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Posts Tagged ‘Torch’

Two new BlackBerry 7 Torches arriving in Singapore

Thursday, September 15th, 2011

The new BlackBerry Torch 9810 and 9860 will hit the shelves in Singapore next week on 22 September 2011. Pre-orders for both BlackBerry 7 OS based smartphones can be placed with SingTel from today.

Pre-order the BlackBerry Torch 9810 or 9860 online from today.

The two new Torches were first introduced by Research In Motion (RIM) in early-August and unveiled in Singapore in mid-August together with the Bold 9900.

BlackBerry Torch 9860

The BlackBerry Torch 9860 smartphone offers fast and fluid performance in a stylish new all-touch design.

With a new 3.7” display – the largest ever on a BlackBerry smartphone – the new all-touch BlackBerry Torch 9860 smartphone is optimized for high-quality multimedia, web browsing and gaming; whilst offering the real-time communication and collaboration lauded by BlackBerry fans.

BlackBerry Torch 9810

The BlackBerry Torch 9810 is an evolution of the BlackBerry Torch 9800. The new model is faster and more fluid with high performance hardware features while the new BlackBerry 7 OS delivers an enhanced multimedia experience.

Featuring a large 3.2”, high-resolution touch display and a distinctive BlackBerry keyboard that easily slides out to allow fast typing, the BlackBerry Torch 9810 offers the best of both worlds.

Tags:9810, 9860, BlackBerry, BlackBerry 7, RIM, smartphone, Torch
Posted in BlackBerry, BlackBerry OS, Gadgets, Launch, Phones, Prices, RIM, Software, Torch | No Comments »

Singapore first to launch three BlackBerry 7 phones in South East Asia

Thursday, August 18th, 2011

RIM launched three new smartphones based on the new BlackBerry 7 operating system in Singapore today. The phones are available for pre-order and will hit the shelves in Singapore on 1 September 2011.

The three new BlackBerry 7 phones were launched in Singapore today.

The three smartphones are the Bold 9900, and the Torch 9810 and 9860. The three models offer consumers the choice between the classic BlackBerry keyboard (Bold 9900), a full touch-screen with no physical Qwerty keyboard (Torch 9860) and the best of both worlds – the Torch 9810 with both a full touch-screen and a slide-out Qwerty keyboard.

Francois Mahieu, Head of Product Management for RIM in Asia Pacific with the Bold 9900.

I played with all three models and the immediate first impression was how light they were, especially when compared with previous models. The displays were crisp and clear and the touch screen was really responsive.

Surfing the net on the phones was a breeze, with fast loading times. The new hardware, operating system and enhanced browser has indeed made a tangible improvement.

The phones will be available from all three major telcos in Singapore – SingTel, M1 and StarHub. When queried, Mr Francois Mahieu from Research In Motion (RIM) said that for the moment, there were no plans to sell white versions of any of the three smartphones, even though he understands that it was a popular colour choice with consumers today. Mahieu is the head of product management for RIM in the Asia Pacific.

BlackBerry 9810 includes both the classic keyboard and a full touch screen.

As with Apple’s iDevices, the new BlackBerry phones support HTML5 but does not play with Flash.

In addition to supporting the new BlackBerry 7 OS, the smartphones include a 1.2 GHz processor, HD video recording, 24-bit high resolution graphics, and advanced sensors enabling new augmented reality applications such as Wikitude that can be seamlessly integrated with BBM 6.

Tags:9810, 9860, 9900, BlackBerry, Bold, RIM, smartphone, Torch
Posted in BlackBerry, BlackBerry OS, Bold, Events, Gadgets, Launch, Phones, RIM, Torch | 4 Comments »

Main features of BlackBerry 7 operating system

Thursday, August 4th, 2011

First announced in May, the BlackBerry 7 OS introduces a next generation BlackBerry browser with a significantly faster and more fluid web browsing experience. RIM reports that Internet browsing performance on BlackBerry 7 based smartphones are up to 40% faster than BlackBerry 6 based smartphones and up to 100% faster than BlackBerry 5 based smartphones.

BlackBerry Bold 9900 and 9930 smartphone from RIM

BlackBerry Bold 9900/9930

Research In Motion (RIM) is launching five new BlackBerry smartphones based on the BlackBerry 7 Operating System (OS) – two new BlackBerry Bold models (9900 and 9930) and three new BlackBerry Torch models (9810, 9850 and 9860).

The improved performance of the WebKit browser engine is combined with the hardware enhancements to enable users to browse the web faster and more smoothly.

BlackBerry Torch 9850/9860

Enhancements to the BlackBerry browser have also optimised zooming and panning for smoother web navigation and optimised HTML5 performance for better gaming and video experiences.

