BlackBerry has unveiled a smartphone for emerging markets that mirrors the look and feel of its mid-range Curve series - the 9720.
Featuring BlackBerry's iconic trackpad, a qwerty keyboard and 2.8-inch touch-screen, the 9720 runs on BlackBerry's outgoing 7OS platform and comes in a variety of colours. It includes a 5MP camera that can also capture video, and a built-in FM radio.
BlackBerry says the new handset, which it is positioning as communications-centric, offers "generous" battery life and is ideal for customers upgrading from a feature phone or entry-level Android or Windows device.
Key features
The 9720 comes with BlackBerry's 7.1 OS installed, which the company says features an updated user interface that allows for new functions like swiping to unlock the phone and accessing the camera from the lock screen.
The phone also features a dedicated BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) key and includes BBM Voice, a feature introduced at the end of last year to bring users free voice calls over WiFi.
BlackBerry says the latest version of BBM, which features BBM Channels, will also soon be available for download on the BlackBerry World storefront. Introduced at the BlackBerry World conference, in May, BBM Channels is a social feature that lets customers connect with businesses, brands, celebrities and groups of interest.
The device comes with BlackBerry Multicast - a social networking tool that allows for users to type a message once and post it simultaneously and instantly to BBM contacts, Twitter and Facebook. Multicast also lets users post pictures to multiple social networks at the same time, from the phone's camera app.
The 9720 is compatible with BlackBerry's business platforms, the BlackBerry Enterprise Server and BlackBerry Enterprise Server Express. "The 9720 smartphone offers mobile device management, application management and security," says the company.
While the company could not confirm the local launch date, it says the new 9720 will be available in select markets in Asia, EMEA and Latin America in coming weeks. "A variety of accessories from cases to carrying solutions, to chargers and audio peripherals, will also be available from select retailers."
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