14 DAY TRIAL // Canadian mobile phone maker Research In Motion has just announced that the BlackBerry Torch 9800 smartphone is set to make an appearance on the market in Taiwan in early December via wireless carrier Taiwan Mobile.
Moreover, the handset vendor announced that the new smartphone is already available for pre-order in the country, for all of those who would like to purchase it when it would hit the shelves.
BlackBerry Torch is the first sliding device from the Canadian maker, and also the first to put together a touchscreen display and a physical QWERTY keyboard, not to mention that it was the first one to run under the company's new BlackBerry 6 operating system.
“Combining outstanding hardware design and the new BlackBerry 6 OS, the BlackBerry Torch is definitely a flagship BlackBerry smartphone and it will soon be available through Taiwan Mobile,” said Cliff Lai, Chief Operating Officer of Consumer Business Group, Taiwan Mobile.
“This new smartphone tightly integrates the touch screen and BlackBerry keyboard capabilities, offering customer a brand new user experience.
“As RIM’s long time carrier partner in Taiwan, we are confident that the BlackBerry Torch will be a big hit with both consumers and professionals in the local market.”
The smartphone offers support for 3G (UMTS/HSDPA) networks around the world, while packing Wi-Fi (b/g/n) connectivity options, complemented by Bluetooth capabilities.
Moreover, the device comes with a 5-megapixel photo snapper on the back, while packing built-in GPS for location-based applications and geo-tagging capabilities.
The BlackBerry Torch should sport a price tag of NT$19,990 when released in early December at Taiwan Mobile.
However, customers who will chose Taiwan Mobile’s Myzone rate (NT$968) or BlackBerry 990 service plan (NT$990) will get the smartphone for free.
The first 1,000 customers to pre-order the BlackBerry Torch will also receive accessories, the wireless carrier announced: a BlackBerry Leather Pocket, limited edition battery door, screen protector and BlackBerry Micro-USB Vehicle Power Adapter.