You can find out all about the AT&T BlackBerry Torch 9810 here, if you wish you can submit your email address via the link to sign up for email updates, however we think we already have all the details which will be of interest. Let’s start with the release date, according to CrackBerry it will hit AT&T on August 21 – we assume that this means it will be available in-store and online from this date, however this has not been clarified.

Now let’s talk about what has gotten us really excited, its price, as with most AT&T smartphones you will have to agree a two-year contract, once you do this you pay just $49.99 – we think anyone who has been interested in the Torch 9810 will find it hard to ignore just how fair this price is, especially as it is AT&T’s first 4G BlackBerry smartphone (we will let you decide whether HSPA+ really is 4G).

Currently AT&T are selling the original BlackBerry Torch 9800 for $49.99, we think that AT&T will either discontinue or reduce the price of this 3G smartphone as it is far inferior to the new BlackBerry 7-powered 9810. Even if AT&T give you the 9800 for free as part of a two-year deal we think that you would be much better of forking out the $49.99 for the 9810, we are sure that you won’t be disappointed.

It will be interesting to see how the BlackBerry Torch 9810 sells when compared to more expensive high-end Android devices out there – I know what I would buy, how about you?

Nothing has been officially confirmed by Research in Motion, however BGR claim that the Torch 2 features a 1.2GHz processor, a display resolution of 640 x 480 and OS 6.1. The BlackBerry Torch 9800 ran OS 6.0, featured a 624 MHz processor and a resolution of 480 x 360. As you can see you have roughly double the processing power and a much clearer display.

BGR also say that the Torch 2 is exactly the same size and shape as the last Torch, this may be a disappointment to some, however if you check out these photos you will see that the design does not look dated, also the screens hint at quite a lot of new and improved features in OS 6.1. One of the screens shows us BlackBerry PlayBook pairing via Bluetooth, another shows some sort of GPS location calibration.

We can’t wait to see just how snappy OS 6.1 runs with a 1.2GHz processor, when we come across a hands-on video we will keep you posted, do you like the sound of the Torch 2? We have embedded a photo of it below.

Just looking at these phones on Engadget makes them look instantly fresher than the standard black model. The red version still has black around the edge of the screen and around the keys, the white model has just one color all around.

Both colors will be available from November 7, the same day that AT&T begins their accessory promotion; buy two and get the third free. You can be sure that the offer and the two new models will make AT&T stores a busy place to be, so maybe you should order online instead?

So how come RIM can make a white version of their latest handset, while Apple struggle? The baffling thing is, they can make great devices like the iPad and the MacBook Air, but adding a different color stumps them – very strange.

I thought I would look at four after-market cases for the Torch that I feel offer the best solution. The first that I have for you is PDA Skins PDA Plus, and the great thing about this case is that it can also protect other BlackBerry handsets as well. The price for this is $39.95 and offers three different ways in how you can wear this drop-down case; more details here.

Next up with have the extensive range of Golla Bags for BlackBerry Torch. Prices start from $10.95 and go up to $16.95, and the one thing you will not be able to say is that these cases are plan and boring. See the complete range here.

For those of you who would like to have a leather case, then the horizontal holster case could be just the accessory that you are looking for. Not much to say about this case, as it is just a standard product designed to protect your BlackBerry Torch; price is just £4.75 for those of you living in the UK. This item is available on Amazon UK.

On of the best cases that I have seen is the FoneM8, not only is this case the cheapest it also offers easy-access openings. The price you pay is just £1.95 from Amazon. More on this offer here.

These are just four cases, what case do you have protecting your BlackBerry Torch?

Rogers confirmed the BlackBerry Torch release date on September 1, and in their blog post they stated that the BlackBerry 9800 would be joining Rogers on September 24. The price was a three-year term from $199.99, which could be bought online or in-store. You can also see a video below this post with Michael McDowell – Director of Marketing at BlackBerry – that explains some of the cool features found in the Torch.

The U.S. has had the 9800 for a while and we now know that the UK release is October 1, and that Red / White models will be coming to AT&T, but will you be interested in the BlackBerry Torch or will you wait for the BlackBerry Storm 3?

If you are in Canada, this page on rogers.com is where you need to register your interest in the BlackBerry Torch. They will provide you with updates as and when they become available.

Are you looking forward to the BlackBerry Torch launch in Canada on September 21? Will you be there on launch day?

The Torch, labelled as the best BlackBerry yet,’ with a sliding keyboard, touchscreen, 5 MP camera and new OS6 failed to impress when it made it’s debut on AT&T for $199 on a two-year contract.

