BlackBerry Releases 'Bold' 3G Smartphone

BlackBerry has launched its new Bold 9000 smartphone, featuring tri-band HSDPA 3G connectivity as well as WiFi.Other wireless features include integrated GPS and Bluetooth support. The Bold comes with 1 GB of onboard storage, supplemented with an SD/SDHC memory card slot for cards up to 16 GB. The phone also sports a two-megapixel camera with 5x digital zoom, a 320-x-480 display, and a built-in media player.

For mobile messaging and e-mail, the BlackBerry Bold integrates with BlackBerry Enterprise Server for use within several email environments, such as IBM Lotus Domino, Microsoft Exchange and Novell GroupWise. The device also supports the SMB-oriented BlackBerry Professional Software.;

The positioning of the phone as an upscale accessory is revealed in its manufacturer's description of it as "a symbol of accomplishment and aspiration" with "a beautiful and confident design" featuring a black exterior, a satin chrome finish frame, and a faux-leather backplate. Pricing was not announced, but the phone should be available from most major wireless carriers this summer.ChannelWeb, The Register