Bell has officially rolled out their new HSPA network across Canada, and with that launch came two new BlackBerry smartphones. Bell has launched the classic BlackBerry Bold 9000, as well the new Bold 9700. Both should be available in stores starting today. Pricing starts $249 with three year term for the Bold 9000, and $229 with three year term for the Bold 9700. Something seems a little odd with the Bold 9000 pricing, as its listed higher than the new Bold. Stay tuned we’re looking into that. Meanwhile check out all the details and plans at Bell.ca.

Just hours after the BlackBerry Bold 9700 was announced, four of the large North American carriers have announced it’s coming soon. AT&T, T-Mobile, Bell, and Rogers all say the Bold 9700 is coming in the coming weeks, and its expected that TELUS will also say something soon too. So far Rogers has announced the 9700 will run you $299 with three year contract (with minimum data requirements). No word on pricing from others yet.

Rogers Announcement:

Rogers Introduces the New BlackBerry Bold 9700 Smartphone

Newest 3G BlackBerry smartphone will arrive at Rogers in the coming weeks

TORONTO, Oct. 21 /CNW/ – Rogers Wireless today announced that it will be offering the BlackBerry(R) Bold(TM) 9700, the latest 3G smartphone from Research In Motion (RIM) (Nasdaq: RIMM; TSX: RIM), in the coming weeks.

Running on Canada’s most reliable network, the BlackBerry Bold 9700 smartphone offers top-of-the-line performance, functionality and features with support for 3G HSDPA networks around the world, a next-generation (624 MHz) processor, 256 MB Flash memory, built-in GPS and Wi-Fi(R), 3.2MP camera and sharp, dazzling display. Cutting edge engineering and premium finishes extend to the exterior of the handset as well. The new model integrates a touch-sensitive trackpad and the highly tactile, distinctive, fretted keyboard found in RIM’s premium full-QWERTY handsets. Chrome highlights and a leatherette back add to the new smartphone’s sleek and elegant look, while the narrow profile, balanced weight and soft-touch frame allow it to sit comfortably in one hand.

“The BlackBerry Bold 9700 is certainly a sight to behold,” said John Boynton, Executive Vice President, Marketing, Rogers Communications. “Rogers is pleased to add this stylish, high performing device to our lineup of leading-edge smartphones, just in time for the holiday season.”

“The new BlackBerry Bold 9700 delivers state-of-the-art features and performance in a compact and beautifully designed handset,” said Don Morrison, Chief Operating Officer at Research In Motion. “This sleek and powerful 3G smartphone offers an incredibly refined mobile experience that is ideal for both personal and professional use.”

Bell Announcement:

Bell Mobility to offer the BlackBerry Bold 9700 smartphone – Ready to roll on Bell’s all-new HSPA mobile network launching in November

MONTRÉAL, Oct. 21 /CNW Telbec/ – Bell today confirmed that it will offer the new BlackBerry(R) Bold(TM) 9700, the latest 3G smartphone from Research In Motion (RIM) (Nasdaq: RIMM; TSX: RIM), when Bell Mobility launches its all-new HSPA high-speed wireless network in November.

“Bell is thrilled to bring the powerful new BlackBerry Bold 9700 to business and consumer clients nationwide when we launch our new HSPA network next month,” said Adel Bazerghi, Senior Vice President of Products at Bell Mobility. “Clients will be able to choose from BlackBerry smartphones that operate on Bell’s new HSPA network, offering superior international roaming to more than 200 countries worldwide, or those that operate on Bell’s existing EVDO network, already Canada’s largest 3G network and offering unbeatable North American coverage. With Bell, clients will have access to the best of both worlds.”

