[BBCanada]

I am a long time BB user, and currently have the workhorse 7290. I am tempted to upgrade to the BOLD, but my wife has an iPhone, and I quite like its large screen. But I hate the idea of touchscreen typing (and she says it sucks). So, here is my question: will we ever see RIM make an iPhone-like device, with a slide-out keyboard?
Thanks.

[Lord Palmerston]

I'm not sure about RIM, but I heard Apple was working on this.

An iPhone with a keyboard? | The Register

So who knows? I thought the BlackBerry Storm would have a slide-out keyboard. Alas, it does not.

[BBCanada]

Thanks, Lord, for the response. I am surprised that RIM is not working on this. I think it would be a winner.

[kjjb0204]

Could you imagine an iphone form factor with a slide out keyboard but bb guts? That would just be fantastic. The one thing I hear from iPhone users is that they wish the device could be used in landscape mode with the keypad. That would certainly make it easier to type...

[dbpaddler]

Wirelessly posted

samsung got it right with the Glide on Verizon and HTC with the Pro coming out though the Pro is the only pda. Personally I'd rather see the traditional thumboard/screen slim candybar with a frameless touchscreen ala the treo pro.

the only problem with slideout keyboards is the quick onehandedness goes out the window. If I'm already dragging around a small laptop (possibly a netbook at some point), I'd rather have the efficiency of the traditional candybar thumboard layout than a keyboard slider. Ideally I'd like to see a flip like my old i500 palm phone. with how slim phones are these days. That dual flipping non pda samsung phone on verizon that's smaller than a RAZR would be my ideal.

[amkls704]

To the OP: if you want the best of both, pick up the Bold, and then get an iPod touch.

That's what I'm planning on doing. I have an iphone 3G. As soon as I get rid of it, I'll pick up a Bold.