Well isn't this a nice little piece of information to wake up to on Christmas morning. Seems that while we were all sleeping, Clearskies08 was leaving us all a nice present from our friendly neighborhood Rogers/Fido reps upcoming handset presentation. That's right folks, what you are seeing above is a pic of the 9520 Storm which will soon be available on Rogers in Canada. This device will have 3G HSPA bands for North America and comes with WiFi built into it.
Not only was the 9520 Storm introduced, but the 8200 was as well, the 8200 being a 3G HSDPA Pearl Flip with WiFi and GPS built in AND a second video camera for video calling!!!!!!
For more information on the coming devices as well as Fido's new BlackBerry offerings hit the jump.
Now looking at the picture above and assuming prices don't change which with Rogers they often do, it seems like the Storm 9520 will be on par with Verizon's offerings of the device but lower then Telus or Bell's price points (rebates pending of course).
Next on the list from the presentation, the 8200 Pearl Flip, this time around getting a healthy dose of 3G HSDPA and adding GPS to the available features on top of the WiFi, which was left out of the 8220 version, no pricing was listed for this device but I'm sure we can expect it to fall in line with the original 8220. Also listed on the spec sheet is a secondary camera for video calling!
Great news for all you Fido subscribers out there as well, ever since Fido has gone through its recent rebranding there has been rumors of them bringing BlackBerry devices back into the mix. I guess you could consider the above picture a confirmation of that. With the 82XX (not sure which version) and the 8110 as well as the new Curve 8900 all set to be launched between February and April '09.
There ya have it folks, looks like 2009 is already off to a great start for Rogers and Fido customers, now any guesses on how long it will take AT&T to catch up this time?
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113 comments
MERRY CHRISTMAS! 9520!!! BOOOYAAA!!
This is pretty interesting stuff....
a) Funny timing. Just two nights ago when recording the second Round Robin Roundtable podcast I was asked about the the Storm and its lack of WiFi and said that there were definitely Storms "out there" running WiFi. This hardware has been around for a while now - even predating the launch of the Storm had talk to some testers both domestically and abroad who were running WiFi Storms.
BUT what's really interesting here is what Jim Balsillie talked about on RIM's Q3 investor call last week. All the analysts on the line were wanting to know if/when other carriers would get the Storm, but Jim was pretty clear that there was "depth" to the Verizon/Vodafone "hero" plan. Obviously it's not that deep or else there are conventions in place that allow RIM to sell the device to other non-compete carriers or there's more to this agreement than is yet really known.
b) A 3G Pearl flip?! Now that is a surprise. Wasn't expecting that. A CDMA Pearl Flip - yup... thinking that'll be the 8230. But 8200 3G Pearl Flip..very cool. Wonder what processor it'll be running?! Maybe the 528? Current processor is pretty slow in it, but with 528MHZ and 3G that phone just got wayyyy better. AND VIDEO CALLING ON A BLACKBERRY?!?!?! Let's hope this comes to more BlackBerrys!
Bring it on Rogers! Merry Christmas!!
I have to say, I said this was coming for about 6 months now. ;)
True That CX, True That!
WTF??? why would the do this?? I was looking forward totelus crushing rogers and the iphone
See that's where the difference is. RIM is concerned with making money, they don't care about the carrier wars.
The 9520 is going to be a nice device. The touchscreen issues have been resolved, 3G HSPA, WiFi all on Rogers' network. I think this once again proves that the BlackBerry line up at Rogers is the most complete BlackBerry line up of any carrier out there.
RIM has had so much trouble with Verizon and AT&T. Starting with AT&Ts delay of the Bold which affected RIMs Q2 Revenues and Q3 Revenues. Verizon's software issues with the Storm, screen problems, etc. Despite these delays, RIM was still able to beat expectations for Q3.
RIM knows that Rogers is a GOLD mine for them. Now to get a proper launch on AT&T as well, and we should have a nice upswing in RIM revenues, and hence their stock.
This is great news for RIM and Rogers!
Really brilliant comment. I wasn't aware that AT&T delaying the Bold because of software issues was AT&T's fault, I thought it was because AT&T wanted a good device that wasn't going to be returned left and right like the Storm. And as far as the software of the Storm, I wasn't aware that Verizon was the one writing the Blackberry OS that caused all the issues with the touch screen not working. You must know something we don't. So AT&T delays phones for no reason and Verizon Wireless writes the Blackberry OS... Where does RIM come into the picture? Just a straight hardware manufacturer?
I think you have to be made aware of RIM's carrier model.
The carriers own the software and release it to the public. Not RIM. It was Vodafone and Verizon's decision to release 4.7.0.65 and sell the Storm so early.
Funny that you bash AT&T for delaying phones, now bashing Verizon and Vodafone for releasing a phone too early. Wow.
I thought that was funny too.
Release too late = Carriers fault for waiting so long for good OS
Release too soon = Carriers fault for NOT waiting for good OS
Make up your mind buddy.