In relation to the iPhone 4 sales, the Torch only sold one tenth in total sales comparing to that of 1.7 million for Apple’s latest flagship device according to The Wall Street Journal. RIM, nor AT&T have confirmed or denied these figures.

So what does this mean? Does it mean that RIM and the BlackBerry franchise are on a slippery slope down to the bottom of the pile?

The BlackBerry is still the leading smartphone in the US, but with the low sales figures coming in, BlackBerry seem to have retaliated by slashing the price of the smartphone down to $99 at varous online retailers such as Amazon.

But if we look at the bigger picture, the Torch only rolled out its device in the US instead of a global market like the iPhone did on release. It is also still not known if the flagship device will go on sale internationally either.

What do you think the reasons are for the BlackBerry’s poor sales on its opening weekend?

Source: PC World

That is around half off the standard price, and shows that Black Friday has come early for the retailer. That’s not the only deal available, if you purchase a new AT&T device, then you will be entitled to free activation. You need to hurry, as this is a limited offer only.

This has to be the best time if you were in the market to upgrade that aging BlackBerry of yours. Ok, so we know that the Torch does not come with some of the high-end specs that we are used to, such as a 1GHz processer and quality display, but it shows that RIM has improved on some key features – touch technology for one.

What makes the BlackBerry Torch 9800 stand out against the other RIM handsets is how a number of popular apps already come preinstalled. Will you buy this new handset at the lower price, or will you still wait for the Blackberry Storm 3?

For more details on the deal visit Amazon.

The processor speed still seems to lack behind that of the current 1GHz processors out there, which also takes its toll on the BlackBerry 6 OS, which seems a little too fast for the phones current hardware specification. Some say that the phone ‘locks up’ on occasion, but this can probably be fixed with a little firmware update.

Screen resolution also seems to be a little down the pecking order when you compare it to some of the higher end smartphones on the current market.

Overall, the BlackBerry 6 OS seems to be a very welcome addition, and something that the BlackBerry world has needed for a while. Animations seem smooth and transitions from one interface to another is almost seemless with the occasional slowdown.

Browser and multimedia browsing pinch-zooming is a sinch, although does not react as fast as one would like.

If you are already a current BlackBerry user, you may also find small issues with the keypad as keys feel really small comparing to that of the BlackBerry 9000 for instance. The virtual keyboard does seem to be a winning feature of this phone, being responsive and sometimes a little too sensitive.

It’s hard to convince myself why a current iPhone or Android user would want to switch to the BlackBerry on looks alone. The build also seems quite a heavy one. Almost on par with the Storm.

I guess we wont really get to grips with this phone until it gets a full release where a more in depth review will be on the cards.

Check out some of the unboxing images via the source, or watch the embedded video below.

Have you played with the Torch yet? What are your first impressions?

Source: IntoMobile

The handset will be looking to outdo the Motorola Droid X and iPhone 4, but not certain if they have done enough to do so. Nilay Patel from Engadget has got his hands-on one and believes that the BlackBerry Torch is a little like the Tour / Bold.

Patel makes a point of the hardware, saying how nice it feels but notes that the new BlackBerry OS 6 feels a little too fast for the hardware. While testing the unit it locked up a little, but this could be down to a simple firmware update – nothing new from a handset that has yet to be released to the public.

Once the Torch gets going it certainly shines, which you can see in the video below. The handsets closet rival will be the Samsung Epic 4G, which will be a slider showdown. Do you think that the new BlackBerry Torch will be able to compete in a market that is dominated by iPhone or Android handsets?

If I were a betting man I would say that Samsung would win out, I am not saying there is anything wrong with the new BlackBerry device, but the Epic has two things going for it – Android mobile OS and Sprint 4G data speeds. However, the Torch will be on AT&T and will benefit from a huge advertising campaign.

This is something that will not happen with the Epic as it is part of the Galaxy S range and all four carriers have their own variants – this means that none of the carriers will want to start a huge advertising campaign.

Let us compare the specs from the two handsets; the Torch 9800 has a 3.2-inch screen compared to the 4-inch display on the Epic 4G. Both handsets offer a 5-megapixel camera; again the Samsung handset has the edge with 720p video recording.

Both handsets come with 512 MB RAM / 512 MB ROM and MicroSD card slots for extra storage. The BlackBerry Torch 9800 comes with BB OS 6, where the Samsung Epic 4G comes with Android 2.1, although will get the 2.2 Froyo update in the fall.

On paper the Epic looks to be the better phone, but it is down to you, so what will you choose?