Sunday, July 12, 2009

BlackBerry Tour Now Available from Sprint and Verizon


As promised, both Verizon and Sprint launched the BlackBerry Tour today. The newest smartphone from RIM offers support for both CDMA and GSM networks -- including EV-DO and HSDPA -- allowing it to be used around the world.

An Overview of the BlackBerry TourRIM is positioning this as a crossover device, good for both business and personal communication.

Its personal capabilities include access to social networking sites like Facebook, Flickr, and MySpace. It also allows users to share pictures and videos via MMS, and instant message on popular services or BlackBerry Messenger.

For business users, the Tour provides access to RIM's push email service, which offers messages with attachments, calendar, contacts, business applications, and location-based services.
The HardwareThe BlackBerry Tour has a tablet shape, with an HVGA (480 x 360) display, trackball, and full-QWERTY keyboard.

It includes a 3.2 MPx camera (with variable zoom, auto focus, flash and image stabilization), GPS receiver, and Bluetooth, while users are able to store up to 16 GB of data with a microSD/SDHC card (sold separately).

This BlackBerry operates on Verizon's or Sprint’s mobile broadband (EV-DO Rev. A) network, and can also roam on other high-speed 3G wireless networks around the globe for voice and email service. When roaming, it offers 850/900/1800/1900 MHz GSM/GPRS/EDGE as well as support for 2100 MHz UMTS/HSPA networks.

The outer casing is 4.4 in. by 2.4 in. by 0.6 in. (112 mm x 62 mm x 14.2 mm), and its weight is 4.6 oz. (130 g).

Pricing & AvailabilityThe BlackBerry Tour 9630 is available from Verizon for $200 with a two-year service agreement. It can be ordered now at verizonwireless.com
Sprint is charging that same price after a $100 mail-in rebate, and with a two-year service contract. The Tour can be found on this carrier's site: Sprint.com.

For more information on this smartphone, visit www.blackberry.com/tour

Source: Verizon, Sprint