The BlackBerry Bold 9700 smartphone offers top-of-the-line performance, functionality and features with support for 3G HSDPA networks around the world, a next-generation (624 MHz) processor, 256 MB Flash memory, built-in GPS and Wi-Fi(R), 3.2MP camera and sharp, dazzling display. Cutting edge engineering and premium finishes extend to the exterior of the handset as well, with the new model integrating a touch-sensitive trackpad and the highly tactile, distinctive, fretted keyboard found in RIM’s premium full-QWERTY handsets. Chrome highlights and a leatherette back add to the new smartphone’s sleek and elegant look, while the narrow profile, balanced weight and soft-touch frame allow it to sit comfortably in one hand.

“The new BlackBerry Bold 9700 delivers state-of-the-art features and performance in a compact and beautifully designed handset,” said Don Morrison, Chief Operating Officer at Research In Motion. “This sleek and powerful 3G smartphone offers an incredibly refined mobile experience that is ideal for both personal and professional use.”

AT&T Announcement:

AT&T*, the choice for twice as many smartphone customers than any other carrier and the first U.S. carrier to offer BlackBerry^® service, announced today that the BlackBerry^® Bold™ 9700 smartphone from Research In Motion (RIM) (Nasdaq:RIMM; TSX:RIM) will be available for AT&T consumer and business customers in the coming weeks. The new BlackBerry Bold 9700 builds on the success of the original Bold model, introduced nearly one year ago, also on AT&T’s nation’s fastest 3G network. AT&T is the only U.S. carrier to offer the original BlackBerry Bold and will be among the first to offer the new BlackBerry Bold 9700. Customers can learn more about the new BlackBerry Bold 9700 by visiting www.att.com/BlackBerryBold9700.The device is a beautiful combination of black and chrome accents that house a brilliant high-resolution display in a compact and lightweight package. The BlackBerry Bold 9700 features a 624 MHz processor with 256 MB of Flash memory, 3.2 megapixel camera and A-GPS to provide a faster location fix in support of AT&T Navigator with real-time traffic data. The new BlackBerry Bold 9700 smartphone also features an innovative touch-sensitive trackpad instead of the previous trackball for quick and easy access to email, messages, apps and more. It will also come preloaded with AT&T Visual Voicemail at no extra cost.

AT&T users of the new BlackBerry Bold 9700 can enjoy other benefits only available to them including the best coverage worldwide and access to the nation’s largest Wi-Fi network with more than 20,000 U.S. hotspots — including approximately 7,000 Starbucks locations. As with all other Wi-Fi enabled BlackBerry smartphones from AT&T, BlackBerry Bold 9700 users with a qualifying data plan, which includes all consumer BlackBerry unlimited data plans, get seamless and unlimited access to these domestic hotspots at no additional cost. When traveling outside the U.S., BlackBerry Bold 9700 users can enjoy wireless voice coverage in more than 215 countries and wireless data coverage in more than 185 countries. Of those, BlackBerry Bold 9700 users can access ultra-fast 3G mobile broadband services in more than 100 countries. [...]

It’s been rumored for a while, but Boy Genius has officially confirmed that Bell will be launching the BlackBerry Bold 9700 this November. Bell plans to launch the Bold 9700, along with several other high-end devices (Bold 9000, iPhone 3G/3GS, Omina 2) with their new HSPA network. Bell is said to be switching on their HSPA network early November, and shipments of the new Bold 9700 start October 30th. This is awesome news for fellow Canadians… Now I wonder when and what TELUS will be launching?

You gotta love a good leak from BestBuy’s inventory system. One of the ninjas over at BGR sent in some screenshot’s showing that Bell will be getting the BlackBerry Bold 9000 in black, and Rogers will be getting the Bold 9000 in White. You might also want to notice the Bold 9700 listed in there for both Bell and Rogers as well. No word on launch dates or pricing, but stay tuned.

I wonder what devices TELUS will be getting?

[via BGR]

Forget about the Tour! Looks what a Bell ninja found in Bell’s inventory system… It’s a HSPA BlackBerry listed as the Bold 9700. Do you know which model we’re talking about? It’s the BlackBerry Onyx. Looks like Bell’s plans to move into HSPA are moving along quite nice, with a launch expected by the end of the year. It’s still way to early to talk about pricing, but its sweet to know that Bell is working on getting the Onyx. Now where is Rogers and TELUS?