RIM’s new BlackBerry 7 based smartphones also feature Liquid Graphics technology, with each smartphone combining a dedicated high-performance graphics processor with a fast CPU and high resolution display to deliver a highly responsive touch interface with fast and smooth graphics.

BlackBerry Torch 9810

For communications, BlackBerry 7 based smartphones feature the regular integrated suite of phone, email, messaging and social apps to keep users connected and productive throughout the day.

Recent enhancements include the newest release of BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) which now extends the real time BBM experience to a range of other “BBM connected” apps. The updated Social Feeds (2.0) app has been extended to capture updates from media, podcasts, and favourites all in one consolidated view. The new Facebook for BlackBerry smartphones (2.0) app introduces features like Facebook chat and BBM integration that makes it easier for users to connect with their Facebook friends in real time.

BlackBerry 7 OS also includes a number of other pre-loaded applications and integrated functionality for increased productivity and collaboration right out of the box.
Documents to Go Premium on BlackBerry App World
The Premium version of Documents To Go is now included free of charge, offering users powerful document editing features as well as a native PDF document viewer.
Free BlackBerry Protect in App World
BlackBerry Protect is also pre-loaded, offering customers the peace of mind that personal data can be backed up and secured in the cloud.

BlackBerry Balance is now integrated in BlackBerry 7, allowing users to enjoy the full BlackBerry smartphone experience for both work and personal purposes without compromising the IT department’s need for advanced security and IT controls.

The popular universal search capability has been enhanced with support for voice-activated search, so users can now simply speak to begin searching their device and the web for information.

Tags:9810, 9850, 9860, 9900, 9930, BlackBerry, BlackBerry 7, Bold, RIM, Torch
Posted in BlackBerry, BlackBerry OS, Bold, Gadgets, Launch, Operating Systems, Phones, RIM, Software, Specifications, Torch | 7 Comments »

RIM introduces a slew of five new BlackBerry 7 smartphones

Wednesday, August 3rd, 2011

In its largest global launch of BlackBerry smartphones in its history, RIM announced the Bold 9900 and 9930, as well as the Torch 9810, 9850 and 9860.

Research In Motion (RIM) today announced plans to launch five new BlackBerry smartphones based on the BlackBerry 7 Operating System (OS). RIM is rolling out two new BlackBerry Bold models and three new BlackBerry Torch models, all running the powerful new BlackBerry 7 OS.

The launch of this family of handsets will be RIM’s largest global launch ever and more than 225 carriers and distribution partners around the world have already commenced or completed over 500 certification programmes for these 5 new handsets.

Featuring RIM’s next generation of hardware and software platforms, these five new BlackBerry 7 based smartphones offer users a variety of designs to choose from.

The new BlackBerry Bold 9900 and 9930 are RIM’s thinnest smartphones ever, each offering a large keyboard and brilliant touch display.

The new BlackBerry Torch 9810 smartphone builds on the popularity of the BlackBerry Torch 9800 and combines a large touch display with a convenient slide-out keyboard. The BlackBerry Torch 9850 and 9860 introduce an all-new, all-touch design featuring the largest display on a BlackBerry smartphone to date.

“We think users will be thrilled by the faster performance, enhanced browsing and richer multimedia delivered by these powerful new BlackBerry Bold and BlackBerry Torch smartphones,” said Mike Lazaridis, President and Co-CEO of Research In Motion.

The BlackBerry 7 OS introduces a next generation BlackBerry browser with a significantly faster and more fluid web browsing experience. The improved performance of the WebKit browser engine is combined with the hardware enhancements found in the BlackBerry 7 based smartphones.

The new smartphones feature a 1.2 GHz processor, HD video recording, 24-bit high resolution graphics, and sensors enabling new augmented reality applications such as Wikitude that can be seamlessly integrated with BBM 6.

Display and keyboards

BlackBerry Bold 9900 and 9930 Smartphones with Touch Display and Keyboard

The BlackBerry Bold 9900 series is the thinnest BlackBerry smartphone yet (at only 10.5mm) and was the first to offer the union of a high performance keyboard and touch display. The brushed stainless steel frame adds a nice finishing touch to the design.

The new BlackBerry Bold 9900 and 9930 are also the first BlackBerry smartphones to include built-in support for Near Field Communications (NFC ), a new technology that is enabling many new and exciting capabilities, including the ability to pair accessories or read SmartPostertags with a simple tap of the smartphone.

