OK, so where the heck is that VoIP-capable BlackBerry 7270?

Back in October, BlackBerry manufacturer Research In Motion demonstrated the VoIP-capable BlackBerry 7270. Shown to analysts, the device uses a SIP-based call control that will enable standards-based interoperability with IP PBX and thus, enable VoIP over wireless LANs.

I hear the device is being alpha tested at some enterprise partners. Release date is early this year (just getting used to referring to 2005 as "this year").

This enterprise testing appears to be under deep cover. I smell NDAs out the wazoo. I haven't been able to find any relevant posts in forums where folks in the know might be able to weigh in on this flavor of the eternal "cool," "doesn't suck," "really sucks" continuum.

Even Engadget's 7290-related comment thread isn't much help. Two Engadget forum posters swear they've seen availability via T-Mobileand Cingular, but maybe they've gotten the model number wrong. I see the 7230 on T-Mobile, and the 7290 on Cingular, but no 7270 yet.Even checked out the Research In Motion Yahoo! board.. plenty of tasteless jokes about the acronymformed by the corporate name, not much else useful.

History shows that formal announcements are sometimes made at the January Consumer Electronics Show. I'm going. Checked the exhibitor list, and Research In Motion doesn't even show up.

Man, would I like to be a fly on the wallin the office ofone of those BlackBerry 7270 enterprise testers. I can't ask you to violate your NDA, but put it this way.. If I accidentally overheard two of you on an airplane talking about your VoIP related experiences with the 7270, I keep confidences but not secrets.