BlackBerry launches new Bold and Pearl smartphones

RIM said that the BlackBerry Pearl 3G was its smallest smartphone yet measuring less than two inches wide, and weighing 93 grams. In this small package it carries 3G, W-Fi and GPS, as well as a 624 Mhz processor with 256 MB Flash memory.

It also has an optical trackpad, dedicated volume and media keys as well as 3.2 MP camera with flash. There is also a microSD/SDHD memory card slot that supports up to 32 GB cards.

There will be two models available in different colours. The 9100 model fits in a 20-key condensed QWERTY keyboard, while the 9105 has a 14-key traditional phone keyboard.

The other device is the BlackBerry Bold 9650, the newest in its range of premium high-end range smartphones. It has a full-QWERTY keyboard as well as optical trackpad, 3G and built-in Wi-Fi.

It has 512 MB of Flash memory and an expandable memory card slot supporting up to 32 GB microSDHC cards. There is also a 2 GB card included with a 3.2 MP camera with flash, variable zoom, image stabilisation, autofocus and video recording.

Both phones are expected to launch with various mobile carriers in May.