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BlackBerry Bold 9930 4G/LTE coming to Verizon, leaked early due to website error [updated]

Summary: Will the upcoming BlackBerry Bold 9930 4G/LTE from Verizon be the "hit device" that Research In Motion needs to re-establish its leadership role in the smartphone industry?

Gloria Sin

By Gloria Sin for The ToyBox |

Thanks to an incorrectly linked video on Verizon's website, it's all but official that the next-gen BlackBerry Bold 9930 (the CDMA variant of the 9900) will be coming to Verizon and its LTE network. There's been no new update on its price or street date though, so it's still "will be available this summer" as told to me by a BB rep last month.

Engadget first reported this leaked video, which is only accessible on a page about the BlackBerry 9650 (no longer available as of August 21), based on tips from readers. At the time,  you could click the "Explore Features" link and be redirected to a video about the BlackBerry 9930 that runs on BlackBerry OS 7 (BB 9650 uses OS 6).

The best part about the video is that it confirmed the 9930 will be a 4G/LTE device, but also offers a quick demo on the new multi-touch display, OS 7, a close-up of the full QWERTY keyboard and its new sleeker design. For those looking for a physical keyboard on a LTE phone, your choice just got a bit more complicated.

Here are some technical specs on the Bold 9930:

  • Dimensions & Weight: 115 x 66 x 10.5 mm, approximately 130 g
  • Display: 2.8? capacitive touch screen display – VGA (640×480), 287 PPI resolution (Liquid Graphics)
  • Input: Full, wide QWERTY keyboard, optical trackpad
  • Processor: 1.2 GHz Processor, 768 MB RAM
  • Internal Storage: 8 GB on-board memory, plus microSD slot supporting up to 32 GB cards
  • Camera/Camcorder: 5.0 MP camera with flash, supports 720p HD video recording
  • Orientation Sensor (Accelerometer), Digital Compass (Magnetometer), Proximity Sensor
  • Built-in GPS / aGPS
  • Connectivity: Dual-Band Wi-Fi® – 802.11 b/g/n at 2.4 GHz and 802.11 a/n at 5 GHz; Bluetooth 2.1+EDR support, microUSB, NFC
  • Battery: 1230 mAh removable, rechargeable battery

Will this Bold 9930 be the "hit device" that RIM needs to re-establish its former leadership role in the smartphone industry, as Larry Dignan mentioned in his post about the new round of layoffs announced yesterday? Weigh in the comments below.

[Updated August 21 to remove broken links and adding links to Verizon's BlackBerry 9930 product page.]

[Source: Verizon website via Engadget]

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Topics: Software Development, Browser, Networking, Verizon

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13 comments
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  • RE: BlackBerry Bold 9930 4G/LTE coming to Verizon, leaked early due to website error

    Unfortunitely, I think RIM is still a world behind, but that doesnt mean they're out of the game yet. RIM has been in sticky situations before, and they've pulled through them all. Atleast they're starting to upgrade some of the important hardware in these phones, but they really need to start building rep. with App companies if they ever wish to become more competative.

    This is certianly a good start, let's just hope they can get their act together and work on their competative edge.
    5FingerDiscount
    Reply Vote

  • HMM

    Hey looks like my Blackberry from 2006! very nice!!
    Hasam1991
    Reply Vote

    • RE: BlackBerry Bold 9930 4G/LTE coming to Verizon, leaked early due to website error

      @Hasam1991

      I'm tired of the looks the same BS. How exactly has the iPhone changed? This is the thinnest Blackberry, 1.2ghz cpu, 640*480 vga, 768mb, biggest keypad, NFC, LTE etc.

      I had a Blackberry in 2006, it looked nothing like this.

      In 2011 what is left to do from a form factor perspective? Even moreso with a keypad. You either do candybar like this or a slider. They already have a slider so they will have a device for each market

      - touch (3.7" screen)
      - touch w/slider
      - candy bar (high end)
      - candy car (low end / PAYGO)

      I'm wondering just what people expect RIM to come to market with?? Maybe a halo-projecting quad core with 5" screen?
      MobileAdmin
      Reply Vote

      • RE: BlackBerry Bold 9930 4G/LTE coming to Verizon, leaked early due to website error

        @MobileAdmin It looks like my Blackberry Curve now... this will be at least the 3rd different device with the exact same form factor... and BTW the iPhone has changed 3 times between 4 models with the changes between the first two being admittedly minor and cosmetic unlike the difference between the iPhone 3G/3GS and iPhone 4 change.

        RIM needs to come up with a decent (note NOT like that Storm POS) touchscreen device and a revamped OS like yesterday! Microsoft has headinthesanditis when the iPhone was first released and kept it until both iPhone and Android took marketshare from them and RIM. RIM STILL has a case of headinthesanditis... I know of several former RIM/ Blackberry who are ready to get Android and iPhone devices as soon as their respective contracts are up and I'm one of them. Hell my former employer - a very large corporate banking company - is considering going to iPhones as their smartphone device and leaving Blackberry behind.

