14 DAY TRIAL // Canadian mobile phone carrier Rogers has just made available for purchase on its airwaves the new BlackBerry Torch 9800 slider from Research In Motion.
The mobile phone was expected to become available for purchase in Canada on September 24th, but unknown issues determined RIM to push it back a few days, and all carriers set top add the device to their offering had to delay the official launch with a few days.
Rogers already placed the new slider on its website, from where customers can purchase the smartphone for $199.99 on select 3-year plans, or for $609.99 free of contract.
Those interested in purchasing the smartphone on a 2-year contract agreement with Rogers will have to pay $499.99 for it, while those interested in a 1-year contract would have to pay $559.99 to receive the device.
The new smartphone is the first BlackBerry device to sport a sliding form factor, while also being the first phone from RIM to combine a touchscreen display with a QWERTY keyboard.
BlackBerry Torch 9800 was released officially last month with the new BlackBerry 6 OS on board, with a 3.2-inch touchscreen display boasting a 480 x 360 pixel resolution, and with a 624 MHz application processor packed inside.
The handset also includes 512 MB of internal flash memory and a microSD memory card slot with support for up to 32GB of additional storage space (a 4GB card included in the package).
Other specs of the new handset include a 5-megapixel photo snapper with auto focus and flash, as well as Wi-Fi connectivity options, and built-in GPS receiver.
“For the things that inspire you, the Torch offers a new slider form factor and a redesigned operating system. The new BlackBerry 6 OS offers a fluid interface, improved web browsing, Social Feeds and greater multimedia functionality,” the wireless carrier notes on its website.
“When combined with the features BlackBerry is famous for the immediacy of push email, real-time chats with BBM, and of course, the legendary QWERTY keyboard this BlackBerry smartphone enables you to meet inspiration with action, right at your fingertips.”
The BlackBerry Torch 9800 is available for purchase on Rogers' website here.