RIM Explains BlackBerry Bold Delays

When RIM first took the wraps off the BlackBerry Bold, this smartphone was expected to be launched this summer. Leaves are turning and temperatures are dropping, but the Bold still isn't widely available, and there's no definite word on a U.S. release.

The long delay of such a major product hasn't been easy on RIM, and its co-CEO Mike Lazaridis put the blame on AT&T. He told The Associated Press that this BlackBerry is still going through this carrier's certification process. "I guess everyone wants to be sure on every last test."

Still, Lazaridis tried to put a good face on it, assuring the AP that the Bold won't have any problems when it's finally released.

He didn't say when this product will hit the market, and AT&T  declined to be very specific, only saying that it will be released before the end of this year.

Unconfirmed reports vary widely, with some saying the launch will be the middle of this month, while others saying it could be as late as Thanksgiving.

More about the BlackBerry Bold

The BlackBerry Bold will offer a number of firsts for this long-running product line. In addition to being the first BlackBerry with the 3G standard HSDPA, it will have a higher-resolution screen than any previous RIM model, and much better support for working with Microsoft Office files.

This will be a business-oriented device, but it will still include an enhanced media player that will be able to display pictures and slideshows, play movies in full screen mode, and manage the user's music collection.

Other features will include Wi-Fi, GPS, and a 2 MPx camera.

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