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The BlackBerry Torch 9800 is now out and available on AT&T, but those interested in its history may like to take a look at this prototype, code-named Tardis (after the time-travelling police box from Doctor Who). There’s some Synaptics branding thrown in there, indicating the protoype was something built during their involvement with the capacitive touchscreen. Aside from running an older operating system designed for the BlackBerry Storm series, the handset also has a second hole near the top; it’s likely just a proximity sensor, but we’re allowed to dream it’s a front-facing video camera, right?
For a company that prides itself on wireless efficiency and security, I could understand RIM taking a pass at the whole video calling craze, but there are rumblings that RIM may be implementing some kind of forward-facing camera for the BlackPad. After talking with Saygus, I’m convinced that video calling can be made efficient and useful, and with RIM’s sensibilities, I’m sure they could implement it in a way that would appeal even to companies jumpy about the security problems a proper video camera could impose in a boardroom.
[via Driphter]
About The Author
Simon Sage
Simon Sage’s education largely surrounded writing, technology and online community, leading him to begin his blogging career at www.BlackBerryCool.com and to quickly discover a vibrant and active community surrounding BlackBerry and mobile technology. In exploring RIM’s platform, he has learned what enterprises are looking for in mobility as well as what makes the innocuous BlackBerry so appealing to them. Recently Simon’s been covering RIM’s gradual move into an already-crowded consumer market, and the impact of burgeoning challengers, such as the iPhone, as well as long-time leaders, like Nokia, on BlackBerry’s advancement. With plenty of content under his belt, Simon will be branching off a bit to see what other smartphone manufacturers are working on while still using BlackBerry as a barometer. At IntoMobile, you can count on his posts being even-handed, well-informed and thought-out.