BlackBerry Torch 9810 Smartphone with Touch Display and Slide-Out Keyboard

Building on the popular design of the BlackBerry Torch 9800, the new BlackBerry Torch 9810 is faster and more fluid with high performance hardware features and the new BlackBerry 7 OS delivering an enhanced multimedia experience. Featuring a large 3.2”, high resolution touch display and the distinctive BlackBerry keyboard that easily slides out to allow faster typing, the BlackBerry Torch 9810 offers users the best of both worlds.

All-Touch BlackBerry Torch 9850 and 9860 Smartphones

The BlackBerry Torch 9850 and 9860 smartphones offer the fast, fluid BlackBerry 7 experience in a new all-touch design. With a spectacular new 3.7” display, the largest ever on a BlackBerry smartphone, the new all-touch BlackBerry Torch 9850 and 9860 smartphones are optimised for displaying web pages, photos, videos, and powerful gaming experiences and still deliver quality real-time communication and collaboration experience.

Availability

The next generation of BlackBerry smartphones will begin to be available from carriers around the world starting later this month. Availability dates for specific devices from specific carriers will be announced in conjunction with RIM’s partners.

BlackBerry Torch 9800 Review

Monday, April 18th, 2011

RIM touts the Torch as the best BlackBerry ever. I’ve been using one over the last two weeks. Indeed, it’s the best BlackBerry smartphone I’ve played with so far and I certainly prefer it over my wife’s BlackBerry Bold.

The BlackBerry Torch was the first smartphone from Research In Motion (RIM) that shipped with the new BlackBerry OS 6. It has a completely new keyboard implementation – instead of having the physical keyboard and the screen share the face of the device, the Torch allowed the 3.2 inch screen to hog the entire front.

BlackBerry Torch 9800 with 6.0 Operating System.

An on-screen keyboard – which I found rather responsive – can be easily called up in case you need to type something. Need the traditional QWERTY keyboard to do some intensive typing? Slide it out from below the screen and you’re good to go.

It’s a trade-off, whether you have the hard keyboard readily available all the time or hide-in below the screen to make for a bigger screen.

For my usage profile, at least, I liked the balance – I do a fair bit of messaging and typing but I don’t mind having to slide out the keyboard when I need it – since I get a bigger screen real estate – 480×360 pixels on a 3.2 inch capacitive touch screen.

I did find the Bold keyboard slightly easier to type than on the Torch, but both are far more tactile and better than typing on a touch screen.

I suppose those who really have a lot of typing to do would rather have the keyboard available at all times – it depends on your usage profile. The Torch tries to give you both the large screen of the Storm and the popular hard keyboard in a compact body.

The hardware

The form factor is almost identical to many other BlackBerry devices like the Bold. The usual five buttons line the bottom of the screen: BlackBerry call, menu, back, and end buttons and optical trackpad.

The Marvell CPU runs at 624MHz (though the company claims this is a newer generation chip), with 512 MB RAM and 4 GB of storage. You can add up to 32 GB though the microSD slot. The device also comes with 802.11b/g/n WiFi, Bluetooth 2.1 and an AGPS chip.

Photos were rather impressive for a phone camera

The Torch has a 5 megapixel camera, with an LED flash. Photo quality was rather remarkable for a smartphone camera. I like the preset scene modes – Party mode for lowlight indoor shooting and Sports mode both yielded impressive results. Video wise, you can shoot clips at 640×480 resolution.

New OS and interface

With the new OS 6, web browsing on the Torch is now quite a pleasant experience using the new Webkit-based browser. Unfortunately, neither Flash nor HTML5 video are supported.

I really love the persistent notification alert bar at the top of the home screen: the small row of icons allows you to see social networking, email, SMS, call, and calendar alerts all in one place. The bar drops down a separate window to show the list of notifications, each of which can be clicked on to bring you to the app.

11 scene modes are available for taking photos under different situations

Another new feature I like is the universal search. Ever wanted to look for something you know is on your phone but can’t recall exactly where it is located and how to get at it? Simply begin typing the relevant search term into the search box and the Torch throws the icon for it right at you – almost instantaneously. It really beats having to wade through the menus and interface looking for contacts, messages, calendar, music or pictures.

has included a powerful universal search alongside a social networking tool which allows you to aggregate RSS feeds and services like Twitter or Facebook into a single view. There are a lot of changes, so we’re going to go step-by-step through what we consider the biggest changes for the BlackBerry platform.

Battery life

As with other BlackBerry devices I’ve tested before, battery seems to last forever. Alright, that’s exaggerating. There were days when I ran Youtube videos and videos from the media folder for extended periods of time and the battery held out. Under normal usage, I only had to recharge the battery every few days.

