Apparently RIM and it’s iconic Blackberry brand aren’t quite ready to concede the Smartphone market to Apple and Google.
Yes, I’m well aware that Blackberry is still the leader in smartphones, but a recent survey revealed that 50% of it’s users are planning on switching to a different Smarthphone (most wanting either an iPhone or Android powered device).
However, the new Blackberry Torch 9800 for AT&T revealed today just might keep some of those once loyal “Crackberry” users from jumping ship.
The Blackberry Torch does its best to meld the best of Blackberry with the best of iPhone/Android features.
First of all, it still looks a lot like an iconic Blackberry. However, instead of making your choose between a keyboard or touchscreen, now you can have both! It features a slide up dedicated qwerty keyboard that Blackberry users have raved about for years and a full capacitive touchscreen that other smartphone users have come to know and love.
Blackberry Torch 9800
It also is the first Blackberry device to run the new Blackberry OS 6 with it’s ultra fast Webkit based browser (it’s about freakin’ time!), Blackberry App World 2.0, social networking integration, and a revamped interface.
It also has specs that are generally on par with your favorite Android and iPhone smartphones.
It comes with 4GB of memory and supports up to 32GB with a microSD card slot. (Total max capacity 36GB)
It also has a 5MP camera with flash but no front facing camera for video chat.
The touchscreen is just a bit small at 3.2″ and has a 480 x 360 resolution.
The processor has sufficient power for Blackberry OS 6 but the 624MHz processor probably isn’t going to impress anyone in the world where a 1GHZ processor has become the defacto standard
All in all, the Blackberry Torch 9800 is a much needed flashship phone for RIM which has been leaking market share to Apple and Android like a sieve. If you’re a Blackberry fan looking to upgrade, this is almost certainly the one you’ll want to get.
It comes in three colors – the standard gunmetal gray, red, and white.
It’s available on AT&T and usually you can get it quite cheaply if you sign a new 2 year contract.
Product Description, Discounts & User Reviews of the Blackberry Torch 9800
BlackBerry 9800 Torch Phone (AT&T)
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 List Price: $649.99 Sale Price: Too low to display. Availability: unspecified 
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Product Description
BlackBerry Torch 9800The RIM BlackBerry Torch 9800 Slider is a high-end smartphone available on the AT&T mobile network in the US and on the Rogers network in Canada. It sports a 5 megapixel camera and a touchscreen as well as a slide-out QWERTY keypad similar to previous Blackberry phones.
Details
- Next-generation messaging powerhouse with 3.2-inch touchscreen, slide-down QWERTY keyboard, and BlackBerry 6 OS
- Compatible with AT&T Video Share, Navigator GPS turn-by-turn directions, and access to over 20,000 AT&T Wi-Fi hotspots nationwide
- Wireless-N Wi-Fi; 5-megapixel camera/camcorder; 4 GB internal memory; microSD expansion; Bluetooth stereo music
- Up to 5.8 hours of talk time, up to 432 hours (18 days) of standby time; released in August, 2010
- What's in the Box: Handset, rechargeable battery, charger, 4 GB microSD card, stereo hands-free headset, USB cable, polishing cloth, quick start guide, BlackBerry User Tools CD
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Does anybody know when the blackberry torch will be available in Switzerland?