Manufactured by Research In Motion (RIM), the Blackberry Bold 9700 is one of the latest Blackberry smartphones to be released to the mobile market. Originally codenamed Onyx, this highly anticipated Blackberry was released on November 17, 2009 to T-Mobile customers. The Bold 9700 is the first Blackberry available on T-Mobile's 3G network. Armed with a sleek new design, the Bold 2 as it is often referred to, is also filled with innovative features and classic Blackberry functionality.

Having a similar, sleek styling to the Blackberry Storm and Tour, the Bold 9700 has impressed electronic review sites such as CNET with the new optical trackpad, including a 3.5mm headphone jack, and a greatly improved LCD display. http://reviews.cnet.com/cell-phones/rim-blackberry-bold-9700/4505-6454_7-33785661.html Other impressive features include 3G capabilities and WiFi. The Blackberry Bold 9700 also has UMA support. UMA, or unlicensed mobile access, allows a user to switch between a mobile network connection and a WiFi connection without interruption during a voice call.http://www.mobileburn.com/definition.jsp?term=UMA The New Bold also includes GPS, Bluetooth connectivity, and the new Blackberry 5.0 OS. Staying with Blackberry tradition, the Bold 9700 has push email, access to Blackberry App World for downloading applications, and Blackberry Messenger exclusively for Blackberry users. http://na.blackberry.com/eng/devices/blackberrybold9700/bold_wheretobuy.jsp?CPID=KNC-SEMD_rimggl89100000106311s&HBX_PK=rimggl89100000106311s&

While Blackberry Bold 9700 reviews have been met with positive reviews for its functionality and improved styling, it has taken criticism for its web browser. Slower in comparison to that of the Droid or Iphone, the Blackberry browser fails to meet many users expectations. Currently RIM is developing a new browser for Blackberry smartphones similar to the Webkit layout engine. This development is expected to be showcased at the WES conference in April 2010 and made available in beta for developer testing soon after. http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2010/02/blackberrys-most-efficient-smartphone-claims-rim-ceo/

The Blackberry Bold 9700 is available in the United States from T-Mobile, AT&T, LetsTalk and Wirefly networks. In Canada, the Bold 9700 can be purchased from Bell, Rogers, Telus and Wind. http://na.blackberry.com/eng/devices/blackberrybold9700/bold_wheretobuy.jsp?CPID=KNC-SEMD_rimggl89100000106311s&HBX_PK=rimggl89100000106311s&