3GSM: RIM Launches BlackBerry 8800

RIM has officially launched the BlackBerry 8800 handheld at 3GSM in Barcelona. It features a full QWERTY keypad (unlike the 8100's SureType). The keyboard can also be switched to AZERTY mode for different regions.

The device also comes with the glowing pearl for easier navigation. It features a large, landscape aspect QVGA (320x240) screen, a microSD memory card slot and also a built-in GPS for navigation. The quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE handset also supports Bluetooth 2.0, Voice Activated Dialing and Speaker Independent Voice Recognition etc. It comes with support for email accounts on BlackBerry Enterpise Servers as well as some other email services. The device does NOT include WiFi support, even though the picture says so!

The cost of the device is not known, as it will only be available with certain carriers (AT&T, most probably) as a part of a plan from February 2007 onwards.