[via Mobile Syrup & HowardForums]

Bell just had to the first in the world to launch the BlackBerry Tour 9630. Today Bell listed the Tour 9630 on sale ahead of all Telus, Verizon and Sprint. Starting today you can order the BlackBerry Tour online or possibly even instore. Pricing starts at $249.95 with three year contract and ends at $699.95 (yes that’s not a typo) with no contract. Apparently Bell has very limited stock until its official release of July 17th. Visit bell.ca for more details.

Anyone out there get their Bell Tour yet??

Looks like Verizon isn’t the only one officially sporting the new Storm OS. Canada’s very own Bell Mobility has just launched OS 4.7.0.148 for the BlackBerry Storm 9530. This is an official update by RIM and it can be downloaded on ANY carrier’s Storm 9530. It’s expected that Telus will also launch .148 within the next little bit. If you have a Telus or other network Storm and would like to install this update simply remove the vendor.xml file and connect your device.

Download OS 4.7.0.148 for Bell here >

The folks over at BGR got some great details on the BlackBerry Tour launch for Bell. It turns out Bell will launch their 9630 on July 17th, just two days after Telus will be. The Tour will retail for a stinging $699.95 no contract and around anywhere from $199 to $249 with a three year contract. So any Bell customers out there ready to fork out $700 bucks for this hot new device?

Effective date  July 17, 2009

Offer description

Go places with the newest global BlackBerry smartphone. The BlackBerry Tour 9630, features not only 3G technology, but also a 3.2MP camera, high resolution screen, GPS capability, and support for popular applications such as Facebook®. This next generation global smartphone gives you the power to do more of the things that matter to you.

The feature highlights and available services of the BlackBerry Tour 9630 are:

• Global smartphone: Get voice coverage in over 200 countries and data functionality in over 150 countries.
• High resolution screen: The HVGA (480×360) screen along with an integrated lens design offers a clear, brilliant view that stays bright and vivid over time.
• View & edit attachments: Enjoy the flexibility of working on Microsoft® Word, Excel® and PowerPoint® files from just about anywhere.
• Organizer: Integrated address book, calendar, memo pad and task list – Email, message and place phone calls directly from one centralized address book. Set up meetings using the calendar and easily add attendees through the address book.
• GPS Nav & BlackBerry Maps: Access Turn by Turn Navigation and 3D moving maps. Locate nearby businesses and services using the Local Search feature.
• Rich Multimedia: 3.2 MP camera with flash, auto focus & image stabilization. Surf the internet at 3G speeds and view the pages in full HTML format.

The BlackBerry Tour 9630 box includes:

• 3G BlackBerry® Tour™ 9630 global smartphone.
• Travel charger.
• Micro USB cable.
• Removable battery.
• Stereo headset.
• Quick Start guide.
• BlackBerry desktop software CD.
• User guide.
• SIM card.
• BlackBerry holster.

The table below outlines the pricing and agreement rebates for the BlackBerry Tour 9630:

BlackBerry Tour 9630    36 Month / 24 Month / 12 Month / 30 Day
Suggested Retail Price     $699.95 / $699.95 / $699.95 / $699.95
Agreement Rebate ISPR   $200.00 / $150.00 / $50.00 / $0.00
Client Price    $499.95 / $549.95 / $649.95 / $699.95

Always refer to the latest Pricing Grid for complete and most up to date pricing information.

The table below shows the English and French description and the SKU of the BlackBerry Tour 9630:

Description     SKU
English French
RIM, BlackBerry, Tour, 9630, Black -HL  RIM, BlackBerry, Tour, 9630, noir -HL   68194

Key Dates:

• SKU opening: ready for ordering on Product Zone on June 30, 2009.
• Shipping date: will begin shipping to all stores week of July 13, 2009.
• Dealer launch kits:  begin shipping the week of July 6, 2009.  If you have not received your launch kit by July 17, 2009, please contact your Regional Manager. Please ensure that mock mobile phones are displayed in time for July 17, 2009.

