[ Images Pulled By Request ]

The BlackBerry KickStart is getting a little more REAL each and every day. Following up on yesterday's latest KickStart sighting, today we are bringing you an exclusive first look at the BlackBerry Flip Experience. Click on the images above to zoom in on all the details.

From the slides you can see RIM is not sacrificing any of the BlackBerry experience on the KickStart. When it comes to making calls the KickStart will work like any other flip, and when it comes to messaging, flipping the KickStart open will be like pulling an existing BlackBerry Device model from its holster. As one would expect, you will be able to use the music player with the phone closed.

Voice - When it comes to making calls, the BlackBerry Flip Experience will be like all Flip phones. Opening the flip will answer a call and unless connected to a Bluetooth headset, closing the flip will hang up on the caller (always a satisifying experience!). The external LCD will display who is calling, and if the caller is in the user's Address Book the external LCD will provide the CallerID Picture and Name. 

Messaging - The goal here is to match the experience of pulling a current BlackBerry device model from its holster. This holster-like experience extends to Email, IM, SMS and MMS. When a user receives an incoming message, opening the flip will auto-open the incoming message. Just like incoming calls, the external LCD will will display who messaged them and provide a brief preview of the content. Closing the flip will mark a message as being read.

Missed Alerts - If a user has several missed alerts or messages waiting to be read, the user can browse the missed alerts on the external display. If/when a user finds a message they want to respond to, opening the flip will auto-open that particular image. 

Music - The external LCD display will allow the user to see basic music information - album art, song title and artist, and timeline. When listening to music with the flip closed, the Mute Key will function as Play/Pause, the Volume keys will adjust sound levels and Pressing and Holding on the Volume keys will take you to the next/previous track. 

On the rumor end of things, we've received word that the BlackBerry KickStart will ultimately ship with OS version 5.0 (Bold owners will be able to upgrade from 4.6 to 5.0 when released).

* Update * Since posting this, now we're hearing that as of right now OS4.6 is what is being tested on the 9100 (aka KickStart), which makes it seem more likely the device will ship with OS4.6.  5.0 is in the works though - could be that we'll see 5.0 debut on the 8xxx series and then make it's way onto the Bold and KickStart. 

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