RIM was working late last night! They officially introduced the BlackBerry Tour 9630 smartphone, which will be set to launch sometime this Summer. The 9630 features much of what we’ve already seen leaked around the internet. The Tour will be a packed smartphone featuring Dual-band CDMA with EVDO, Quad-band GSM with EDGE, UMTS/HSPA 2100MHz. Not only that but its got a 480×360 high resolution display, 256MB on board memory with Micro SD memory card slot, 3.2 megapixel camera with autofocus, video recording, GPS, and of course full QWERTY keyboard packed into its slim hot body.

“BlackBerry continues to be the top selling smartphone brand in North America and we are proud to add this powerful new 3G world phone to our successful product portfolio,” said Mike Lazaridis, President and Co-CEO at Research In Motion. “With its striking design and exceptional performance, the new BlackBerry Tour will offer a compelling choice for the growing number of wireless customers looking to upgrade their existing cell phone to a smartphone.”

Check out RIM’s new micro site for the Tour 9630 at blackberry.com/tour >

RIM Press Release:

RIM Introduces the BlackBerry Tour Smartphone

New 3G World Phone Keeps You Connected on High-Speed CDMA Networks in North America and UMTS/HSPA Networks Abroad

WATERLOO, ONTARIO–(Marketwire – June 16, 2009) -

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

Research In Motion (RIM) (NASDAQ:RIMM)(TSX:RIM) today introduced the BlackBerry(R) Tour(TM) – a powerful new 3G BlackBerry(R) smartphone for CDMA customers in North America. The new BlackBerry Tour smartphone offers state-of-the-art communications and multimedia capabilities with outstanding mobile performance and consummate styling. It is a feature-packed and highly refined world phone that keeps you connected and lets you tour the world in style.

“BlackBerry continues to be the top selling smartphone brand in North America and we are proud to add this powerful new 3G world phone to our successful product portfolio,” said Mike Lazaridis, President and Co-CEO at Research In Motion. “With its striking design and exceptional performance, the new BlackBerry Tour will offer a compelling choice for the growing number of wireless customers looking to upgrade their existing cell phone to a smartphone.”

The BlackBerry Tour smartphone allows customers to stay seamlessly connected – across town and around the world. It supports high-speed 3G EV-DO Rev. A networks in North America, as well as 3G UMTS/HSPA (2100Mhz) and quad-band EDGE/GPRS/GSM networks abroad.

The BlackBerry Tour smartphone also provides the industry’s leading mobile solution for email, messaging (IM, SMS, MMS) and social networking together with built-in GPS and advanced multimedia capabilities, enabling customers to make the most of both their personal and professional time.

The BlackBerry Tour features a chic black finish with chrome highlights surrounding its sleek design (112mm x 62mm x 14.2mm and 130g). It includes a large, highly tactile, full-QWERTY keyboard with chrome frets and finely sculpted keys for fast and precise typing. In addition, the large (2.44″), bright display (480 x 360 resolution at 245 ppi) delivers the highest resolution available on a BlackBerry smartphone, presenting pictures, web pages and videos with incredible clarity.

Other key features of the BlackBerry Tour smartphone include:

- 3.2 MP camera with flash, variable zoom, image stabilization, autofocus and video recording(i)

- Full HTML web browser, including support for streaming audio and video (RTSP)

- Advanced media player for videos, pictures and music, a 3.5 mm stereo headset jack and support for the Bluetooth(R) Stereo Audio Profile (A2DP/AVCRP)

- 256MB Flash memory

- 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

- Built-in GPS with support for geotagging, BlackBerry(R) Maps and other location based applications and services

- BlackBerry(R) Media Sync allows customers to quickly and easily synch music from iTunes(R) and Windows Media Player with the smartphone(ii)

- Premium phone features including voice activated dialing, enhanced background noise cancellation, a low-distortion speakerphone, and Bluetooth (2.0) support for hands-free use with headsets, car kits, stereo headsets and other Bluetooth peripherals

- Preloaded DataViz(R) Documents to Go(R), allowing users to edit Microsoft(R) Word, Excel and PowerPoint files directly on the handset

- Easy mobile access to Facebook(R), MySpace and Flickr(R), as well as popular instant messaging services including BlackBerry(R) Messenger, Yahoo!(R) IM, AIM(R), Google Talk and Windows Live Messenger(TM)

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

- BlackBerry(R) Internet Service allows access to up to 10 supported personal and corporate email accounts, including most popular ISP email accounts

- BlackBerry(R) Enterprise Server provides advanced security and IT administration features within IBM(R) Lotus(R) Domino(R), Microsoft(R) Exchange and Novell(R) GroupWise(R) environments

- Removable and rechargeable 1400 mAhr battery for 5 hours of talk time and 14 days of standby time

The BlackBerry Tour smartphone (model number: 9630) is expected to be available this summer from carriers in North America.

