BlackBerry Porsche P’9981 Unveiled In Dubai

Ladies and gentlemen, I’d like to introduce you to the BlackBerry Porsche P’9981 — the ugliest BlackBerry I’ve seen in years.

Unveiled at RIM and Porsche Design’s Dubai event, the new BlackBerry Porsche is clad in equal parts stainless steel and leather. While the device’s shell has gotten quite the facelift, the internals aren’t a far cry from the standard: it sports a 1GHz processor, a 5-megapixel camera with 720p HD video, and an NFC chip.

Even the BlackBerry 7 OS has undergone a bit of a makeover, as it’s been tricked out with a custom Porsche Design font and icons.

Yesterday I pegged my hopes on a slightly more traditional design getting the Dubai limelight, but I should’ve realized that Porsche would never put their name on something so pedestrian.

Maybe I’m being a bit harsh on the Porsche P’9981. RIM has contented itself with recycling their design language, so a huge shift from the norm like this is sort of reaffirming. Still, I can’t help get the feeling that it’s been over-designed, leading to a device that’s meant to be less of a business tool and more of a gaudy status symbol.

Then again, it’s very clearly not meant for run-of-the-mill users like me. The Porsche P’9981 manages to transcend the concept of limited edition, as it’s availability has been referred to as downright “restrictive.”

If you’re a sucker for all things Porsche Design, then you’ll be pleased to know that the P’9981 will be making its way to Porsche Design stores and selected retailers for a scant $2,000 (!) before the year is out.

Developing…

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_V01m6H75Y&w=640&h=360]