BlackBerry Tour Headed to Verizon Wireless

It appears that there's a winner in the ongoing name the BlackBerry game and this time it's the BlackBerry Tour. This is the same top of the line, world beating power house BlackBerry 9630 that we talked about last month when we mentioned that its code name Niagara wouldn't stick.



It's looking pretty certain that the BlackBerry 9630 Tour is destined for a July release by Verizon Wireless. Though certainly not identical to the celebrated BlackBerry Bold which is arguably the best smartphone on the market, the Tour is certainly a very close relative. One thing that we hope it doesn't have in common with the Bold, however, is the endless delays associated with its release. There were already rumors circulating that the device would be released in May, but they were quickly quashed.

Every indication is that the Tour will incorporate the best features of the Bold and the updated Curve 8900. The most fundamental difference is that it will operate on the VZW's CDMA/EVDO Rev A network taking advantage of that far reaching high speed data network. Further good news is that, unlike strictly CDMA devices, the Tour will be a true world phone with integrated GSM capability as well so it will be fully functional outside of North America.

In a very real sense, the Tour is something of a homecoming for Verizon Wireless and BlackBerry which have endured some negative reaction to the Storm, BlackBerry's first foray into the world of touchscreen smartphones. The Tour will feature a full QWERTY, physical keyboard which appears that it may be the company's best yet. It will also be equipped with the standout 480 x 360 pixel resolution screen featured on the Curve 8900, 3.2-megapixel camera with video recording capability and a built in GPS receiver.

In addition to the Tour's coming to Verizon Wireless, we've run across information that it may also become available through Sprint, the other U.S. CDMA network. Information in that regard, however, is much sketchier. We'll keep you posted as that possibility evolves.

For the best in side by side reviews of BlackBerries and other high end mobile devices, check out the TopTenREVIEWS Smartphones Review. To keep up with the latest tech news, stick with the the blog:

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