For more information visit www.blackberry.com/tour

(i) Video recording requires microSD card, which may be sold separately

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

Note for editors: Additional information, including product images and video, is available at www.rim.mediaseed.tv.

About Research In Motion (RIM)

Research In Motion is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of innovative wireless solutions for the worldwide mobile communications market. Through the development of integrated hardware, software and services that support multiple wireless network standards, RIM provides platforms and solutions for seamless access to time-sensitive information including email, phone, SMS messaging, Internet and intranet-based applications. RIM technology also enables a broad array of third party developers and manufacturers to enhance their products and services with wireless connectivity to data. RIM’s portfolio of award-winning products, services and embedded technologies are used by thousands of organizations around the world and include the BlackBerry(R) wireless platform, the RIM Wireless Handheld(TM) product line, software development tools, radio-modems and software/hardware licensing agreements. Founded in 1984 and based in Waterloo, Ontario, RIM operates offices in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. RIM is listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market (NASDAQ:RIMM) and the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX:RIM). For more information, visit www.rim.com or www.blackberry.com.

Forward-looking statements in this news release are made pursuant to the “safe harbor” provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. When used herein, words such as “intend” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions made by and information available to Research In Motion Limited. Investors are cautioned that such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements include, without limitation, possible product defects and product liability, risks related to international sales and potential foreign currency exchange fluctuations, the initiation or outcome of litigation, acts or potential acts of terrorism, international conflicts, significant fluctuations of quarterly operating results, changes in Canadian and foreign laws and regulations, continued acceptance of RIM’s products, increased levels of competition, technological changes and the successful development of new products, dependence on third-party networks to provide services, dependence on intellectual property rights, and other risks and factors detailed from time to time in RIM’s periodic reports filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, and other regulatory authorities. RIM has no intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

The BlackBerry, Research In Motion and RIM families of related marks, images and symbols are the exclusive properties and trademarks of Research In Motion Limited. RIM, Research In Motion and BlackBerry are registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and may be pending or registered in other countries. All other brands, product names, company names, trademarks and service marks are the properties of their respective owners. RIM assumes no obligations or liability and makes no representation, warranty, endorsement or guarantee in relation to any aspect of any third party products or services.

Great news for Canadians waiting to get their hands on the BlackBerry Tour 9630. Visual confirmation that Bell will in fact be releasing the Tour 9630 has arrived. New screenshots of Bell’s inventory system shows the Tour 9630 including a possible no contract price of $599.95. Unfortuantly this still leaves no official release date for the device but with any luck we will see it launch within the next month or two. Keep checking for more updates when they arrive!

[via BGR]

Warning! Before reading this keep in mind that the dates may change. Boy Genius Report claims several ninjas have reported that Verizon will be launching the BlackBerry 9630 Tour during the week of July 13th. Now it hasn’t only been BGR to confirm this rumor but a well known ninja on HowardForums has also confirmed this date. So either way we know its coming to Verizon and its only a matter of time so please be patient.

Meanwhile if any ninjas out there could confirm some Canadian release dates for the 9630 that would be awesome!

Seems this will be a double confirmed rumor as CrackBerry has just posted a similar screenshot! An accessory for the BlackBerry 9630 has shown up in Telus’ inventory system. What does this mean? Well according to our tipster this means that Telus is starting to get ready for the launch of the 9630 and that we should expect to see it within the next couple of months. This is awesome news for Telus cusotmers!! Stay tuned for more details when they arrive…

_{Thanks, WDX416}

Alright so BGR has already confirmed that the BlackBerry 9630 which was code-named “Niagara” will now be called BlackBerry Tour and may possibly have something to do with U2. Well BGR now has a very creditble source who claims that Verizon will be launching the BlackBerry Tour this July. Also they expect the pricing to be around $199 with contract.  We aren’t sure what that means for any of the other carriers such as Bell, Telus or Sprint as of yet. Earlier reports claimed that both Bell and Telus would be launching the 9630 before the United States so keep an eye out for more details…

Our friends at BGR are reporting that WES (Wireless Enterprise Symposium) 2009 might show off some exciting new toys! First thing right off the bat is AT&T will finally be showing off the BlackBerry Curve 8900 aka Javelin after much delay. Not only that but RIM hopefully will formally announce the BlackBerry 9630 “Niagara” which is the new CDMA World Edition smartphone. As you may know the 9630 will take from both the Bold and Curve 8900 series to bring an all new design with tons of great features. BGR goes on to report that Canada may be the first to see the 9630 launch on presumally Bell and Telus late May, then followed by Verizon in June/July.

