BlackBerry Bold 9700 Announced

RIM has announced the BlackBerry Bold 9700 smartphone, offering support for 3G HSDPA networks, a next-generation (624 MHz) processor, 256MB Flash memory, built-in GPS and Wi-Fi, a 3.2MP camera and a “sharp, dazzling display”.

Here’s an excerpt from the BlackBerry Bold 9700 press release:

* Sleek design measuring 4.29″ x 2.36″ x 0.56″ (109 mm x 60 mm x 14.1 mm) and weighing only 4.3 oz (122 grams)
* Sharp and dazzling 2.44” light-sensing display (480 x 360 resolution at 245 ppi)
* Highly tactile full-QWERTY keyboard – with finely sculpted keys and chrome frets – for fast, accurate typing
* Innovative touch-sensitive trackpad that allows intuitive and responsive navigation
* Built-in Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g) with support for Wi-Fi calling via UMA where available
* 3.2 MP camera with variable zoom, autofocus, flash and video recording
* BlackBerry® OS 5.0, offering users email management and calendar enhancements* as well as a better browsing experience with faster JavaScript and CSS processing
* Built-in GPS for maps and other location-based applications, as well as photo geotagging
* Media player for videos, pictures and music (music play now extended up to 38 hours), plus support for BlackBerry® Desktop Manager for both PCs and Macs, and BlackBerry® Media Sync for easily syncing iTunes® and Windows Media® Player music with the smartphone**
* 3.5 mm stereo headset jack, dedicated volume controls, Lock and Mute keys seamlessly integrated across the top of the handset
* microSD/SDHD memory card slot that supports up to 16 GB cards today and is expected to support 32 GB cards when available; a 2GB card is included
* 256 MB of Flash memory
* Access to BlackBerry App World™, featuring a broad and growing catalog of mobile applications developed specifically for BlackBerry smartphones. Categories include games, entertainment, IM and social networking, news, weather, productivity and more.
* Premium and easy-to-access phone features, background noise suppression technology and high quality speakerphone
* Bluetooth® (2.1) with support for Secure Simple Pairing, hands-free headsets, stereo headsets, car kits and other Bluetooth peripherals
* Support for BlackBerry® Internet Service and BlackBerry® Enterprise Server
* Available in two versions to support various carrier 3G network frequency combinations:
o UMTS/HSDPA 2100/1900/850/800 MHz and quad-band EDGE/GPRS/GSM
o UMTS/HSDPA 2100/1700/900 MHz and quad-band EDGE/GPRS/GSM
* Removable, rechargeable 1500 mAhr battery that provides approximately 6 hours of talk time and 17 days of standby time in 3G mode

An unlocked BlackBerry Bold 9700 can be found for around $600, as well as for $100 with a 2-yr AT&T contract.