macnn/electronista
03/28/2008, 1:55pm, EDT
Friday, March 28thBlackBerry 9000 to sport new UI, design
The first photos of an active BlackBerry 9000 have surfaced via Engadget and reveal both a major revamp of the phone's software in addition to its new hardware design. Instead of the vertical, Windows-like interface seen on current models, the 9000 will have a highly stylized strip interface that resembles a cross between the initial Google Android interface and Sony's Cross Media Bar. Transitions and other animations will also be sleeker than on RIM's earlier phones.
The images also confirm a major overhaul of RIM's design, is now rounded and sports a wrap-around chrome trim similar to the iPhone. Captures of the phone's screen reveal 3G, HSDPA-based Internet access as well as Wi-Fi and a sharper screen resolution.
No carrier branding is visible, though the phone is known to be in development for Vodafone and is near-certain to appear on AT&T and Rogers in North America. Recent leaks have suggested that the new BlackBerry may not be ready until July or August.
From left to right: Curve, 8800, 9000
Filed under: gadgets
Other story tags: sony, Google, BlackBerry, RIM, Android
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I think the handset looks nice. Very sleek-looking. RIM definitely knows how to design functional handsets with keyboards.
H O L Y C R A P !!!
Worry about how it looks, make it look like the market leader so no one will notice how much it sucks. :-)