Leak shows BlackBerry Tour2 near Verizon launch
updated 04:50 pm EST, Mon January 18, 2010
BlackBerry Tour2 leaked on CellBrite system
A leaked image of a CellBrite device screen with the BlackBerry Essex handset indicates the handset is nearing a release at wireless carrier Verizon. The smartphone will be officially called Tour2, but is also known as the 9650 and, formerly, the Essex. CellBrite is used by many carriers to preload software onto newly released devices.
The leak reportedly came from a source who traditionally leaks information related to Verizon, so it is assumed the provider will be among the first to release the Tour2. An earlier report showing the carrier's logo on the handset further substantiates this possibility.
A successor to the original Tour, the new handset adds Wi-Fi connectivity and an optical trackpad to help improve the reliability over the old handset. There is otherwise a carried-over 3.2-megapixel camera, and a 480x360 resolution, 2.4-inch screen first found on the BlackBerry 8900.
There is still no indication of the pricing of the Tour2, however. [via CrackBerry]
