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RIM BlackBerry Bold 9700

(Credit: RIM)

This post was updated on October 21 at 8:30 a.m. PDT with official pricing from AT&T and T-Mobile.

On Wednesday, Research In Motion unveiled its newest smartphone, the RIM BlackBerry Bold 9700. It will replace the original BlackBerry Bold 9000, which debuted in November 2008, and offers a sleeker design, double the Flash memory, and updated features.

The most noticeable difference is the smartphone's size. The Bold now measures 4.29 inches tall by 2.36 inches wide by 0.56 inch thick and weighs 4.3 ounces compared with the original Bold's 4.48 inches high by 2.6 inches wide by 0.59 inch deep and 4.8 ounces. It's comparable in size to the RIM BlackBerry Tour 9630, and in fact, the two share the same 2.44-inch HVGA (480x360) display and have similar 35-key QWERTY keyboards.

However, the BlackBerry Bold 9700 replaces the trackball navigator with the touch-sensitive trackpad, which was first introduced on the RIM BlackBerry Curve 8520. For those who fear change, you should rest easy knowing that we found transition from trackball to trackpad to be quite smooth, since the latter is extremely responsive.

The Bold 9700 is equipped with a 3.5mm headphone jack and features a slightly revamped leatherette back. Overall, RIM is hoping the sleeker design will appeal to both men and women, since the BlackBerry Bold skewed a bit more to the masculine side.

The BlackBerry Bold 9700 offers more than cosmetic changes, however. The smartphone is equipped with a next-generation 624MHz processor and has double the Flash memory at 256MB (expandable up to 32GB via the microSD slot). Like the recently announced BlackBerry Storm 2, the Bold will run BlackBerry OS 5.0, which brings such improvements as threaded text messaging and a faster browser and BlackBerry Maps application. The camera has also been upgraded from 2 megapixels to 3.2 megapixels.

The Bold 9700 is a quad-band GSM phone that also integrated Wi-Fi with UMA support, Bluetooth, GPS/A-GPS, and 3G support (UMTS/HSDPA 800/850/1900/2100; UMTS/HSDPA 900/1700/2100). Given the supported bands, we know you're already thinking about possible carriers and availability, so here's the dish.

RIM expects the BlackBerry Bold 9700 to be available from carriers worldwide starting in November, including AT&T and T-Mobile. AT&T said the smartphone will ship in the coming weeks for $199.99 with a two-year contract and after a mail-in rebate. T-Mobile's version will also cost $199.99 with a two-year service agreement and be available in time for the holidays; and yes, the Bold 9700 will support Wi-Fi calling. We hope we'll get review units soon, so we can let you know whether it'll make a nice little holiday treat or not.

RIM BlackBerry Bold 9700 photos

Welcome to the 411, my Q&A column answering all your questions about cell phones and cell phone accessories. I receive plenty of queries about these subjects via e-mail, so I figured many of you might be wondering about the same things, too. At times, I might solicit answers from readers if I'm stumped. Send your questions and comments to me at nicole.lee@cnet.com. If you prefer to remain anonymous, let me know in the e-mail.

Hi Nicole, I'm thinking of upgrading my mobile phone in the near future. I've been a BlackBerry user for the past couple of years, and I've really given this thing a beating. I have dropped it more times than I can count, sometimes at a great enough velocity to send the battery cover flying well past the rest of the phone. What I am wondering is, how durable are today's touch-screen phones? I've heard that the Pre is particularly fragile. Are the OLED devices any better or worse? Would you recommend someone like me sticking with a non-touch device, since once you crack a touch screen, you are left with an expensive paperweight? -- Jay, via e-mail.

If you abuse your phone that much, I would say touch-screen phones are probably not the best for you. Touch-screen phones usually have a glass surface as the display, which, of course, is particularly susceptible to cracking. You might consider a durable case of some kind to prevent everyday nicks and scratches, though. There are also many manufacturers that make scratch-resistant screen overlays, like the Zagg invisible shields, for example. But if you're truly concerned, then yes, perhaps a more durable phone is in order. You can check out phones like the Sonim XP3 Quest or the Casio Exilim C721, both of which are rugged enough to withstand the elements. Check out our reviews of other durable phones, too, if you want more options.

The HTC Touch Pro 2's keyboard is very roomy.

(Credit: Josh Miller/CNET)

I am due for an upgrade in October and was seriously considering a BlackBerry Tour on Verizon Wireless. The only thing is that I have big hands and while some people might laugh it makes for an uncomfortable experience on those BlackBerry devices. My question is this: Does RIM have any plans on coming out with a BlackBerry device that has bigger keys? Or am I doomed to never be able to use a BlackBerry device at all? -- Stu, via e-mail

RIM has been pretty consistent with the size and shape of its BlackBerry handhelds, so I don't think RIM will enhance the size of its keyboards any time soon. ... Read more

(Credit: Corinne Schulze/CNET)

On Tuesday afternoon, AT&T will release a software update for the RIM BlackBerry Bold that will bring several enhancements to the smartphone. Such improvements include the ability to manually choose between a 2G or 3G connection and added support for AT&T's visual voicemail service. In addition, you'll get download icons for MobiTV, Mobile Banking, Tetris, and Scrabble, as well as some other "general handset optimizations."

BlackBerry Bold owners can get the software update several ways. You can download it over the air by going to the Options menu on your device, selecting Advanced Options, and then Wireless Update. Alternatively, you can get it from BlackBerry's support site or via BlackBerry Desktop Manager by downloading the update from AT&T.