BlackBerry Torch 2

There’s been numerous leaks about what the upcoming BlackBerry smartphones lined up for 2011. One of them is the Torch 2. Expected to be announced during the BlackBerry World in May and released in the US in July, it looks physically like the Torch, but features a 1.2 GHz processor and a 640×480 resolution on a similarly-sized 3.2 inch screen.

Going by previous BlackBerry release schedules, we’ll probably only see the Torch 2 in Singapore towards the end of the year.

In the meantime, if you’re looking at replacing your current BlackBerry phone, do give the Torch a spin and see if it impresses you enough for you to pick one up as replacement.

Tags:BlackBerry, RIM, smartphone, Torch
Posted in BlackBerry, BlackBerry OS, Gadgets, Phones, Review, RIM, Specifications, Torch | 2 Comments »

BlackBerry Torch 2 sneak peek

Sunday, April 17th, 2011

The BlackBerry Torch 2 is rumoured to be announced during the BlackBerry World in May and then go on sale in the US in July later this year. With the release of the PlayBook tablet next Tuesday in the US, RIM has a few more models in line to keep its fanbase riveted for the rest of the year.

There has been plenty of leaks from RIM (Research In Motion) about upcoming BlackBerry models for 2011. These include the BlackBerry Touch (Monaco/Monza), Bold Touch, Storm 3, Bold (Dakota), Curve (Apollo), and the Torch 2.

Having gotten hold of a Torch 2, BGR reports that the new device looks almost identical to its predecessor but features a significantly more powerful 1.2 GHz processor. Coupled with the BlackBerry OS 6.1 and a 3.2 inch 640×480 VGA display, it will be an exciting gadget to own.

Processor power has been doubled from the current 624 MHz, and the 3.2 inch screen runs at a higher pixel resolution than the 480×360 pixels on the current BlackBerry Torch.

Going by previous BlackBerry release schedules, we’ll probably only see the Torch 2 in Singapore towards the end of the year.

The main specifications of the Torch 2 are listed below:

CPU – 1.2 GHz processor
Display – 3.2″ VGA (480 x 640) capacitive touchscreen display
Radio – Quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE ; Tri-band HSPA 14.4Mbps
Memory – 8GB storage + 512MB RAM + up to 32GB MicroSD
Connectivity – WiFi, Bluetooth, NFC
Camera – 5 megapixels
Battery – 1300MAh battery
Thickness – 14.6mm thick
Sensors – magnetometer, digital compass

Tags:BlackBerry, RIM, smartphone, Torch
Posted in BlackBerry, Gadgets, Phones, Review, RIM, Specifications, Torch | 3 Comments »

RIM’s First-Quarter forecasts behind estimates

Friday, March 25th, 2011

Research In Motion (RIM), maker of BlackBerry smartphones, has forecast first-quarter revenues and profits that fail to meet analysts’ estimates. Its launch of new models like the Torch has failed to stop a slide in its market share.

The average of analysts’ estimates were compiled by Bloomberg for comparison. Below are the key numbers:

First Quarter Forecast	RIM	Analysts average estimate
Profit per share	$1.47 – $1.55	$1.66
Revenue	$5.2 – 5.6 billion	$5.65 billion
Gross Margin (% sales after production costs)	41.5%	42.7%
BlackBerrys shipped (4th Qtr)	14.9 million	15 million

In the meantime, Bloomberg quotes Pierre Ferragu from Sanford C. Bernstein & Co as saying that “The company’s sales in the high end have been shrinking for the last 12 months, even if the launch of the Torch has slowed down the trend in the last two quarters.”

Although RIM has traditionally been the darling of large corporations because of its secure messaging, it has seen customers adopting rival devices.

Hugo Miller of Bloomberg reports that JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America and Citigroup are some of the banks that has begun testing iPhones and Android devices late last year, according to at least three people familiar with the trials.

The table below summarises how RIM’s share of worldwide smartphone sales has slipped from a year earlier, compared to its rivals.

Worldwide smartphone marketshare	RIM	Apple	Android
4th Qtr 2010	14%	16%	< 11%
4th Qtr 2009	20%	16%	16%

RIM PlayBook debuts in US on April 19

RIM will be launching the PlayBook in the US on April 19, while the company is already taking orders.The company revealed that the tablet would be able to play apps from Google’s Android.

The PlayBook will strive to chip at the huge market share that Apple has enjoyed with its iPad and iPad2.

The iPad has has a full year’s headstart over the PlayBook and has sold over 15 million units so far. Apple also claims that 65 percent of Fortune 100 companies are testing or deploying the iPad, including Procter & Gamble.

This is the same market sector that RIM targets.

Tags:BlackBerry, Playbook, RIM, Torch
Posted in BlackBerry, Figures, Gadgets, PlayBook, RIM, Tablets, Torch | No Comments »

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