New BlackBerry targets business and consumer sectors

RIM is aiming its 9700 at business users with an eye for consumer features

Research in Motion (RIM) is to release its BlackBerry 9700 mobile on European and US markets in the next two weeks, and is hoping the handset will bridge the divide between a business and consumer phone.

The 9700 is smaller than the company's previous keyboard handsets, but comes with a trackpad in place of RIM's traditional ball mouse. The company said the move was in part to counter clogging claims for its trackball and to also mimic the user experience of a laptop.

The phone will be released via AT&T and T-Mobile in the US and via T-Mobile in the UK.

By adding full support for RIM’s enterprise server software, the company is positioning the phone directly in the business space, but is also hoping the multimedia functions will appeal to the business buyer with an eye for consumer features.

The phone has a 3.2 megapixel digital camera capable of video and as 3G and Wi-Fi support.

“It is a crossover between a business handset to one that owners would feel comfortable using as a consumer phone,” said Blair Young, director of carrier products at RIM.