Welcome to affordability, BlackBerry Bold.

(Credit: Research In Motion)

I'm now the proud owner of a BlackBerry Bold.

For a while, I was trying to decide if I wanted to ditch my iPhone 3G for the Bold. After some research and hands-on time with Research In Motion's beauty, I decided that it was in my best interest to escape from Apple's grips.

But there was a problem: the BlackBerry Bold is expensive. If you're not eligible for a two-year upgrade, the Bold will set you back $550 at the AT&T store. If you're new to AT&T or eligible for the upgrade price, you pay $399.99.

I didn't want to spend that much on a mobile phone that replaced another expensive gadget. Plus, I wasn't eligible for an upgrade. So I decided to head down to the AT&T store to talk with a representative to figure it all out. And much to my surprise, he and I determined that I would end up paying just $30 for the Bold.

Here's how it worked:

Scott Jones

(Credit: Crispy Gamer)

Scott Jones from online gaming web site Crispy Gamer comes to the show to talk about everything under the sun, including his stint as a writer at a porn magazine and the video game industry in general. Jeff and Scott wonder why anybody would ever buy the new Nintendo DS, while Wilson reminds everyone that there are a billion Asian girls who love cute gadgets.

In addition, Justin ponders out loud whether he should get rid of his iPhone 3G. After realizing that Apple and AT&T have bled him dry, he thinks a CrackBerry or maybe just a *shock* regular old flip phone and an iPod classic might be a better value for him. As usually, our listeners also call in shocked about discovering the meaning of some choice words on Urban Dictionary. We're never going to tell you on air what "sp--- d---ing" is. All that and more on today's episode of The 404.

(Credit: TmoNews)

Monday seems to be the day for BlackBerry rumors. First it was the BlackBerry Bold for Sprint and now the RIM BlackBerry Curve 8900 for T-Mobile. The folks at TmoNews believe T-Mobile, which is in serious need of a BlackBerry update, will release the new BlackBerry Curve 8900 on February 11 and posted some specs of the smartphone.

The Curve 8900, also known by its code name, the BlackBerry Javelin, features a sleeker design, a full QWERTY keyboard, a 3.2-megapixel camera, Bluetooth, integrated GPS, a 512MHz processor, and a 2.4-inch, 480x360 pixel resolution display.

The question on everyone's mind seems to be what "high-speed Internet" refers to on the data sheet. 3G? Wi-Fi? And is there UMA support?

While there are varying opinions and reports on the wireless options, we do know that the Curve 8900 has passed FCC tests, so we're hoping the February 11 date is right because we sure are looking forward to getting our hands on this device soon.

(More resources: PhoneDog.com, Engadget Mobile

(Credit: Corinne Schulze/CBS Interactive)

Sprint customers suffering from a little BlackBerry envy after Verizon Wireless landed the BlackBerry Storm and AT&T scored the BlackBerry Bold may finally get their break.

According to Engadget Mobile, Sprint will replace its BlackBerry 8830 World Edition with the BlackBerry Bold some time this quarter. While running on Sprint's CDMA network, the smartphone is said to have dual-mode functionality, so it'll work on international GSM networks to give you world-roaming capabilities.

Other reported additions include a slightly updated design, more memory, and EV-DO Rev. A support.

The Boy Genius Report also chimed in with a few more details on the Sprint Bold, which it calls the BlackBerry Niagara: a full QWERTY keyboard, 480x360 nontouch display, assisted GPS, and a 3.2-megapixel camera. As expected, there's no official confirmation from the carrier or RIM, but as always, we'll let you know as soon as we have any information.

Who should the BlackBerry Bold take on?

(Credit: Corinne Schulze/CBS Interactive)

OK Crave readers, I need your help. The CNET Prizefight ring is setting up for a few final battles before the end of 2008, and one contender just waiting for its chance in the spotlight is the RIM BlackBerry Bold. Now usually, the editors make the decision about which two devices to compare, but frankly, I'm having trouble choosing the right competitor. I've got some ideas, but thought it would be nice to get your feedback as well.

I've already received a lot of reader e-mails wondering how the Bold stacks up to the iPhone 3G. However, I'm a little hesitant to compare the two since I think the phones are intended for different audiences (business versus consumer) and have different design elements (QWERTY keyboard, touch screen, and so forth). Plus, there are plenty of other worthy smartphones out there. The iPhone is not the end all, be all. But hey, if I get an overwhelming response for the iPhone, majority rules and I'll be happy to oblige. Either way, let me know what you think in the comments section below by Thursday, and I'll choose the winner on Friday.

Also if you're wondering: yes, there is already a iPhone versus RIM BlackBerry Storm prizefight in the works, so grab your seats for that showdown, which is coming next week.

RIM BlackBerry Curve 8900

(Credit: Boy Genius Report)

In case you find the RIM BlackBerry Bold a bit too expensive for your tastes or you don't need all that flash, perhaps we can interest you in the RIM BlackBerry Curve 8900?

Also known by its code name, the BlackBerry Javelin, the 8900 steps in as the update to the Curve 8300 series and according to the Boy Genius Report, it has received the old FCC stamp of approval, clearing the way for a U.S. arrival.

The BlackBerry Curve 8900, which just launched with T-Mobile Germany on Wednesday, is said to be heading to both T-Mobile and AT&T here in the States and features a Wi-Fi, GPS, a 512MHz processor, a full QWERTY keyboard, and a 2.4-inch, 480x360 pixel resolution display. Get excited!