BBERRYNEWS

BGR dropped some info on the upcoming BlackBerry slider we’ve been hearing rumors about for a long time now. While none of the details are confirmed, it’s still interesting to read through the possible specs. We’ll be able to confirm at least some of these specs when we have a visual, but for now we’re just going on rumor.

Here is what we’re hearing:

• It’s a portrait-oriented slider. While most people assume a device with slideout keyboard would end up being something like HTC’s devices, we’ve been told this particular handset is more like the Palm Pre in terms of layout.
• The phone will run BlackBerry OS 6.0.
• The rumored device will 100% support Wi-Fi 802.11n.
• The resolution unfortunately has not improved, it is still 360×480.
• No word on if this will have a touch screen, but we’d assume so, and our source alluded to this possibly being what the rumored BlackBerry Magnum/Dakota evolved into. Not saying there won’t be a Bold-like device with touchscreen, optical trackpad, and physical keyboard, but this might be released first.
• If it does have a touch screen, this could in fact be the mythical BlackBerry Storm slider — picture a Storm 9520 with a slide up Bold-esque keyboard.
• The phone will not be a Verizon exclusive — it’s supposed to be a GSM/HSPA device.

It would be a shame if this device didn’t come with a touchscreen because I think touchscreens have the most consumer appeal and app potential. Especially if this device is going to be running OS 6, there should be a host of features to make development easier. BlackBerry widgets will be fully supported by then as well as probably even more APIs by that time. In any case, this is shaping up to be an interesting form factor.

© Kyle for BlackBerry Cool, 2010