BlackBerry Torch 9800

BlackBerry announced their new unit and the web is all abuzz. Amidst iPhone’s needing band-aids and the hype of Google’s Android devices, BlackBerry remains a “dominate force,” according to CNet.The new BlackBerry device unveiled recently is the Torch 9800, currently only available on the AT&T network. What’s so good about it? According to CNet, it is expected to rival Apple’s iPhone.

The Torch slider sports a touchscreen display. The slide-out QWERTY keyboard is a full keyboard, when not in use, slides under the touchscreen. (Hiding the keyboard prevents accidental calling from your pocket.) This is a first for BlackBerry as customers never had the option to buy the security of BlackBerry with the ease of slider phones.

Running on BlackBerry’s new 6 Mobile OS, the media section is supposed to be easier to navigate – image, video and music. There’s a new “BlackBerry Podcast Service” app designed to make it easier to find and download podcasts, free of charge. This latest OS also offers the newest version of BlackBerry’s Desktop Manager. Currently, it is unclear whether Mac users will be able to get in on this as previous versions have only supported PC users.

The Torch will be available starting August 12th and with a new 2-year contract through AT&T, will cost $199.