Photos: BlackBerry Torch launches with touchscreen and Qwerty too

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BlackBerry 9800 first to run OS 6 and come in slider form factor

BlackBerry-maker RIM has launched its first slider device, the BlackBerry Torch, which combines a capacitive touchscreen with a physical Qwerty keyboard.

The new smartphone - also known as the BlackBerry 9800 - is also the first RIM handset to run BlackBerry 6, the latest iteration of the OS, which comes with a refreshed UI and an all-new WebKit browser.

Published: August 4, 2010 -- 15:17 GMT (08:17 PDT)
Photo by: RIM

Caption by: Natasha Lomas
Speaking at a press conference in New York to launch the device, Mike Lazaridis, president and co-CEO of RIM (pictured above), described the BlackBerry Torch as one of the most significant launches in the company's history, flagging up the device's revamped UI, all-new browser and new form factor.

Published: August 4, 2010 -- 15:17 GMT (08:17 PDT)
Photo by: Natasha Lomas/silicon.com

Caption by: Natasha Lomas
As with other BlackBerrys launched in recent years, such as the BlackBerry Bold, there's an optical nav-pad at the base of the screen to aid navigation. However, unlike any other BlackBerry, the Torch also supports pinch-to-zoom.

The Torch has a 3.2-inch screen with a resolution of 360 x 480 pixels.

When closed, the Torch measures 4.4 x 2.4 x 0.57 inches. When open, it reaches 5.8 inches.

Published: August 4, 2010 -- 15:17 GMT (08:17 PDT)
Photo by: Natasha Lomas/silicon.com

Caption by: Natasha Lomas
The device has a 624Mhz processor, 512MB Flash memory and 4GB built-in memory storage plus a microSD/SDHD memory card slot that supports up to 32GB cards.

There's also GPS and a five-megapixel camera with flash.

Connectivity-wise, the HSDPA Torch will support tethering. It also packs 802.11 b/g/n wi-fi and Bluetooth 2.1.

Published: August 4, 2010 -- 15:17 GMT (08:17 PDT)
Photo by: Natasha Lomas/silicon.com

Caption by: Natasha Lomas
The flagship new feature of the Torch is arguably the arrival of BlackBerry OS 6 - an update of the platform aimed at simplifying the user experience.

Writing in a blog posting, Gartner analyst Carolina Milanesi, a research VP at the analyst house, said that while the new BlackBerry OS is an improvement over previous iterations, it is "not a feature that will set RIM apart from its competitors".

"Overall I see the device as RIM's chance to limit churn to other devices such as Apple iPhone and more so Android. I do not think we will see users moving in the other direction because of the Torch," she wrote.

Published: August 4, 2010 -- 15:17 GMT (08:17 PDT)
Photo by: Natasha Lomas/silicon.com

Caption by: Natasha Lomas
Speaking at a press event in London, Rob Orr, RIM's vice president of product management EMEA, said the OS and UI update comes in response to BlackBerry-user feedback with the common complaint being: 'we don't know how to do things simply on your products'.

Orr said RIM has re-architected the set-up experience on OS 6 in order to simplify the user experience and jettison the cumbersome set-up wizards associated with the platform.

Pictured above is the new set-up menu, which enables users to dive in and out as needed, rather than being pushed through a multi-step wizard.

Published: August 4, 2010 -- 15:17 GMT (08:17 PDT)
Photo by: Natasha Lomas/silicon.com

Caption by: Natasha Lomas
The device's name - BlackBerry Torch - alludes to RIM's acquisition last year of WebKit browser developer Torch Mobile.

The new WebKit browser it runs - pictured above - improves HTML webpage rendering times and brings tabbed browsing to the platform.

As well as pinch to zoom, Torch users can also double-tap to zoom in - a feature which incorporates text auto-wrap to ensure web content remains readable, according to RIM.

Published: August 4, 2010 -- 15:17 GMT (08:17 PDT)
Photo by: Natasha Lomas/silicon.com

Caption by: Natasha Lomas
Another new feature on the Torch is Social Feeds - an application that combines social network updates and RSS feeds. A notification from the application can be seen in the integrated inbox shown above.

Published: August 4, 2010 -- 15:17 GMT (08:17 PDT)
Photo by: Natasha Lomas/silicon.com

Caption by: Natasha Lomas
Shown above is the view of RSS feeds within the Social Feeds application itself.

Published: August 4, 2010 -- 15:17 GMT (08:17 PDT)
Photo by: Natasha Lomas/silicon.com

Caption by: Natasha Lomas
The Torch also features a universal search icon on the homescreen, enabling users to carry out one search yet retrieve different types of content - such as contacts, email, music, videos and other files.

It will also search the internet and apps on the BlackBerry App World marketplace, which comes pre-loaded on the Torch.

Published: August 4, 2010 -- 15:17 GMT (08:17 PDT)
Photo by: Natasha Lomas/silicon.com

Caption by: Natasha Lomas
The homescreen itself can be customised by adding shortcuts to the sliding menu - such as links to websites, apps or contacts.

Published: August 4, 2010 -- 15:17 GMT (08:17 PDT)
Photo by: Natasha Lomas/silicon.com

Caption by: Natasha Lomas
Here's a view of the ribbed back of the handset.

RIM has not yet announced a launch date for the BlackBerry Torch in Europe. The device will launch exclusively on the AT&T network in the US this month.

Published: August 4, 2010 -- 15:17 GMT (08:17 PDT)
Photo by: Natasha Lomas/silicon.com

Caption by: Natasha Lomas