BlackBerry Thunder not ready, disappointing, and kills puppies

by Joshua Fruhlinger posted Jul 9th 2008 at 10:41AM

Just when we were finished telling you that the BlackBerry Thunder's haptic touch screen keyboard was the greatest thing evar, it turns out that things may be a bit of a mess over in RIM development land. According to one of Boy Genius' sources, the BlackBerry Thunder is lagging far behind on development time and is "in no way shape of form market-ready." And that awesome keyboard? Not so awesome. Reports are that it's annoying to type on and the screen ripples when the touchscreen is pressed. Meanwhile, UI response times are pretty bad, buttons don't click right, and RIM's new touch-and-drag method of selecting items isn't up to snuff. In short, says BGR's source, "Most of the people who have handled it thinks it's a joke." We haven't seen the thing ourselves lately, but if this report is true, it looks like you'll be waiting a while before you get your hands on a Thunder.

Filed under: Handsets, RIM

Tags: blackberry, blackberry thunder, BlackberryThunder, haptic, rim, thunder

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Neutral

tnkgrl @ Jul 9th 2008 1:20PM

I'm amazed how hard it is for well established mobile phone manufacturers like RIM and Nokia to catch up with Apple on the UI & touchscreen front... It just goes to show that Apple's doing something right!

And yes, I love both my N95 and my iPhone, and I liked my Wi-Fi Curve. But I didn't like the plastic-surface, impossible-to-read0-in-sunlight resistive touchscreen on my LG Vu.

Why is Apple the only one (so far) to offer a glass-surface, sunlight-readable capacitive touchscreen? And multitouch at that.

Highest Ranked

Jeremy @ Jul 9th 2008 2:05PM

Because they bought 8 years worth of technology from Fingerworks almost 5 years ago. They were one of the only companies in the world not only researching it, but creating commercial products. That gave them a huge head start.

Highly Ranked

Jeremy @ Jul 9th 2008 2:09PM

Neutral

Ben @ Jul 9th 2008 1:22PM

I knew it was too good to be true when I found out a decent phone was heading to verizon...

Neutral

fyreblazer @ Jul 9th 2008 1:24PM

Actually all of that sounds like par for the course for a Verizon phone. RIM devs are just saving VZ devs some time & work.

Highly Ranked

eric @ Jul 9th 2008 1:35PM

Who chose the cheesy guitar player (angus?) for the screen?

Highest Ranked

Groan @ Jul 9th 2008 4:32PM

Um, AC/DC...'Thunder' struck.

Highest Ranked

Andrew T. @ Jul 9th 2008 1:41PM

I have no idea why people are flipping out at the idea that the Thunder isn't ready. My timeline might be off but wasn't the Thunder just announced earlier this year? If so, I highly doubt any phone manufacturer can manufacture a high tech phone in less than a year without having problems.

How long did it take Apple to release the iPhone after being announced? To come out with a premium product takes time.

This whole Apple vs. RIM thing, I think, is taken too serious. Just because the iPhone 3G is being released on Friday, RIM doesn't have to come out with a product shortly after just to compete.

As for tnkgrl, Apple did do something "right" as they were the first to find commercial success with a touchscreen but that doesn't mean other manufacturers failed. A touchscreen wasn't in demand before the iPhone was released. You think Apple just thought of a glass touchscreen and it worked on first try? As with everything technology, Apple probably went through many revisions. If this report is correct, RIM is going through it's revisions, so they fail? Technology takes time to perfect.

For those RIM followers/supporters, so what if RIM doesn't come out with the Thunder for another 4-5 months. You think Apple is going to dramatically increase market share because they revised the first iPhone by putting GPS and 3G? RIM market share has done nothing but gone up and many have said RIM will go down for the last how many years?

People shouldn't read into these rumors or leaks no matter how "reliable" they are, if Apple/RIM doesn't say it themselves, it's just talk (not official).

But with that said, I look forward to iPhone launch day on Friday where I can hopefully find a friend or family member that will get an iPhone 3G, so I get to play with it.

Neutral

Omagus @ Jul 9th 2008 8:21PM

Actually, RIM hasn't even officially announced the Thunder yet. So technically, it isn't even being postponed.

Highly Ranked

bonemachine @ Jul 9th 2008 2:04PM

what I find odd is how everyone thinks Apple just waved a magic wand and came up with the finished iphone. I'm sure they had many development hurdles to cross along the way as well.

Neutral

LastVoice.com @ Jul 9th 2008 5:32PM

I hope RIM gets this right I friggin hate Apple

Highly Ranked

riderbing @ Jul 9th 2008 5:43PM

this was just announced in may correct? get serious. who cares if it is not ready yet. iphone sucks anyway.

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