Research In Motion hosting a huge party for the BlackBerry Bold 9790 in Jakarta November 25th

If you're itching to get your hands on the new BlackBerry Bold 9790, head to Jakarta, Indonesia. Research In Motion is hosting a huge consumer event on November 25th with a ton of entertainment lined up. If you do plan on attending, you should make sure to get there early. The first 1,000 buyers will get 50% off their purchase of a Bold 9790, and if this is anything like the grand opening of the BlackBerry Lifestyle store in Indonesia earlier this week, it's going to be packed! The BlackBerry Bold 9790 goes on sale across Indonesia November 26th.

3 Hong Kong and RIM Launch the BlackBerry Torch 9860 Smartphone in Hong Kong

Press Release

3 Hong Kong and RIM Launch the BlackBerry Torch 9860 Smartphone in Hong Kong

Hong Kong - 3 Hong Kong, the mobile operation of Hutchison Telecommunications Hong Kong Holdings Limited (HTHKH, SEHK: 215), and Research In Motion (NASDAQ: RIMM; TSX: RIM) today announced that the new BlackBerry® Torch™ 9860 smartphone, the first all-touch BlackBerry® smartphone featuring the new BlackBerry® 7 operating system, will be available tomorrow.

With a spectacular 3.7” all touch display, the largest ever on a BlackBerry smartphone, the BlackBerry Torch 9860 smartphone is optimized for displaying web pages, photos and videos, as well as delivering powerful gaming experiences. It also delivers the highly refined, real-time communications and collaboration experience loved by millions of BlackBerry smartphone users around the world.

3 Hong Kong will offer the BlackBerry Torch 9860 at zero pricing if customers subscribe to its HK$398 monthly service plan* which includes 1,000 voice minutes, unlimited data usage and unlimited access to the Wi-Fi services. The BlackBerry Torch 9860 handset is also available at a standalone price of HK$4,888 from 3 Hong Kong. The first, 1,000 customers will receive a GelaSkin from 3 Hong Kong for free.

“We were the first operator in Asia to launch the BlackBerry service in Hong Kong in 2002 and started the trend of wireless email. As one of the largest telecom operators in Hong Kong, we strive to provide the best devices and services to our customers and we are excited to partner with RIM and be the first carrier in Hong Kong to bring the BlackBerry Torch 9860 to our customers,” said Amy Lung, Chief Operating Officer (Mobile) of HTHKH. “By combining this innovative smartphone with our highly competitive service plans, we have created yet another winning combination, which we are sure will delight our customers.”

Urpo Karjalainen, Senior Vice President for Asia Pacific at Research In Motion commented, “We are very excited to be bringing another BlackBerry 7 smartphone to Hong Kong together with 3 Hong Kong.  This time, we are introducing an all new touch experience with the BlackBerry Torch 9860 smartphone, which allows customers to stay connected, informed and entertained while on the go.  Customer will be thrilled by this refined, all-touch smartphone, which delivers a smooth user experience with faster browsing and richer multimedia.”

BlackBerry 7

The BlackBerry Torch 9860 smartphone runs the new BlackBerry 7 operating system (OS). BlackBerry 7 provides users with a fast, fluid and intuitive experience, featuring a next generation BlackBerry browser, voice-activated searches, the ability to manage personal content separately from corporate content, as well as additional personal and productivity apps out of the box.

The next generation BlackBerry browser combines the dramatically improved performance of the advanced WebKit browser engine together with the powerful hardware enhancements found in the new BlackBerry Torch 9860 to deliver browsing results that are up to 40% faster than BlackBerry® 6 based smartphones and up to twice as fast as models running BlackBerry® 5**. Additional enhancements to the browser have also optimized HTML5 performance for incredible gaming and video experiences.

The new BlackBerry Torch 9860 smartphone also features Liquid Graphics™ technology, which combines a dedicated high-performance graphics processor with a blazingly fast CPU and stunning high resolution display to deliver a highly responsive touch interface with incredibly fast and smooth graphics.

