BlackBerry Bold 9700

RIM's just-announced BlackBerry Bold 9700 today, and every indication we've gotten is that this thing is a perfect -- if not extremely conservative -- successor to the first-generation Bold.

Here’s a quick refresher on the critical specs:

* BlackBerry OS 5.0
* 624MHz CPU
* 256MB flash memory and support for microSD cards up to 32GB
* Quad-band UMTS/HSDPA (800/850/1900/2100 MHz) or tri-band UMTS/HSDPA (900/1700/2100 MHz)
* Quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE
* Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g with UMA support (carrier dependent)
* A-GPS
* 2.44″ HVGA+ display
* 3.2 megapixel camera with autofocus and LED flash
* Optical trackpad
* Bluetooth 2.1 with A2DP/AVCRP
* 1500 mAh battery
* 6 hours of talk time and 17 days of standby (3G)
* 109mm x 60mm x 14.1mm, 122g

In short, this is the BlackBerry device of your dreams.

AT&T, Rogers and T-Mobile also have announced they will be carrying the Bold 9700 in the weeks ahead. AT&T and T-Mobile’s 9700 will go for $199.99 after a $100 MIR on 2-year deals while Rogers will be asking for $299.99 on a 3-year contract with a monthly minimum voice and data plan of $45. Bell and TELUS have yet to come forward with pricing but have confirmed they will be carrying the device.