That’s most of the hardware related news for WES 2009. With any luck at all RIM won’t disappoint us this May. Oh and in case your wondering WES 2009 runs from May 5-7, 2009…

The first part of Boy Genius’ BlackBerry 9630 “Niagara” review has been posted. His review includes some nice new pictures that show this hot little puppy! We won’t go into great detail of his review you can find it here. On big note on this review is that he is using a beta unit with a early OS version (presumably 4.7.1.10) so for the most part he can only review the hardware. Here is the conclusion to the review which sums the device up pretty well:

We went through this with the Storm review and we told most of you to wait for the 9630. Most of you didn’t listen and you’re bitching everyday about your Storm. It’s ok, we’re here to help. Basically, to you know, not beat around the bush. Verizon + 9630 = the best BlackBerry experience on the planet. This is the phone you’ve been waiting for. Smash those Storms, donate them to charity, sell them on eBay or give them to your significant others you want to slowly and cruelly torture. This is it as far as Verizon goes. We said the Storm was the best phone on Verizon (hey, everything is relative, ok?) and this obviously takes it a step further. In its complete buggy state probably more than 3-4 months away from release, this is going to be the big seller on Verizon when it launches. There’s not a single person who wouldn’t want this phone. Young, old, black, white, rich, poor, disabled, not disab… never mind.

I think the question on everyone’s mind at the moment is when the 9630 will be available and who will carry it first…

Seems everyone wants to get in on the BlackBerry Niagara party! Boy Genius got his hands on the un-released BlackBerry 9630 “Niagara”. Apparently his software is very buggy like the others we have seen online but overall he seems to be fairly impressed with the 9360’s hardware. Here is what Boy Genius had to say:

• Best BlackBerry keyboard. Ever.
• Best BlackBerry speakers. Ever.
• Best screen. Ever. (It looks more like glass than crappy plastic)
• Best size/feel. Ever.

With comments like that it makes me even more excited to see a more official device! Anyways stay tuned for a full review coming from both Kevin at CrackBerry and The Boy Genius… Enjoy the pics for now.

Rumors are floating around about a possible release date for the new highly rumored BlackBerry 9630, code-named Niagara this May. TheStreet is reporting that Verizon should see this hot new World Edition BlackBerry by May of this year. If your not in the United States don’t worry the Niagara or whatever it will be called should hits stores in Canada via Bell and TELUS around the same time. Stay tuned for more info…

[Source]

Just when you thought your mouth couldn’t water anymore! Kevin over at CrackBerry got his hands-on the pre-release BlackBerry Niagara 9630. Kevin is no stranger to the unreleased devices and now its time for him to dig into this hot berry code-named Niagara. Apparently the overall hardware on this prototype model is very good! Unlike previous models he has tested the Niagara feels quite solid its the software (OS) thats the issue so far. The model Kevin tested out was running OS 4.7.1.10 which means its a very early version so he can only review the hardware and design.

All I can say is the Niagara which I’m sure will soon be part of the Bold series will fit in perfect between the 8830 World Edition and the Storm. The 9630 will be the CDMA users call for a BlackBerry Bold or even Javelin/Curve 8900. Here is a blurp about the 9630’s form from the review:

In hand, the BlackBerry 9630 feels awesome. For all those who say the Curve 8900 is too small or that the Bold is too big, you’re going to find this device to feel just right. As you can tell from the photos, the Curve 8900 is definitely the smaller device, which means the 9630 isn’t quite as pocket-able (but it’s still small). It also seems to be a hair thicker than the 8900. There’s definitely a different and distinct feeling when holding the 9630 as opposed to the 8900. I think I like the feel of the 8900 a little bit better personally, but am sure many will prefer the feeling of the 9630.

Anyways I recommend you check out Kevin’s full hands-on review of the BlackBerry 9630 >