An Even Bolder BlackBerry Arrives

Research in Motion, the BlackBerry maker, is getting bolder in its effort to keep its core business smartphone base while also trying to lure away iPhone users and grab greater traction in the consumer and prosumer (professional-consumer) segments.

The latest RIM product effort is the Bold 9700, which according to a press release offers a "touch-sensitive" trackpad and faster processor.

The handset maker said the new gadget will appeal to both men and women -- the latter segment notation is a clear illustration that RIM is continuing  to expand its "business" centric label into the consumer market.

The new Bold has Wi-Fi, a 3.2 megapixel camera and what RIM calls a "fretted" keyboard. In other words, its QWERTY keyboard has "sculpted" keys for typing comfort and chrome frets supposedly make typing faster and more accurate.

RIM's been focused on providing some new take on the keyboard and touch aspects of its handset, as both features clearly caught love with Apple's mobile device since the start.

"The BlackBerry Bold 9700 builds on the success of the original BlackBerry Bold with new, state-of-the-art features and a smaller, lighter and highly optimized design that looks, feels and performs great," said Mike Lazaridis, RIM president and co-CEO, in the release.

The sleek new handset will be available in November through two wireless carriers, AT&T and T-Mobile.

Photo courtesy of RIM