BlackBerry 9000 is probably the most expected BlackBerry since the Canadians from RIM introduced their first device - more than 10 years ago.

Initially rumored to come with a full touchscreen interface, the new smartphone will actually sport a normal display and a normal (for BlackBerries) QWERTY keypad. Even so, the 9000 has all the chances to become the most loved BlackBerry handset ever released. Why? For several reasons, exposed bellow.

Engadget Mobile unveiled some new images with BlackBerry 9000, showing it to have a fresh design (more rounded edges) and an iPhone-ish chromed trim. Furthermore, the 9000 will come with an improved and really good-looking user interface, a wide display with a 480 x 320 pixels resolution, HSDPA connectivity, Wi-Fi and a photo camera with flash, of unknown performances (but we can hope for at least 3 Megapixels and auto focus). Needless to say, the mentioned goodies will be added to the well-known BlackBerry business-orientated features that include push-email and Internet faxing.

These being said, the new round-shaped and round-named (9000 looks pretty "round", eh?) BlackBerry is certainly a smartphone that can make a solid impression on mobile enthusiasts when released. Of course, there's also the pricing detail, that we don't know anything about, which will affect, positively or negatively, the device's success. If BlackBerry 9000 will be too expensive, I guess many users will turn away from it and buy other handsets, since there are many other smartphones to choose from. But let's hope RIM will price its new marvel in a reasonable way.

Expected to be commercially available starting the second half of the year, BlackBerry 9000 will presumably come via AT&T for the beginning. We'll see then if it can be crowned the king of all smartphones or just the king of BlackBerries.