Those submitting to the App World can now pick the upcoming BlackBerry 9800 and OS 6 as compatibility options, further solidifying suspicions of an August 15 release on AT&T. AT&T won’t be the only one offering RIM’s first slider, though; rumour has it Vodafone, T-Mobile, O2, Telefonica, and Orange are all testing the device for a widespread release across Europe. That doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll all get it, but they’re at least considering the option. Up here in Canada, we’re expecting a Rogers exclusive on the BlackBerry 9800.
The BlackBerry 9800 will be RIM’s centerpiece in the launch of their upcoming OS 6, and pack 512 MB of app memory, a 5 megapixel camera with flash, HVGA display, and will be the first sliding BlackBerry to date. It has a trackpad as well a physical keyboard and standard, non-SurePress touchscreen, providing the whole gamut of input options. Whether or not it will reinvigorate the brand in face of growing competition from iPhone and Android is the biggest question on everyone’s mind, but luckily we’ll only have to wait just a little while longer to see how it performs.