BlackBerry maker Research In Motion Ltd. announced a new model of its ubiquitous smartphone on Tuesday, this one able to operate on both cellular and Wi-Fi networks.

The dual-mode BlackBerry 8820, as the device is known, will be launched by AT&T in the United States later this summer, the company said.

The BlackBerry 8820 complements our carrier partners' cellular networks with the added ability to stay connected via Wi-Fi at home, through hotspots and corporate campuses, RIM co-Chief Executive Mike Lazaridis said in a statement.

The new BlackBerry, like other recent RIM models, also comes with latest media player enhancements, the company said.

Waterloo, Ontario-based RIM is trying to broaden the market for its smartphones by loading them with consumer-aimed multimedia features like video and music players, and cameras.

Although the BlackBerry has become a staple of executives, politicians, lawyers and other professionals, it has yet to penetrate the retail market to the same extent.

Apple Inc. (AAPL.O: Quote, Profile, Research) also realizes the potential for smartphones in the retail market. To that end, it has rolled out the iPhone, which prompted some analysts to worry about a competitive threat to RIM's BlackBerry.

Despite this, RIM forecast a rosy outlook for its future last month, apparently unfazed by the iPhone launch. And Jim Balsillie, RIM's other co-CEO, has repeatedly said the company isn't worried about the iPhone denting its sales.

RIM shares rose C$4.19 to C$240.29, on the Toronto Stock Exchange. On Nasdaq, they rose $3.53 to $230.07.

($1=$1.04 Canadian)

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