RIM lines up 3G BlackBerry

BlackBerry goes bold with high-def screen and HSDPA connectivity

Research in Motion (RIM) announced it will release its first BlackBerry smartphone with support for high-speed HSDPA networks this summer. The device will also offer better web browsing and GPS support for navigation applications, as well as the BlackBerry's traditional strengths in mobile email.

The BlackBerry Bold – also known as the BlackBerry 9000 – is designed to give business professionals and power users unprecedented functionality and performance, according to RIM.

As well as support for HSDPA 3G networks, the new model also has integrated GPS and support for 802.11a/b/g Wi-Fi. The 'bold' name tag is a reference to the device's half VGA 480 x 320 screen, which RIM said has the most vivid colours yet seen on a BlackBerry.

Another enhancement is to the browser, which RIM said offers desktop-style depiction of web pages. Attachments can also be downloaded from within the browser and RIM has added support for streaming video.

The BlackBerry Bold features new styling that appears to have been influenced by Apple's iPhone, but keeps the qwerty keyboard essential for email and messaging, plus the pearl trackball of recent BlackBerry models.

As with other BlackBerry models, the Bold can link with BlackBerry Enterprise Server for corporate email access to Microsoft Exchange, Lotus Notes, and Novell GroupWise systems.

The device has a 624MHz processor with 128MB Flash memory plus 1GB on-board storage. It is expected to have a talk time of up to 5 hours from its removable battery. Pricing has not been disclosed, but will likely depend on the carrier and mobile tariff a customer chooses.