Search
  • Videos
  • Windows 10
  • 5G
  • Best VPNs
  • Cloud
  • Security
  • AI
  • more
    • TR Premium
    • Working from Home
    • Innovation
    • Best Web Hosting
    • ZDNet Recommends
    • Tonya Hall Show
    • Executive Guides
    • ZDNet Academy
    • See All Topics
    • White Papers
    • Downloads
    • Reviews
    • Galleries
    • Videos
    • TechRepublic Forums
  • Newsletters
  • All Writers
    • Preferences
    • Community
    • Newsletters
    • Log Out
  • Menu
    • Videos
    • Windows 10
    • 5G
    • Best VPNs
    • Cloud
    • Security
    • AI
    • TR Premium
    • Working from Home
    • Innovation
    • Best Web Hosting
    • ZDNet Recommends
    • Tonya Hall Show
    • Executive Guides
    • ZDNet Academy
    • See All Topics
    • White Papers
    • Downloads
    • Reviews
    • Galleries
    • Videos
    • TechRepublic Forums
      • Preferences
      • Community
      • Newsletters
      • Log Out
  • us
    • Asia
    • Australia
    • Europe
    • India
    • United Kingdom
    • United States
    • ZDNet around the globe:
    • ZDNet France
    • ZDNet Germany
    • ZDNet Korea
    • ZDNet Japan

BlackBerry 7-based Bold, Torches hands-on

1 of 8 NEXT PREV
  • RIM BlackBerry Bold 9900, Torch 9850 and Torch 9810

    RIM BlackBerry Bold 9900, Torch 9850 and Torch 9810

    Research In Motion has added five BlackBerry 7 OS-powered models to its Bold and Torch line-up, including a touchscreen-only version of the Torch.

    Only three of the handsets unveiled on Wednesday — the Bold 9900, Torch 9850 and Torch 9810 — are new models for the UK market (pictured). The Bold 9930 and Torch 9860 are headed for the US.

    Each of the devices runs the new BlackBerry 7 operating system, which brings near-field communication (NFC) support, updated Blackberry Messenger (BBM) and Social Feeds options, and speed improvements to the WebKit-based browser.

    "NFC will allow the BlackBerry community to make contactless mobile payments, read tags on smart posters, or easily and simply — with accessories — access buildings securely," Rob Orr, product manager for BlackBerry in EMEA, said at a launch event in London.

    The Torch 9850 has a full touchscreen, while the Torch 9810 has a sliding Qwerty keyboard. The Bold 9900 was first shown off at RIM's BlackBerry World event in May.

    Published: August 4, 2011 -- 12:43 GMT (05:43 PDT)

    Photo by: Ben Woods

    Caption by: Ben Woods

  • BlackBerry Torch 9850 and Bold 9900

    BlackBerry Torch 9850 and Bold 9900

    All of the devices, including the top-of-the-range Bold 9900 (above right, next to the Torch 9850) include a 1.2GHz processor, high-definition video capture and 24-bit high-resolution graphics.

    The 9900 comes with NFC support out of the box, a five-megapixel camera, and memory card support up to 32GB.

    RIM also announced a version of the 9900, the 9930, for the US market. The company did not say which handsets would go on sale first or how much they will cost.

    "The next generation of BlackBerry smartphones will be available from carriers around the world starting later this month," a company spokesman said. In the UK, Vodafone, Three and O2 are lined up to sell the Bold 9900.

    Published: August 4, 2011 -- 12:43 GMT (05:43 PDT)

    Photo by: Ben Woods

    Caption by: Ben Woods

  • Bold 9900 touchscreen

    Bold 9900 touchscreen

    The Bold 9900 retains RIM's trademark Qwerty keyboard and marries it with a touchscreen on the top half of the device.

    All of the handsets come with the new BlackBerry 7 operating system. The OS brings in a revamped WebKit-based browser, NFC support, and Liquid Graphics GPU-accelerated graphics technology, which speeds up rendering and smooths transitions.

    The OS has been updated with the full version of Documents To Go, BlackBerry Protect, and BlackBerry Balance as standard. It also brings new features to the popular BBM messenger platform.

    Published: August 4, 2011 -- 12:43 GMT (05:43 PDT)

    Photo by: Ben Woods

    Caption by: Ben Woods

  • Bold 9900 chrome edge

    Bold 9900 chrome edge

    The chrome-edged Bold 9900 is the company's slimmest smartphone to date, measuring 10.5mm thick and weighing 130g. It comes with a holographic-style effect on the rear of the device.

    Published: August 4, 2011 -- 12:43 GMT (05:43 PDT)

    Photo by: Ben Woods

    Caption by: Ben Woods

  • Torch 9810 slider

    Torch 9810 slider

    The Torch 9810, an update to the 9800 model, has a sliding Qwerty keyboard beneath a touch-sensitive 3.2-inch display.

    Like the other devices, the 9810 comes with Wi-Fi and HSPA connectivity. It also offers 8GB of internal storage, in addition to memory card support of up to 32GB.

    Published: August 4, 2011 -- 12:43 GMT (05:43 PDT)

    Photo by: Ben Woods

    Caption by: Ben Woods

  • Torch 9810 side view

    Torch 9810 side view

    The slider 9810, while not as thin as the Bold 9900, still measures a respectable 14.6mm thick but weighs around 30g more at 161g.

    Published: August 4, 2011 -- 12:43 GMT (05:43 PDT)

    Photo by: Ben Woods

    Caption by: Ben Woods

  • Torch 9850 augmented reality

    Torch 9850 augmented reality

    The full touchscreen Torch 9850 comes with many of the same features as the Torch 9810 and Bold 9900, including support for augmented reality (AR) apps.

