New Blackberry 'Bold' Has 3G Speeds, GPS, Crisper Display

The latest version of the blackberry is updated with satellite positioning, 3G capabilities and a higher resolutions screen, desktop-style web browsing and multi-tasking capabilities. The device is the Waterloo, Ontario-based manufacturer's first major update to the phone in a year and will be available starting this summer.

New technologies available in the 9000 model device include 3G wireless connections for faster email, web-browsing and downloading through support for tri-band HSDPA high speed networks. The phone also comes with global positioning through GPS technology. Like some previous versions, it continues to sport a Wi-Fi connection for use with home and office and public hotspots.

The chip powering the device is a 624 Mhz mobile processor for faster email, streaming video or web page display. The unit has 128 MB of Flash memory plus 1 gigabyte on-board storage memory as well as a microDS/SDHC memory card lost on a side door.

The phone also has multi-tasking capabilities, allowing users to talk on their phone while doing other activities, including email, web browing, and using GPS-based software. The new device also has a half-VGA display with a resolution of 480x320 pixels. The color LCD display is fused to the undersurface of the lens, which makes for crisper, clearer images, the company says.

Web-browsing will now become more like it is on desktop computers at home, with full HTML layout displays available. Users can also choose to see the mobile version of web sites. Attachments can now be downloaded from within the browser and there is support for watching streaming videos. (RTSP – real time streaming protocol). Other features include a digital camera, improved media software.

The phone has a 2 megapixel camera with flash and 5x digital zoon which can record videos. There is also improved media software. Users can also use their headphones or connect the unit to external speakers.

The phone supports global roaming features as well – through quad-band EDGE and tri-band HSDPA technologies - depending on availability from the user's carrier.