We had heard over the summer that RIM was working on a new BlackBerry Storm that would include a mobile hotspot function, and today we’re getting a look at what the hardware might be. The trackpad is a distinctive addition to the BlackBerry Storm series, and the screen measures 3.7″ according to the source – noticeably larger than the 3.2″ touch screen on current Storm models. The source also confirms that there will be 8 GB of internal storage, but didn’t say anything about the mobile Wi-Fi hotspot.
It looks like it’s originating from Indonesia, and as interesting as the device itself is, the document in the background holds a few interesting tidbits. You’ll notice just next to the bottom-right of the BlackBerry Storm 3, “5.0” is underlined – is it possible that RIM will continue to launch phones with anything less than BlackBerry 6? They already did it it with the 9300, but you’d think after that, everything in the pipe would have a chance to be caught up. In the bottom-left of the image, you’ll see a section of the phrase “augmented reality” – a definite necessity if RIM wants to keep pace with Android and iPhone. With a bit of Google translating, I also noticed a bit in that same area; “yang ketahanan” means “the resistance”, which likely has something to do with a new SurePress system. Clicking touchscreens aren’t for everybody, but RIM is continuing to polish a rather unique idea in the mobile sphere.
So, we’ve got a BlackBerry Storm with a bigger screen, a trackpad, support for augmented reality, and potentially operate as a mobile Wi-Fi hotspot. An earlier report which corroborated 8 GB of storage, a new non-6 operating system, and updated SurePress also suggested LTE and and a 1 GHz processor would also be in the next Storm, though discrepancies in RAM with a leaked slide along with a lack of documentation might cast some doubt on all of that. Regardless, a 3.7″ BlackBerry with LTE and a 1 GHz processor would be freakin’ sweet, and answer the calls for those who want something that stacks up to the latest Android and iPhone competition. I hope the screen cranks up the resolution past HVGA, but we’ll have to wait to see more of this mystery phone to confirm (that is, if it’s more than a convincing Indonesian knock-off).
[via BerryReview]
UPDATE: BGR is calling shenanigans on this picture, citing more conservative specs akin to the Endgadget leak. However, many commenters think that this is a confusion between two upcoming Storm models – one being a simple refresh on the Storm (model number 9570) made simply to accommodate OS 6 much like the 9300 and 9780, and the other to be a proper Storm 3 with new specs. What do you guys think? Is this a picture a phoney? *RIMshot*