First Live Images of BlackBerry KickStart Surface

Humberto Saabedra

The first images of a live BlackBerry Kickstart pre production unit have surfaced along with new information regarding specifications and potential carrier availability.

Images courtesy of CrackBerry.com Click for full-size version.

The clamshell device is now expected to launch in two versions with the 8220 and 8210.

The 8210 features an internal GPS transceiver along with a QVGA internal display, quadband GSM/EDGE support with no 3G support, “Next-Gen” SureType keyboard, recessed trackball navigation, 2 megapixel CMOS camera with video recorder, external display, microSDHC expansion slot, media player, BlackBerry OS version 4.6 (the same version as the forthcoming Bold), and a 3.5mm standard headphone jack.

This version is expected to launch on AT&T while the 8220 substitutes a Wi-Fi radio in place of the GPS transceiver and is expected to support UMA access for calling over Wi-Fi, and is rumored for a September launch on T-Mobile.

Pricing for both is expected to be set around the $50 mark after new agreements and applicable rebates, with no guarantee on the final name for the device as Kickstart is one of two internal names used by RIM.

Written by

Journalist since 2006, initially covering the retail wireless sector before pivoting to anime and manga trade reporting in 2008. Founder and publisher of AnimeNews.biz (2008–2017), followed by a 13-year tenure at Crunchyroll News (2011–2024) and launching K-Comics Beat with Comics Beat in 2024. Now stripping away consumer noise to build independent, data-backed intelligence desks focused on cross-border licensing telemetry, production committee balance sheets, and industrial supply-chain forensics.

Recent Posts