they wanted.
Ronen Halevy ( View Profile) - Posts: 3311
Posted: January 13, 2011 at 10:07 AM EST
It is in no way too late to save RIM. They just need to move faster and instead of copying features in the market they need to start defining the market like they are doing with the PlayBook.
Corey Davis ( View Profile) - Posts: 1293
Posted: January 13, 2011 at 10:16 AM EST
I agree. I will be honest and say I was one who complained and stressed that I would not switch from a Tour 9630 to Bold 9650. I didn’t see the addition of memory, trackpad and wifi as major improvements. But I eat my words. I’ve completely gone 100% back to BlackBerry due to how the 9650 feels, looks, works, etc. My android devices are gathering dust.
So yes, they can still get back in the game. The Playbook proves that. They just have to work hard and fast to get back on top. They did make it hard on themselves.
Terrence T ( View Profile) - Posts: 1821
Posted: January 13, 2011 at 10:04 AM EST
time to ditch torch..
Corey Davis ( View Profile) - Posts: 1293
Posted: January 13, 2011 at 10:16 AM EST
You’d ditch the Torch so soon? Any particular reasons why?
barrist ( View Profile) - Posts: 1186
Posted: January 13, 2011 at 10:28 AM EST
For me, Torch was never my favoured form factor.. the keyboard leaves a little to be desired because of its flatness. STill probably the best BB out there now.. but it was a stopgap until THIS phone arrived.
This new Bold was what i wanted. heck, when i had my 9700 i was even thinking of going back to the 9000 because of the largescreen/keyboard.
Corey Davis ( View Profile) - Posts: 1293
Posted: January 13, 2011 at 10:39 AM EST
Just curious. I’ve never laid my hands on a Torch. You’d think living so close to Luis he’d let me see his, but he’s selfish! ;P
Luis Merlos ( View Profile) - Posts: 1312
Posted: January 13, 2011 at 3:25 PM EST
ha ha you never asked
actually my Torch is all messed up been having problems with it, maybe going back to the 9700 missing the 3G on Tmo
Corey Davis ( View Profile) - Posts: 1293
Posted: January 13, 2011 at 3:40 PM EST
Well if you do and you wouldn’t mind letting me get my hands on it for a few days, I’d love to!
ofutur ( View Profile) - Posts: 1136
Posted: January 13, 2011 at 4:36 PM EST
Hmmmm….That bad? I need more RAM and was thinking of going 9800, but maybe I’ll stick with 9780 :/
barrist ( View Profile) - Posts: 1186
Posted: January 14, 2011 at 7:23 PM EST
9800 runs quite smoothly for me… but if you have the 9780 right now, may as well wait for the new lineup
smokey-la ( View Profile) - Posts: 40
Posted: January 13, 2011 at 10:07 AM EST from my BlackBerry 9700
Definitely digging the specs on this bb. I’ll be waiting for the release of this 1.
tfrankson ( View Profile) - Posts: 209
Posted: January 13, 2011 at 10:26 AM EST
Wow I can’t wait for these new devices. Just hope they come to my carrier.
barrist ( View Profile) - Posts: 1186
Posted: January 13, 2011 at 10:27 AM EST
just buy and unlock!
ofutur ( View Profile) - Posts: 1136
Posted: January 13, 2011 at 10:32 AM EST
:S The fugly look of the original Bold…
Same screen size, but higher resolution?!? Just so that they can say that they have a Retina display…
I hope they release a Torch 2 at the same time with the same specs and a high res screen.
barrist ( View Profile) - Posts: 1186
Posted: January 13, 2011 at 10:50 AM EST
fugly???
The original bold was the best BB design ever. VGA on the same screen size is going to look damn sharp, not to mention its a touchscreen.
I like my Torch too but a slider wouldn’t be my first choice if this Dakota was out at the same time.
ofutur ( View Profile) - Posts: 1136
Posted: January 13, 2011 at 10:56 AM EST
Yep, fugly
.
I liked the size, but what a bad design. Too round. I’m much more fond of the 9700, although it looks like a mini phone, until you look at an X8
What they need to do is to release a dual side phone.
One side touch screen with the Playbook UI, one side small touch screen + keyboard with the BB UI.
Just use the best side for the job
barrist ( View Profile) - Posts: 1186
Posted: January 13, 2011 at 12:20 PM EST
be interesting, but wouldn’t that be a bit uncomfortable to hold in your hand?
ofutur ( View Profile) - Posts: 1136
Posted: January 13, 2011 at 12:23 PM EST
No, because of the rubberised sides.
Play with an iPhone 4 that has a cheap protection on it, you’ll see
barrist ( View Profile) - Posts: 1186
Posted: January 13, 2011 at 12:37 PM EST
interesting and then i guess the accelerometer can detect which side is face up?
ofutur ( View Profile) - Posts: 1136
Posted: January 13, 2011 at 12:39 PM EST
Of course
And just like Japanese phones, the other side will go into psychedelic screensaver mode when not in use
Eric ( View Profile) - Posts: 279
Posted: January 13, 2011 at 10:46 AM EST
I would love to see this released (although I still prefer the Torch formfactor).
