RIM makes Bold move with OS 7
Updated smartphone, operating system
Research in Motion has unveiled two additions to its range of Blackberry Bold smartphones, the 9900 and 9930.
Both handsets run the new BlackBerry 7 OS, which provides support for 4G networks, HSPA+ connectivity, faster JavaScript, HTML 5 and voice-activated searches.
Spec-wise, the latest BlackBerrys pack a 1.2GHz processor, a 5Mp camera and 8GB of on-board storage. Then there's a 2.8in, 480 x 640 "Liquid Graphics" touchscreen display featuring a 287 pixels per inch (ppi) pixel density. The iPhone 4's "retina display" is 326ppi, in case you ask.
Both handsets can connect to 2.4GHz and 5GHz Wi-Fi networks. They also have Bluetooth 2.1.
As well as support for near-field communications (NFC) technology, there's a built-in compass, which can be used for location-based functions and augmented reality apps such as Wikitude, an AR service preinstalled on each device.
The BlackBerry Bold 9900 - the HSPa+ 3G version - and 9930 - the CDMA EvDo model - are expected this summer. Prices have yet to be announced. ®
COMMENTS
OS 7 won't work on OS 6 devices
I've just read that my Torch won't be eligible for the upgrade, even though it's only a few months old. The 6.1 upgrade "coming soon" has morphed into OS 7 and won't work on current devices.
If that's true, BlackBerry can just fuck right off.
No it's not reasonable
Considering that the iPhone 3Gs runs iOS 4 and might also run iOS 5. Android is more mixed, but even crappy Android phones can usually get at least a 0.1 version increase. IIRC the Torch only came out in the UK in August, and it's been "known" for a while that OS 6.1 will be coming soon.
Thanks
I looked for this page and never found it. Verizon's site sucks. I am updating now. Hopefully I will not regret it.
Nice
Though I don't see LTE being supported. Where's the 4G connectivity?
Looks like Blackberry is actually putting nice stuff on their handsets these days. I hope these things are within a manageable price tag by the time I change Blackberries. The jump from 8300 to 9700 was very nice indeed.
Exchange
If only they supported ActiveSync natively without using a fecking BES box or 3rd party app. Would have another 200 sold by now...
