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. [...]

Boy Genius has just posted a rumor, which even he isn’t willing to confirm yet. Apparently they received a tip that T-Mobile USA might be launching the BlackBerry Bold 9700 on November 11th. So if everything goes as planned we should be seeing the Bold 9700 get officially announced for T-Mobile and AT&T later this month (October 21st), then maybe releasing just a few weeks later. Stay tuned for more info…

CrackBerry Kevin has got some serious luck. Back before the Curve 8900 was released he managed to spot three of them in an Airport in NYC, while traveling. This time around Kevin managed to spot a T-Mobile branded BlackBerry 9700 on his way home from vacation. Seriously? That’s some luck. Anyway as you can see the T-Mobile branded 9700 is running on OS 5.0.0.169. Kevin says the device feels very solid and production ready… Maybe that means we will see a launch very soon? Stay tuned.

More BlackBerry 9700 Information here.

The Research and Consulting firm, IDC, listed the top-selling smartphone models in the US. It lists vendor sales to carriers and channels as well. So far it’s going on preliminary data. The actual numbers won’t be available till the end of the month. So let’s see what the firm says so far.

No 10 is the HTC Touch from Sprint, Nextel, and Verizon Wireless.

No 9 is the HTC Touch Pro from Sprint, Verizon Wireless, AT&T, and others.

No 8 is the Palm Pre from Sprint.

No 7 is the T-Mobile G1 by HTC from T-Mobile USA.

No 6 is the Research In Motion BlackBerry Storm from Verizon Wireless.

No 5 is the Research In Motion BlackBerry Bold from AT&T.

No 4 is the Apple iPhone 3G (both versions) from AT&T.

No 3 is the Research In Motion BlackBerry Pearl (all 81xx series, excluding the Flip) from AT&T, Sprint, Verizon Wireless, T-Mobile, and others.

No 2 is the Apple iPhone 3GS (both versions) from AT&T.

No 1 is the Research In Motion BlackBerry Curve (83xx series and 8900) from AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, Verizon Wireless, and others.

So what does that say? Research In Motion rules the smartphone world, and the BlackBerry Curve is still holding the number one position. I’m not surprised, though I’m very curious to see how the numbers change with the BlackBerry Tour 9630 entering the smartphone scene. I really like the Tour, it’s been very reliable, and I’m curious to see if it will rise to the top or come pretty close.

Anyone have any thoughts to share?

[via: FierceWireless]

Right on time, T-Mobile has launched the new BlackBerry Curve 8520, which was announced early last week. Starting today T-Mobile is offering the Curve 8520 in both black and frost for $129.99 with two year contract. This is the first new BlackBerry to feature RIM’s optical trackpad and dedicated music keys on top of the device. If you keep your eyes open as well you might see this model popping up at your local Wal-Mart store for the great price of $48.88 with contract. For now head over to t-mobile.com for more details.

Did you check with your local T-Mobile store to see if they have them instock?

Almost right on cue, the newly announced BlackBerry Curve 8520 (formally code-named Gemini) is now listed on T-Mobile USA’s website as coming soon. The latest whispers online indicate an August 5th launch for the new Curve. It’s expected this entry level BlackBerry will be hitting T-Mobile stores, as well Wal-Mart locations for an amazing entry level price of around $50 with contract. It should be available in two colour options at launch (black and frost). For more details visit t-mobile.com.

So who’s going to pick up the new Curve?

Well it’s official! Both T-Mobile and RIM have announced the upcoming release of the new entry-level BlackBerry Curve 8520. The 8520 enters into the Curve family, rocking a couple new features, and some familiar old ones. This is the first BlackBerry to feature RIM’s new Optical trackpad, which is expected to be very popular. Not only that but this model sports dedicated music keys built into the top of the device. Other features include a 2.0 megapixel camera (without flash), Wi-Fi and GPS. T-Mobile USA will be launching the Curve 8520 on August 5th, in both Frost and Black. Stay tuned for details on a Canadian launch, as well around the World soon. Get more details on the new Curve 8520 at blackberry.com/curve8520.

RIM Press Release:

T-Mobile USA and RIM Introduce the New BlackBerry Curve 8520

Approachable New Smartphone Offers Email, Messaging, Social Networking, Music and Entertainment for People on the Go

BELLEVUE, WASHINGTON and WATERLOO, ONTARIO–(Marketwire – July 27, 2009) -

Editors Note: Three photos, a Spec Sheet and a video are included with this Press Release.

T-Mobile USA, Inc., and Research In Motion (RIM) (NASDAQ:RIMM)(TSX:RIM) today announced the new BlackBerry(R) Curve(TM) 8520 smartphone, a new addition to the BlackBerry Curve series of smartphones, with availability expected on August 5.

The slim new BlackBerry Curve 8520 is an incredibly approachable smartphone that comes in two attractive colors from T-Mobile – black and frost. For people who like to be connected, it provides easy mobile access to email, messaging (IM, SMS, MMS) and popular social networking sites (including Facebook(R) and MySpace) and features a highly tactile full-QWERTY keyboard for comfortable, accurate typing. It also features rich multimedia capabilities and access to music, games and other mobile apps for entertainment on the go.