In addition, the BlackBerry Torch 9860 smartphone comes with the newest release of BBM™ (BlackBerry® Messenger) which now extends the real time BBM experience to a range of other apps. These ‘BBM connected’ apps can integrate the popular functionality of the BBM service and offer users the ability to interact with their friends from within the app itself.  Advanced sensors in the new BlackBerry Torch 9860 enable new augmented reality applications such as Wikitude that can be seamlessly integrated with BBM 6, allowing users to interact with their BBM contacts and discover new BBM users around them.

Key features and specifications of the new BlackBerry Torch 9860 smartphone include:

• 120 x 62 x 11.5 mm, approximately 135 g

• 3.7" high-resolution (800x480 WVGA) capacitive touch screen (253 ppi)

• 1.2 GHz processor, Liquid Graphics technology and 768 MB RAM

• 4 GB on-board memory, plus microSD slot supporting up to 32 GB cards

• 5.0 MP camera, supports 720p HD video recording

• Orientation Sensor (Accelerometer), Digital Compass (Magnetometer), Proximity Sensor

• Built-in GPS

• Wi-Fi® - 802.11 b/g/n

• Bluetooth® 2.1

• Wireless Network support: Tri-Band HSPA+, Quad-Band GSM/EDGE

• 1230 mAh, removable, rechargeable battery

• BlackBerry 7 OS

For more information on BlackBerry products, pricing and service plans through 3 Hong Kong, please visit www.three.com.hk.

For additional information on the BlackBerry Torch 9860 smartphone, please visit hk.blackberry.com/torch9860.

 

Calling app developers, attend AppsWorld Europe this November

 

Are you an app developer, content provider, network operator or perhaps just love apps in general? Why not check out AppsWorld Europe being held in London at the end of the month? Although it's not BlackBerry specific there is definitely a lot of interesting things to learn and experience from attending. The event itself aims to gear up app developers in the process and issues with developing applications across the various app stores.

Some of the things to expect at the event are: 

The developer and exhibition zone itself is free to attend but if you wish to participate in the workshops then there is a charge and you must pre-register for these. There are four workshops in all during the 2-day event - Operators & Handset Track, Marketing & Monetisation (one held on each day), and TV Track. More details of the agenda of these workshops can be found on the event website.

AppsWorld event details:

Where: Olympia Conference Centre, London

When: 29-30 November 2011

Time: 08:00 - 17:30 (Conference registration starts 8am, Exhibition registration starts 10am) 

For more details/register for workshops 

BlackBerry Curve 9360 now available from Three UK

 

Looking to get yourself a new BlackBerry Curve? Well Three UK has added the Curve 9360 to their BlackBerry collection and is available on 24-month contracts and pay as you go. The slimline Curve is the latest addition to the Curve family and runs BlackBerry 7.

Monthly plans start at £25 a month and you can get it on pay as you go for £229.99. Incidentally, Three UK have stopped selling the popular Curve 8520, now that the new Curve is available.

More information/purchase the BlackBerry Curve 9360 on Three UK 

Retailers in the UK discounting BlackBerry PlayBook by £150

If you're living in the UK and looking to pick up a BlackBerry PlayBook, there are several retailers that are discounting all three sizes of the tablet by £150 this week. This means you can pick up a 16GB PlayBook for just £249, 32GB for £329, or 64GB for £409 at Best Buy UK, Dixons, Curry's, or PC World. You can find out more details on the websites at the links below. Thanks for sending this in Martin and oliverlock!

Best Buy UK

Dixons

Currys

PC World

Pick up a BlackBerry PlayBook as low as $295 at the BlackBerry Store in Australia!

Hey Australia, if you're looking to get a BlackBerry PlayBook, but missed out on the sales that Harvey Norman stores just had, you can still find a good price. The BlackBerry Store is advertising all three sizes of the tablet on sale, with the 16GB priced at $295, 32GB at $349, and 64GB at $398. The site is listing them as on sale for this week only, so hurry and get yours!