    Each handset has the Wikitude augmented reality AR browser pre-installed (shown above). The software overlays data from various surrounding points of interest onto real-world images.

    Published: August 4, 2011 -- 12:43 GMT (05:43 PDT)

    Photo by: Ben Woods

    Caption by: Ben Woods

  • Torch 9850 Webkit browser

    Torch 9850 Webkit browser

    The revamped WebKit-based browser in BlackBerry 7 OS delivers speed increases of up to 40 percent over BlackBerry 6, RIM said. However, the mobile operating system does not support Flash.

    The Canadian handset maker is set on shifting to QNX as its smartphone OS, so these devices could be some of the last to be based on the BlackBerry platform. 

    The same tools can be used to develop for version 7 of the OS as for version 6, a company spokesman said.


    Get the latest technology news and analysis, blogs and reviews delivered directly to your inbox with ZDNet UK's newsletters.


    Published: August 4, 2011 -- 12:43 GMT (05:43 PDT)

    Photo by: Ben Woods

    Caption by: Ben Woods

1 of 8 NEXT PREV
Ben Woods

By Ben Woods | August 4, 2011 -- 12:43 GMT (05:43 PDT) | Topic: Mobility

  • RIM BlackBerry Bold 9900, Torch 9850 and Torch 9810
  • BlackBerry Torch 9850 and Bold 9900
  • Bold 9900 touchscreen
  • Bold 9900 chrome edge
  • Torch 9810 slider
  • Torch 9810 side view
  • Torch 9850 augmented reality
  • Torch 9850 Webkit browser

RIM has shown off new handsets based on the BlackBerry 7 OS, including the hybrid Bold 9900 with touchscreen and Qwerty keyboard, and Torches with a slider and a full touchscreen

Read More Read Less

RIM BlackBerry Bold 9900, Torch 9850 and Torch 9810

Research In Motion has added five BlackBerry 7 OS-powered models to its Bold and Torch line-up, including a touchscreen-only version of the Torch.

Only three of the handsets unveiled on Wednesday — the Bold 9900, Torch 9850 and Torch 9810 — are new models for the UK market (pictured). The Bold 9930 and Torch 9860 are headed for the US.

Each of the devices runs the new BlackBerry 7 operating system, which brings near-field communication (NFC) support, updated Blackberry Messenger (BBM) and Social Feeds options, and speed improvements to the WebKit-based browser.

"NFC will allow the BlackBerry community to make contactless mobile payments, read tags on smart posters, or easily and simply — with accessories — access buildings securely," Rob Orr, product manager for BlackBerry in EMEA, said at a launch event in London.

The Torch 9850 has a full touchscreen, while the Torch 9810 has a sliding Qwerty keyboard. The Bold 9900 was first shown off at RIM's BlackBerry World event in May.

Published: August 4, 2011 -- 12:43 GMT (05:43 PDT)

Caption by: Ben Woods

1 of 8 NEXT PREV

Related Topics:

Mobility Smartphones Mobile OS Security Hardware Reviews
Ben Woods

By Ben Woods | August 4, 2011 -- 12:43 GMT (05:43 PDT) | Topic: Mobility

Show Comments
LOG IN TO COMMENT
  • My Profile
  • Log Out
| Community Guidelines

Join Discussion

Add Your Comment
Add Your Comment

Related Galleries

  • 1 of 3
  • First look: Galaxy S21 and everything else announced at Samsung Unpacked [in pictures]

    Browse all the products and highlights from Samsung's January 2021 Unpacked event.

  • Winter Zoom backgrounds: New year, new virtual meeting decor

    Choose from beautiful landscapes, snow birds, winter holidays and more.

  • Incipio Grip case for Google Pixel 4a 5G: Enhanced grip and 14 feet drop protection

    While the Pixel 4a 5G is an affordable phone, it is still worth protecting from accidental drops. Incipio has its Grip case available in two colors for this black Pixel phone. ...

  • ZAGG Pixel 4a 5G hands-on: Cases and screen protectors for Google's affordable 5G phone

    There are Gear4 cases and InvisibleShield screen protectors available for the new Google Pixel 4a 5G smartphone. These products offer protection for one of Google's best values. ...

  • BodyGuardz cases for Apple iPhone 12: Unequal drop protection and antimicrobial treatment

    BodyGuardz incorporates its Unequal technology to help protect your phone from drops. The cases do not add much weight or thickness, but provide a nice option for protection for less ...

  • ESR cases for the Apple iPhone 12: Kickstands, protection, and MagSafe support

    Video content is enjoyable on a smartphone, but it helps to have a kickstand case to prop it up. ESG makes some of the best kickstand cases, but also has other case options for the new Apple ...

  • Incipio and Survivor cases: Sleek, stylish protection for the Apple iPhone 12

    The four new Apple iPhone 12 devices are available to purchase and case collections from Incipio and Survivor are now available to protect your new investment. ...

ZDNet
Connect with us

© 2021 ZDNET, A RED VENTURES COMPANY. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Privacy Policy | Cookie Settings | Advertise | Terms of Use

  • Topics
  • Galleries
  • Videos
  • Sponsored Narratives
  • Do Not Sell My Information
  • About ZDNet
  • Meet The Team
  • All Authors
  • RSS Feeds
  • Site Map
  • Reprint Policy
  • Manage | Log Out
  • Join | Log In
  • Membership
  • Newsletters
  • Site Assistance
  • ZDNet Academy
  • TechRepublic Forums