It has been said to have been in the works for years, but now RIM is apparently getting more serious about it. We’ve received word from multiple sources that RIM is definitely working on a few different horizontal keyboard designs for future BlackBerry devices. Testers were given just the keyboard to see how comfortable and efficient it was to type on. The keyboards were said to be much different than traditional horizontal keyboards we’ve seen before and that they do not necessarily resemble an ‘extended version’ of current BlackBerry portrait keyboards.
It will be very interesting to see if RIM truly does launch a device with a horizontal keyboard. It was rumored for the longest time that the Mr. T, now known as the Torch 9800, was in landscape and portrait version while as a prototype. But for whichever reason, RIM (and supposedly AT&T) decided a portrait slider was better.
Our guess, or hope rather, is that RIM will not push a horizontal keyboard to production for the the simple fact that slider phones are so 2008. Then again, the Torch 9800 was a bit of a surprise in terms of a new product line for RIM. If RIM did release a device with a landscape slider, it would position RIM with having every style of mobile device we’ve seen in the past. Would you be interested in a BlackBerry with a landscape slide-out keyboard?
NOTE: Image above is for illustrative purposes only.
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I think it would be a smart move. There’s a lot of business folks (45+ years old) that use BB’s. Horizontal QWERT means bigger keys, which are easier to see. It won’t be for everyone, but when the 55 year old CEO makes a decision on mobile devices it will be smart to have one that they can actually type on without losing their eyesight or screwing up the keystrokes. Horizontal, Verticle & sceen only. Offer them all. You’ve got plenty of devices already, which are very very similar. This is at least a bit different.
I would buy one of these in a heartbeat. That phone looks sick and a huge horizontal physical keyboard and big touchscreen is a killer combo. Make it QNX with a front facing camera, 4G LTE, big battery, NFC, 1080p video and it will be a big seller!
I will buy this the day it hits the market…. I own a pair of those 55 year old eyes….this would greatly improve the typo ratio, but then again so would shorter finger nails!!! LOL
I will be very interested in a BlackBerry with a landscape slide-out keyboard! I feel that it is more comfortable to text message and I would buy it in a heart beat.
Thanks.
ca sort quand ???
when i can buy this model ??
remygrasse