• Stay connected almost anywhere in the world.
• Communicate quickly and easily with a full QWERTY keyboard.
• The Tour’s evolved form factor is sleek & equipped with the latest BlackBerry features and most recent software (4.7).
  • Enhanced browsing (improved web page rendering).
  • Faster attachment downloading.
  • Improved multimedia capabilities (more media formats supported).
  • Geo-tagging functionality (attach location to photos taken).

Reasons to buy the BlackBerry Tour 9630 smartphone:

• The BlackBerry Tour is a global smartphone allowing clients to bring the full power of the industry’s leading mobile email and messaging solution in over 150 countries.
• The BlackBerry Tour’s view & edit capabilities of attachments lets clients enjoy the flexibility of working on Microsoft® Word, Excel® and PowerPoint® files from just about anywhere.
• The BlackBerry Tour allows clients to surf the internet at 3G speeds and view the pages in full HTML format.

Reasons to sell the BlackBerry Tour 9630 smartphone:

• The high-resolution screen makes video playback sharp and smooth. These features make it easy to wow prospective clients by playing a video clip or by browsing through pictures.
• The BlackBerry Tour’s rich multimedia including a 3.2 MP camera with flash, auto focus and image stabilization allows clients to take the perfect picture anywhere.
• The BlackBerry Tour’s organizer allows clients to stay organized with an integrated address book, calendar, memo pad and task list. Clients can email, message and place phone calls directly from one centralized address book.

Wow this means that a launch is certaintly getting close! Launch material including display units have started to arrive at Bell stores across Canada. This can only mean one thing… A launch should happen within the next few weeks. Most likely you will see Bell launch the Tour 9630 close to their direct competition Telus, who plans to launch the Tour on July 15th. Stay tuned for more details when we get them.

[via BGR]

Oh Bell nothing like a little free attention, eh? Our buddies over at MobileSyrup have just posted a full copy of what appears to be internal specs sheets for the BlackBerry Tour 9630. The tipster claims that Bell will be launching this highly anticipated BlackBerry Mid-July. We still aren’t sure when Verizon and Telus plan to launch theirs, but last we heard Telus wants to launch it first. No pricing is known yet but you can expect it will run anywhere from $149 to $199 with three year term in Canada or $199-249 with two year term in the USA. Check out the full 9630 specs listed below:

• Size (L x W x D): 112 x 62 x 14.2 mm
• Weight: 130 grams
• Memory: 256 MB internal Flash memory
• Expandable Memory: microSD located under the battery door cover
• Battery: 1400 mAh removable/rechargeable cryptographic lithium cell
• Battery Life: TBD
• Keyboard: 35 key backlit QWERTY
• Display: High resolution HVGA 480×360 pixel
• Camera: 3.2 MP camera, flash auto focus
• GPS: Assisted, autonomous and simultaneous GPS enabled with preloaded BlackBerry Application for e911 capabilities
• Media Player: Video format support MPEG4; Audio format support MP3, AAC AAC+ etc
• Bluetooth: Bluetooth V2.0; mono/stereo headset, hands-free, PBAP
• Headset: 3.5mm stereo headset capable
• USB Port: Enables charging and high-spead data synchronization via USB “A” to micro USB “B” cable
• Network Support:
• Quad-band 850/900/1800/1900MHz
• GSM/GPRS/EDGE networks
• Single-band: 2100 MHz
• UMTS/HSPA networks
• Dual-Band: 800/1900 MHz
• CDMA/EVDO Rev A networks

Hopefully this device gets announced soon, because all of these leaks are making us Tour Crazy! Also if anyone out there has Verizon or Telus 9630 leaks please tip us!