RIM (Research In Motion) could be set to release a hybrid RIM Blackberry smartphone, featuring both a traditional keypad and a clickable touchscreen display. The two forms of input could offer the benefits of a touchscreen display, without compromising on the excellent usability we’ve come to expect from Blackberry smartphones. To find out more, read on after the jump…
RIM is best known for its Blackberry devices with QWERTY keypads, offering better usability than most other handsets on the market. Touchscreen devices such as the RIM Blackberry Storm and Blackberry Storm 2 haven’t been so well received, as it’s simply not as easy to type emails at the same sort of speed. A cross between the two seems like a good idea, then, offering the best of worlds depending on your needs at any given time.
According to a TD Newcrest analyst, the hybrid device could be on its way towards the end of this year. If it’s anything like existing smartphones with touchscreen displays and hardware keypads, this means there could be a sliding QWERTY or alphanumeric keypad, offering more space for a bigger screen.
As with the RIM Blackberry Storm, the touchscreen on the RIM Blackberry hybrid is expected to be clickable, with the whole thing moving when you press it. It should be fine for basic texting or calling – and great for browsing the internet – but still leaving you with a proper keyboard and the fabled Blackberry usability when you’re emailing and need it most.
Would you like to see a Blackberry with both a touchscreen and a proper keyboard, or would you prefer to have one or the other? Let us know what you think.
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