More information from BlackBerry Store

Orange and T-Mobile UK release the BlackBerry Bold 9900 and Torch 9860

 

As you may have noticed from my BlackBerry Buyer's Guide that T-Mobile and Orange had yet to release a BlackBerry 7 device, leaving our CrackBerry users on those networks out to dry. Today however, that has changed as both T-Mobile and Orange have pulled a double-whammy and released both the BlackBerry Bold 9900 and the Torch 9860.

On Orange the Bold 9900 is available free from £41 a month on a 24-month contract and T-Mobile has it free from £40.85 per month on a 24-month contract. With the Torch 9860 you can get the Bold 9900 free from £36 a month on a 24-month contract on Orange and £35.74 a month on a 24-month contract from T-Mobile.

T-Mobile and Orange can now rejoice that they can finally get their hands on some BlackBerry 7 devices. It's not surprising to see both networks release the devices at the same time since they merged a few years back, to create Everything Everywhere, but still trade under their own names. The merge means that customers on each network can roam on the other network without being charged.

More information/purchase from Orange

More information/purchase from T-Mobile 

BlackBerry Bold 9900 now available from Three UK

 

The final network to release the BlackBerry Bold 9900 is Three UK. The network release their second BlackBerry 7 device to their list of BlackBerry devices and is available for free on all three of their tariffs. Three UK also have the Bold 9900 available on pay as you go for a low, low price of £399.99. The lowest price I've seen for the BlackBerry Bold 9900 so far. It's even cheaper than the Torch 9810!

If you're on the Three network, get moving now. Here's hoping there's no mistake on that pay as you go price.

More information/purchase Bold 9900 from Three UK 

Welcome to the BlackBerry Family - New commercial from RIM shows off BlackBerry 7 devices in India

The above video is a new promo from RIM that shows off the latest BlackBerry 7 devices and is actually pretty well done. It gives you that feeling that you want to own a BlackBerry and be part of the "BlackBerry Family" by picking up one of these new devices. I actually like this ad quite a bit and I'm not sure why RIM doesn't take the same approach to commercials here in the US, Canada or other parts of the world. As I've said many times before, RIM has always been a bit subpar when it comes to showing off the features of devices, so having an ad like this would be a great morale boost of sorts. It doesn't dive into what the device can actually do, but it give off that "happy frappy" feeling of owning a BlackBerry. What do you think? Would you like to see more ads like this across the board?  Let us know in the comments.

Vodafone UK offering students 10 percent off contract plans

 

With university freshers week starting across the UK, so will the flutter of students discounts and offers from various companies. One of which is Vodafone UK. They are offering students 10 percent off line rental and on top of that you also get 30 free music tracks to download.

The offer is available to students to upgrade or take out a new contract. However, if you have taken out a contract within the last 60 days then you can also apply for the discount offer via the Vodafone website. What's more the offer is not limited to particular handsets, so whether you get the popular Bold 9900 (currently in limited stock) or the Curve 9300, the offer still stands. For those are happy with their current handset, the discount offer also applies to those students taking out SIM-only plans. With the discount applied you can get plans for as little as £9.45 a month, which is a pretty awesome deal if you ask me. The 30 free music tracks offer is only available during the first three months of you contract and you can download 10 tracks each month from Vodafone Music.

To get the offer applied to your line rental you must be a UK student with a .ac.uk email address. Don't forget you must apply to within 60 days of taking out your contract. So, what are you waiting for?

Apply for your 10 percent discount here

Check out Vodafone UK phone plans

BlackBerry Bold 9900 Released in Turkey by Turkcell

Turkcell, Turkey's largest carrier, has released the BlackBerry Bold 9900 for its customers and new buyers. For customers who are post paid subscribers to Turkcell, they can buy the device with two contract options: either for 12 months with monthly payments of 153 TL (82 USD) or 24 months with monthly payments of 90 TL (48 USD). Customers who opt for the contract also receive the full BIS packages from Turkcell. For those who wish to get the device without a contract, they can purchase it from Turkcell Communication Centres for 1700 TL (916 USD).

