RIM BlackBerry Torch 9800

RIM introduced the new BlackBerry Torch 9800 Smartphone in market featuring capacitive touch screen, easy-to-use BlackBerry keyboard, full HTML browser with pinch to zoom or fluidly navigate and the optical trackpad. The BlackBerry Torch 9800 Smartphone is the first BlackBerry smartphone to launch with latest BlackBerry 6 operating system, a new operating system that retains the familiar and trusted features that distinguish the BlackBerry brand while delivering a fresh, approachable and engaging experience that’s powerful and easy to use.

BlackBerry Torch 9800

Another slightly surprising aspect of the Torch is that's it's a slider, combining its touchscreen with the traditional BlackBerry QWERTY keyboard. This is understandable really as RIM's pedigree is in this arena, but it's hard to escape the feeling that the touchscreen interface and physical keyboard are uncomfortable bedfellows, allies thrust together in an acrimonious peace. RIM has dodged one glaring oversight of the Palm Pre, however, as it has added a touchscreen keyboard to supplement the physical one.

The RIM BlackBerry Torch is the first model to ship running BlackBerry OS 6, and much like the phone's design, when revamping the BlackBerry platform, RIM wanted to present something both fresh and familiar. There's a good bit of the familiar but a greater amount that's new, so this is definitely a major overhaul of the platform and not just a few added features.

Right off the bat, you'll notice a new home screen. On top, there's a Quick Access area where you can see the date, time, signal strength, battery life, and where you can manage your wireless connections. Below that is a new notification bar that includes one-touch access to change your phone's profile and to conduct searches. It will also alert you to new messages, missed calls, upcoming appointments, and so forth. Tapping on the bar will expand the tray so you can view more details and go directly to the appropriate app.

Most of the action, however, takes place at the bottom of the screen, where you'll find a new navigation bar. It makes good use of the touch screen, as you can swipe from left to right and vice versa to access apps and content based on five categories: All, Favorites, Media, Downloads, and Frequent. In addition to swiping sideways, you can tap on a category to expand it and see the full list of associated apps.

The BlackBerry Torch 9800 smartphone is powered by new BlackBerry Desktop Software 6 with integrated media sync for easily syncing music, photos and videos. It also includes Wi-Fi Music Sync, a unique feature that allows users to view their entire iTunes or Windows Media Player music libraries from their BlackBerry smartphone, create and edit playlists as well as select music for download. BlackBerry Torch Smartphone Features

• Tri-band 3G UMTS networks: 2100/1900/850/800 MHz
• Quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE networks: 850/900/1800/1900MHz
• Touch screen with on-screen keyboard: portrait SureType, QWERTY and multi-tap, landscape QWERTY
• 4 GB built-in memory storage plus a microSD/SDHD memory card slot that supports up to 32 GB cards; a 4 GB card is included giving users 8 GB of storage out-of-the-box
• Bluetooth v2.1 + EDR
• Bluetooth Stereo Audio (A2DP/AVCRP)
• Windows Media DRM 10 for music & video
• Video format support: MPEG4, H.263, H.264, WMV3
• Audio format support: MP3, AMR-NB, AAC-LC, AAC+, eAAC+, WMA, WMV, Flac, Ogg Vorbis
• 3.5mm stereo headset jack
• Hands-free headset capable
• Bluetooth headset capable
• Integrated hands-free speakerphone