Research In Motion officially unveils the BlackBerry Torch 9800, their first smartphone that will use the BlackBerry 6 operating system with new redesigned interface that seamlessly works with a touch screen and trackpad, expanded messaging capabilities, social network integration, new Universal Search tool, and a new WebKit-based browser.
Black Berry Torch measuring approx. 4.4-inch (5.8″ open) x 2.4″ x .57″ and weighing 5.68 ounces, powered by 624 Mhz processor with 512 MB Flash memory, feature a sliding QWERTY backlit keyboard with 35 keys, has a 3.2″ 360×480 capacitive touch screen display, optical trackpad, Tri-band HSDPA (3G) and quad-band EDGE support, GPS, 4 GB built-in memory and microSD/SDHD memory card slot plus 4 GB card in the box, 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.1, 3.5mm stereo headset jack, 5 MP camera with flash continuous auto focus, image stabilization, scene modes, geo-tagging and zoom, and a removable 1300 mAhr battery.
The Torch also comes with the new BlackBerry Desktop Software 6 with integrated media sync for easily syncing music, photos and videos. The new integrated WebKit-based browser promise to renders HTML webpages more quickly and features tabs, double-tap to zoom and pinch to zoom capabilities. BlackBerry Torch also features more multimedia apps, which allows users to download TV shows and watch live TV as well and easy upload of video content to YouTube. Social network integration is improved via the new Social Feeds application, that simplifies their management and provides integrated access to BlackBerry Messenger (BBM), Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, AOL Instant Messenger, Google Talk, Windows Live Messenger and Yahoo! Messenger.
“This is one of the most significant launches in RIM’s history and we are proud to introduce the new BlackBerry Torch and BlackBerry 6 together with AT&T,” said Mike Lazaridis, president and co-ceo, Research In Motion. “With a new user interface, new browser and new handset design, the highly anticipated BlackBerry Torch and BlackBerry 6 deliver integrated and uncompromising capabilities for consumers and business professionals that preserve the industry-leading strengths of the BlackBerry platform while adding exciting new dimensions.”
BlackBerry Torch 9800 will be available via AT&T starting August 12, for $199 with with 2-year contract.