As of now Turkcell officials state no other new line BlackBerries will come to Turkey through Turkcell. However the official promotion of the BlackBerry PlayBook was made at Movenpick Hotel Istanbul by RIM and the device is expected to hit shelves next month. As of now there are 450.000 BlackBerry users in Turkey out of a population of 75 million, and 49 million who use mobile phones. RIM and the Turkish government came face to face when the Institution of Information Technologies threatened RIM with the of banning BlackBerry Service in Turkey when RIM denied providing the institution with the crypto codes protecting the privacy of the users. The issue was dropped when the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs warned the institution that many high level Turkish diplomats would be able to communicate securely if the service is banned.

BlackBerry Torch 9860 becomes available in UAE, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Qatar

 

RIM's newest full touchscreen BlackBerry smartphone, the BlackBerry Torch 9860 has made its way to a handful of middle eastern countries - United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Qatar. The BlackBerry Torch 9860 is RIM's first all-touch device, following in the Storm2's form factor but comes without SurePress. A feature both loved and hated by some users. And it still comes with the option to use the SureType keyboard when in portrait mode as well as a wide landscape QWERTY onscreen keyboard.

The Torch 9860's large 3.7 inch touchscreen is great for watching videos and browsing the internet with its HTML optimised browser for better gaming. And of course it comes with BlackBerry 7, a 5MP camera, and 1.2Ghz processor and Liquid Graphics technology. 

Read the full Press Release

For more information on the BlackBerry Torch 9860 

RIM and China Mobile launch the very lucky BlackBerry Bold 9788

 

Today RIM and China Mobile have announced the BlackBerry Bold 9788. The Bold 9788 joins the China Mobile family keeping the sleek design of the 97xx series and is also the first BlackBerry smartphone to run on the networks TD-SCMDA wiresless network, a locally developed version of 3G. With the introduction of the Bold 9788, RIM and China Mobile hope to widen their customer base and reach more consumers and professional individuals. Until now, the network has focused on enterprise companies.

The Bold 9788 will come with a range of tailor-made applications and services provided by China Mobile. It will run BlackBerry 6 and feature a WebKit-based browser, 5MP camera, WiFi connectivity, and GPS. It will be available from China Mobile stores and RIM authorized resellers.

As for that device model number, the 9788... it looks like RIM is paying attention to Chinese culture and going for a bit a of BlackBerry good luck here. The number 8 is the most fortuitous of numbers.

For more information on the BlackBerry Bold 9788

Read the full Press Release

Vodafone Spain now supports carrier billing on BlackBerry App World

 

We've slowly been seeing networks support carrier billing for BlackBerry App World. Most recently we saw T-Mobile, A1 Telekom and Vodafone UK make the move, now we see Vodafone Spain jump on the carrier billing wagon too. This method of making purchases on App World has cetrainly been  most welcomed by BlackBerry users as it allows them to pay for the application through their bill, a lot more convenient that having to use Paypal. 

Hopefully we can see more networks adopt the carrier billing method soon.

Read the full Press Release 

BlackBerry Bold 9900 lands in South Africa via Vodacom

 

The highly anticipated BlackBerry Bold 9900 was today launched by RIM and Vodacom in South Africa. The Bold 9900 with its slim design and smooth keyboard lands on Vodacom and their 43 million customer base. Zunaid Dinath, Vodacom's Managing Executive of Sales said:

"We are excited to bring the first BlackBerry 7-based smartphone to our customers in South Africa with the BlackBerry Bold 9900. We believe our customers will enjoy the smooth and integrated communications experience, responsive interface, stylish finish and blazingly quick performance found in this premium smartphone."

The Bold 9900 will be available on two tariffs starting from R449/month, includes BlackBerry 100 BIS and is a 24 month contract. If ordered online there are savings to be made too.

