BlackBerry-maker RIM has at an event in London two new smartphones presented: the Torch 9810 and the Torch 9860. The models will run on BlackBerry OS 7 and not yet on QNX, the future OS of BlackBerry.
The Torch 9810 is the successor of the Torch 9800, and contains several major changes. RIM used in the previous Torch is a relatively weak Marvell processor, which now is exchanged for a Qualcomm MSM8255. This Snapdragon processor runs on Qualcomms own Scorpion core and has a dedicated Adreno 205 gpu for better graphics performance. The gpu is used for smooth transitions in the menus of BlackBerry OS 7. The MSM8255 is also in the Android devices HTC Desire HD and Sony Ericsson Xperia Play, but will also in Windows Phone Mango devices.
By the more powerful processor, the Torch 9810 video in 720p-resolution recording. A lot has also stayed the same. So can the input be given through the 3.2″touch screen, using the buttons and the touchpad, or the keyboard, that can be extended. The screen has a resolution of 640×480 pixels.
The Torch 9860 is a full touch smartphone with a 3.7″screen with a resolution of 800×480 pixels. The hardware is, except for the screen and the resolution, equal to that of the Torch 9810. In addition to these two handsets for the Dutch market, RIM also with cdma versions of new devices: the Torch 9850 and Bold 9930.
The new BlackBerry’s do a lot of thinking to the in may announced Bold 9900, which Tweakers.net already a hands-on published. That the new BlackBerry’s have the same hardware, according to RIM as a great advantage that the apparatus can be more rapidly adopted by providers and therefore quicker to come onto the market. The devices will be available starting at the end of this month to purchase. For the Netherlands there is still no clear release date.
The new appliances are some of the latest smartphones on RIMs ‘old’ BlackBerry OS platform. The platform is developed in Java and was maintained by Sun Microsystems. After Sun by Oracle was taken, it came to maintenance to a standstill. Last year, RIM if QNX due to the Neutrino OS. BlackBerry Tablet OS on the PlayBook is based on QNX. The first smartphones using QNX will be the beginning of next year is expected.
