BlackBerry Smartphone Coming to Cingular

There are already several carriers around the world offering versions of the BlackBerry 7100. Now, according to rumor, Cingular is going to be next.

For years, Research in Motion (RIM) has been known for a very successful series of cellular-wireless handhelds. The 7100 series includes its first smartphones.

Each 7100 series model looks slightly different, but they are all the same inside. According to a picture leaked on BlackBerryForums.com, the Cingular version, which will reportedly be called the BlackBerry 7100g, will resemble a combination of a couple of other models (see picture below).

Supposedly, this device will be available before the end of this month.

More About the BlackBerry 7100 Series

The 7100 series are the first BlackBerries that don't include a full keyboard. Instead, they merge a keyboard and a numberpad in a design created by RIM. Each key will handle two letters, and the devices include predictive text software.

Leaving off a full keyboard allows the 7100 series to be smaller than other BlackBerry models.

They are Quad-Band (850/900/1800/1900 MHz) GSM/GPRS devices, which means they can be used in the U.S., Europe, Asia, and just about anywhere in the world.

In addition, they include Bluetooth, which allows them to be used with wireless headsets.

Of course, these smartphones run RIM's proprietary operating system. They have 32 MB of RAM and don't include a memory card slot.

According to RIM, the swappable battery in the 7100 series is good for up to 8 days (192 hours) of standby time and 4 hours of talk time.

BlackBerry 7100 series models are already available from T-Mobile, Vodafone, and Rogers AT&T.

More information about this series of BlackBerry smartphones is available on RIM's web site.

Thanks to Gizmodo for the tip.

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• First BlackBerry Smartphone Debuting Next Month