Read the full Press Release

For more information or to purchase the Bold 9900 on Vodacom 

RIM launches BlackBerry Torch 9860 in Spain

 

As the rollout of the new BlackBerry 7 devices continues, RIM announced they are launching the Blackberry Torch 9860 in Spain. If you've been waiting to get your hands on this new all-touch device then you can rest assured knowing that you can grab it starting next week in Movistar stores from 79 euros. How many of you have been holding out for this device? Don't forget to head on over to the forums or read our help guides when you pick it up. 

Source: RIM Newsroom

Movistar and RIM launch the BlackBerry Torch 9860 Smartphone in Spain 

Madrid, ES and Waterloo, ON - Movistar and Research In Motion (NASDAQ: RIMM; TSX: RIM) today launched the new BlackBerry® Torch^TM 9860 smartphone, which features the new BlackBerry® 7 operating system in a stylish new all-touch handset design. With a spectacular 3.7" display, the largest ever on a BlackBerry® smartphone, the new all-touch BlackBerry Torch 9860 smartphone is optimized for displaying web pages, photos and videos, as well as delivering powerful gaming experiences. It also delivers the highly refined, real-time communications and collaboration experience loved by millions of BlackBerry smartphone users around the world. The new BlackBerry Torch 9860 will be available in Movistar stores next week from 79 euros.

BlackBerry 7

The new BlackBerry Torch 9860 smartphone runs BlackBerry 7, a new operating system (OS) for BlackBerry smartphones. It provides users with a fast, fluid and intuitive experience with improved browsing, voice-activated searches, the ability to manage personal content separately from corporate content, as well as additional personal and productivity apps out of the box.

The new BlackBerry Browser combines the dramatically improved performance of the advanced WebKit browser engine together with the powerful hardware enhancements found in the new BlackBerry Torch 9860 to deliver browsing results that are up to 40% faster than BlackBerry® 6 based smartphones and up to twice as fast as models running BlackBerry® 5*. Additional enhancements to the browser have also optimized HTML5 performance for incredible gaming and video experiences.

The new BlackBerry Torch 9860 smartphone also features Liquid Graphics^TM technology, which combines a dedicated high-performance graphics processor with a blazingly fast CPU and stunning high resolution display to deliver a highly responsive touch interface with incredibly fast and smooth graphics.

Key features of the new BlackBerry Torch 9860 smartphone include: 

* Requires BlackBerry 7 OS. Testing was performed by RIM in July 2011 and measured average page load speeds using pre-release BlackBerry 7 software. 

For more information about the new BlackBerry Torch 9860 smartphone visit: www.blackberry.es/torch9860

About Telefónica

Telefónica is one of the largest telecommunications companies in the world in terms of market capitalisation. Its activities are centered mainly on the fixed and mobile telephony businesses with broadband as the key tool for the development of both.

The company has a significant presence in 25 countries and a customer base that amounts to 290.5 million accesses around the world. Telefónica has a strong presence in Spain, Europe and Latin America, where the company focuses an important part of its growth strategy.

Telefónica is a 100% listed company, with more than 1.5 million direct shareholders. Its share capital currently comprises 4.563.996.485 ordinary shares traded on the Spanish Stock Market (Madrid, Barcelona, Bilbao and Valencia) and on those in London, Tokyo, New York, Lima, Buenos Aires and São Paulo. 

BlackBerry Bold 9900 is Hong Kong bound, due September 9th

The countdown is on for Hong Kong! Yesterday, RIM announced that the BlackBerry Bold 9900 will be launched on September 9th in Hong Kong with authorized carriers and channels.

“We are very excited to be bringing the highly-anticipated BlackBerry Bold 9900 and BlackBerry 7 OS to Hong Kong.” said Senior Vice President of Asia Pacific for Research In Motion Urpo Karjalainen, “Featuring the industry’s best keyboard together with a brilliant touch display, this powerful new smartphone also offers enhanced performance, faster browsing and exceptional work tools for the ultimate in communications, multimedia and productivity.”

