TELUS has become the first carrier in Canada to release the BlackBerry Storm2. TELUS decided to release the 9550, the CDMA version, which is not compatible with their new HSPA+ network. The Storm2 will run you about $199 with contract, or $599 without contract. Included in box with the 9550 is a 16GB memory card! For more details head over to telusmobility.com. We’re hoping to review the TELUS Storm2 within the upcoming weeks so stay tuned for that as well. Also keep an eye out for an announcement from Bell for the Storm2 shortly.

Well maybe its not really in the wild, but its in Canada! A couple new photos of the “unreleased” highly secret BlackBerry Storm 9550 for TELUS have leaked. The photos show the CDMA model 9550, sporting EVDO and Wi-Fi, not HSPA like some were hoping. Still no word on when this device is launching, but if you head to nearly any TELUS store you will notice the Storm2 ads inside. We can only assume it will be launching within the next few weeks (maybe November 24th?). Anyway so final confirmation says TELUS will be launching the 9550, not 9520, and it will be running OS 5.0.0.320. Keep checking back for more details when we get them.

[via Mobile Ninjas]

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.

As you may know all three major Canadian networks are getting set to launch the BlackBerry Bold 9700 this week. Rogers seems to have jumped on the ship first, being the first network to officially release it. Starting today you pick up the Bold 9700 for $299 with three year term, or $599 without. The new Bold features high resolution display, with full QWERTY keyboard, trackpad navigation, GPS, Wi-Fi, 3.2 megapixel camera, and operates on RIM’s new OS 5.0. Head on over to Rogers.com for more details.

Also watch for launches from Bell and TELUS this week…

A new rumor has arrived that TELUS will be launching the anticipated BlackBerry Storm2 9550 on November 24th. This would be almost one year on the dot since TELUS first launch the Storm 9530. The new Storm2 will be a new CDMA smartphone, and will not be compatible with their HSPA network, which launches on November 5th. There is no word on pricing yet, but at least we have a rumored release date. Stay tuned for more details when they arrive…

[via The Mobile Ninjas]

Looks like Rogers might be the first to launch the BlackBerry Bold 9700 in Canada! Tips have started to arrive that a select bunch of Rogers stores have started to receive their Bold 9700 stock. We still haven’t heard officially from Rogers when they plan to launch the device, but we most likely will hear something this week. Apparently pricing is expected to be $299 with three year term, or $599 without contract. So sit back and wait a few more days before the official launch.

[via MobileSyrup]

We don’t know why TELUS was a little behind in the news yesterday, but they got around to announcing the BlackBerry Bold 9700 is coming soon. TELUS plans to release the new Bold 9700 with their HSPA network, along side Bell early next month. TELUS joins most of the larger networks in North America with this launch. No pricing or exact release date has been announced as of yet. Rogers is expceted to release this device at $299 with three year term, we imagine TELUS will come in a little cheaper. Stay tuned for us to get more details.

TELUS to offer the BlackBerry Bold 9700 in November

TORONTO, Oct. 21 /CNW/ – TELUS today announced that it will be offering the BlackBerry Bold 9700 in November, the latest 3G smartphone from Research In Motion (RIM).

“The new BlackBerry Bold 9700 will offer both our business and consumer clients an amazing mobile experience,” said David Neale, senior vice-president of Product and Services at TELUS. “TELUS is focused on smartphone leadership for the benefit of our customers, and to that end we offer a comprehensive line-up of state of the art smarphones to meet our customers’ need to stay connected, informed and entertained on the go. The BlackBerry Bold is definitely a great addition to our smartphone selection.”

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, 3.2MP camera and, a sharp, dazzling display and a premium finish. Its cutting edge engineering and premium finishes extends to the exterior of the handset as well, with the new model integrating apremiere of BlackBerry’s new touch-sensitive trackpad and added to 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.”

    Features of the BlackBerry Bold 9700 smartphone from TELUS include:

    -   Sleek design measuring 109 mm x 60 mm x 14.1 mm and weighing just 122
        grams
    -   Sharp and dazzling 2.44" (62mm) light-sensing display (480 x 360
        resolution at 245 ppi)
    -   Highly tactile, full QWERTY keyboard - with finely sculpted keys and
        chrome frets - for fast, accurate typing
    -   Innovative touch-sensitive trackpad that allows intuitive and
        responsive navigation
    -   Built-in Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g)
    -   3.2 MP camera with variable zoom, autofocus, flash and video
        recording
    -   256 MB of Flash memory
    -   microSD/SDHD memory card slot that supports up to 16 GB cards today
        and is expected to support 32 GB cards when available; a 2GB card is
        included
    -   Media player for videos, pictures and music, plus support for
        BlackBerry Desktop Manager for both PCs and Macs, and BlackBerry
        Media Sync for easily syncing iTunes and Windows Media Player music
        with the smartphone*
    -   A 3.5 mm stereo headset jack, dedicated volume controls, Lock and
        Mute keys seamlessly integrated across the top of the handset
    -   Access to BlackBerry App World, featuring a broad and growing catalog
        of mobile applications developed specifically for BlackBerry
        smartphones; categories include games, entertainment, IM and social
        networking, news, weather, productivity and more.
    -   Premium and easy-to-access phone features, background noise
        suppression technology and high quality speakerphone
    -   Bluetooth (2.1) with support for Secure Simple Pairing, hands-free
        headsets, stereo headsets, car kits and other Bluetooth peripherals
    -   HSDPA and quad-band EDGE support for global roaming
    -   BlackBerry OS 5.0, offering users email management and calendar
        enhancements(xx) as well as a better browsing experience with faster
        JavaScript and CSS processing
    -   BlackBerry Internet Service and BlackBerry Enterprise Server support
    -   Removable, rechargeable 1500 mAhr battery that provides approximately
        6 hours of talk time and 17 days of standby time in 3G mode

    Additional information about pricing and availability will be shared in
the coming weeks.

    -------------
    *  Certain music files may not be supported, including files that
         contain digital rights management technologies.
    (xx) Some features require BlackBerry Enterprise Server 5.0

It only seems right after 4 of the major networks in North America confirmed they would be getting the new Bold, that TELUS did the same. Our friends over at MobileSyrup has confirmed that TELUS will be launching the new Bold 9700 to go hand and hand with their HSPA network next month. Unfortuantly there is no word on pricing yet, however earlier today Rogers did say when they launch the 9700 it will run you about $299 with three year term. Either way we still are yet to see an official press release from TELUS. Stay tuned when we do find one…

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. [...]