        I might - MIGHT change my mind if they decide to have a new improved version of the Torch available with VZW but I'm not holding my breath. Unless RIM does something extraordinary they will keep on loosing customers.
        athynz
        Reply Vote

      • RE: BlackBerry Bold 9930 4G/LTE coming to Verizon, leaked early due to website error

        @athynz

        Visually any keyboard based Blackberry is going to have a resemblance to another but this is not like your Curve spec wise. One of the main knocks on RIM is not having up to date hardware and this (and the new touch device) have the specs to match most of the market.

        RIM is never going to be the fastest cpu, biggest screen, if that is what you want HTC, Samsung will have a new device every month or so for you.

        I too question why have 4 product lines and just have two models (keyboard, touch) but no one can deny the Curve lines which are not really fair to pit against an iPhone or Droid as they server totally different markets / users. It's like a car shootout and putting an Hyundai in the mix with higher end cars. The Curve line always sells for little / no cost and is for the person starting out with smartphone or has lower needs (phone, txt, basic web etc). It's hugely popular in UK and other countries.

        I guess a valid question is, "Does RIM make an ubber hardware device to focus on the US market?" If I was running a business I'd question the return limiting my market knowing hardware specs change so quickly.

        Your other comment is UI, QNX show a little of what RIM can do with it. I'm very interested in what TAT has been working on it bring some pizazz back to RIM. How exactly has iOS UI changed since 2007? Great we can make a folder now to store more icons in. iOS 5 will finally bring badly needed notifications. Android UI looks exactly like that and adds widgets which I agree are nice. I don't need an App to see the weather, sports scores, headlines etc. It should all push to me and RIM has the network and PUSH ability to make that happen (without killing your battery).

        I work in the Fortune 100 finance vertical as well and trust me anyone looking to switch from Blackberry to another OS should really look at what / how the devices will be used for. Can you manage it at a large scale, the data plan costs - exspecially international costs. Other devices work when you push it into BYOT and let employees buy and use what they like. It falls apart when you have to foot that bill as we have done the CBA 3 times now and it will be 2x the expense (based on 2,000 devices). All for what? Apps that are mostly consumer time wasters? How many productivity Apps are in the top 20 on AppStore?

        RIM needed this device out earlier this year and demand is still there for a solid Blackberry. Hopefully they delivered with this device. A big plus is it will launch on every stateside carrier (Sprint, Verizon, at&t, T-Mo).
        MobileAdmin
        Reply Vote

      • RE: BlackBerry Bold 9930 4G/LTE coming to Verizon, leaked early due to website error

        @MobileAdmin
        You just don't get it, users don't want tiny keyboards!!! that was my point... that was cool back in 2006 but what do you with the keyboard when you don't need it, you can't hide it.
        Hasam1991
        Reply Vote

      • RE: BlackBerry Bold 9930 4G/LTE coming to Verizon, leaked early due to website error

        @MobileAdmin

        Funny RIM just sold 13m devices so some users must want them still.

        The market is larger then touch screen only devices. You do realize the majority of mobile phones are still basic feature phones still?

        4 years later I still can't stand typing on any touch screen keyboard. It's just slower and cumbersome.
        MobileAdmin
        Reply Vote

  • Best Business Phone

    Best Business phone for 2011. RIMM will get back to the top again, no doubt!
    powerphrase@...
    Reply Vote

    • RE: BlackBerry Bold 9930 4G/LTE coming to Verizon, leaked early due to website error

      @powerphrase@... Too bad everyone wants an iPhone or Android...
      Hasam1991
      Reply Vote

  • RE: BlackBerry Bold 9930 4G/LTE coming to Verizon, leaked early due to website error

    So far, the only think I don't like about it is Verizon. The insatiable greed of Verizon and AT&T appalls me.
    ITOdeed
    Reply Vote

  • RE: BlackBerry Bold 9930 4G/LTE coming to Verizon, leaked early due to website error

    Other than the fact it's not 4g/lte you got everything right. Change your headline. I confirmed my info with vzw.
    jkannry
    Reply Vote

  • RE: BlackBerry Bold 9930 4G/LTE coming to Verizon, leaked early due to website error

    I hope this is available on a <a href="http://www.esimonlycontracts.co.uk/">sim only contract</a>. As you can get cheaper deals with more minutes and texts.
    krs1alam
    Reply Vote

  • RE: BlackBerry Bold 9930 4G/LTE coming to Verizon, leaked early due to website error

    Where is the front facing camera and wifi hot spot capabilities? Ballsilly and Assarthritis are living in a cave!!!!
    alanw2005@...
    Reply Vote
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