I agree with Urpo, the keyboard on the 9900 is absolutely amazing; emailing has never been so comfortable. This gives you plenty of time to go head on over to shopcrackberry.com to check out accessories before you get the 9900 in your hands! Press release after the jump.

Hong Kong - Research In Motion (RIM) (NASDAQ: RIMM; TSX: RIM) today announced plans to launch the new BlackBerry® Bold™ 9900 smartphone through authorized carrier partners and retail channels on September 9 in Hong Kong.

The new BlackBerry Bold 9900 smartphone is a truly outstanding smartphone that features both amazing performance and a stunning design. Built on a new, performance-driven platform powered by the BlackBerry® 7 operating system, it is also the thinnest BlackBerry® smartphone yet at only 10.5mm, and the first to offer the perfect union of an amazingly effective keyboard and brilliant touch display.

Urpo Karjalainen, Senior Vice President of Asia Pacific for Research In Motion said: “We are very excited to be bringing the highly-anticipated BlackBerry Bold 9900 and BlackBerry 7 OS to Hong Kong. Featuring the industry’s best keyboard together with a brilliant touch display, this powerful new smartphone also offers enhanced performance, faster browsing and exceptional work tools for the ultimate in communications, multimedia and productivity.”

Next generation BlackBerry browser

The BlackBerry 7 operating system introduces a next generation BlackBerry browser with a significantly faster, more fluid web browsing experience that is among the best in the industry. Combining the dramatically improved performance of the advanced WebKit browser engine together with powerful hardware enhancements, the BlackBerry Bold 9900 smartphone delivers browsing results that are up to 40% faster than BlackBerry® 6 based smartphones and up to 100% faster than BlackBerry® 5 based smartphones*. Additional enhancements to the next generation BlackBerry browser have also optimized zooming and panning for smoother web navigation and streamlined HTML5 performance for incredible gaming and video experiences.

Liquid Graphics

The BlackBerry Bold 9900 features Liquid Graphics™ technology, combining a dedicated high-performance graphics processor with a blazingly fast CPU and stunning high resolution display to deliver a highly responsive touch interface with incredibly fast and smooth graphics. In addition, the smartphone features a brilliant display, with an eye-popping 287 dpi, that delivers crisp, stunning visuals.

Increased productivity

The BlackBerry Bold 9900 includes a number of pre-loaded applications for increased productivity and collaboration right out of the box. The Premium version of Documents To Go is now included free of charge, offering users powerful document editing features as well as a native PDF document viewer. In addition, BlackBerry® Balance (announced May 2, 2011) is also included, allowing users to enjoy the full BlackBerry smartphone experience for both work and personal purposes without compromising the IT department’s need for advanced security and IT controls.

Improved social experiences

The BlackBerry Bold 9900 comes with the newest release of BBM™ (BlackBerry® Messenger) which now extends the real time BBM experience to a range of other apps. These ‘BBM connected’ apps can integrate the popular functionality of the BBM service and offer users the ability to interact with their friends from within the app itself. The updated Social Feeds (2.0) app has been extended to capture updates from media, podcasts, and favorites all in one consolidated view. The new Facebook® for BlackBerry smartphones (2.0) app introduces features like Facebook chat and BBM integration that makes it easier for users to connect with their Facebook friends in real time.

NFC enabled

The new BlackBerry Bold 9900 is also the first BlackBerry smartphone to include built-in support for NFC (Near Field Communications), a new technology that is enabling many new and exciting capabilities, including the ability to pair with NFC-enabled accessories or read SmartPoster tags with a simple tap of the smartphone.

For more information, please visit www.blackberry.com/touchbold.

