Canada Gets BlackBerry Bold

Research In Motion's highly anticipated BlackBerry Bold is now available for Canadian wireless subscribers.

The handset, also known as the BlackBerry 9000, has a 5-row QWERTY keyboard, a 480 by 320 pixel display, and a chrome finish frame. Mobile professionals will have a bevy of connection options as well, as Bold users can get their corporate e-mails and calendars via an EDGE connection, an HSDPA 3G network, or through the integrated Wi-Fi.

The smartphone has a full HTML browser, and users will be able to open, view, and edit Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files directly on the smartphone. There will also be an integrated GPS that allows users to get directions, and use location-based services like geotagging.

The smartphone sports a 2 megapixel camera with built-in flash and video recording. There's also Bluetooth version 2.0 support, voice command options, and it's capable of SMS and instant messaging.

The Bold also has advanced multimedia features that should help it do battle with Apple's iPhone 3G, which is increasingly being pitched to enterprise customers. RIM's handset has a digital music player that can sync with Apple's iTunes, as well as play videos. Users can store files with the 1 GB of on-board memory, and that can be expanded via the microSD slot.

The new handset measures in at 4.4 by 2.5 by .5, and it weighs about 4.7 ounces. The Bold will cost about $382 with a three-year voice and data contract with Rogers Wireless.

Despite numerous delays, RIM is expected to release the device in the United States in a few weeks, and it is reportedly tweaking the software to ensure the Bold does not suffer from the same 3G reception issues that Apple's handset is facing.