Still waiting for this to drop

Global telecom major Research in Motion (RIM), makers of mobile handset BlackBerry, has finally unveiled its much touted BlackBerry Bold smartphone.

The new device, which comes within weeks of the global launch of Apple's iPhone, was launched in Austria on Thursday. Like the iPhone, the BlackBerry Bold will also operate on the much faster, next-generation 3G network and has a built-in GPS.

Rich in features, including a half-VGA LCD display with 480x320 resolution, powerful 624 MHz processor and one GB internal storage memory, the BlackBerry Bold is being described as a premier smartphone for business and enterprise users by its makers, the Waterloo-based Canadian company.

With a 2 megapixel camera with video recording capability, built-in flash and digital zoom, the new device also boasts an advanced media player that displays pictures and slideshows quickly, plays movies smoothly in full screen mode and manages an entire music collection.

A RIM statement said its audio can be played over the handset's dual speakers in rich, stereo sound, and when using headphones or external speakers, the media player gives the user an equalizer with 11 preset filters - like "Lounge", "Jazz" and "Hip Hop" - that boost or soften audio ranges to create the perfect ambience.

Though the Bold version has been designed to meet increasing requirements of business professionals during the day, the company said the new smartphone also 'indulges the consumer experience during lunchtime, evenings and weekends.'

"The BlackBerry Bold is a breakthrough smartphone for both professional and personal use. We are very pleased to be working with A1 to provide Austrian customers with a superior mobile experience that further enhances the renowned functionality and usability of the industry leading BlackBerry solution," said RIM chief operating officer Don Morrison on the launch of the smartphone in Austria.