As a developer I am not looking forward to yet another screen resolution, but at least this is approaching a square, which means most designs will fit.
Nikolaus Walch ( View Profile) - Posts: 602
Posted: January 13, 2011 at 10:55 AM EST
800 MHz CPU likely if the Curve Apollo gets one.
barrist ( View Profile) - Posts: 1186
Posted: January 13, 2011 at 11:19 AM EST
yeah,, could be.. at least not the same old 624mhz as feared
barrist ( View Profile) - Posts: 1186
Posted: January 13, 2011 at 11:20 AM EST
I wonder if these phones being leaked are in response to all the analysts saying RIM is being left behind
ofutur ( View Profile) - Posts: 1136
Posted: January 13, 2011 at 11:21 AM EST
Yeah, it’s the “Leave no Blackberry behind” program.
barrist ( View Profile) - Posts: 1186
Posted: January 13, 2011 at 3:42 PM EST
lol
Corey Davis ( View Profile) - Posts: 1293
Posted: January 13, 2011 at 3:51 PM EST
Exactly…damage control!
barrist ( View Profile) - Posts: 1186
Posted: January 13, 2011 at 11:41 AM EST
The touchscreen/keyboard is going to be awesome to use.. OS6 was made for this type of operation.. yeah i know the torch has it, but as lazy as it sounds, sliding a phone to bring up the real keyboard is kind of inconvenient in a way
beamolite ( View Profile) - Posts: 281
Posted: January 13, 2011 at 12:06 PM EST
Is it just me or is this phone the same size as the original Bold 9000?
barrist ( View Profile) - Posts: 1186
Posted: January 13, 2011 at 12:09 PM EST
it is.. that’s whats great about it.. also it appears to be thinner (10.5 vs 14mm on the old bold)
DavidB ( View Profile) - Posts: 1791
Posted: January 13, 2011 at 12:51 PM EST
Sounds decent, though no joy if your choice of carrier is limited by corporate to Verizon. No doubt a CDMA/LTE version will launch at some point, but likely 3-6 months after ATT and TMO launch this one. If it doesn’t run Android or iOS, Verizon seems to be showing little interest in either finally releasing upgrades to the BlackBerry 6 devices they DO have now, or getting something new (aka Storm3) to market.
barrist ( View Profile) - Posts: 1186
Posted: January 14, 2011 at 8:57 AM EST
it sounds like RIM is kind of shunning CDMA as well..
barrist ( View Profile) - Posts: 1186
Posted: January 13, 2011 at 2:06 PM EST
i noted elsewhere…
6.1 announced last night, and then 3 6.1 new devices “leaked”? Coincidence?
barrist ( View Profile) - Posts: 1186
Posted: January 13, 2011 at 2:22 PM EST
damn searching back a bit, this phone has been in the rumours for a LONG time.. like 2007-8
Corey Davis ( View Profile) - Posts: 1293
Posted: January 13, 2011 at 3:43 PM EST
Yes. This has been a phantom device for a very long time. Probably due to not have the parts to make the dream come true. Like where some ideas came up in the 70′s but you had to wait until today to be able to put them to use. lol
barrist ( View Profile) - Posts: 1186
Posted: January 13, 2011 at 4:02 PM EST
hah like star trek technology?
ofutur ( View Profile) - Posts: 1136
Posted: January 13, 2011 at 4:34 PM EST
That’s why it looks so dated when it’s not even been launched…
barrist ( View Profile) - Posts: 1186
Posted: January 13, 2011 at 8:44 PM EST
It’s not dated. its just a familiar design. A design that works.
the iPhone looked the EXACT same for 3 years. the iphone4 is the same basic design too.
a VGA display, touchscreen, trackpad, and all the upgraded innards make it potentially the best blackberry ever.
captainbdsc ( View Profile) - Posts: 179
Posted: January 13, 2011 at 2:15 PM EST from my BlackBerry 9700 | OS 6.0.0.424
Looks awesome for a BB but still lacking technically compared to other devices.
barrist ( View Profile) - Posts: 1186
Posted: January 13, 2011 at 2:40 PM EST
I want to see this show up in a Rogers database or something now lol
barrist ( View Profile) - Posts: 1186
Posted: January 14, 2011 at 5:50 PM EST
According to the new BGR post on the 2011 line-up, the Dakota will be the first one to be released! WOO! Q1 or Q2 please!
http://www.bgr.com/2011/01/14/rims-2011-blackberry-lineup/
barrist ( View Profile) - Posts: 1186
Posted: January 14, 2011 at 6:24 PM EST
i’m pumped.. bring on the release date for the dakota
grmonkey ( View Profile) - Posts: 193
Posted: January 16, 2011 at 8:07 PM EST
Been waiting on the this beauty to drop!
If it comes to AT&T i will def. get it!!!!
touchscreen and keyboard in the same space. no need to slide anything just touch and type
i loved my 9000 when i had it.
i have a 9700 now, but im ready for that nice spacious keyboard that the first bold had.
RIM this is what im talking about. all you andriod and iphone traitors you’ll be back
lol
allan Not Registered
Posted: February 20, 2011 at 9:49 AM EST
Wow, the carbon fiber cover is amazing, see more pics here: http://devicearea.com/?p=821