About Research In Motion

Research In Motion (RIM), a global leader in wireless innovation, revolutionized the mobile industry with the introduction of the BlackBerry® solution in 1999. Today, BlackBerry products and services are used by millions of customers around the world to stay connected to the people and content that matter most throughout their day. Founded in 1984 and based in Waterloo, Ontario, RIM operates offices in North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and Latin America. RIM is listed on the NASDAQ Stock Market (NASDAQ: RIMM) and the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: RIM). For more information, visit www.rim.com or www.blackberry.com.

Forward-looking statements in this news release are made pursuant to the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities laws. When used herein, words such as "expect", "anticipate", "estimate", "may", "will", "should", "intend," "believe", and similar expressions, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on estimates and assumptions made by RIM in light of its experience and its perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors that RIM believes are appropriate in the circumstances. Many factors could cause RIM's actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including those described in the "Risk Factors" section of RIM's Annual Information Form, which is included in its Annual Report on Form 40-F (copies of which filings may be obtained at www.sedar.com or www.sec.gov). These factors should be considered carefully, and readers should not place undue reliance on RIM's forward-looking statements. RIM has no intention and undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

The BlackBerry and RIM families of related marks, images and symbols are the exclusive properties and trademarks of Research In Motion Limited. Research In Motion and BlackBerry are registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and may be pending or registered in other countries. Wi-Fi is a registered trademark of the Wi-Fi Alliance. All other brands, product names, company names, trademarks and service marks are the properties of their respective owners. RIM assumes no obligations or liability and makes no representation, warranty, endorsement or guarantee in relation to any aspect of any third party products or services.

BlackBerry Bold 9900 now available from SFR France

RIM’s flagship device, the Bold 9900, is slowly making its way around Europe and has landed in France on SFR. The device, with its touchscreen interface combined with a full QWERTY keyboard and BlackBerry 7, is available on contract from €149 ($214.62) upfront with package. You can up to unlimited calls and texts, as well as data from 250MB to 1GB, depending on the package you get.

If you’re not one for a contract, the Bold 9900 is also available sim free for €509.90. Shipping takes 48 hours.

For more information or to purchase from SFR France website

Discuss more in the forums

BlackBerry Torch 9810 launched in India

 

It's official–RIM's updated all-in-one slider design has landed in India. The sleek and discreet BlackBerry Torch 9810 follows in the Torch 9800's footsteps, bringing a powerful 1.2Ghz processor and Liquid Graphics to the table, with BlackBerry 7 software atop for good measure. Priced at a cool 27,990 Indian rupees (approx. $600 USD), the BlackBerry Torch 9810 is definitely no slouch and still holds its own against other BlackBerry 7 handsets.

Available from Redington with 18 months warranty, the BlackBerry Torch 9810 is the second BlackBerry 7 powered handset to reach the Indian market, right after the BlackBerry Bold 9900. With a good price and an all-new operating system to boot, the BlackBerry Torch 9810 will likely cater to India's BlackBerry-hungry market, and hopefully encourage further expansion of RIM's portfolio of BlackBerry products in the country.

Source: BBin

BlackBerry PlayBook now available in South Africa

 

Vodacom, an African mobile communications company covering the needs of over 40 million customers, has teamed up with RIM to bring South Africa uncompromised Web browsing at its fingertips with the BlackBerry PlayBook. Vodacom's Managing Executive of Sales, Zunaid Dinath, commented:

"We're excited to make the BlackBerry PlayBook available to customers through Vodacom outlets countrywide. With its set of features, portability and power, the BlackBerry PlayBook is and ideal companion for busy people on the move."

The base 16GB Wi-Fi model costs 5,699 South African rands, which translates to roughly $785 U.S. dollars. For the bigger 32GB and 64GB models, you are looking at R6,499 and R7,499 respectively. The much-anticipated BlackBerry PlayBook tablet will initially be available from Vodacom, but other local carriers will likely follow suit. South Africa is an aspiring and important market for RIM, with a strong and evolving BlackBerry community. In fact, South Africa honored BlackBerry as the 'Coolest Brand Overall'. And from the looks of it, this is only the start.