I was under the impression that AT&T delayed the Bold -- NOT because they wanted a stable OS -- but because the AT&T network needed to be updated in order to handle the security that the Bold uses.
In fact, if you go back in the forums here on Crackberry, you will see that AT&T's network was the reason for the delay.
If they had the opportunity, I'm SURE AT&T, crappy OS or not, would've launched the Bold to try to get as many customers onto the newest Blackberry before the Storm hit VZW.
And have another iPhone fiasco on their hands? And I was under the impression that it was the software, because the iPhone started working a lot better after the OS was updated.... So I don't think it was AT&T's network, if it was, the updated OS wouldn't have changed anything... The same thing with the Bold, it was released with a newer/updated/better OS than the version released on Rogers... And it works great... And Kevin had issues with his Rogers Bold here in NY, but when he let Craig borrow his Bold, he even complained about it doing random crazyness, then I believe he said he updated to the newest OS, and it fixed a lot of the problems.... Was it a coincidence that AT&T fixed their network at the same time Craig updated the OS on the Bold and it started working a lot better? I could be mistaken, but I am almost 100% positive, but I deleted their podcast, and haven't had a chance to go back and find it.
Where did you get your info on people returning Storms left and right .Verizon reports record sales of the Storm .
Sure they're reporting record sells, and I don't doubt it's accurate. But why would they report record returns or record exchanges? That would hurt their profitability. It would be like Verizon having a commercial saying they have the highest prices and the most dropped calls than any other network in the world, it may or may not be true ( more than likely not true ), but they wouldn't run a negative ad campaign against themselves.
I just returned a 3 day old Storm to Verizon because the touch screen was totally screwed up. They are a long way from getting the touch screen issues corrected. Even the Verizon Sales Rep told me that they are getting these things back like crazy because the screen functionality is so messed up.
What you are seeing from Rogers is what should have been the 1st Generation Storm.. but is now the 2nd Generation. That is the fastest leap from one generation of electronic devise to another that I have ever seen. All because they had to compete with Apple for the 2008 holiday season. What a dumb move. They have ticked off thousands of customers and driven many new customers to bring back their Storms, cancel their contracts and move over to other carriers. In my case, I literally stopped by AT&T on the way to the Verizon store, had my number ported over and picked up a new Bold. I then drove to Verizon, returned the Storm and cancelled my 3 day old contract. Their was a guy standing in front of me doing exactly the same thing. It is to bad that greed got in the way of truly developing the Storm and making it ready for market the way it should have been.
I know that Storm owners are on the defensive right now.. they got something that was sold way before it should have been.. has major issues and no one that owns one wants to admit to the extent these things are defective. I liken it to buying a Porsche and finding out it really isn't what it was cracked up to be... but who wants to admit that? One can only hope that RIM and Verizon will learn a lesson about greed and that in the end having truly satisfied end users is the key to making money.. not selling something long before it should have ever hit the market!
I have the worst timing in the world it seems...
I just ordered my 9500 in Germany on the 22. December, which has NO WiFi ofc -.-
Now 3 days later they release a WiFi version...
It doesnt bother me to much. However I was just hoping the next improved model of the storm would appear at least 3 months from now. Needless to say Id like to have a 9520 instead of the 9500. Oh, and did I mention that I payed 299 euro!!! with a 2 year contract here in Germany.
Its just so frustrating to pay so much money and see a better and cheaper model being released 3 days after -.-
fyi, nothing has been released.
true, its just an announcement. RIM is getting me heartache anyway. 2009 will be an interesting year :=)
Hell yeah it will! Damn, even if we wait 2 months, there'll be a lot of interesting stuff out there!
Verizon's issues with the Storm? Did Verizon's network cause freezing, and rebooting and lag? Did Verizon cause problems with the Storm for Vodaphone too? Those are software issues. Those software issues should just be fixed by the time that the 9520 is released, since it will be released much later than the Vodaphone and verizon versions. The software is created by the manufacturer.
The software is created by the manufacturer, you are correct. However, the software is developed and tested alongside the carriers. And it is the carriers who eventually "own" the software and release it to the public. It is Vodafone and Verizon who released 4.7.0.65 and sold the Storm in early/mid November. RIM did not pressure them to do this.
No, RIM didn't pressure them to release it, but it's funny that you mock AT&T for delaying phones, and then you bash Verizon/Voda for releasing a phone that isn't ready for release. You are hilarious.
It's because they are completely different situations.
Rogers released the Bold on their network months before AT&T did. And the 3G network of Rogers and AT&T have the most similarities than any other networks. Why the delays on AT&Ts behalf? They've been testing this unit for almost two years now. It's because AT&T had problems with their 3G network, not only on the Bold but the iPhone as well.
If you ever listened to Kevin's podcast, he had a horrid time with his Rogers Bold on AT&T's network, and if I remember correctly having issues with the Bolds browser using wi-fi or 3G.... So, AT&T was trying to fix the issues before releasing it on their network. If it worked fine, they would have released it, but they worked diligently with RIM to update the OS to fix many of the issues, and boom, a great device launches.