The BlackBerry Curve 8520 smartphone is a world phone, and is also Wi-Fi(R)-enabled to arm customers with fast Web browsing and Wi-Fi calling. T-Mobile customers can continue to get great mobile coverage and unlimited nationwide Wi-Fi calling with T-Mobile’s Unlimited HotSpot Calling service as well as unlimited nationwide calling to five people with T-Mobile myFaves(R) service.(i)

In addition to providing the industry’s leading mobile email and messaging solution, the BlackBerry Curve 8520 smartphone is designed to be efficient and convenient. It introduces an innovative touch-sensitive optical trackpad, which makes scrolling and selection smooth and easy for a great navigation experience. It is also the first BlackBerry smartphone to feature dedicated media keys, smoothly integrated along the top of the handset, giving customers an easy, convenient way to control their music and videos.

“People increasingly expect a rich, diverse experience with their phones because they’re using them in new and different ways,” said Travis Warren, director of product marketing, T-Mobile USA. “Adding the BlackBerry Curve 8520 to the T-Mobile line-up gives our customers a phone capable of helping bring balance to the chaotic demands of a busy professional and personal life.”

“More and more cell phone users are choosing to upgrade to a smartphone and the new BlackBerry Curve 8520 will undoubtedly convince many more people to make the switch. It delivers all the great messaging, social networking and multimedia features that have made BlackBerry the top-selling smartphone brand in the United States,” said Carlo Chiarello, vice president, product management, Research In Motion. “T-Mobile customers are going to love how easy it is to keep in touch on Facebook and MySpace and the full-QWERTY keyboard is amazingly fast and comfortable for typing on the go.”

Key features of the BlackBerry Curve 8520 smartphone include:

- Full-QWERTY keyboard and touch-sensitive optical trackpad for reliable, responsive typing and navigation

- 256MB Flash memory and a 512Mhz next generation processor for enhanced performance

- Premium phone features including voice activated dialing, and Bluetooth (2.0) support for hands-free use with headsets, car kits, stereo headsets and other Bluetooth peripherals

- 2 MP digital camera with zoom and video recording

- Advanced media player for music, pictures and videos, with dedicated media keys and a 3.5 mm stereo headset jack, plus BlackBerry(R) Media Sync, which makes it easy to quickly sync music from iTunes(R) or Windows Media(R) Player with the smartphone(ii)

- Access to BlackBerry App World(TM), featuring a broad and growing catalog of third-party mobile applications developed specifically for BlackBerry smartphones. Categories include games, entertainment, social networking and sharing, news and weather, productivity and much more

- BlackBerry(R) Internet Service support for access to up to 10 supported email accounts, including most popular ISP email accounts such as Yahoo!(R), Windows Live(TM) Hotmail(R), AOL(R) and Gmail(TM); and BlackBerry(R) Enterprise Server support, which provides advanced security and IT administration features for corporate deployments

- Expandable memory via hot swappable microSD/SDHC memory card slot, supporting cards of up to 16 GB today and expected to support next generation 32GB cards when available; a 1GB card is included

- Built-in Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g) with support for T-Mobile Unlimited Hotspot Calling service

- Quad-band world phone: EGDE/GPRS/GSM (850/900/1800/1900 MHz)

The new BlackBerry Curve 8520 smartphone from T-Mobile will be available on August 5 at T-Mobile retail stores, Walmart Stores, select authorized dealers, and online at http://www.T-Mobile.com.

Prior to retail availability, customers can learn more about the BlackBerry Curve 8520 smartphone at www.blackberry.com/curve8520.

(i)Unlimited nationwide Wi-Fi calling requires Unlimited HotSpot Calling mobile plan, qualifying rate plan, broadband Internet connection and wireless router. Regular plan minutes are used when call does not originate on Wi-Fi network. For more information about Unlimited HotSpot Calling, visit http://www.T-MobileAtHome.com. myFaves only applies to calls directly between two people and allows unlimited nationwide calling to five U.S. numbers. Use of some device features may require a specific plan and incur separate, additional charges. See T-Mobile.com for rate plan information, charges for features and services, and other details.

(ii)Certain music files may not be supported, including files that contain digital rights management technologies.

An official announcement has yet to be made, however rumors are the BlackBerry Curve 8520 will be hitting T-Moblie USA on August 5th. It’s rumored that T-Mobile will be offering some sort of exclusive launch with Walmart, but we don’t have a lot of details yet. Both new and existing customers will be able to get the Curve 8520 on August 5, 2009. The BlackBerry Curve 8520 will be introduced as an entry-level model to replace the current Curve 8320. Stay tuned for more details…

[Source]

It was a date hosted by RIM for T-Mobile’s release of the BlackBerry 8520. The Boy Genius Report has a picture that a reader who won sent in. The event had some goodies, a giveaway which is delivered by mail, and the new movie Transformers 2. You have to love RIM, they know how to treat a date!

And some people wonder why we BlackBerry addicts appear to love our phones and pay more attention to them than our significant others, wonder why?

[via: The Boy Genius Report]