A New Type of Blackberry?

As if you didn't have enough of the iPhone substitutes...

2 months ago, Blackberry first advertised their new phone which promises to be...touchscreen?

Yes, you read right. A touchscreen Blackberry.

I've never been much of a fan of the Blackberry because I always thought they were too boxy and, well, they were never touchscreen!

Actually a rather pretty phone

A screen shot of the Blackberry Thunder in landscape mode. It offers a rather simple keyboard and a not very attractive interface. *Sigh*

Not quite sure about this condensed keyboard they've got here in portrait view, but I guess it's worth a try for those who want to try it.

According to Crackberry.com, the keyboard is supposed to be even easier to manipulate than the iPhone 3G's keyboard, with all sorts of other Internet connectivity perks that I suppose you would expect from a Blackberry.

The Blackberry Thunder is expected to come out in September, released on the coattails of the Blackberry Bold. The Thunder is expected to cost $400 with a two year contract with...are you ready...Verizon Wireless or Vodafone.

Never fear, those who don't like Verizon or Vodafone: if Verizon doesn't meet its quota, the exclusiveness ends and the phone becomes fair game. Boycott early sales of the Thunder! Make it available to other services!!

We'll see how this turns out.