On the other hand, RIM gives the Storm to Verizon for testing, Verizon is probably thinking they don't want to wait 6 months going back and forth with RIM to fix the issues, just release the phone, work with RIM to upgrade the OS later....
Obviously no one can win with you. If a company releases a phone early with bugs, you hate on them, if they release it late to fix bugs, you hate on them. Truely amazing.
If I remember correctly, Kevin had problems with 2 Bold's while in Canada and more issues when arriving to New York while on AT&T's network. I remember reading about him going back and forth between Rogers and RIM with the issues. So...to me it sounds like Rogers rushed the Bold, as Verizon rushed the Storm, and AT&T did good by waiting and fixing the problem before releasing it into the wild.
I use to think the same way you did. Until I took my Bold down to the states late August- early September. My Bold worked fine on Rogers, but once i stepped into AT&T, my phone restarted like 5 times in a span of 2 hours. The phone choked and dropped calls. I never knew that the switch could make my phone restart. So in return, I do not believe that it was all RIM's fault. Verizon had to have played a pretty major part in its firmware development.
Vodaphone owns majority stake in Verizon .More or less the same company
Verizon owns 55% of Verizon Wireless. Vodafone owns 45% of Verizon Wireless. Verizon Wireless is a joint venture.
any chance of seeing this in the US?
Uh, No sir BK. Verizon and Vodafone both rushed the Storm out to market. Just look at the OS Verizon let the Storm ship with!!! That alone tells you they rushed it in time for Christmas shopping season.
I don't know if it was released for Christmas shopping or for Bold competition....Probably both? But it was definitely shipped prematurely.
And yes Surreal, I agree 110%, Rogers does have the most complete lineup. And yes, revenues are definitely on the way up. :D
The problem is RIM's carrier model. Since it works with Rogers, it doesn't mean it will work with others.
Now if only they release a 8900 Curve with 3G everything will be rosy.
why the Vodafone rush for storm without WIFI???? and there is any chance to get storm 9520 in UK ? or unlocked ?
Vodaphone and Verizon didn't want WiFi on the Storm it has nothing to do with RIM .This is the way they get you to pay for other sevices like tethering for $15.00 more
Even if the phone had WI-FI you would still pay extra for tethering.... The Samsung Omnia has WI-FI, and you have to pay extra for tethering.
I cannot wait until wi-fi hotspots are like they are in Japan, they're all paid services, so you have to pay to use them. Maybe then US people will stop crying about no wi-fi in their phones. It's a freakin' phone, get a life. "I have wi-fi at home I can use!" shut-up and use a computer.
It doesn't matter. I had a Nokia wifi tablet and barely used it because it survived on wifi. I need the network and (even out where I live in a rural area) Verizon works. That's where my iPod touch comes in. I'm a Blackberry fan but I predominantly use Mac products (except I LOATHE the iPhone) and so it's like having the best of both worlds! I have my Storm for calls, e-mails, etc. AND I USE IT'S BROWSER ALL THE TIME. I use my iPod touch's browser IF/WHEN I need it. This works for me. GET OVER THE 9530 NOT HAVING WIFI PEOPLE!
Best News Christmas Morning ... I am picking up that Storm WITH WiFi .. for sure !!! Until Pluto Comes out :P
Thanx for the update Kev. I saw this on twitter and was zomg wtf so had to get to a computer fast !! (CB does not work on my bold) :(
can't say why, but definately shinannigans
Well the fact the other slides on HowardForums are filled with errors, and the fact that in these very slides, the 8110 is listed as a UMA compatible device, that really helps ME want to call shenanigans on this whole thing!
I like how no one noticed or pointed that out.
8110. Wifi. No.
Anonymous, you don't know what you're talking about. Many people have known there were some Storms with WI-FI in testing. Are you gonna tell me the At@t version of the Storm with WI-FI that's coming in 2009 is shennanigans too???????? Please.
strange, i never seen a wifi storm, even though I did lay my hands on storms with other axed features :P SHENNANIGANS!
Show me where it says the 8110 has wifi. I havent seen that picture.
Merry Christmas. :)
Lol.
Do you see the picture with the Fido Blackberries? It says very CLEARLY "8110 for UNO". UNO is Fido's UMA service. If you don't know what UMA/UNO is, fair enough, but let's just say that it's number one prerequisite is WIFI.
So we have four scenarios.
1) The Wireless Purchasing Group for Rogers/Fido was/is coked out.
2) The PowerPoint creator was coked out.
3) RIM is somehow making a Wifi AND GPS enabled Pearl for Fido (highly unlikely, why not just go with an 8120, the UMA enabled Pearl?)
4) SHENANIGANS!!!!!!!!!!!
Uhh, I want my storm to have WIFI!!!
If people complain enough just maybe a second Gen Storm will have WiFi