Apple’s iPhone has attracted many competitors, and the latest is BlackBerry creator Research in Motion. The company is rumoured to be working on a 9000-series touch-screen device positioned for consumers instead of the enterprise market.
Digital Journal — It looks like RIM learned something following the success of its BlackBerry Pearl. After the Pearl made a splash in the consumer market, RIM is now planning a product launch in early 2008 to release a consumer-friendly touch-screen cellphone to directly compete with the iPhone.
According to Carmi Levy, analyst at AR Communications, RIM is preparing a new 9000-series device and operating system which will target the consumer space carved by the BlackBerry Pearl and Curve.
Levy told New York City’s Unstrung the device will be “the future of the BlackBerry franchise,” a sharp turn from RIM’s business roots.
The 9000 series won’t continue with BlackBerry’s usual half-keyboard half-screen format. The handsets will include multimedia capabilities, as well as the usual email functions. Levy said the new units will be launched in the first quarter of 2008.
While Levy is confident the 9000 series will attract new consumers to RIM’s product lineup, he said the touch-screen phones won’t dislodge the company’s mainstay, the business-oriented BlackBerry handsets.
RIM hasn’t yet commented on the rumours.
